On Monday, Sept. 14, Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. The event honors outstanding shows and performances from the previous year, and “The Pitt” tops all programs with 25 nominations.
Since 1999, Hargitay has played Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU”, and she will now be the first woman to host the Emmys alone in 15 years. An Emmy winner for outstanding lead actress in a drama series, which she earned for the role in 2006, she brings that recognition with her into the hosting role.
The Host and Her History
This year, Hargitay brought home two Emmys for her work on HBO’s documentary, “My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay.”. She received outstanding directing for a documentary/nonfiction program, along with outstanding documentary or nonfiction special.
For more than two decades, the actress has portrayed Benson on screen. Now she is stepping into another role entirely — hosting the ceremony — which represents a notable shift for the event.
The Pitt Leads With 25 Nominations
The show with the most nominations is “The Pitt”, which has picked up 25 total, including outstanding drama series and outstanding lead actor in a drama series for Noah Wyle.
Hacks Sets a Comedy Record
“Hacks” follows with 24 nominations, setting a record for the most nominations for a comedy series in a single year.
Other Top-Nominated Shows
Other top-nominated shows include:
- “Widow’s Bay” with 19 nominations
- “Pluribus” with 18 nominations
- “Beef” with 16 nominations
The group of people up for awards this year includes 28 performers who have never been nominated before. A complete list of all the 2026 Emmy nominees can be found online.
Creative Arts Winners
After the two-night Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 5 and 6, several performers have already brought home Emmys.
The singer and actress Sabrina Carpenter took home her first Emmy award as both an executive producer and performer on “The Muppet Show,” where the show claimed outstanding variety special (pre-recorded). That win served as a milestone for Carpenter.
Rob Reiner took home outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his part as Albert on “The Bear.”. The award came after his death; he died before the ceremony could take place, making it a posthumous victory for the actor and director.
The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show presented by Bad Bunny took home seven awards at the Emmys, making him a first-time winner. Outstanding variety special (live) was among the honors.
Other Creative Arts Winners
Other winners included Alan Cumming, who won outstanding host for a reality or reality competition program for “The Traitors.” Jimmy Kimmel won outstanding host for a game show for “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”
Category Changes and the Legacy Award
The Television Academy made several changes to this year’s Emmy Awards.
A single outstanding variety series category replaced the outstanding scripted variety series and outstanding talk series categories together. The change came after submissions fell in both categories over several years.
Several categories underwent alterations, including short form, sound mixing and music, along with the outstanding television movie category, which was given a new name: outstanding movie.
The Legacy Award’s First Winner
This year, the Television Academy added the Legacy Award to honor shows that have stuck with audiences for years and continue to matter to society, culture and the industry.
During the Sept. 6 Emmy ceremony, “I Love Lucy” was named the inaugural recipient of the honor, marking the first time a program had received it. The classic sitcom was honored for its lasting cultural importance.
Presenters Still to Come
There has been no announcement of presenters for the ceremony’s 78th Emmy Awards event, which takes place on Sept. 14. The story will be revised with presenter names once they are revealed.
A night of records and firsts is promised at the 78th Emmys, including a host who will make history of her own.
Source: abc13.com
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