What began as a few harmless photos of modest snack plates quickly turned into a referendum on celebrity privilege. Kyle Buchanan’s shot of grapes and crackers became a symbol, and Janelle James’ razor-sharp joke — that nominees are “never gonna feed us at this thing” — gave the internet its rallying cry. Memes compared the Critics Choice spread to airline food and the disastrous Fyre Festival, while last year’s “pizza in a bag” fiasco was dragged back into the spotlight, complete with memories of unimpressed A-listers and Paul Giamatti’s wry endorsement quip.

Yet beneath the mockery, a quieter argument emerged. Some people defended the simple menu as practical, inclusive, even enviable, reminding others that many families would be grateful for such a meal. The uproar exposed an uncomfortable tension: a glamorous industry trying to appear relatable, and an audience increasingly unwilling to ignore excess, waste, or tone-deaf complaints — even when all that’s at stake is grapes and ice cream.