The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards brought Hollywood’s biggest stars to LA’s Peacock Theater on Sept. 14, with “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay taking the stage as host and TV’s buzziest shows battling for the night’s biggest prizes. Hargitay pointed out that she was the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years.
“Imagine that. For 15 straight years, Amy [Poehler] and Tina [Fey] said no
,” Hargitay joked in her opening monologue.At a time when the entertainment industry is grappling with a number of serious issues, from studio mergers to growing anxiety over artificial intelligence, the Emmys gave Hollywood a brief night of reprieve to celebrate what television does best.
Here are some of the best, and biggest, moments from this year’s Emmy
Awards:
Jalen Brunson shows up in Mariska Hargitay's opening number
Mariska Hargitay kicked off the Emmys with help from an unexpected guest: New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson. Hargitay opened the ceremony with “I Love TV Screens,” a musical spoof of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” using rewritten lyrics to celebrate the year’s biggest shows and stars.
Brunson briefly appeared at the beginning of the segment, steaming his basketball jersey while Hargitay steamed Emmys dresses. “It’s just a lot of pressure. Have you ever felt like you had millions of eyes on you and it all comes down to one night?” Hargitay asked Brunson, prompting him to respond, “Seriously?”
“Hey, Jalen, it’s just me. I don’t have anyone to tap it in for me,” Hargitay said, referencing the famous tip-in by Brunson’s teammate OG Anunoby during the Knicks’ championship run.
Mariska Hargitay parodies Nicole Kidman's iconic AMC ad
In her opening monologue, Hargitay also poked fun by reciting a TV-themed version of Nicole Kidman’s viral AMC movie theaters ad, telling the audience, “At the end of the day, we come to TV for magic, to laugh, to cry, to care, because we need that, all of us.”
As Hargitay carried on with her parody, talking about the “indescribable feeling” of watching the lights in a theater dim, Kidman interrupted from the audience. “No, Mariska,” Kidman said. “That’s my bit. You can’t do that.”
Hargitay wasn’t deterred, delivering the ad’s most memorable line: “Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like this.”
“No, come on,” Kidman protested.
“Zip it, movie lady, it’s TV’s turn tonight,” Hargitay shot back to a room full of laughter and applause.
Taylor Swift makes a surprise appearance in a 'SVU' skit
After Taylor Swift’s Disney+ concert special, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour − The Final Show,” was nominated for five Emmy awards, the masses wondered if the singer was going to show up. Though she wasn’t there in person and was actually spotted at husband Travis Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs game, Swift did appear in a pre-taped “Law & Order: SVU” parody skit featuring host Mariska Hargitay.
In the bit, Hargitay assumed her “SVU” persona Olivia Benson to investigate a case, then Swift entered the scene as a part of the investigation. The cameo played off the pair’s real-life friendship and Swift’s longtime connection to the NBC crime drama. Swift has previously talked about her love for the show, even having named her cat Olivia Benson after Hargitay’s character.
Dan Levy wears a black rose in honor of Catherine O'Hara
Dan Levy arrived at the Emmys carrying a small but meaningful tribute to his late “Schitt’s Creek” costar Catherine O’Hara: A black rose adorned his custom suit in honor of the actress.
The Emmys hold a particular significance for Levy when it comes to remembering O’Hara. In 2020, “Schitt’s Creek” swept the major comedy categories during its historic final-season run, with O’Hara winning outstanding lead actress in a comedy for her performance as the beloved Moira Rose.
“Catherine was such a singular force,” Levy said in his tribute, and remembered thinking, “Just let her do her thing. Give her space. Give her anything she wants. If she wants to wear wigs, let her wear wigs. If she wants to name those wigs, let her name those wigs. Do anything you can to make her happy because what she is doing on this show is next level.”
Michael J. Fox emotionally accepts the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
Michael J. Fox received one of the night’s most meaningful honors when he was presented with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his advocacy and work advancing research for Parkinson’s disease. Fox was presented the award by his longtime friend and former co-star on “The Good Wife,” Julianna Margulies.
Two years after publicly disclosing his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 1998, the actor founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
“I worried that it would affect my work and my relationship with audiences. Would they laugh if they knew I was sick?” Fox said while accepting his honor. “And then I was stunned by the support I got. The support from all of you. It was so uplifting, it made me feel like I could keep doing this and I hadn't lost what I do, and they couldn't take this away from me.”
'Hacks' star Megan Stalter dresses as a gilded Emmy statue
Megan Stalter surprised everyone by showing up to the red carpet dressed as a life-size version of the Emmys trophy, covered head-to-toe in gold body paint. The “Hacks” star also wore a gold crop top and shorts, dramatic-looking gold wings, and a matching golden updo. It was a look that certainly committed to the bit, perhaps a little too much.
Stalter even carried a large gold sphere, raising it over her head for photos, just in case the already over-the-top ensemble hadn’t made the reference obvious enough. There was nothing subtle about her fashion statement.
“Hacks” co-creator Paul W. Downs told Entertainment Weekly he helped airbrush Stalter for two hours before the ceremony.
“Where else are you going to wear the wings?” Downs joked.
Reba McEntire, Jamie Lee Curtis lead tearful tributes to Dolly Parton, Rob Reiner
While the Emmys honored a number of artists and entertainment industry giants during the In Memoriam segment, the show took a separate moment to honor Dolly Parton, who died last month at 80.
Sally Field, who starred alongside Parton in the 1989 film “Steel Magnolias,” reflected on Parton’s legacy before introducing Reba McEntire. “I am not the only one on Earth that will love you forever and ever,” Field said.
McEntire then performed Parton’s song, “Appalachian Memories,” paying tribute to her longtime friend and fellow country music legend.
Later, Jamie Lee Curtis took the stage to honor the late Rob Reiner, who was killed last December. The two were co-stars in “The Bear,” the show that earned Reiner his third Emmy award posthumously.
“Last year, we lost another cherished legend, our beloved ‘Meathead,’ Rob Reiner,” Curtis said through tears. “He was generous and kind and funny as hell and a friend to all.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biggest moments of the 2026 Emmys, from Michael J. Fox to Taylor Swift
