{"id":464142,"date":"2026-09-15T05:12:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T05:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/464142\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T05:12:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T05:12:20","slug":"top-2026-emmys-takeaways-mariska-hargitay-widows-bay-big-emotion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/464142\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 2026 Emmys takeaways: Mariska Hargitay, &#8216;Widow&#8217;s Bay,&#8217; big emotion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>With a record-setting freshman outing for Apple TV horror comedy \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay,\u201d <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/awards\/live\/emmys-2026-live-updates-winners-photos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the 2026 Emmys<\/a> offered little in the way of major upsets (congrats, Allison Janney!) but still had plenty of other material for viewers to sink their teeth into. From host <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/tv\/story\/2026-09-10\/mariska-hargitay-emmys-2026-host\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mariska Hargitay<\/a>, who charmed with try-hard enthusiasm, to Michael J. Fox, who inspired in his speech accepting the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, Times columnists Mary McNamara and Glenn Whipp broke it all down as it happened. Read on for their recap of television\u2019s biggest night.<\/p>\n<p>7:59 p.m. So the show ran &#8230; short? I wonder if Rhea Seehorn was watching that Woody\/McConaughey ramble, thinking, \u201cThey played me off so they could do &#8230; this?\u201d \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>And as l love \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d more than I like \u201cThe Studio\u201d (we can argue about that if\/when the two are Emmy competitors), I leave satisfied. Hargitay was a fine host and brought a very different, if occasionally \u201cwhat the heck\u201d energy to the show. And if none of the wins were surprising, well, how could they be with such crack prognosticators like yourself, Glenn! \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat the heck energy.\u201d That\u2019s such a perfect way of describing Hargitay\u2019s efforts to make the show fun. A pleasure as always, Mary! \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>7:55 p.m. The final award of the night, for comedy series, goes to \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay.\u201d Did they win every award they were nominated for, Glenn? Is that a record? \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m sorry, what? I was pondering vape flavors. Uuuummm &#8230; \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d just took its 14th Emmy, which breaks the record set by \u201cThe Studio\u201d last year. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>7:48 p.m. One more Emmy: comedy series. A category that, a couple of weeks ago, some thought might offer some suspense. I think we\u2019re well past that point. The night belongs to \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay.\u201d \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>I feel like you just jinxed it. As you said, \u201cHacks\u201d had a perfect final season, which is fairly miraculous. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>I was wondering that exact thing as I wrote it. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy two favorite flavors of vape\u201d: Hargitay just keeps delivering the madness. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s your favorite vape flavor, Mary? \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>McConaughey and Harrelson doing some extended PR for their upcoming series \u201cBrothers.\u201d Wrap it up, guys. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"R. Scott Gemmill accepts the drama series Emmy for &quot;The Pitt.&quot;\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449135_575_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>R. Scott Gemmill accepts the drama series Emmy for \u201cThe Pitt.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>7:40 p.m. And now I\u2019m sniffling at the clip from \u201cA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.\u201d What is happening? \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Pitt\u201d takes the drama series Emmy. Inevitable, also earned. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>You know I am still team \u201cSlow Horses\u201d but I bow to that inevitability. It\u2019s impossible not to admire the wildly talented cast and street-level social consciousness and humanity of the writing. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>7:31 p.m. A month after he played the Rose Bowl, Noah Kahan leads the in memoriam with \u201cBridge Over Troubled Water.\u201d People were going to cry anyway, but this &#8230; And Emmy stats don\u2019t usually pierce your heart, but Jamie Lee Curtis letting us know that Rob Reiner broke a record held by his dad, Carl Reiner, is the exception. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>I am actually sobbing. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Really sensitive, well-produced in memoriam. They\u2019re hard to do. (Ask the Oscars.) This show got it right, even managing to include Bob Mackie, who just died today. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>I have cried three times during this show, which is a record. Usually I am just swearing by this point. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>7:27 p.m. I feel like you\u2019d be so privileged to get an email from Catherine O\u2019Hara in the middle of the night with the subject line \u201csome thoughts.