Kiera McGuire
Editor-in-Chief
On Monday, Sept. 14, the entertainment industry’s awards season kicked off with the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by Mariska Hargitay, long-time “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (“SVU”) lead, the award show centered itself as the beginning of the 2026 award season, honoring television shows and specials that aired from June 2025 through May 2026.
Airing live on both the National Broadcast Company (NBC) and Peacock, this year’s Emmy Awards was reportedly the last to continue the alternating broadcasting agreement between NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX, named the “wheel deal.” The question remains as to where the Primetime Emmy Awards will be broadcast in future years.
Hargitay opened the evening with a typical award show performance and monologue, pointing out the importance of sharing stories and celebrating the entertainment industry through a musical number titled “I Love TV Screens,” to the tune of “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett. The number referenced some of the night’s nominated shows like “Widow’s Bay,” “Hacks,” “The Pitt” and “Abbott Elementary.” Hargitay’s monologue also pointed out a monumental fact: she is the first woman to host the show in 15 years, which she jokingly claims is the fault of Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, who “said no” to hosting during that time. To close out her four-minute speech (take notes, Adrien Brody), Hargitay spoke on the evolution of storytelling throughout time, stating: “no matter how you watch, and even though we are worlds apart, we’re all still holding a bit of that communal light [of early storytellers].”
The awarded entertainers and programs of the night proved one fact: new and returning series can be celebrated together. Newcomer series “Widow’s Bay” took home 14 total statues between the Primetime and Creative Arts ceremonies (the latter of which took place on Sept. 5 and 6), becoming the most awarded comedy series in a single year at the Emmy Awards. “Widow’s Bay” brought home wins in the categories of directing, lead actor, supporting actress and actor, and writing. The show also took home the award for Best Comedy Series, beating out longtime runners and new shows alike.
Fan favorite drama series “The Pitt” made a notable return this season with six awards secured, including one for lead actor, which was given to Noah Wyle. This marks his third nomination this year for “The Pitt,” in all different categories: lead actor, outstanding directing and outstanding drama series as a producer of the show. The series also won an award for Best Drama Series.
Other notable winners include Matthew Rhys, who became the first male actor to win two leading actor trophies in a single night (one for limited series “The Beast in Me” and one for comedy series “Widow’s Bay) and “Remarkably Bright Creatures” actress Sally Field, who took home her fourth win and celebrated being in the arts for 62 years.
Field also paid tribute to “Steel Magnolias” co-star Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire performed Parton’s “Appalachian Memories” for the audience. “Home Alone” star Macaulay Culkin and “Schitt’s Creek” powerhouses Annie Murphy and Dan Levy spoke of their love for the late Catherine O’Hara, sharing a similar sentiment to always take opportunities and live in the moment. Musician Noah Kahan performed a tribute song for figures in the entertainment industry who died in the past year to close out the tribute section of the night.
Another major award was given to Michael J. Fox, who won the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his dedication to battling and funding research for Parkinson’s Disease. This is only the sixth time this award has been bestowed in 24 years.
Hargitay made final remarks as the iconic sound motif for “SVU” played, signaling the end of the ceremony. The 2026 Emmys offered audiences recognition of industry trailblazers, celebration of current stars and a reminder of the power of storytelling.
