Janelle James to Host Jan. 3 Critics Choice Awards

Janelle James has been tapped to host the 32nd annual Critics Choice Awards. The ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 3 and will air live on E! and USA Network at 4 p.m. PT.

James is best known for portraying Ava Coleman on Abbott Elementary. Her performance in that role earned her five consecutive Emmy nominations. She also appeared in the film One of Them Days and worked on Showtime's Black Monday and Apple TV's Central Park.

The comedian is currently developing a Hulu comedy titled Rock City. Her first hour-long stand-up special is set to debut on Netflix on Nov. 10. Variety named her one of its 10 Comics to Watch back in 2020.

Joey Berlin, CEO of the Critics Choice Association, praised the selection in a statement. "For over three decades, the Critics Choice Awards have been the place where the conversation about the year’s best work really takes off, and who better to host a show about the best of TV and film than one of the very best in the business?" Berlin added that the organization is honored to have James join them for the event.

Nominations for the awards will be announced on Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. PT. The list will appear on the linear channels of E! and USA Network, the Critics Choice website, E! Online, and the social platforms of the Critics Choice Association and E!.

Bob Bain Productions and Berlin Entertainment are serving as executive producers for the broadcast. Dan Black at Greenberg Traurig represents the production. Chelsea Handler hosted the event earlier this year, which recognized winners including Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi, and Jessie Buckley.