> At a Glance
> – Kathy Bates found a ping pong paddle hidden under her seat at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards
> – Host Chelsea Handler promised the finder could “spank” Timothée Chalamet at the afterparty
> – Bates licked the paddle on camera and exclaimed, “That’s so gross. I can’t believe I did that!”
> – Why it matters: The gag referenced Chalamet’s film Marty Supreme, where he insisted on doing his own spanking scene without a stunt double
The 77-year-old actress turned an audience gag into the night’s funniest moment when she discovered the hidden paddle during Sunday’s ceremony at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar.
The Paddle Surprise
Handler revealed she had hidden a single ping pong paddle under one seat, tied to a memorable scene in Chalamet’s nominated film. “I heard that he didn’t want a butt double for those spankings in Marty Supreme,” she told the crowd. “So to make things interesting for this evening, someone in this room has a ping pong paddle under their seat.”
The host explained the prize: “Whoever has it gets to spank Timothée at the afterparty tonight.”
Bates’ Hilarious Reaction
When cameras found Bates holding the paddle, she delivered gold:
- First, she licked the paddle on live television
- Then mouthed to cameras: “That’s so gross. That’s so gross”
- Finally declared to the audience: “I can’t believe I did that!”
Chelsea Handler responded from the stage: “Kathy Bates, lucky you! Yes!”
The Film Connection
The gag references a pivotal Marty Supreme scene where Kevin O’Leary physically punishes Chalamet’s character. O’Leary previously confirmed: “That’s really Chalamet’s ass – he didn’t want the stunt double. I belted his ass for real.”
Award Nominations
Both stars received major nominations:
| Category | Nominee | Project |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet | Marty Supreme |
| Best Actress Drama Series | Kathy Bates | Matlock |
Chalamet faces competition from Leonardo DiCaprio, Joel Edgerton, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, and Wagner Moura. Bates competes against Carrie Coon, Britt Lower, Bella Ramsey, Keri Russell, and Rhea Seehorn.
Key Takeaways
- Bates turned an awkward moment into comedy gold
- The stunt perfectly promoted Chalamet’s nominated performance
- Both stars remain in contention for their respective awards
- The ceremony delivered the viral moment everyone will remember
The unexpected paddle prank gave audiences one more reason to celebrate Hollywood’s biggest honors night.
