{"id":263030,"date":"2026-09-15T03:22:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T03:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/15\/best-and-worst-of-the-2026-emmy-awards-mariska-hargitay-taylor-swift-and-tearful-tributes\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T03:22:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T03:22:56","slug":"best-and-worst-of-the-2026-emmy-awards-mariska-hargitay-taylor-swift-and-tearful-tributes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/15\/best-and-worst-of-the-2026-emmy-awards-mariska-hargitay-taylor-swift-and-tearful-tributes\/","title":{"rendered":"Best and Worst of the 2026 Emmy Awards: Mariska Hargitay, Taylor Swift and Tearful Tributes"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Hollywood threw quite the party to celebrate the best of TV in the past year.<\/p>\n

During the 2026 Emmy Awards<\/span><\/a> on Monday, September 14, Mariska Hargitay<\/span><\/a><\/strong> took on the brave task of hosting the star-studded awards show live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was deciding to host the Emmys, I consistently got two pieces of advice. No. 1. \u2018Don\u2019t do it.\u2019 And No. 2, \u2018Whatever you do, don\u2019t go for sincerity,\u2019\u201d she said during her opening monologue. \u201cI clearly ignored the first, so please join me as I ignore the second.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before any trophy was handed out<\/a>, the Law & Order: SVU<\/i><\/span><\/a> actress expressed gratitude for the TV platform and all that it provides for the world.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Emmys 2026 Red Carpet: Stars Turn Up the Glamour for TV\u2018s Biggest Night<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tTelevision\u2019s biggest stars stepped into the spotlight for the 2026 Emmys, bringing plenty of personality to the red carpet. Celebrities showed their sartorial flair while posing for the cameras at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, September 14. From bold fashion statements to timeless Hollywood looks, there was no shortage of glamour [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI am truly deeply moved and so incredibly grateful to be in a room full of people who have dedicated their lives to telling stories,\u201d Hargitay shared. \u201cSince the beginning of time, humans have all gathered around the light to tell stories. Back then, it was the fire in the cave. And now, it is the screen of your choice. But no matter how we watch, and even though we\u2019re worlds apart, we\u2019re all still holding a bit of that communal light.\u201d<\/p>\n

In case you missed the live telecast, keep reading to see the best moments \u2014 and some not so great ones \u2014 from the 2026 Emmy Awards:<\/p>\n

Best TV Sisterhood Moment: Rhea Seehorn\u2019s Acceptance Speech<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n Rhea Seehorn<\/span> Kevin Winter\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Seehorn accepted the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, the Pluribus<\/i> star gave credit to all of her fellow nominees.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also just want to say congratulations and thank you for the performances to my fellow nominees in my category,\u201d she said. \u201cAll brilliant, brilliant performances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seehorn later revealed Keri Russell<\/strong> sent every nominee in the category a \u201clovely gift\u201d and a card with a quote from the late Gloria Steinem<\/strong> that read, \u201cWe are linked, not ranked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Best Surprise Appearance: Taylor Swift\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Joined by her Law & Order: SVU<\/i> costars, including Ice-T<\/strong>, Peter Scanavino<\/strong>, Kevin Kane<\/strong> and Kelli Giddish<\/strong>, Hargitay got into character as the iconic Olivia Benson in an effort to solve a mystery.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mayor\u2019s office is breathing down my neck demanding an answer to the big question: Will Taylor Swift<\/strong> be at the Emmys?\u201d Hargitay said during the skit<\/span><\/a>. \u201cNow, in order to crack a Swiftie case, you\u2019ve got to think like a Swiftie, because the Swifties think that everything is a clue to what she\u2019ll do next.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lucky for Swifties, they got the Grammy winner (and her cat) in a creative sketch taped before she attended<\/span><\/a> husband Travis Kelce<\/strong>\u2019s Kansas City Chiefs football game on Monday night.<\/p>\n

Best Shout-Out to a Supportive Partner: Tom Pelphrey<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n Tom Pelphrey<\/span> Kevin Winter\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pelphrey may deserve a standing ovation for the way he gave thanks to his fiancee, Kaley Cuoco<\/strong>, after winning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Task<\/i>.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo my favorite actor in this room \u2014 my love, my best friend, my partner, the very pregnant Kaley Cuoco \u2014 I love you more than anything, and our family is the crown jewel of my life,\u201d Pelphrey said as the actress tried to hold back tears. \u201cMatilda, daddy loves you. Baby girl, daddy loves you. Thank you. God bless.\u201d<\/p>\n