\u201d \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>7:18 p.m. They moved four of the limited series Emmys off the show, presenting them last weekend at the Creative Arts Emmys where \u201cDTF St. Louis\u201d won for writing and directing. And Linda Cardellini and David Harbour took supporting honors. So, not a surprise it takes series. Another inevitable and well-deserved win, one of many this evening. And in case anyone is wondering, all of the \u201cDTF\u201d cast submitted themselves in supporting. If the Television Academy keeps those categories off the show, we won\u2019t see too many actors going that route next year. Five minutes of screen time? That\u2019s a lead turn! \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>For those who watched the show but did not keep up with awards season, it feels very weird. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>It is weird! Blame Jason Bateman, who didn\u2019t want to compete against himself in lead for \u201cBlack Rabbit.\u201d \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>7:03 p.m. Vince Gilligan winning for \u201cPluribus\u201d is such an excellent choice. The strange, unsettling series premiere was the best hour of television this year. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>First political speech of the night, if calling for kindness and unity and a dismissal of those who deride them as being for \u201csuckers\u201d can be seen as political. Which, alas, it now can. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>It was a beautiful speech, leading seamlessly into a moving tribute to Dolly Parton, who, for those who might be wondering, did a fair amount of television over the years, from variety series to TV movies. Like we need an excuse to love on Dolly Parton. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>So generous that she even gave us her own musical memorial: \u201cI Will Always Love You.\u201d Because we will. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Michael J. Fox.\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449136_455_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Michael J. Fox.<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>6:56 p.m. This Michael J. Fox speech is remarkable on so many levels. My brother died from Parkinson\u2019s and I just marvel at Fox\u2019s strength and agile mind. I saw him win an honorary Oscar a few years ago, and he\u2019s still so powerful. Truly inspiring. Also, shout-out to Ron Whipp. I miss you, brother. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Two decades of covering awards shows and that is the first time I have intentionally stood for any speech. Michael J. Fox remains an amazing performer and an inspirational human being \u2014 I had the honor of interviewing Fox at the L.A. Times Festival of Books and the love so many feel for him was a force. Also, I am crying. I am so sorry about your loss, Glenn. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>6:48 p.m. Hiro Murai, one of the great comedy series directors of the 21st century. \u201cAtlanta,\u201d \u201cBarry,\u201d \u201cThe Bear,\u201d \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay.\u201d When you see his name, you know it\u2019s going to be great. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Seriously. And he is super nice! Also, is \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d going to win all the Emmys? \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>6:41 p.m. Colbert! Love the facial hair. Perhaps in time he\u2019ll grow a Letterman beard. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Continuing his bittersweet victory lap, Colbert makes the case for late shows being a talent incubator and tells his wife, \u201cYou\u2019re the laugh that I want for the rest of my life.\u201d I know he\u2019s got other gigs in the works, but, as a host, we will not see his like again. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re losing that incubator element in so many ways. Shorter seasons. Smaller staffs. Fewer shows. I worry about the ripple effect. I think we\u2019re already seeing it. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>6:37 p.m. Happy that \u201cSlow Horses\u201d got a win with director Saul Metzstein, but torn that he won over two women. Female directors need all the wins they can get. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Interesting that \u201cSlow Horses\u201d has now taken this drama directing category two years running. Maybe Oldman can really win next year? \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>6:27 p.m. I did not have a Supertramp cover by Mariska Hargitay on my 2026 Emmys bingo card. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>A little premature showing \u201cThe Bear\u201d the door, though. It\u2019ll be eligible next year for its final season! Still, Hargitay is proving she\u2019s game for anything. Try-hard? Sure. But her enthusiasm is kind of winning.\u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Katie Dippold.\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449136_752_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Katie Dippold.<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>6:24 p.m. \u201cNo one will step into my home without seeing this thing.\u201d Katie Dippold winning for \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d is the best Emmy this year. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHacks\u201d team being incredibly gracious as \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d sweeps through the comedy categories. It has to be a little tough. \u201cHacks\u201d delivered a strong sendoff and a near-perfect series finale. