Mariska Hargitay, best known for her role as Detective Olivia Benson on the long-running TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, took the stage as the host of the 78th Emmy Awards. In her opening monologue, Hargitay humorously reflected on her 27-year tenure on the show, noting that she had never experienced a "finale" because the series has been ongoing for so long. She also made a light-hearted joke about the show’s creator, Dick Wolf, quipping that jokes about his name are unfair since his real name is "Richard Penis." Hargitay’s monologue included a reference to a popular AMC commercial featuring actress Nicole Kidman. Just as she mentioned the ad, Kidman herself appeared and playfully responded with, “Zip it, movie lady,” a line Hargitay later recounted on stage. After her brief and engaging opening, Hargitay performed a musical number, singing “I love TV screens” to the tune of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock 'n Roll.” This marked her first time hosting the Emmys and made her the first female host in 15 years. The 78th Emmy Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, saw several notable moments. Medical drama The Pitt led the nominations with 25, followed closely by Hacks and Widow’s Bay. Hacks star Jean Smart made history by winning the Best Lead Actress in a Comedy category for the fifth and final season of the show, matching Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most acting wins in Emmy history with eight. Kate O'Flynn won her first Emmy for her role in Widow’s Bay, while Matthew Rhys took home the award for his performance in The Beast In Me. Earlier in the evening, the red carpet was a mix of bold and unconventional fashion choices, sparking a range of reactions from critics and fans alike. The ceremony continues to highlight the evolving landscape of television, celebrating both its traditional stars and emerging talents.