Mariska Hargitay, a 62-year-old actress, producer, and director, was awarded two Creative Arts Emmys on September 5 for her documentary ‘My Mama Jayne,’ which explores her relationship with her late mother, the actress Jayne Mansfield. Hargitay, who has 3.8 million Instagram followers, celebrated the win with a photo of herself holding two Emmys and dressed in red. She will host the 78th Emmy Awards on September 14 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, making her the first woman to do so in 15 years.

Hosting Style and Preparation

Hargitay, known for her role in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,’ has taken a unique approach to her hosting duties. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter on September 10, she described her style as ‘very different’ and ‘unconventional.’ Unlike traditional comedic hosts, she emphasized authenticity and staying true to herself. Hargitay worked with the team from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which was canceled in May after 33 years on air, to develop her hosting material. She believes that being genuine is key to connecting with the audience.

Emmy Ceremony Highlights

The 2026 Emmy Awards, broadcast live on NBC, will feature presenters including Sofía Vergara, Matthew McConaughey, Zendaya, and Alan Cumming; the ceremony will also include cast reunions for ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ marking the anniversaries of the shows. Early winners included DTF St. Louis in limited series categories, Love on the Spectrum for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, and Alan Cumming for hosting The Traitors — the Muppet Show also won for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded).

Red Carpet and Fashion

The red carpet for the 2026 Emmys was a peacock blue in honor of the 100th anniversary of NBC, but Television stars, including Keri Russell, Zendaya, and Megan Stalter, made fashion statements. Chase Infiniti, a first-time nominee, was expected to make an impact; the ceremony will feature notable nominees from the 2025–2026 television season, with many awards to be announced live during the broadcast. Viewers can watch the red carpet and ceremony via NBC and Peacock.

Separately, in Germany, the late-night TV category has become increasingly significant due to its political implications, while the category was merged this year to include both Variety Sketch Series and Variety Talk Series, reflecting a shrinking number of nominees. The five nominees include ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,’ ‘Saturday Night Live,’ ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,’ ‘The Daily Show,’ and ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live.’

Late-night hosts, including Stephen Colbert, have faced pressure from former President Donald Trump, who has criticized them for their coverage, and Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ was canceled in May after 33 years, and he won an Emmy shortly before its end. Another win this year would not be surprising, given the political climate and the role of late-night programming in shaping public discourse.

In a separate comment, actor Luke Tennie, who was nominated for his role in ‘Shrinking,’ praised the show’s ability to blend humor and reflection — he described the show as successful in making audiences laugh while also offering meaningful insights. Tennie expressed pride in being recognized for his work and shared his appreciation for television and film as art forms that connect with viewers in personal, intimate moments.