Chelsea Handler's Awkward Monologue at Critics Choice Awards

Celebrities squirmed through an at-times awkward monologue at the Critics Choice Awards, courtesy of host Chelsea Handler.

The US TV presenter, helming the 30th annual celebration of film and TV for the third time in a row, bravely ventured to making jokes about the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni feud, as well as Ariana Grande's relationship with Ethan Slater in her opening.

Speaking to the career endurance of former teen stars Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Grande, who were each nominated for awards, Handler made a bizarrely flat gag about the latter's relationship with her Wicked co-star Slater, who played munchkin Bok in the musical film.

"And now Ariana has even found love with a munchkin," Handler offered.

Cue, mass crickets.

Cameras opted not to flash to Grande to capture her no-doubt confused reaction.

Handler attempted to salvage the vibe of the room, saying after a lengthy pause, "That's good news, everybody!"

Handler also poked fun at the ongoing Lively and Baldoni legal drama playing out in the media. Fair game, some could argue. The main problem? A lack of laughable lines.

"I want to acknowledge we've been through a lot lately. Waking up everyday not knowing what news we are going to hear that will disappoint or horrify us, so it is important in times like these to have a distraction," Handler began.

"Which is why I personally want to extend my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Thank you for providing us with that distraction.

"I'm grateful, I think we're all grateful, and I think we're good. I think everybody in this room no matter whose side you're on, we can all agree to accept there's probably not going to be a sequel. It ends with us, guys."

Handler's assessment of Conclave nominee Ralph Fiennes was easily her highlight zinger of the night.

"You've played a ruthless Nazi, an evil lord Dumbledore and a celibate cardinal, and somehow you've made me want to have sex with you in all roles," she said.

"You've made some truly some unsexy people, very sexy. So, I'm begging you never play Vladimir Putin. I can't do that again."

It wasn't enough to sway viewers watching from home, dozens of whom have taken to X to dub Handler's monologue a "bomb".

"Somebody get chelsea handler off the stage please...." one wrote.

"Chelsea Handler makes ME uncomfortable," another said.

"chelsea handler keeps going silent like expecting everyone to laugh, girl this is a chop," a third added.

"Aan someone please turn the volume down on chelsea handler's mic," another wrote.

"hosting is not an easy gig but wow is chelsea handler setting an awfully strange and sinister tone," said another.

"help chelsea handler said 'now ariana has even found love with a munchkin' and no one laughed nor did the camera pan to Ariana," a sixth said.

The Critics Choice Awards are unfolding at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar.