Mariska Hargitay divided Emmy viewers while hosting the 2026 ceremony, with some social media users calling her delivery “cringe” while others described it as “funny as hell.”
Hargitay became the first woman in 15 years to host the Emmy Awards. She opened the broadcast with a star-studded musical performance before weaving in references to Taylor Swift and Game of Thrones.
Although many fans enthusiastically applauded Hargitay’s performance, online critics were far less convinced by her hosting style.
“She seems like a very nice person but please never let Mariska Hargitay host again,” one viewer wrote.
Another added: “To #MariskaHargitay, don’t quit your day job.”
One X user criticized the ceremony’s overall tone, writing: “These #Emmys were so generic that they even had Mariska wearing a cheap copy of Julia Roberts’ vintage Valentino. And Mariska, as nice as she seems, was the absolute worst pick to host. #cringe.”
Mariska Hargitay divided Emmy viewers while hosting the 2026 ceremony, with netizens criticizing her delivery as “cringe” and praising it as “incredible.”
Hargitay, the first woman to host the Emmy Awards in 15 years, opened the ceremony with a star-studded musical number.
The opening performance also split opinion, with one viewer posting: “Mariska Hargitay already being an unfunny host…”
“Whoever let Mariska Hargitay do that #EMMYs opening number should be sent to jail,” another user joked.
A third viewer was equally unimpressed, writing: “Oooof, this opening number at tonight’s Emmy Awards was rough. Mariska Hargitay tried her best though.”
Others took a more forgiving view: “This intro is cringe but it’s Mariska, so it’s perfectly okay!!”
Another fan wrote: “Okay Mariska, this opening number is not it. Sorry, queen.”
However, not all of the reaction was negative. One supporter declared: “Mariska Hargitay slayed that opening. #Emmys.”
One viewer admitted they had walked away from the television, posting: “Someone tell me when this opening number is done because I immediately walked away when Mariska Hargitay started singing.”
‘Now what in the world is this opening sequence? Lmaooo got Mariska doing anything.’
‘The intro was cringe.’
‘Mariska, I love you diva but how much did they pay you for that cringefest of an opening?’ another asked.
The feedback wasn’t all criticism, with many fans also raving about her performance: ‘Mariska was actually funny AS HELL all night,’ one wrote.
Hargitay, the first woman to host the Emmy awards in 15 years, kicked off the show with a star-studded musical number before continuing with a Taylor Swift and a Game of Thrones shout-out
‘Mariska Hargitay killed that monologue. So good!’ one posted.
‘I only have one thing to say: TONIGHT, MARISKA MAGDOLNA HARGITAY, YOU SHINED LIKE THE QUEEN YOU ARE,’ another tweeted. ‘DUN DUN.’
‘LET MARISKA HARGITAY HOST EVERY AWARD SHOW EVER!!!!!!!’ one declared.
The 2026 awards marked Hargitay’s first time hosting the show.
Nominations for television’s biggest night were announced back in July, with The Pitt earning the most nods – 25 nominations.
The series earned 13 acting nods including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for star Noah Wyle and top honor Outstanding Drama.
‘To #MariskaHargitay, Don’t quit your day job,’ one posted
The Pitt was followed closely by another HBO Max awards show darling, Hacks, which earned 24 nominations for its fifth and final season.
It is the most ever for a comedy as it beat out previous record holders The Bear and The Studio, which had previously earned 23.
Leading lady Jean Smart now has the chance to earn her fifth Emmy for the show and her eighth overall, which would put her in a tie for the actress with the most Emmy acting wins in history.
Apple TV comedy horror series Widow’s Bay had a strong showing for a newcomer as it earned 19 nods. The streamer also earned 18 nominations for drama Pluribus.
When it came to the limited/anthology series categories it was the second season of Netflix’s Beef which led the way with 16 nominations.
‘She seems like a very nice person but please never let Mariska Hargitay host again,’ one posted
Streamers didn’t have all the success, however, as the most nominations on the broadcast network side went to iconic variety series Saturday Night Live, which earned an impressive 11 nominations.
HBO Max earned the most nominations for any platform this year with an impressive 122 nods including 13 for DTF St. Louis.
This year, 555 programs were submitted across the 14 program categories, down 7.5% from last year’s 600 entrants.
That included 110 dramas, 71 comedies, 31 limited/anthology series, 34 movies, 18 variety series and 45 reality competition shows.
The two Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies took place last week on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6.