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>I am and will always be a \u201cHacks\u201d superfan but I am deeply encouraged by so much Emmy love for a new show that took such a huge swing. I do fear the house of a thousand inferior horror-comedy knockoffs we may have to endure, but \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d is rather miraculous in its execution. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>6:20 p.m. Matthew Rhys can do it all, and he\u2019s just proved it, winning for \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d after winning for \u201cThe Beast in Me.\u201d And there\u2019s the Welsh! \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Again, this is Rhys\u2019 second win for \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay.\u201d I have a hard time believing anyone liked \u201cThe Beast in Me.\u201d But \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d? Love, love, love. Enough love to make Emmy history. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>For a country of around 3 million, Wales produces a lot of really terrific actors. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Sally Field.\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449137_399_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Sally Field.<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>6:12 p.m. The Emmy for lead actress in a limited series or TV movie goes to Sally Field. From \u201cThe Flying Nun\u201d to magical octopi in \u201cRemarkably Bright Creatures,\u201d with a few Oscar stops between. We do really, really like her. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Sally Field! Bringing the hellfire! It was not a great year for limited series or TV movies, so why not Sally Field? You knew she\u2019d give a great speech! \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBlessed Canada, our neighbors, our friends.\u201d I mean, we all want filming to remain in L.A., but she does have a point at the moment. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>6:07 p.m. All that \u201cLaw &amp; Order\u201d bit with Taylor Swift did is remind me that Travis Kelce is playing on \u201cMonday Night Football\u201d on another channel right now. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Swift making the case for the glories of broadcast television! If only it were better represented in the nominees. How are you doing with predictions vs. reality, Glenn? \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Allison Janney is the only miss so far. Some folks at Netflix were trying to convince me that was going to happen and they were right! \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Tom Pelphrey.\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"2529\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449137_270_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Tom Pelphrey.<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>6:02 p.m. Great and deserved win for Tom Pelphrey. Again, a case of too many actors from \u201cThe Pitt\u201d crowding the category. And unlike Katherine LaNasa in supporting actress, it was hard to pick a favorite. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Pelphrey, winning for \u201cTask,\u201d has best speech so far, thanking God and his sobriety before praising fianc\u00e9e Kaley Cuoco. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>5:51 p.m. \u201cSome of the men in this category do Method acting and some do less annoying acting.\u201d \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>When will someone ask John Mulaney to host a ceremony? Always a highlight. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>I pity the drama actor winner who has to follow that. Who is, of course, Noah Wyle. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>And he saluted Gary Oldman! Happy now, Mary? \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPrick Up Your Ears\u201d and \u201cSid and Nancy\u201d \u2014 was Wyle even old enough to see them when they came out? Someone please fact-check. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>I feel like next year could be Oldman\u2019s year. \u201cSlow Horses\u201d consistently delivers. Feels like at some point, Emmy voters give it to him by acclaim. \u2014 G.W. <\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Alan Cumming, accepting an Emmy for &quot;The Traitors.&quot;\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449138_245_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Alan Cumming, accepting an Emmy for \u201cThe Traitors.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>5:47 p.m. \u201cBaywatch\u201d is back, Mary. Did you hear? \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>I am too busy admiring Alan Cumming\u2019s wardrobe change between presenting and accepting award for \u201cThe Traitors.\u201d Also, his voter registration shout-out. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>5:41 p.m. I am so happy that Stephen Root just won for \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay.\u201d He is such a terrific actor. And he is amazing in that show. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Root could well have won for \u201cBarry,\u201d and probably should have. And yes, he\u2019s amazing in \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay.\u201d I\u2019d have liked to see Harrison Ford holding an Emmy, but I feel like he\u2019s perfectly OK without one. He\u2019s Harrison Ford! \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>5:38 p.m. Book Soup callout \u2014 Mariska Hargitay\u2019s first job! \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>A clean-shaven Nick Offerman is even stranger than the erotic house painter thing he\u2019s describing. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Not the best use of Offerman. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Rhea Seehorn.