Mariska Hargitay Roasts Dick Wolf, Nicole Kidman in Emmys Monologue

Mariska Hargitay to Host Emmys 2026, the First Woman to Emcee in 15 Years

There was plenty of evidence to suggest that Mariska Hargitay was going to approach the job of hosting the 2026 Emmys like a true pro.

But a professional comedian? Well, dun-dun, that was a welcome twist. 

The three-time Emmy winner, who took home her first statue in 2006 for her not exactly rib-tickling portrayal of Det. Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (and snagged two this year as the director-producer of the documentary My Mom Jayne) opened the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards Sept. 14 with a pitch-perfect roast of some of her nearest and dearest. (See all the 2026 Emmy winners.)

Tacking a cue from Emmy openings past, the show kicked off with a pre-taped sketch featuring New York Knicks star and reigning NBA champion Jalen Brunson, who counts Hargitay as a super-fan and friend.

Comparing notes on pressure—"Seriously?" Brunson quipped—Hargitay then realized she didn't have time to steam gowns and jerseys with the basketball player and hopped on a flight to L.A., where she marveled over all the entertainment TV can provide, be it in-flight or at her hotel, set to the tune of Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll."

After lyrics that included homages to Margot's Got Money Troubles, Abbott Elementary, The Pitt, Widow's Bay, Slow Horses and even Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the 62-year-old finally made it to the stage.

Where she hilariously bit the hand that feeds, just a bit.

Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

"It is so reassuring to see so many familiar faces out there, and I'm just talking bout how many of you I've arrested on SVU," she quipped, singling out a certain lead actor in a comedy nominee (for, ironically, Only Murders in the Building) for his especially disturbing guest-star turn years ago. "You guys have done some unspeakable things. I'm talking to you, Martin Short, you should be ashamed of yourself."

But, Hargitay continued, "I couldn’t do any of this without thanking the genius behind SVU, the legendary Dick Wolf, who has created over 40 shows, 13 of which are on the air right now."

Which is why, she noted, the jokes about his name were so "unfair," considering "Dick Wolf isn't even his real name. His real name is Richard Penis."

Then, after revealing she didn't know how to pronounce "finale"—"I'm sorry, guys, it's just that I never had one"—the SVU star of 27 seasons and counting launched int... Nicole Kidman's AMC Theaters monologue.

Well, Kidman didn't come to this place to be usurped, so the Lioness actress stood up to put an end to the parody. 

"No, Mariska, come on, that's mine," Kidman interjected. "That's my bit, you can't do that."

To which Hargitay replied, "Zip it, movie lady, it's TV's turn tonight!"

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

It certainly was. And coming to this place for magic included Hargitay's husband Peter Hermann and their kids, sons August and Andrew and daughter Amaya, who was twinning with her mom on the red carpet in a matching red beaded dresses with a feathery fringe hem.

While Hargitay also made her Broadway debut earlier this year in Every Brilliant Thing, proving she can command a stage in real time, as emcee of TV's biggest night for the first time (and the first woman to fill that role since Jane Lynch in 2011), she started bringing the jokes way before showtime.

"I have not only watched past monologues, I’ve built mine out of everything that killed in the past 78 years. It’s been focus-grouped, and it works," she quipped to The Hollywood Reporter. "Word-for-word, no updates. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it."

Moreover, Hargitay added, in order to bypass the awkwardness when acceptance speeches drone on, "There will be no speeches. I’m bringing back thank-you notes. I announce who won, then they get to work on writing their thank-you notes from their seat, the way they were raised to do. It’s time everyone learned some manners again."

So, if anyone was concerned that the actress known for her deadly serious demeanor on SVU wasn't going to be able to lighten up...

Case closed.

See the full list of winners from the 2026 Emmys:

Don't miss the Emmy Awards 2026 live telecast tonight, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock. E!'s red carpet kicks off at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.