Mariska Hargitay’s hosting turn at the 2026 Emmys drew mixed reviews Monday night at LA’s Peacock Theater.
The “Law & Order: SVU” star, 60, brought enthusiasm and star power to the ceremony, including pre-taped cameos with Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Taylor Swift. In one clip, Hargitay vented about the pressure of hosting. Brunson deadpanned, “seriously?”
She then launched into a lip-sync performance set to “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” that referenced the year’s television shows. The bit landed awkwardly, and her mid-ceremony sketches ranged from mildly funny to tedious throughout the evening.
Swift appeared in a “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” skit alongside her real-life cat, Olivia Benson, named after Hargitay’s character. The pop star was not present at the theater; she was spotted in the stands at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, supporting husband Travis Kelce at his Chiefs game. Her seatmate: Tom Cruise.
While the hosting proved uneven, the night’s winners delivered memorable moments. “Widow’s Bay,” the Apple TV horror-comedy that became a word-of-mouth summer sensation, swept the comedy categories. Series star Matthew Rhys took home two Emmys in one night: lead actor in a comedy for “Widow’s Bay” and lead actor in a limited series for “The Beast in Me.”
In his “Widow’s Bay” speech, Rhys praised the showrunner’s “disturbed brain.” The “Americans” alum joined rare company: James Earl Jones remains the only other male actor to win two Emmys for two different roles in the same year, achieving the feat in 1991 for “Gabriel’s Fire” and the telefilm “Heat Wave.”
Stephen Root and Kate O’Flynn both won supporting actor trophies for the series, beating more established comedies including “Hacks” and “Only Murders in the Building.”
Jean Smart, 75, made history with her fifth win for lead actress in a comedy, completing a sweep of all five seasons of HBO’s “Hacks.” Her co-star Meg Stalter lost to O’Flynn but generated buzz by arriving dressed as an Emmy statue, covered in actual gold paint.
Sally Field, 79, also set a record as the oldest winner in the lead actress in a limited series or movie category, prevailing for “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” During the “In Memoriam” segment, Field honored her “Steel Magnolias” co-star Dolly Parton, praising the late icon as “blisteringly funny” and a “humanitarian.”
Michael J. Fox accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his contributions to Parkinson’s disease research. Jamie Lee Curtis tearfully honored fellow “The Bear” alum Rob Reiner as “generous and kind and funny as hell.” Reiner had made history with an Emmy win the previous week for guest actor in a comedy, 48 years after his first trophy for “All In the Family” in 1978 — breaking the record his own father, Carl Reiner, had held.
“The Pitt” won drama series and lead actor Noah Wyle took home a statue, though the show underperformed expectations. Its supporting actors appeared to cancel each other out: Tom Pelphrey won for “Task” over “The Pitt” nominees Shawn Hatosy, Patrick Ball, and Gerran Howell, while Allison Janney took supporting actress for “The Diplomat” ahead of Taylor Dearden, Fiona Dourif, Katherine LaNasa, and Sepideh Moafi. Pelphrey delivered a rollicking, emotional speech, calling his pregnant fiancee Kaley Cuoco “the crown jewel of my life.” Janney appeared shocked by her victory.
The “In Memoriam” segment acknowledged a year of staggering losses. “Schitt’s Creek” alums Annie Murphy and Dan Levy joined Macaulay Culkin — Catherine O’Hara’s “Home Alone” son — in tribute to the late actress. The ceremony also featured cast reunions: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz, and original “Charlie’s Angels” stars Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith marking the show’s 50th anniversary.
