Jean Smart made the critics crack up the hardest.
That’s why the Hacks actress took home the trophy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series during the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards, hosted for the fourth year in a row by Chelsea Handler in Santa Monica, Calif., Jan. 4. And she had a message aimed directly at critics during her speech.
"What I’ll just say about the relationship between critics and artists has obviously been sort of a love, hate thing over the years,” Jean said from stage. “George Bernard Shaw said famously, 'A critic is a man who leaves no turn unstoned.' And Pauline Kael—of course, the fabulous, late Pauline Kael—was famous for her reviews, scathing and glowing, but I think people got more fun out of her scathing reviews. She gave a particularly bad one to the great David Lean, who said after that, he would never make another movie—and he waited 14 years, he finally made another movie, and it was his last."
She added, "And George Roy Hill, who received a similar treatment, from miss Kael, wrote her a personal letter that started out, ‘You miserable b--ch.’"
However, Jean also highlighted the opposing side.
"But a very famous critic responded, and I think this is very important," she noted, "he said, 'Ultimately, as critics, our responsibility is not to the emotional well-being of a specific artist, our responsibility is to the reader, the art form and our work. In so doing, I believe we pay the artist respect. Our honesty and standards are an argument that the art they make matters.' So I thank the Critics Association for your appreciation of our little show, Hacks."
She also gave a nod to her fellow nominees—Kristen Bell for Nobody Wants This, Natasha Lyonne for Poker Face, Rose McIver for Ghosts, Edi Patterson for The Righteous Gemstones and Carrie Preston for Elsbeth—during her acceptance speech, adding, “Thank you all so much and my fellow nominees, brilliant, beyond brilliant.”
Jean’s show Hacks was also nominated for best comedy series alongside Nobody Wants This, Abbott Elementary, Elsbeth, Ghosts, The Studio, Only Murders in the Building and The Righteous Gemstones.
While the TV categories at the Critics Choice Awards are separated by Comedy and Drama, the film side’s Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominees were from among the entire slate of movies in 2025. And though some fans believe Cynthia Erivo was snubbed for her performance in Wicked: For Good, her counterpart Ariana Grande was elated to be nominated for her supporting role alongside Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku and Teyana Taylor.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you @criticschoice for this acknowledgement," the Grammy winner wrote on her Instagram Story last month, "and for including me in this magnificent group of performances. i loved these films, i love these women. i am deeply honored."
Meanwhile, Chelsea shared her excitement for the first awards show of the season when she was announced as this year’s master of ceremonies.
“Kicking off the year with the Critics Choice Awards feels right," she said in November. "Nothing says ‘new beginnings’ like a room full of critics ready to tell you how you did last year.”
Of course, the Best Actress in a Comedy Series trophy wasn’t the only award handed out during the night. Read on to see who else won gold at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.
Teyana Taylor
in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Jessica Biel
in Lanvin.
Ariana Grande
in custom Alberta Ferretti, Christian Louboutin and Swarovski jewelry.
Paul Mescal
in custom Gucci and Cartier.
Jacob Elordi
in Bottega Veneta, Oliver Peoples and Cartier.
Michael B. Jordan
in custom Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin.
Leighton Meester & Adam Brody
in Carolina Herrera and Chopard jewelry (Meester); Valentino and Jager Le Coultre wath (Brody).
Alexander Skarsgard
in Valentino.
Adam Scott & Naomi Scott
in Dolce & Gabbana.
Marcello Hernandez
in Dolce & Gabbana.
Mckenna Grace
in vintage Vera Wang and Chopard diamonds.
Krys Marshall
in Sehnsucht Atelier.
Rhea Seehorn
in custom Louis Vuitton and Brilliant Earth jewelry.
Nicole Brydon Bloom
in Akris.
Sara Wells & Noah Wyle
in Brioni (Wyle).
Adam Sandler & Jackie Sandler
Leo Woodall
in Paul Smith.
Ryan Coogler & Zinzi Coogler
in custom Louis Vuitton.
Katherine LaNasa & Grant Show
in custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewelry (LaNasa).
Seth Rogen
in Zegna.
Sarah Shahi
in Georges Hobeika.
Ginnifer Goodwin & Josh Dallas
in Giorgio Armani and a Tyler Ellis bag(Goodwin).
Ike Barinholtz
in Dior.
Jimmy Kimmel & Molly McNearney
in Alex Perry, Tyler Ellis purse and Manolo Blahnik shoes (McNearney).
Sterling K. Brown
in Brunello Cucinelli, Jacques Marie Mage glasses, Omega watch, Rachel Katz Jewelry cufflinks, Effy Jewelry rings and Melinda Maria earrings.
Sarah Snook
in Akris and Chopard.
Tramell Tillman
in Anamika Khanna and Lagos Diamonds jewelry.
Natasha Lyonne
in Celine and Le Vian and L'Dezen jewelry.
Chase Infiniti
in custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewelry.
Owen Cooper
in Bottega Veneta.