78th Emmys: Rhys Makes History, Mulaney's Racy Bit Steals the Show

Key points

• Matthew Rhys won Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for 'Widow's Bay' and Lead Actor in a Limited Series for 'The Beast in Me,' becoming the first actor to win across all three lead categories and the first man to win two lead acting awards in a single year.
• Jean Smart won Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for 'Hacks,' marking her eighth career Emmy and tying Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Cloris Leachman for the most Emmys ever won by a performer.
• Noah Wyle won Lead Actor in a Drama Series for 'The Pitt,' defeating nominees including Sterling K. Brown, Gary Oldman, Mark Ruffalo, and Rufus Sewell.
• John Mulaney presented the Drama lead award with a monologue about male representation in Hollywood, which included a joke referencing DJ Khaled’s 2014 comments that was bleeped by NBC.
• Mariska Hargitay hosted the ceremony, which aired on Monday instead of Sunday to avoid a conflict with Sunday Night Football.
• Michael J. Fox accepted the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, delivering a speech about his advocacy for Parkinson’s research, which has raised over $1 billion.

Background

The 78th Emmy Awards took place on September 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony was hosted by Mariska Hargitay, a longtime 'Law & Order: SVU' star, rather than a comedian. The event was notable for its record-breaking acting wins and a comedic segment that generated significant online discussion. The Television Academy opted for a shorter, more concise format for acceptance speeches, with Cris Abrego managing the crowd. The ceremony also included a lengthy In Memoriam segment that confused some attendees due to its structure and timing.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline focused on the historic nature of Matthew Rhys’s and Jean Smart’s wins, highlighting their significance in Emmy history. They also noted the off-camera moments, such as Tom Holland and Zendaya’s interactions with Mark Ruffalo and Charlie Hunnam. Slate emphasized John Mulaney’s comedic bit, describing it as the funniest moment of the night and noting that NBC censored his DJ Khaled joke. IndieWire highlighted the bleeped joke and the In Memoriam segment’s confusion, as well as the musical interludes during commercial breaks. USA Today focused on Mulaney’s speech and its impact, noting the bleeped joke and the overall reception of his monologue. All outlets agreed on the historic nature of Rhys’s and Smart’s wins, but differed in their emphasis on the comedic and ceremonial aspects of the event.

Why it matters

The 78th Emmy Awards marked a significant shift in the television industry, with record-breaking acting wins and a comedic segment that generated widespread discussion. Matthew Rhys’s and Jean Smart’s historic wins highlight the changing landscape of television acting, while John Mulaney’s bleeped joke reflects the ongoing tension between comedy and broadcast standards. The ceremony’s format and hosting choices also indicate a move toward a more concise and less repetitive awards show.

What to watch

The Television Academy is expected to continue its efforts to modernize the Emmy Awards, with potential changes to the format and hosting structure. HBO’s 21 Emmy wins suggest a strong presence in the 2027 awards season, and the success of 'The Pitt' and 'Widow's Bay' may influence future programming decisions. The bleeped joke by John Mulaney may lead to discussions about broadcast standards and comedy in live television.