Hargitay Hosts 78th Emmys as 'Mariska Unleashed' — SkimNews
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- Mariska Hargitay hosts the 78th annual Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on Monday, becoming the first woman to helm the show in 15 years and a rare drama actress — rather than comedian or late-night host — in the role.
- Hargitay serves as executive producer alongside Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay of Jesse Collins Entertainment.
- Jesse Collins joked the telecast should be called "Mariska Unleashed," with Harmon adding her hosting style will be "a complete 180 from Olivia Benson" and Rouzan-Clay insisting she's "kind of a comedian."
- Noah Kahan will perform Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" during the in memoriam segment.
- Producers confirmed both Charlie's Angels and Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion moments during the live ceremony.
- This year's ceremony drew criticism for moving some acting, writing, and directing categories out of the main broadcast and into the non-televised ceremony over Labor Day weekend, a decision Collins defended as giving hosts and presenters room to "let things breathe."
Why it matters: Hargitay's unusual dual role as host and executive producer — a drama actress whose own producers are publicly defending her comedy credentials — reframes the telecast away from the typical comedian-anchored awards format. Meanwhile, the pre-broadcast cut of acting, writing, and directing categories to the non-televised Labor Day ceremony has already drawn heat that Collins was pushed to address on the rollout.
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