The 78th Emmy Awards will take place on Monday night, with a lineup of standout shows vying for television’s most prestigious honors. The ceremony, hosted by Mariska Hargitay, will air live on NBC at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and be available to stream on Peacock. Among the top contenders are HBO Max’s “The Pitt,” which received 25 nominations and is seen as a strong favorite in the drama category, and “Hacks,” a comedy with 24 nominations for its final season. Other notable contenders include “Pluribus,” a drama from the creator of Breaking Bad, and “Widow's Bay,” a new horror-comedy from Apple TV+. In the drama category, “The Pitt” is expected to compete against “Pluribus” for the best drama award. “The Pitt” has already won the category last year and is favored to repeat, while “Pluribus” brings fresh attention with its unique storyline and strong performances. Rhea Seehorn, who plays a reclusive character in “Pluribus,” is a top contender for her first Emmy after four previous nominations, and will face off against Zendaya, who has previously won the category for her role in Euphoria. In the comedy category, “Hacks” faces a tough challenge from “Widow's Bay,” a first-year series that has already won eight Emmys. Known for its clever blend of humor and suspense, “Widow's Bay” received 19 nominations and could win up to six more on Monday. Meanwhile, Jean Smart, who plays a stand-up comedian in “Hacks,” is expected to win her fifth Emmy in the best actress in a comedy category. However, “Widow's Bay’s” strong early showing may give it an edge in the competition. In the limited series category, HBO Max’s “DTF St. Louis” stood out in the early Emmys, taking awards for best supporting actor and actress. The show Beef is also making waves, with Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac as top contenders for best actress and best actor in a limited series, respectively. Additionally, late-night shows from Jimmy Kimmel and the recently canceled Stephen Colbert are being recognized for their bold takes on politics, including their ongoing critiques of former President Donald Trump.