2026 Emmys Open With Mariska Hargitay Hosting as Jean Smart, 'The Pitt' Eye Big Wins

3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Sep 14

Mariska Hargitay took center stage as the 2026 Emmys opened Monday, with L.A. Times columnists framing her debut as the night’s key variable.
2008 was the last time the Emmys used a non-comedian host, a backdrop that sharpened attention on Hargitay despite confidence drawn from her Broadway run and recent documentary Emmy wins.
Jean Smart, "The Pitt" and "Widow’s Bay" were cited early as likely major winners, suggesting limited suspense around the top races even before awards momentum built.
Monday scheduling reflected NBC’s football lineup, pushing television’s biggest awards night into a "Monday Night Emmys" slot that underscored live sports’ pull on the TV calendar.

Sources

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