> At a Glance
> – Chelsea Handler mocked Leonardo DiCaprio for being stuck on a yacht with Jeff Bezos
> – The jab came during her fourth straight year hosting the Critics Choice Awards on Jan. 4
> – Why it matters: The opening monologue set the tone for awards season with A-list targets
**Chelsea Handler kicked off the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards by turning the spotlight on Leonardo DiCaprio and his recent Caribbean getaway.
The Roast
> “Leo’s here. Thank God. Leo almost didn’t make it tonight because he was trapped on a boat in St. Bart’s. It was just like the Titanic, but worse, because Jeff Bezos was there.”
The crack referenced DiCaprio being stranded in St. Bart’s after air restrictions grounded flights amid the U.S.-Venezuela conflict. The actor missed accepting his Desert Palm Achievement Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival as a result.
Awards Night Details
- Venue: Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, Calif.
- Broadcast: Live on E! and USA Network at 7 p.m. ET, streaming next day on Peacock
- Top film nominee: Sinners with 17 nods
- Top TV nominee: Netflix’s Adolescence with 6 nods
Four new categories debuted:
- Best Variety Series
- Best Stunt Design
- Best Casting and Ensemble
- Best Sound
The 2026 show arrives less than a year after the 2025 ceremony was postponed twice due to the Los Angeles fires, finally held Feb. 7.
Key Takeaways
- Handler’s monologue targeted DiCaprio’s yacht adventure with Bezos
- The actor is nominated for One Battle After Another
- New categories reflect evolving film and TV landscape
- The event signals the start of awards season
Handler’s return marks her fourth consecutive year as host, cementing her role as the ceremony’s comedic anchor.
