Emmys 2026: The Best And Worst Moments

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay presiding over the telecast. Several notable moments stood out during the three-hour ceremony.

One of the most memorable moments was the reunion of Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz, who celebrated the 30th anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Though Gellar acknowledged the tough times their cast and crew faced, the show missed an opportunity to mention their late co-stars by name.

The opening monologue, performed by host Mariska Hargitay, included a parody of Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and a pre-recorded video featuring famous faces, which received mixed reactions. The cheesy song and forced puns were deemed cringeworthy by some viewers.

Following Hargitay's opening monologue, a group of TV-headed dancers joined her on stage, adding to the show's energetic atmosphere. However, the pre-taped SVU bit spoofing Taylor Swift's fans, dubbed "Swifties," was initially met with mixed reactions. After Swift herself appeared on stage, along with her cat, the moment became a highlight of the evening.

Other notable moments included Kaley Cuoco's touching acceptance speech for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, when he thanked his late wife, Kaley Cuoco. The tribute to Dolly Parton was also well-received, with Reba McEntire's rendition of Parton's iconic song, "I Will Always Love You," being praised for its intimacy and emotional impact.