The 2026 Emmys have officially wrapped up, and now that we’ve admired all the outfits and evaluated Mariska Hargitay’s hosting chops (I think she nailed it, personally, but maybe she’s just genial enough to make me root for her in general), it’s time to look back at some of the night’s highlights. Below, find a roundup of the very best moments from the 2026 Emmys:
Nick Offerman’s weird “erotic painter” bit
Did I totally follow Hargitay’s bit of crowd work in which she asked celebrities about their first jobs and Offerman did a long riff about getting naked and painting houses? No, but that’s the joy of Nick Offerman.
Alan Cumming reminding everyone to register to vote
Tomorrow is National Voter Registration Day, and now we all know that because Cumming shouted it out while accepting the outstanding reality competition Emmy on behalf of The Traitors. How charmingly civic-minded!
John Mulaney going full Mulaney mode
It’s always a delight to see Mulaney at an awards show (there’s a reason I constantly rewatch the clips of him and Nick Kroll hosting the Independent Spirit Awards), but hearing him get bleeped for a very long time while quoting DJ Khaled and reading advice aloud from a guide to acting he found at the Glendale public library? That’s my designated comedian crush.
Rachel Sennott making fun of actor drama while presenting the Emmy for…outstanding supporting actor in a drama
Photo: Getty Images
