Mariska Hargitay takes jab at Nicole Kidman in Emmys 2026 opening monologue

Olivia Benson may be off duty tonight, but Mariska Hargitay is grinding away on the Emmys shift.

The three-time Emmy-winning actress and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star got off to a strong start at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Tuesday, Sept. 14, delivering a hilarious opening monologue during her debut hosting stint.

The show opened with a prerecorded bit showing Hargitay getting ready, featuring a cameo by New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson. As Hargitay got ready, she asked Brunson if he had ever felt like "you've had millions of eyes on you, and it all comes down to one night," to which Brunson shot back, "Seriously?"

After singing a parody of Joan Jett's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" with lyrics shouting out several of the nominees, Hargitay took the stage for her live monologue. She poked fun at her historic hosting gig (Hargitay is the first woman to emcee the iconic awards show in 15 years, after fellow actress and "Glee" alum Jane Lynch hosted in 2011).

"For 15 straight years, Amy [Poehler] and Tina [Fey] said no," Hargitay quipped. "I'm not going to lie, it's a lot of pressure. But it is so reassuring to…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/entertainment/