2023 Critics Choice Awards Top Moments Transcript

Brendan Fraser.

The 2023 Critics’ Choice Awards had no shortage of heartfelt moments on Sunday night from Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan’s emotional wins to Jennifer Coolidge and Sheryl Lee Ralph’s epic speeches, Access Hollywood is breaking down the top moments. There were several first time winners on Sunday, including Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan, who both gave emotional speeches. Brendan took home the prize for best actor for his work and The Whale and was visibly shocked and all boost moved to tears when his name was called. After accepting the honor, he moved the audience with his emotional speech, which looked back on his bumpy career.

If you like a guy like Charlie who I played in this movie in any way struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you’re in a dark sea, I want you to know that if you too can have this strength to just get to your feet and go to the light, good things will happen. Thank you. Good night.

As Brendan was making his way to the stage, he had a sweet encounter with his former co-star and fellow critics Choice Award winner, Ke Huy Quan, who took home the prize for best supporting actor earlier in the night for his work and Everything Everywhere All at Once. Like Brendan, he too had some tough years as an actor and reflected on what this win meant to him in his heartfelt speech.

When I think about it, my comeback story could have been very, very different. Had it not been for the critics and the journalists. I was bracing for a very different reaction. But because of your generosity, I was welcome back with so much positivity.

It was also a big night for the cast and crew of Everything Everywhere All at Once, the film took home best picture and best director at the Critic’s Choice Awards. Another big win of the night was Sheryl Lee Ralph, who preached self-love after nabbing the best supporting actress in a comedy series prize for her role as Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary.

And to all of you watching here, come close to the screen and listen. People don’t have to like you. People don’t have to love you. They don’t even have to respect you, but when you look in the mirror, you better love what you see. You better love what you see. Thank you to the critics. Thank you. Thank you.

And of course, it isn’t an award show without Jennifer Coolidge. She took home best supporting actress in a drama series for her acclaimed work as fan favorite character, Tanya McCoy in the White Lotus. Although she is known for her signature comedy chops, she dropped some wisdom Sunday night saying that her career should serve as inspiration for anyone afraid that their best days are behind them.

I just want to say to all the people out there, for anyone who’s sort of given up hope, I hope this gives you inspiration. It’s not over till it’s over. It’s not over till you’re dead.

The night also had no shortage of funny moments. Courtesy of host Chelsea Handler who called out Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Ellen DeGeneres, Nick Cannon, and Prince Harry.

Dahmer became the third highest viewed show on Netflix with a combined watch time of 1 billion hours, which apparently is the same amount of time we’re going to have to listen to Prince Harry talk about his frost bitten penis.

She isn’t the only one who put some Hollywood A-listers on Blast. Kate Blanchett, hilariously poked fun at Julie Roberts for giving her mouthwash during her best actress speech. And who could forget Amanda Seyfried dropping F-Bombs after winning best actress in a limited series or movie made for television. The dropout star was in light spirits even before the show started. She chatted at the Access Hollywood, Scott Evans, on the red carpet and joked about her wardrobe malfunction.

This look, I mean you look fantastic.

Archival Dior.

Tell me one more time.

Archival Dior.

I like the way that you said it, that you were like Archival Dior.

It keeps breaking. I’m not kidding. It keeps ripping. It’s actually like breaking.

Oh no.

It’s like I’m like tacked. I’m just going to take off my dress. I’m just going to take it off. It keeps ripping off. It’s fine. It’s fine. It literally is. It’s fine. Honestly. It’s old.

It’s vintage. It’s gorgeous. I love you so much. You are so much fun. Congratulations. I mean today, Sunday or Tuesday.

Yeah.

It’s also weird to think about the Globes on a Tuesday.

That was a trick. They were pulling a trick on us.

Yeah, they got us. They got us. But what does it feel like? I mean, the Critic’s Choice, that’s one of the hardest groups to win over. I feel like sometimes.

Yeah, you don’t want them to, but they have got a lot of power over how we feel. They get people, they get audiences to show up. I mean, we need them. And to know that they’ve accepting me and reacting to something I really worked my off doing it’s so nice. It’s so nice.

Have you read a review that you were like, I won’t be forgetting this one?

Yeah.

Anything you want to share?

It was a dude, who thought like a…

Yep. James J… It’s fine. You got it. Amanda, you got it. You got it. You got it. You got it. Keep it cool. Keep it cool. Keep it cool.

What’d you ask me?

A review. Have you read a review? Said it’s a dude.

There was a dude who was a dude recently who I guess doesn’t like women. It was interesting. It was so interesting. It was a, it’s a cool thing to study though. People are different.

And the way they express. That’s James Cameron right there. I’m going to let you [inaudible 00:06:37].

I’m cool. I’m cool. I don’t like to bother people. My dress is falling off. I think you’re really great, okay, anyways.

Oh my God. Listen, have so much fun tonight, you’re the bomb.