# The 78th Emmys turn into a night of goodbyes

> Mariska Hargitay's first turn as host was overtaken by tributes to the TV world's missing.
- Title: The 78th Emmys turn into a night of goodbyes · ABC News
- Summary: Mariska Hargitay's first turn as host was overtaken by tributes to the TV world's missing. The 2026 Emmys will be remembered less for who won than for who…
- Keywords: emmys, television, awards, tributes, hollywood, news, 78th, turn, night, goodbyes, ABC News
- Source: ABC News — https://abcnews.com/GMA/Culture/live-updates/emmys-2026?id=136378304
- Author: ABC News
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: emmys, television, awards, tributes, hollywood, news
## Television's biggest night
The 78th Emmy Awards brought stars, shows and creators to the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 14, 2026.

> It's television's biggest night!
## Hargitay takes the stage
Mariska Hargitay hosted for the first time, with nominees drawn from the year's most talked-about series including "The Pitt" and "Widow's Bay."
## Sally Field on Dolly Parton
Nearly three weeks after Parton's death, her "Steel Magnolias" co-star remembered her as a trailblazing humanitarian and a friend she loved instantly.

> I adored her from day one. How could you not?
## Reba sings Appalachia
Reba McEntire closed the Parton tribute with "Appalachian Memories," a song Parton wrote about her Smoky Mountain roots.

> I love you Dolly.
## Three sons for Catherine O'Hara
Macaulay Culkin, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy honored O'Hara, who died in January. Culkin said the word he thinks of is "mama."

> She was all of our mom. By the way, call your mother tonight.
## Always say yes
Levy said his "Schitt's Creek" co-star taught him to say yes to the strange role, the late rewrite, the thing that might scare an audience away.

> 'Dear Dan, some thoughts.' It will always improve the story.
## Noah Kahan's In Memoriam
Kahan sang "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as the show remembered Eric Dane, James Van Der Beek, Hayden Panettiere, Tim Curry, James Burrows and Bob Mackie.
## A record broken posthumously
Jamie Lee Curtis honored Rob and Michele Reiner, killed in December 2025. Rob's win for "The Bear" set a record for longest gap between acting Emmys, beating his father Carl.

> He was generous and kind and funny as hell and a friend to all.
## Key takeaway

The 2026 Emmys will be remembered less for who won than for who the room stopped to remember.