From TIME · Judy Berman · · 2m
Mariska Hargitay's just-OK Emmys night
The Emmys finally gave a woman the mic again, then handed her eight minutes and a stack of stale jokes.
In brief
The Emmys finally gave a woman the mic again, then handed her eight minutes and a stack of stale jokes. Hargitay was likable and underused. The telecast's failures were written, not performed, and the fix is more chances for women to host, not fewer. Originally reported by TIME.
Eight minutes, then nothing
The Jalen Brunson cameo lasted seconds, the "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" number doubled as a Marriott and United ad, and the monologue was over fast. That opening set the tone for the whole night.
First woman since 2011
Hargitay was the first female Emmys host since Jane Lynch. The years in between ran on a rotation of SNL and talk-show guys, which makes a wasted slot sting more.
Late night's decline changed casting
With talk shows fading, the Emmys started casting wider. Anthony Anderson was forgettable, the Levys were charming, and Nate Bargatze's gimmick-heavy year was a slog.
Not a comedian, on purpose
She was the first Emmys host not known mainly for comedy since the 2008 reality-host experiment with Ryan Seacrest and Heidi Klum, widely called one of the worst ceremonies ever.
She had the credits for it
Hargitay trained with the Groundlings and did Seinfeld. Add two Emmys for her Jayne Mansfield documentary, a Broadway run, and Knicks courtside loyalty, and Variety called her a national best friend.
“a national best friend”
Companion, not ringmaster
She joked about all the stars she'd "arrested" on SVU, then coasted. The Nicole Kidman AMC parody and a "hot as balls" Game of Thrones bit both landed years late.
Everyone else stole it
Amy Poehler topped the whole monologue with one presenting joke. John Mulaney got more laughs and more stage time, and Andrew Rannells rescued her shaky canceled-series song.
Even her own SVU bit
The pre-taped SVU parody investigated whether Taylor Swift would show up, which was really just a way to put the most famous entertainer alive on screen instead of the host.
Blame the writers' room
The non sequitur after her Ghoulies flashback and the "Hannah Mammogramma" pun were script problems. She avoided disaster, kept her likability, and deserved better material.
“here's to the Emmys giving women more chances to be wonderful, awful, and even just-OK Emmys hosts”
The takeaway
Hargitay was likable and underused. The telecast's failures were written, not performed, and the fix is more chances for women to host, not fewer.