\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"2999\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449138_409_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Rhea Seehorn.<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>5:29 p.m. And I was right! Rhea Seehorn wins lead actress in a drama for \u201cPluribus\u201d and cheers ring out across the land. Even you must be smiling, Glenn! \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m thrilled for her. The lead performance of the TV year. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>In her speech, Seehorn mentioned Gloria Steinem \u2014 Keri Russell sent her a card quoting the late feminist leader saying \u201cwe are linked, not ranked.\u201d Which is honestly just so lovely. Lest we forget, Steinem is one of the reasons we have so many strong female characters\/stories\/performances on TV. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>But &#8230; Hargitay is the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years. So, work to be done. (Just calling back your comment \u201ceven you must be smiling.\u201d Gotta throw a little Eeyore into the chat.) \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Allison Janney, right.\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449139_899_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Allison Janney, right.<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>5:24 p.m. Allison Janney stares deep into \u201cThe Pitt\u201d and triumphs for \u201cThe Diplomat\u201d! \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>I guess too many women from \u201cThe Pitt\u201d and voters couldn\u2019t decide. But Katherine LaNasa was brilliant in the second season. Really a co-lead with Noah Wyle. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s what happens sometimes when you all but lock the category \u2014 split the vote. Also, Allison Janney is an icon. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>She\u2019s an icon, but that show. Meh. And her win doesn\u2019t bode well for Rhea Seehorn. Another reason not to like it. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Wait, why are you jumping to pessimistic conclusions? \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Well, if Janney wins supporting for \u201cThe Diplomat,\u201d why not Keri Russell for lead? Certainly shows there\u2019s some support for the show. I don\u2019t know. If you admire Seehorn, you are used to Emmy disappointment. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>I still believe in Seehorn. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Matthew Rhys.\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449139_244_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Matthew Rhys.<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>5:20 p.m. Matthew Rhys wins actor in limited series for \u201cThe Beast in Me.\u201d Will he achieve the trifecta tonight, Glenn? \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>I like Matthew Rhys. But \u201cThe Beast in Me\u201d was truly terrible. I\u2019m just going to think this is the first of two Emmys he\u2019s winning for \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay.\u201d And, yeah, by the end of the night, he\u2019ll have won for comedy, limited and drama &#8230; the last going back to \u201cThe Americans.\u201d I\u2019d kinda hope Keri Russell would win now, so she\u2019ll have something to put on the mantle too. But rooting for Rhea Seehorn in that category. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>5:17 p.m. Circling back to Kate O\u2019Flynn, just a heads up that there\u2019s a Mike Leigh movie coming out in December, \u201cTender Loving Care\u201d and O\u2019Flynn is so, so good in it. She stars with Alice Bailey Johnson and they are delightful together. It\u2019s a Leigh movie, so it\u2019s tough. But God are they wonderful as BFFs. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>I am still not over the whole \u201cWe love TV screens\u201d madness. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe you\u2019re not ready for the Mike Leigh movie about mortality then &#8230; \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>5:13 p.m. The producers knew what they were doing with the running order of this show. Kate O\u2019Flynn and Jean Smart is a great way to kick things off! \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Jean Smart worried about time, as if anyone would dare play Jean Smart off. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Proof that no matter how many times you win, it\u2019s always overwhelming when you\u2019re up there on stage. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>There had better be a \u201cHacks\u201d movie or a \u201cMare of Easttown\u201d sequel or a \u201cDesigning Women\u201d remake because I am not ready to let her go. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Kate O'Flynn.\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449140_481_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Kate O\u2019Flynn.<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>5:11 p.m. \u201cSoon there will be so many losers that [the winners] will seem like the weird ones,\u201d says the night\u2019s first presenter, Amy Poehler. But not Kate O\u2019Flynn of \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay,\u201d who wins the first Emmy of the night for supporting actress in a comedy. Oh right, and she\u2019s British. \u201cA Lancashire lass,\u201d no less. If you didn\u2019t love her before&#8230; \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Just the best. That fourth episode of \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay\u201d was such a showcase. Sunset cocktails for everyone! \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>If Rhys wins, I hope he speaks Welsh. