Handler Takes a Swipe at Ex-boyfriend Jo Koy During Critics Choice Awards

Comedian and former Chelsea Lately host, Handler, appeared to take a cheeky dig at her ex-boyfriend Jo Koy during her hosting duties at the Critics Choice Awards. The couple dated in 2021 before splitting in 2022, but it seems there may still be some lingering tension.

During her opening monologue, Handler made a reference to Koy’s controversial remarks at the Golden Globes the week prior. Koy had received backlash for his jokes that fell flat and for seemingly throwing his writers under the bus.

Handler cleverly addressed the issue, stating, ‘I wrote some of these [jokes], and they’re the ones you’re laughing at!’ Her comment received extended applause from the audience, many of whom were also present at the Golden Globes.

But Handler didn’t stop there. She took the opportunity to praise the appearances of older male Hollywood figures, Harrison Ford and Robert De Niro, calling them ‘total smoke shows.’ She then playfully added, ‘Unfortunately, Martin Scorsese isn’t here tonight, but that’s not going to stop me from letting everyone in this room know that I would toss him around like a little Italian meatball.’

Handler concluded with a sly remark, ‘Thank you for laughing at that. My writers wrote it.’ The line garnered more laughter and applause, possibly hinting at the contrast in how Koy handled the situation at the Golden Globes.

Jo Koy, a stand-up comedian since the ’90s, was a last-minute addition to the Golden Globes roster and faced criticism for his response to the lukewarm audience reactions. However, in a recent interview, Koy expressed his love and appreciation for his writers and clarified that his intention was never to insult them.