Chelsea Handler honored Rob and Michele Reiner in Critics Choice opening monologue

Movieweb reports that comedy icon Chelsea Handler, host of the 31st Critics Choice Awards, used her opening monologue to honor Rob and Michele Reiner, who were found dead in their L.A. home weeks ago. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Handler delivered the monologue on the stage set up at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, where the ceremony took place.

Handler described Rob Reiner as “the nicest guy in Hollywood” and urged the room to “use tonight as a reminder of that decency and as a reminder of everything Rob and Michele represented and fought so hard for.” She mixed the tribute with sharper jokes about films and attendees, including quips about the horror film Sinners that drew mixed reactions and a roast of Leonardo DiCaprio that the outlet said the actor laughed at.

The ceremony also provided early indicators for the 2026 awards season: television winners included Adolescence (Best Limited Series plus acting awards), The Pitt (Best Drama Series plus acting awards) and The Studio (Best Comedy plus acting awards). In film, One Battle After Another won Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture, while Sinners took Best Original Screenplay, Best Young Actor/Actress, Best Casting and Ensemble, and Best Score; Amy Madigan was named Best Supporting Actress for Weapons.

Key Topics

Culture, Chelsea Handler, Rob Reiner, Michele Reiner, Critics Choice Awards, Sinners