School’s out for Janelle James — at least temporarily.
The Abbott Elementary star will host the 2027 Critics Choice Awards, the organization announced on Thursday. James won the CCA for Best Comedy Supporting Actress in 2026, but this is her first time hosting the kudos. She’s also a five-time Emmy nominee for the ABC mockumentary. The comedian will debut her first hour-long stand-up special, Netflix’s Janelle James: How Romantic, on Nov. 10.
“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?” said CCA CEO Joey Berlin. “We are so honored to have the incredible Janelle James join us to host this year’s Critics Choice Awards.”
Read on for everything to know about the 2027 Critics Choice Awards.
WHEN ARE THE NOMINATIONS?
Mark your calendars: the CCA noms will be announced for film and television at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET on Dec. 4 by Live From E!‘s Erin Lim Rhodes and Will Marfuggi. Watch the announcement live on E! and USA Network, along with CriticsChoice.com, E! Online, and the social channels for CCA and E!
WHEN IS THE CEREMONY?
The 32nd annual event takes place on Jan. 3, 2027. Simulcast on E! and USA Network, the telecast will air live on both coasts from 4-7 p.m. PT / 7-10 p.m. ET. See the full awards calendar.
THE VENUE
For the fourth year in a row, the Critics Choice Awards will be held at the enormous Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif.
THE CRITICS CHOICE-OSCAR CONNECTION
The Critics Choice Awards are proud of the fact that, historically, they are the most accurate predictor of the Oscar nominations. That’s partly because the CCAs allow for six nominations in many categories, compared to just five at the Oscars. For the past four years, the critics’ Best Picture winner went on to claim the Academy Award: Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), Oppenheimer (2023), Anora (2024), and One Battle After Another (2025).
THE CRITICS CHOICE-EMMY CONNECTION
Since the group started doling out TV prizes in 2011, there hasn’t been a noticeable trend between its winners and the Emmys. That’s because, since 2016, the CCAs have adhered to calendar-year eligibility, while the Emmys’ eligibility begins in June and runs until May of the following year. Popular shows that won the Critics Choice Award, but not the top Emmy, include Abbott Elementary (2023), Better Call Saul (2023), The Americans (2019), and Silicon Valley (2016).
WHO VOTES AT CRITICS CHOICE?
The awards are voted on by the Critics Choice Association, which includes nearly 500 active voting members specializing in film and/or television.
