"They said, 'We’re having a really good night.' I'm like, 'It could get better,' " the comedian recalled on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' on Jan. 7

While celebrating achievements in film and television, Chelsea Handler honored some of the industry's late souls.

At Sunday's gala, the comic referred to the rapper's hit docuseries on and rivalry with the fallen rap game kingpin.

Chelsea Handler's opening Critics Choice monologue included a tribute to Rob Reiner, hits at David Zaslav and a shoutout for Heated Rivalry.

Chelsea Handler kicked off the 2026 Critics Choice Awards with the “right vibes,” a.k.a. making hilarious jokes about several famous faces — and also took a moment to remember the late Rob Reiner after his and his wife Michele’s deaths.

Chelsea Handler jabbed at Nicki Minaj and Turning Point USA during the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday after the rapper appeared alongside Erika Kirk.

Everyone in this room knows that the nicest guy in Hollywood was Rob Reiner,” host Chelsea Handler said in kicking off the Critics Choice Awards.

Chelsea Handler returned to the Critics Choice Awards as host for the fourth consecutive year, and one of her looks was a sweet nod to late actress Diane Keaton.

Handler kicked off the 2026 awards season with Sunday night's trophyfest, airing on E! and USA Network: “You guys are all going to be spending the next three months together, so whoever wins tonight,