Comedian Chelsea Handler took a playful swipe at her ex-boyfriend Jo Koy during her monologue at the Critics’ Choice Awards, making a humorous reference to filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Handler joked, “Unfortunately, Martin Scorsese isn’t here tonight, but that’s not going to stop me from letting everyone in this room know that I would toss him around like a little Italian meatball.” She added, “Thank you for laughing at that. My writers wrote it.” The quip follows Koy’s less-than-well-received Golden Globes monologue, where he faced criticism for his performance and even blamed the show’s writers.
Jo Koy’s Golden Globes monologue, delivered just a week before the Critics’ Choice Awards, received mixed reviews and was deemed by some as a challenging performance. The comedian acknowledged that some jokes were written by others, defending himself by pointing out the short notice he had for preparing the monologue. Koy, who was known for his appearances on Handler’s late-night show “Chelsea Lately,” experienced a challenging moment during the Golden Globes, with several of his jokes failing to land well with the audience.
Chelsea Handler and Jo Koy, who had known each other for nearly two decades, started dating in the summer of 2021. Their romantic relationship followed years of friendship, with Koy frequently appearing on Handler’s late-night show. The couple enjoyed their bond, with Handler describing Koy as her best buddy, and they spoke about their deep connection and love. However, their relationship took a turn, and Handler announced their split in July 2022. Despite expressing love and appreciation for Koy, Handler emphasized the need for a break from their relationship.
In the months following their breakup, the couple shared different perspectives on their post-relationship status. While Koy spoke positively about their continued friendship and Handler’s success, Handler indicated that there needed to be accountability and responsibility for the relationship’s challenges before they could consider rebuilding their friendship. Koy, in July 2023, mentioned that they were still friends and expressed admiration for Handler’s achievements. The comedian’s light-hearted jab at Koy during the Critics’ Choice Awards adds another chapter to the evolving dynamic between the two comedians after their romantic split.