Emmys 2026: Grade Mariska Hargitay's Opening Monologue

"Law & Order: SVU" Capt. Olivia Benson can direct an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit with a stern look. But was the actress who plays her able to command the attention of the Emmys audience during her first stint as host Monday night? 

We'll want to know your answer to that question in a moment. But first, a quick rundown of what Hargitay's inaugural Emmys emcee gig looked like.

She kicked off the evening — which was held at the Peacock Theater in L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California, and broadcast on NBC — with a pre-recorded musical montage. "I Love TV screens," Hargitay sang to the tune of Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll;" the video featured cameos by New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, Food Network host Guy Fieri, "Hacks" star Jean Smart, "The White Lotus" icon Jennifer Coolidge, and the sea hag from "Widow's Bay."

When Hargitay took the stage for the live portion of the broadcast, her jokes made light of how long she'd been on "Law & Order: SVU," how her show had never had a finale, and how she was the first female Emmys host in a decade-and-a-half beause "for 15 straight years, Amy [Poehler] and Tina [Fey] said no."

Then she lapsed into the viral AMC Theatres speech which you might've heard from another famous face. As Hargitay spoke about "that indescribable feeling that we get when the lights begin to dim," Nicole Kidman ("Lioness") piped up from the audience. 

"That's my bit. You can't do that!" Kidman said.

"Zip it, movie lady," Hargitay crowed. "It's TV's turn tonight!"

When Hargitay was announced as host in July, she released a statement that referenced her excitement. 

"Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career. It's my great honor to host the 78th Emmy Awards — in the 100th birthday year of my beloved NBC — and celebrate this extraordinary community of storytellers," she said at the time. "Whether it's an actor or a director, a costumer or a sound designer, we are all so privileged to take part in creating television that unites us. Regardless of how, where or when we watch, we are together in our laughter, our tears, our love of stories — and our delighted anticipation to see what happens next."

Then, in the intervening months, Hargitay became an Emmy winner herself: She took home the awards for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program for her HBO documentary, "My Mom Jayne: A Film By Mariska Hargitay."

Anyway, back to the telecast: How do you think Hargitay did, opening the show? Grade it via the poll below, then hit the comments with all of your thoughts!