On the eve of her 50th birthday in February, Chelsea Handler has found a nice groove — personally and professionally. In addition to hosting her third Critics Choice Awards (7 p.m. ET on Feb. 7 on E! and Peacock), the comic just started her first Las Vegas residency and soon publishes her seventh book, I’ll Have What She’s Having. When we spoke in December, covering bad interviews and the things she’d like to leave behind in 2024, Handler was in the midst of a three-month stint in Whistler, British Columbia, with her dog, Doug. “I’m looking at everything through a whole new lens,” says Handler. “How can I stretch my legs and get out of my comfort zone? I feel like 50 is a kind of rebirth. It’s a reset.”
[Editor’s note: The following conversation took place before the L.A. wildfires and the postponement of the Critics Choice Awards.]
This year, Critics Choice moves to E!, where you worked for eight years. I’d assume you’re able to get away with more than when it aired on The CW. Are you thinking about that?
Not necessarily. I’m pretty good at getting away with what I need to get away with — wherever I am. This one is just especially fun because I’m returning to an ex-lover I broke up with so many years ago.
The past decade found you immersing yourself in different topics — racism, drugs, white privilege — for specials. What is occupying your curiosity right now?
Whatever my work requires me to be obsessed with. I’m watching all the nominated movies and shows for my monologue. For my podcast, I’m reading for all of the guests I have — Brooke Shields and Mel Robbins both came on. I like to be prepared.
Any personal obsessions?
Getting better at life. Being as happy as I can. Performing in front of thousands of people still brings me joy, but I’m getting better at being me — instead of comparing myself to other people. I don’t spend hours on Instagram like I did 10 or even five years ago. God, I think that’s a huge part of it.
You were only 32 when you launched Chelsea Lately, and some comics — John Mulaney, Taylor Tomlinson — are now being similarly playful with the talk show format. Would you do another one?
I’m not interested in being tethered to a studio five nights a week. I have too much freedom in my life to go back to that. But I love interviewing people. I’m a good listener, and that’s all you really need to be a good interviewer. So many talk show hosts have been terrible listeners. They ask, “How is your summer, Chelsea?” while looking over your shoulder and reading a blue card. Like, “What? Hello? I’m right here!” I’ll never not be curious, though, so it would have to be a perfect set of circumstances where it was once a week or specials like Oprah.
What’s the biggest perk, aside from the money, of your Las Vegas residency?
Getting to bring a group of friends each time and hook them up. I’m able to give them rooms and tickets. Then we all gamble and have a party. I perform once a month for the next two years. That’s a schedule I can definitely get behind. I don’t like to spend more than 24 hours in Vegas.
What would you like to not hear about anymore in 2025?
Matt Gaetz. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jim Jordan, all the people who I wish would go into some sort of Republican healing retreat. Outside of politics and religion? People’s pets. I don’t need to hear about your pets.
The first thing you mentioned when we got on the phone was your dog.
I’m included! I talk about my dog. He’s my husband. It’s ridiculous and I need to stop, but so do other people.
This story appeared in the Jan. 9 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
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