The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards wrapped Monday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and the reviews are in. “Widow’s Bay,” “The Pitt,” and “DTF St. Louis” walked away with big wins, but the ceremony itself was a mixed bag of triumphs and cringes. Here’s the honest breakdown of the best and worst moments from the night, as reported by Nick Caruso and Claire Franken.
The Buffy Reunion That Actually Threw Shade
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” fans got what they wanted, even if the show itself never won an Emmy. Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz reunited to celebrate the series’ 30th anniversary, and the shade was immediate.
Gellar responded to Boreanaz’s comment that he always thought Buffy and Angel would end up together with a simple shrug: “Guess we won’t find out!” The moment was pure nostalgia with a side of bitterness. Gellar also acknowledged the “tough two years for our beloved cast and crew,” a nod to the losses of Michelle Trachtenberg, Nicholas Brendon, and Anthony Head.
The shade threw, and it stuck.
The Opening Song That Missed the Mark
The ceremony opened with a parody of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” titled “I Love TV Screens.” Mariska Hargitay hosted the show, and the pre-recorded clip packed the screen with famous faces. But the joke landed flat.
The song was cheesy, the puns were forced, and the bare foot on the airplane was a visual no one asked for. The TV-headed dancers who joined Hargitay on stage did nothing to improve it. The review noted that comparing Jennifer Coolidge to the “Widow’s Bay” sea hag was a stretch, and the whole bit felt more cringe than camp.
The Swiftie Bit That Actually Worked
Mariska Hargitay’s “SVU” bit spoofed the Swifties, the fandom known for connecting random things to Taylor Swift’s master plans. Olivia Benson told her team that “Abbott Elementary,” Matthew Rhys, and an empanada could all be clues to whether Swift would attend the Emmys.
It felt self-indulgent at first, given that Hargitay is famously friends with Swift. Then the unthinkable happened: the pop star herself appeared on screen, alongside her cat named after Hargitay’s iconic character. The cat played the latest rookie among the “SVU” squad, and the bit ended with a question for the Swifties: what does this actually all mean for Swift’s next album? Were any real clues dropped?
Pelphrey’s Speech Made the Night Sweet
Tom Pelphrey won Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and his acceptance speech was a highlight. He thanked HBO execs and his “Task” co-stars, then turned to his loved ones.
“And to my favorite actor in this room, my love, my best friend, my partner, the very pregnant Kaley Cuoco: I love you more than anything, and our family is the crown jewel of my life! Matilda, Daddy loves you! Baby girl in that belly, Daddy loves you!” Pelphrey said.
Cuoco wept throughout her baby-daddy’s time on stage, and the moment was the cherry on top of a very sweet Emmys moment. The sincerity carried the speech.
Sennott and A’zion Flopped
Rachel Sennott and Odessa A’zion presented Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and they missed the mark entirely. The pair love behind-the-scenes drama, but their delivery was completely devoid of the chaotic energy they claimed to thrive on.
At one point, they pressed foreheads together, closed their eyes, and urged each other to “lock in.” At another, they acted like they had been outed by a hot mic, though the review wished there had been a hot mic so they could at least hear the joke. The bit was a mess.
Mulaney’s Sharp Jokes
John Mulaney stepped in to present Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and the Emmys found a natural fit. “Finally, something for the fellas,” Mulaney joked before the award.
“And what a what a crop of prom kings we have,” he said. The comedian then cracked a joke about men being underrepresented on TV. “These nominees, they’re not just doctors,” he said. “They can play a cop or an FBI agent or a secret agent, and then that’s it. No other examples!”
The jokes were sharp, the energy was high, and the comedian was killing it. The review’s verdict was clear: the bit was a highlight.
Reba McEntire’s Tender Tribute to Dolly Parton
The Emmys honored Dolly Parton, and they chose the right song. Instead of the obvious “I Will Always Love You,” they enlisted Reba McEntire to sing “Appalachian Memories,” Parton’s 1983 song written from her father’s perspective about his longing for home after going to find work.
McEntire’s rendition felt intimate and tender, humanizing Parton by paying homage to her roots. The song choice was especially meaningful given that Parton often sang her father’s praises, using his own struggle with illiteracy as inspiration to start her Imagination Library.
A Night Of Highs And Lows
The Emmys had plenty of highs, from the Buffy reunion to Pelphrey’s speech to Mulaney’s jokes. But the lows were real too, from the opening song to the flopped presentation. The ceremony ran three hours, and the best moments stood out precisely because the worst ones were so bad.
| Moment | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Buffy reunion | Best |
| Opening song parody | Worst |
| Swiftie bit | Best |
| Sennott and A’zion presentation | Worst |
| Pelphrey’s speech | Best |
| Mulaney’s jokes | Best |
| McEntire’s tribute | Best |
The review’s verdict is clear: the night had its peaks and valleys, but the peaks were memorable. The shade thrown, the surprises delivered, and the sincere speeches all landed. The cringe moments were cringe, but the review’s assessment stands on its own.
The Emmys 2026 were a mixed bag, and the paper is here to call it as it was. The good moments were great, and the bad ones were awful. That’s entertainment.
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