Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance during a pre-taped Emmy segment starring Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson and her Law & Order: Special Victims Unit co-stars. The pop star was not at the live telecast at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, but she showed up as a new rookie detective in a skit that pretended to solve the mystery of whether she would attend the awards.
The Opening Scene
The segment opened with Hargitay as Benson asking, “The mayor’s office is breathing down my neck, demanding an answer to the big question: Will Taylor Swift be at the Emmys?” Her character then explained that to crack a Swifty case, you have to think like a Swifty because the Swifties believe everything is a clue to what she’ll do next.
The Clues Examined
The SVU team examined evidence like Abbott Elementary’s seven Emmy nominations and the fact that season six premieres this year, noting that six and seven add up to 13, Swift’s lucky number. After determining “we got a case here,” Swift popped in as their new rookie.
The Rookie Detective Speaks
“Hey guys. This isn’t adding up,” she said. “Our perp has a clear MO. A lot of this doesn’t fit the pattern, and I don’t think everything is a clue. … I think what we’re going to be looking for is hiding in plain sight. Saccharide, Aries, from the vineyard, north or south.”
The Explanation From the Rookie
Swift added, “Captain, if I may. Yes, these are all Emmy-nominated shows. Yes, the Eras Tour got five nominations. Good for her! Those categories were last week. Why would she be showing up to the ceremony tonight? She’s probably gonna be sitting at home playing with those cats she’s named.”
“Exactly! And her cat is named Olivia Benson,” Hargitay replied, as Swift held her real cat in the scene. “Wait, I’m Olivia Benson, and I’m gonna be at the Emmys.”
The Case Built Around Lucky Number 13
The skit used Abbott’s seven nominations, season six premiering this year, and Swift’s lucky number 13 as clues before revealing the real reason: her husband plays in the Chiefs game tonight.
The Emmy Broadcast Details
The 78th Emmy Awards, hosted by Hargitay, airs live from the Peacock Theater on Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock.
Key Facts Box
- Date: Monday, Sept. 14
- Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
- Venue: Peacock Theater, Los Angeles
- Host: Mariska Hargitay
- Network: NBC, Peacock
- Game: Chiefs vs. Broncos
- Chiefs player: Travis Kelce
- Swift’s lucky number: 13
The Conclusion and the Quip
The host continued, getting close to solving the case, saying, “Last week, the mayor’s office asked me to do security tonight. Hold on, guys. Last Week Tonight, John Oliver, he’s British like those damn Slow Horses … fast Broncos … Denver Broncos … Broncos are playing the Chiefs. Guys, the answer has been TV this whole time because they have a game.” She turned the Chiefs game on the television.
The team concluded that Swift’s husband, Travis Kelce, has a Kansas City Chiefs game Monday night, meaning “Taylor Swift will not be at the Emmys,” Hargitay said.
“Maybe she’s gonna do one of those cool, pre-taped sketch things to support the host,” Swift quipped at the end.
Our View
The segment was a clever way to explain why Swift wouldn’t be at the ceremony. By framing the decision as a mystery, Hargitay and Swift made a non-appearance feel like a plot twist rather than a letdown.
The contradiction between the conclusion and Swift’s final quip about a pre-taped sketch stood out. Her line suggested she might appear elsewhere in the broadcast, even as the segment itself argued she would not be there at all.
The Emmy audience got a celebrity cameo, a cat reference, and a football game all rolled into one.
See the video the story is built around at The Hollywood Reporter.
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