Host Chelsea Handler brought the laughs to the 2026 Critics Choice Awards with her rousing monologue - and even left Jean Smart speechless. The comedian, 50, kicked off the Sunday, January 4, awards show at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, with jokes about the film and television industry. Handler did not hold back when calling out several stars, but Leonardo DiCaprio took it on the chin - and even seemed to enjoy it - when his name came up. "Leo's here, thank God," Handler quipped. "Leo almost didn't make it tonight because he was trapped on a boat in St. Barts.