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>5:07 p.m. Love the running jokes about how long \u201cSVU\u201d has been on. The penis jokes, less so. And I wondered why Nicole Kidman was in the house. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Seriously. I am loving this send-up of the Kidman AMC ad. \u201cZip it, Movie Lady, it\u2019s TV\u2019s turn tonight.\u201d \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Good bit to end the monologue. It was a little rough. But again &#8230; better than last year! \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>            <img class=\"image\" alt=\"Mariska Hargitay opens the 78th Emmy Awards ceremony.\"   width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789449140_949_.jpeg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>         <\/p>\n<p>Mariska Hargitay opens the 78th Emmy Awards ceremony.<\/p>\n<p>(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<p>5:03 p.m. \u201cNext I\u2019m eating beef and watching \u2018Beef.\u2019\u201d What is happening? \u201cI love TV screens\u201d has to be the weirdest Emmys opening ever. Though I totally think Jennifer Coolidge should be on the next season of \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay,\u201d as sea hag or otherwise. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>Is there really a Martin Short \u201cSVU\u201d episode? That I would watch. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>4:45 p.m. Hello, Mary! Here we are, back again for television\u2019s biggest night. The first week of \u201cMonday Night Football,\u201d you say? No, it\u2019s Monday Night Emmys, which is where we\u2019ve landed this year because NBC has \u201cSunday Night Football\u201d and, these days, television revolves around the one thing viewers still watch. Of course, there\u2019s room for the Emmys too. And it will indeed be a big night, particularly if you are Jean Smart or a cast member of \u201cThe Pitt\u201d and \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay.\u201d What are you most excited for, Mary, besides watching your favorite actor, Noah Wyle, get all the love he deserves? \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, Glenn. A year later and you\u2019re still trying to cast me as anti-Noah when all I want is for Gary Oldman to get a bit of statuary for his phenomenal performance in \u201cSlow Horses.\u201d (Though Oldman\u2019s clearly having too good a time playing Jackson Lamb to care as much as I do.) You have convinced me that there is little to no suspense regarding the big winners, but there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/awards\/story\/2026-09-09\/2026-emmy-predictions-winners\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">your Emmy predictions<\/a>, so I am taking this time to mutter a few prayers for first-time host Mariska Hargitay. Her beloved (and Emmy-winning) Olivia Benson on \u201cLaw and Order: Special Victims Unit\u201d is the longest-running character in American prime-time drama, which certainly entitles her to step in as the Face of NBC. But the Emmys have not been hosted by a non-comedian since 2008, when five reality hosts landed the gig with disastrous results. Still, Hargitay just wrapped up a one-woman show on Broadway and recently bagged two Emmys for her documentary \u201cMy Mom Jayne\u201d all while still working on \u201cLaw and Order.\u201d So the Emmys will likely be a walk in the park for her. And I\u2019m sure someone has told her not to resurrect Nate Bargatze\u2019s bizarre charity scheme to keep acceptance speeches short. \u2014 M.M.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019d be impossible to be a more awkward host than Bargatze, so there\u2019s nowhere to go but up. I think we\u2019re in for a good time, particularly if Megan Stalter comes on stage every time an Emmy is presented. I\u2019d like to think her <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TelevisionAcad\/status\/2099628141446668661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2099628141446668661%7Ctwgr%5E68e4d955fdb71c6fac3a156ef3a876f25a142c44%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vulture.com%2Farticle%2Femmys-2026-recap-winners-highlights-moments-live-updates.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">gold Emmy outfit<\/a> is a tribute to the late, great costume designer and Awards Show Cher collaborator Bob Mackie, <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/story\/2026-09-14\/bob-mackie-dead-iconic-designer-who-dressed-cher-beyonce-was-87\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">who passed today<\/a>. \u2014 G.W.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With a record-setting freshman outing for Apple TV horror comedy \u201cWidow\u2019s Bay,\u201d the 2026 Emmys offered little in&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":464143,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[70753,101198,22232,66423,2030,134343,35236,48,52,51,721,47,50,49,40321,71302,2971,9355,4509,315,72],"class_list":["post-464142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-los-angeles","tag-big-night","tag-big-winner","tag-chat","tag-emmy-awards","tag-emmys","tag-glenn-whipp","tag-good-moment","tag-la","tag-la-headlines","tag-la-news","tag-law","tag-los-angeles","tag-los-angeles-headlines","tag-los-angeles-news","tag-monday-night-football","tag-nate-bargatze","tag-nbc","tag-order","tag-television","tag-time","tag-year"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=464142"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464142\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/464143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=464142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=464142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=464142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}