Mariska Hargitay shines as first female Emmy host in 15 years, Jean Smart makes history with record-tying win

A historic night for female hosts and winners

Mariska Hargitay made Emmy history as the first woman to host the awards ceremony in 15 years, bringing her signature blend of humor and sincerity to the role. The Law & Order: SVU star, whose show is entering its 28th season, opened with an energetic pre-taped musical number featuring New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson. In the segment, she sang a television-themed version of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts' I Love Rock 'n' Roll, renamed I Love TV Screens, as she appeared to fly from New York to Los Angeles.

Throughout the night, Hargitay showcased her comedic range in various sketches - relaxing in bed with Hacks star Jean Smart, eating a burger in a nod to Beef, riding a horse, and sharing bubble tea with Jennifer Coolidge. On stage, she reveled in her hosting milestone while joking about never having to pronounce the word finale during her show's lengthy run. One particularly playful moment saw her attempt to steal Nicole Kidman's famous AMC ad script, drawing mock ire from the actress.

Hargitay revealed she received two pieces of contradictory advice about hosting:

No. 1, don't do it, and No. 2, whatever you do, don't go for sincerity.

She added,

I clearly ignored the first, so please join me as I ignore the second.

Fellow comedian Amy Poehler, who took the stage after the opening, praised the host's performance with a simple but emphatic

She crushed it.

Jean Smart makes Emmy history

Jean Smart cemented her place in television history by winning her fifth consecutive Emmy for Hacks, tying the all-time performer record of eight wins previously shared only by Cloris Leachman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Allison Janney. The 75-year-old actress, who first gained recognition on Designing Women, became the first woman to win best actress honors for every season of a show's run. Smart's Emmy journey began with guest appearances on Frasier and a supporting role on Samantha Who before her current dominance in the comedy category.

In her emotional acceptance speech, Smart saved special praise for Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky:

It all begins and ends with them.

The win marked a triumphant moment for the veteran actress, whose career has spanned decades yet continues to reach new heights with her critically acclaimed performance in the HBO Max series.

Sally Field's triumphant return

Sally Field delivered one of the night's most emotional moments when she won her fourth career Emmy - her first since 2007 - for Netflix's Remarkably Bright Creatures. At 79, the two-time Oscar winner became the oldest recipient in her category (lead actress in a limited or anthology series or TV movie), receiving a thunderous standing ovation that nearly drowned out her initial words.

Wow, wow. This is not supposed to happen,

Field said in her characteristically humble manner.

I love this project from page one.

The actress gave thanks to the entire production team, including those who crafted her octopus co-star Marcellus, and offered a special acknowledgment to Canada where the film was produced. Her comment

Blessed Canada, our neighbors, our friends

carried additional weight given current trade tensions between the two nations. Field later returned to the stage to honor her Steel Magnolias co-star Dolly Parton, saying

I adored her from Day One. I am not the only one on earth who will love you forever.

Tributes to television legends

The ceremony featured moving tributes to several late television icons, most notably Dolly Parton who passed away late last month. Following Field's personal remembrance, country star Reba McEntire performed Parton's Appalachian Memories, ending with a heartfelt

I love you, Dolly.

The In Memoriam segment honored numerous industry figures including James Van Der Beek, Ted Turner, Eric Dane and Diane Ladd, with musician Noah Kahan performing a poignant rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Another emotional moment came when Schitt's Creek stars Dan Levy and Annie Murphy joined Home Alone actor Macaulay Culkin to remember their late co-star Catherine O'Hara. Culkin's simple but powerful statement

She was all our mom

captured the maternal warmth O'Hara brought to her roles.

Nostalgic reunions and surprise appearances

Just six months after the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot was scrapped, stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz reunited onstage to celebrate the show's 30th anniversary. The pair shared playful banter about whether their characters Buffy and Angel would ever reunite, with Gellar delivering a sharp retort that referenced the recent cancellation. She also acknowledged the difficult two years for the show's cast and crew following the deaths of actors Anthony Head (Giles), Nicholas Brendon (Xavier) and Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn).

The only other major reunion came from the original Charlie's Angels trio - Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith - marking the show's 50th anniversary. The limited reunions contrasted with previous Emmy ceremonies that had featured multiple cast gatherings from shows like The Golden Girls and Gilmore Girls.

Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance in a pre-taped Law & Order: SVU sketch that saw her play a rookie detective opposite Hargitay's Olivia Benson. The humorous segment involved Benson investigating whether Swift would attend the Emmys by analyzing connections between the singer's songs and nominations.

Now, in order to crack a Swifty case, you've got to think like a Swifty, because the Swifties think that everything is a clue to what she'll do next,

Benson quipped. The sketch concluded with Hargitay declaring

Taylor Swift will not be at the Emmys,

though Swift suggested she might do

one those cool, pre-taped sketch things to support the host.

In reality, Swift was watching her husband Travis Kelce play for the Kansas City Chiefs alongside Tom Cruise.

Ceremony details and fashion highlights

The Peacock Theater lobby buzzed with energy before the show, packed with attendees handling their formalwear through the crowd. Concessions reflected premium pricing with $9 cups of popcorn, $8 hot dogs and $23 beers and cocktails being popular choices - though messy nachos were notably absent from the menu.

Hacks nominee Meg Stalter made one of the night's boldest fashion statements by dressing as an Emmy statuette, complete with gold makeup, wings, and holding a sphere resembling the actual trophy. The first-time nominee earned recognition for her supporting role as Kayla Schaeffer in the show's final season.

The ceremony introduced a new seating arrangement with top nominees at small, lamp-lit tables rather than traditional theater-style rows, creating a more intimate atmosphere similar to the Grammys held nearby. This change didn't deter the usual pre-show mingling, as attendees seemed reluctant to settle into their seats for the three-hour event.