Best Tributes: Dolly Parton, Catherine O\u2019Hara and More<\/b><\/h2>\n

After losing so many talented actors in the past year, the 2026 Emmy Awards pulled at viewers\u2019 heartstrings even more when Parton was honored with a performance by Reba McEntire<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there are truly angels on Earth, we just lost one,\u201d presenter Sally Field<\/strong> said. \u201cGod bless you, Dolly Parton, my friend. I am not the only one on Earth that will love you forever and ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tears continued when Macaulay Culkin<\/strong>, Annie Murphy<\/strong> and Dan Levy<\/strong> honored the late Home Alone<\/i> and Schitt\u2019s Creek<\/i> star O\u2019Hara.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike a good mama, she always showed up when I asked her to,\u201d Culkin said. \u201cBecause that was Catherine. That\u2019s what she did. She showed up. And this is the best that we can do for her tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noah Kahan<\/strong> went on to perform a special song for the In Memoriam segment, which included costume designer Bob Mackie<\/strong>, who died earlier in the day<\/span><\/a>, and Rob Reiner<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Best Celebration: Michael J. Fox<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n Michael J. Fox<\/span> Kevin Winter\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Back to the Future<\/i> star was worthy of all the praise when he accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award<\/span><\/a> in recognition of his contributions to Parkinson\u2019s disease research and advocacy through his Michael J. Fox Foundation.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cInitially, I kept my Parkinson\u2019s diagnosis a secret. I worried it would affect my work and relationships with audiences,\u201d Fox recalled. \u201cWould they laugh if they knew I was sick? I was stunned by the support from all of you, so uplifted and I hadn\u2019t lost what I do. They couldn\u2019t take it away from me. And it\u2019s because you stood up for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Worst Use of Bleeping: John Mulaney<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n John Mulaney<\/span> Kevin Winter\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, there are rules and guidelines of what you can\u2019t say on live TV. But when Mulaney presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, some of Us<\/i> were bummed to hear part of his joke was bleeped<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe it was DJ Khaled<\/strong> who said, \u2018Real men don\u2019t go down on their wives,\u2019\u201d Mulaney quipped at the awards show. \u201cBut these nominees know that that is B.S. They know there\u2019s often less pressure on them if they do that first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Worst Opening Number: Mariska Hargitay<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n Mariska Hartigay<\/span> Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Don\u2019t get Us<\/i> wrong. We clapped when Hargitay invited New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson<\/strong> to be part of her pretaped opening number<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The actress also deserved credit for showcasing her singing skills by performing a unique rendition of Joan Jett<\/strong>\u2019s \u201cI Love Rock \u2019n\u2019 Roll\u201d with appearances by Jennifer Coolidge<\/strong> and Jean Smart<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s hard not to remember past awards show hosts, like Nikki Glaser<\/strong> and Ricky Gervais<\/strong>, who aren\u2019t afraid to poke fun at celebrities in the audience \u2014 and keep them on their toes.<\/p>\n

Worst Acceptance Speech Habit: Pre-Written Messages<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n Vince Gilligan<\/span> Kevin Winter\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During the three-hour telecast, several winners spoke from their hearts \u2014 and off the cuff \u2014 seconds after receiving their new Emmy trophy. Others, like Vince Gilligan<\/strong>, Widow\u2019s Bay<\/i> writer Katie Dippold<\/strong> and Pluribus<\/i> star Seehorn, conveniently had a piece of paper with plenty of people to thank.<\/p>\n

While live TV has to be tough, so many of Us<\/i> enjoy the spontaneous \u2014 and unscripted \u2014 moments at awards shows.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Mariska Hargitay Copies Nicole Kidman’s Viral AMC Ad in Emmys Monologue<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tMariska Hargitay made the 2026 Emmy Awards a night to remember \u2014 beginning with a slightly familiar opening monologue. \u201cI am truly deeply moved and so incredibly grateful to be in a room full of people who have dedicated their lives to telling stories,\u201d Hargitay, 62, said at the beginning of the Monday, September 14, [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Worst Bit in Between Awards: Nick Offerman\u2019s 1st Job<\/b><\/h2>\n

During the show, Hargitay had the opportunity to ask some actors and actresses to share their first jobs.<\/p>\n

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