Great news from the Critics Choice Awards.
Janelle James, award winning star of “Abbott Elementary,” is taking over hosting duties from Chelsea Handler.
Handler has been the host, very successfully, for the last few editions.
But now it’s Janelle’s turn, and she’s going to be great.
The CCA show airs Sunday, January 3rd on E! and USA Network. It’s the first awards show of the season, and voted on by members who are actual journalists and critics.
Janelle could be a nominee from “Abbott Elementary.” You never know. But she deserves it. She’s had five consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, a 2026 Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and nominations from the Independent Spirit Awards, Gotham Awards, and Television Critics Association. She also won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2023 and 2026, with additional nominations in 2024 and 2025.
Nominations in both the film and television categories for the annual event will be announced by Live From E!’s Erin Lim Rhodes and Will Marfuggi at 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT on Friday, December 4 on E! and USA Network linear channels, along with CriticsChoice.com, E! Online, and on CCA’s and E!’s social platforms.
“For over three decades, the Critics Choice Awards have been the place where the conversation about the year’s best work really takes off – and who better to host a show about the best of TV and film than one of the very best in the business?” says CCA CEO Joey Berlin. “We are so honored to have the incredible Janelle James join us to host this year’s Critics Choice Awards.”
On a personal note: if anyone’s going to LA from NY on January 2 in a private plane and has extra seats feel free to hit me up!
