The 2026 Critics' Choice Awards red carpet provided one of the most bizarre and viral moments of the night, courtesy of a bewildered Jeff Goldblum. The veteran actor found himself completely perplexed after being unexpectedly quizzed about the hit HBO Max gay romance series Heated Rivalry during an interview with E! correspondent Keltie Knight.
A Baffling Exchange on the Red Carpet
Knight, while interviewing Goldblum ahead of the ceremony in Santa Monica, shifted the conversation from his nominated film Wicked: For Good to the popular television show. "But now something has come to take your spot, and it's Heated Rivalry," Knight stated. "Have you heard of Heated Rivalry, do you know what it is, have you been to the cottage?"
The reference to "the cottage," a slang term within the series' fandom, clearly lost the 73-year-old actor. Goldblum, ever the charming professional, attempted to navigate the odd question with his signature wit. "I want to say yes very badly, I can't in all good conscience, I chopped down the cherry tree, I've never told a lie. No, no, Heated Rivalry? I'm an idiot, you know," he replied.
When Knight explained the show is "a love story about two hockey players, two men, they fall in love," Goldblum quickly interjected, "Wait a minute, stop right there. That's the end of it. Of course, I haven't seen it, I want to see it, I've heard great, great things." Knight's final instruction was for him to return after he'd watched it.
Internet Reacts with Confusion and Amusement
The random line of questioning, given Goldblum has no connection to the HBO Max series, left social media users in hysterics. Many expressed sheer bewilderment at the interviewer's choice of topic for the actor, who was at the event to present and support his film Wicked: For Good, nominated for eight awards including Best Picture.
One viral tweet captured the mood, exclaiming, "OMG ASKING JEFF GOLDBLUM ABOUT HEATED RIVALRY BEFORE ASKING ABOUT WICKED." Others posted, "They're asking Jeff Goldblum if he's seen heated rivalry/been to the cottage," and "I genuinely don't know why tf else you would ask jeff goldblum if he's watched hr like are we ok." The consensus online was that Goldblum, though gracious, was utterly lost during the exchange.
A Night of Glamour and Celebration
Beyond the viral interview, Goldblum and his wife, Emilie Livingston, were a vision of style on the red carpet. The actor looked dapper in a crisp black-and-white suit with a bow tie, while Livingston, celebrating her birthday, stunned in a chic black off-the-shoulder dress. Goldblum made sure to wish his wife a happy birthday during his E! interview.
The 31st annual Critics' Choice Awards, held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Sunday, January 4, 2026, is considered a key bellwether for the Oscars. Hosted for the fourth consecutive year by Chelsea Handler, the ceremony honoured the best in film and television for the past year.
Wicked: For Good, in which Goldblum reprises his role as The Wizard, faced stiff competition in categories like Best Picture, which was led by Sinners with 17 nominations. Other major contenders included One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and Sentimental Value.
