Highlight Reel: The Best and Worst Moments from the 2026 Emmy Awards

Hollywood hosted an extravagant celebration to honor the finest achievements in television over the last year.

At the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday, September 14, Mariska Hargitay bravely took on the role of host for the glamorous event held live at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

“When I was considering hosting the Emmys, I received two key pieces of advice. First: ‘Don’t do it.’ Second: ‘Whatever you do, don’t be sincere,’” she recounted in her opening monologue. “Clearly, I disregarded the first, so join me as I overlook the second.”

Before any awards were presented, the star of Law & Order: SVU expressed her appreciation for the medium of television and its global impact.

“I am profoundly touched and immensely thankful to be surrounded by individuals who dedicate their lives to storytelling,” Hargitay expressed. “From ancient times, humans have congregated around light to share stories. Initially, it was around the fire in a cave, and now it’s with the screen of your choice. Regardless of how we consume it, even from afar, we maintain a piece of that shared light.”

If you missed the live broadcast, continue on to witness the highlight moments — as well as a few less favorable ones — from the 2026 Emmy Awards:

Best TV Sisterhood Moment: Rhea Seehorn’s Acceptance Speech

While accepting her award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, the Pluribus star acknowledged her fellow nominees.

“I also want to congratulate and thank my fellow nominees in this category for their extraordinary performances,” she remarked. “All of them were truly brilliant.”

Seehorn also mentioned that Keri Russell sent each nominee a “thoughtful gift” along with a card featuring a quote from the late Gloria Steinem: “We are linked, not ranked.”

Best Surprise Appearance: Taylor Swift

In a playful sketch with her Law & Order: SVU co-stars — including Ice-T, Peter Scanavino, Kevin Kane, and Kelli Giddish — Hargitay embodied her character, Olivia Benson, to uncover a mystery.

“The mayor’s office is pressuring me for an answer on the crucial question: Will Taylor Swift attend the Emmys?” Hargitay quipped during the skit. “To resolve a Swiftie case, one must think like a Swiftie, as everything is perceived as a clue.”

Fortunately for the Swifties, they got to see the Grammy-winning artist (and her cat) in a clever sketch recorded before she made her way to support her husband Travis Kelce at a Kansas City Chiefs football game that same night.

Best Shout-Out to a Supportive Partner: Tom Pelphrey

Pelphrey possibly earned a standing ovation with his heartfelt gratitude towards his fiancée, Kaley Cuoco, after winning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in Task.

“To my favorite actor in this room — my love, my best friend, my partner, the very pregnant Kaley Cuoco — I adore you more than anything, and our family is the crown jewel of my life,” Pelphrey declared, causing Cuoco to fight back tears. “Matilda, daddy loves you. Baby girl, daddy loves you. Thank you, and God bless.”

Best Tributes: Dolly Parton, Catherine O’Hara and More

Following the loss of numerous talented actors over the past year, the 2026 Emmy Awards tugged at the heartstrings of viewers as Dolly Parton received a tribute performance by Reba McEntire.

“If angels truly walk among us, we just lost one,” presenter Sally Field remarked. “God bless you, my friend Dolly Parton. I, too, will love you forever.”

The emotional tone continued with Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy, who honored the late Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek star O’Hara.

“Like a dedicated mother, she always showed up when I needed her,” Culkin expressed. “That was Catherine. She always showed up, and this is the best tribute we can offer her this evening.”

Noah Kahan performed a heartfelt song during the In Memoriam segment, which included tributes to costume designer Bob Mackie, who passed away earlier that day, and Rob Reiner.

Best Celebration: Michael J. Fox

The Back to the Future actor received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award recognizing his efforts in Parkinson’s disease research and advocacy through his Michael J. Fox Foundation.

“At first, I kept my diagnosis under wraps, fearing it might impact my work and how audiences perceived me,” Fox reflected. “Would they still find me funny if they knew I was unwell? The support from all of you has been overwhelming. It reaffirmed that I hadn’t lost my passion; it couldn’t be taken from me, thanks to your support.”

Worst Use of Bleeping: John Mulaney

Despite the established guidelines regarding appropriate language on live television, Mulaney’s humor hit a snag during his presentation for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, as part of his joke was bleeped.

“I believe it was DJ Khaled who said, ‘Real men don’t go down on their wives,’” Mulaney humorously stated at the awards ceremony. “But these nominees know that is complete nonsense; they understand that the pressure is often less if they take the lead.”

Worst Opening Number: Mariska Hargitay

Don’t misunderstand Us. We appreciated Hargitay inviting New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson to be part of her pre-recorded opening act.

The actress showcased her vocal talents by performing a creative interpretation of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,” accompanied by Jennifer Coolidge and Jean Smart.

Nonetheless, it’s hard not to remember past awards hosts like Nikki Glaser and Ricky Gervais, who expertly managed to poke fun at the celebrities in attendance, keeping them on their toes.

Worst Acceptance Speech Habit: Pre-Written Messages

Throughout the three-hour broadcast, numerous winners expressed genuine emotions — speaking from the heart and without a script — seconds after receiving their Emmy trophy. Others, such as Vince Gilligan, Widow’s Bay writer Katie Dippold, and Pluribus star Seehorn, came equipped with notes prepared to deliver heartfelt acknowledgments.

Although live television presents challenges, many viewers of Us appreciate the spontaneity and authentic, unscripted moments that emerge during award shows.

Worst Bit in Between Awards: Nick Offerman’s 1st Job

During the event, Hargitay seized the opportunity to ask several actors about their first jobs.

After Colman Domingo shared his experience working as a McDonald’s employee, Offerman humorously revealed he once worked as an “erotic painter.”

“I would strip down, pour a can of paint over my head, and then roll my naked body around the exterior of houses,” he explained. “Doors and trim cost extra, but roofs were a nightmare; a buck is a buck.”

It seems that it was just Us, but the segment didn’t paint a pretty picture.