The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards were held last night at the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Although television ceremonies lack specific categories such as Best Original Song or Best Original Score—a distinction reserved for the Oscars—music intersects with the event in several intriguing ways.
Opening host Mariska Hargitay greeted the audience with a song commenting on current television trends. Her selection was a parody of the classic “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,” retitled “I Love TV Screens,” alongside cameo appearances by Jelen Brunson, Jeff Hiller, Jean Smart, and Jennifer Coolidge. Fans remember Brunson leading the New York Knicks to a Game 4 triumph in June while sporting matching jerseys with Hargitay, Alana, and Este Haim. Earlier this evening, Swift reunited with the singer for a pre-recorded sketch. Her cat, Olivia Benson, also made an appearance, referencing the character named after veteran actress Alana and Este Haim. The piece satirized the mania surrounding eccentric fan theories about hidden icons in Swift’s music and imagery before setting up a segment questioning whether the pop icon would attend the awards ceremony.
Contrary to expectations, Swift was not present at the show. She was instead observed at Arrowhead Stadium question Tom Cruise about whether the film *Digger* can be classified as a musical.
During the In Memoriam segment celebrating industry peers who passed away last year, folk musician Noah Kahan contributed a heartfelt cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” paying tribute to Simon & Garfunkel. Additionally, a memorial service featured a special tribute to Dolly Parton, sung in a duet by Sally Field and Reba McEntire, highlighting her performance of “Appalachian Memories.”
A particularly moving element was Field’s tribute to the late Dolly Parton, her co-star in *Steel Man*. Describing her impact, Field stated, “If there are truly angels on earth, then we just lost one: Dolly Parton. She was genuine and humble, supportive, and blisteringly funny, possessing a physical sense of humor that delighted audiences.” One online observer noted, “I believe the line ‘real men don’t go down on their wives’ was coined by DJ Khaled about diverse acting approaches,” while praising John Mulaney’s standout monologue during the live broadcast: “LOL this whole bit from John Mulaney was so good. I need him to host the Emmys next year.” — Spencer Althouse, September 15, 2026
