Emmys opening segment is branded 'dreadful' and 'weird as hell' as Mariska Hargitay is mocked over 'cringe' I Love TV Screens song littered with product placement

The opening segment for the 2026 Emmy Awards left a lot to be desired, as viewers branded the musical number 'dreadful' and 'weird as hell' following Monday's ceremony.

Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay was the first female star to host the awards in over a decade, and she kicked off the night with a toe-curling number dedicated to Hollywood's love for the small screen.

Set to the hit I Love Rock 'n'Roll, the segment showed Mariska travelling to the ceremony on a United Airlines flight, before dancing through New York and onto the stage, where she was surrounded by dancers in TV-themed head gear.

The performance didn't shy away from some blatant product placement, in the form of a United plane on full display, and fans were left unimpressed by the cringe-worthy number.

Posts on X included: 'Oooof this opening number at tonight's Emmy Awards was rough. Mariska Hargitay tried her best though;'

'I'm sorry that opening number 'I Love TV Screens' was…pretty dreadful. Mariska's giving it her all but that was the most bland musical bit;'

'They can throw this opening in the trash;'

'This #Emmys opening number sucks;'

'We missed brilliant actors getting their Emmy on the prime time show all to save time for this opening?! Okay!!'

'This entire opening was weird as hell...;'

Mariska's hosting skills earned a mixed reception from viewers, with some blasting the 'generic' ceremony for failing to make an impact.

They posted on X: 'She seems like a very nice person but please never let Mariska Hargitay host again;'

'To #MariskaHargitay, Don't quit your day job;'

'These #Emmys were so generic that they even had Mariska wearing a cheap copy of Julia Roberts' vintage Valentino. And Mariska, as nice as she seems, was the absolute worst pick to host. #cringe.'

The feedback wasn't all criticism, with many fans also raving about her performance, writing: 'Mariska was actually funny AS HELL all night;'

'Mariska Hargitay killed that monologue. So good!'

'I only have one thing to say: TONIGHT, MARISKA MAGDOLNA HARGITAY, YOU SHINED LIKE THE QUEEN YOU ARE;'

'LET MARISKA HARGITAY HOST EVERY AWARD SHOW EVER!!!!!!!'

Widow's Bay was the biggest winner at the Emmy Awards 2026 as it swept the ceremony with leading man Matthew Rhys making history as the first actor to win two leading acting gongs in different categories in one night.

On the drama side, it was once again The Pitt that was the big winner as the HBO Max series took home top honour Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama for Noah Wyle. They earned the same honours at last year's Emmys.

However, it was Widow's Bay that made the massive first impression on television's biggest night as it won in all six categories it was nominated in including the top honour Outstanding Comedy Series.

The comedy horror series beat out: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Nobody Wants This, Only Murders in the Building and Shrinking.

Widow's Bay is set in the fictional New England island town of Widow's Bay, which happens to be afflicted with a centuries-old curse that brings various supernatural evils upon the island.

In addition to Rhys, top acting honours were earned by Kate O'Flynn and Stephen Root in the Outstanding Supporting Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series categories, respectively.

However, their co-star Rhys was perhaps the biggest winner of the night as he made history by becoming the first actor to earn two leading acting honours in the same night.

He not only earned Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy series for the Apple TV+ series, but also took home Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me earlier in the evening. 

On the Apple TV series, the talented actor portrays Tom Loftis, mayor of Widow's Bay, as he is originally from the mainland and is initially skeptical of the local residents' superstitions about the island's supposed curse. He is a widower, and father to a son, Evan, from his marriage to his deceased wife, Lauren. 

In the psychological thriller mini-series, Rhys portrays Nile Jarvis who is the son of a real estate magnate who moves next door to the home of Aggie Wiggs [Claire Danes] in Oyster Bay, New York on Long Island to live in a more secluded manner with his second wife as he allegedly killed his first wife.  

The Pitt earned the top award of the night Outstanding Drama Series on a night where it earned 25 nominations which was the most from any single series.

It faced stiff competition including: The Diplomat, The Gilded Age, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Paradise, Pluribus, Slow Horses and Your Friends and Neighbors. 

The Pitt is centered around the daily lives of healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital as they juggle personal crises, workplace politics, and the emotional toll of treating critically ill patients, revealing the resilience required in their noble calling. 

Noah Wyle was the first to be awarded for the highly-popular HBO Max series.

The 55-year-old actor earned the win in the coveted Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category as he beat out: Sterling K. Brown for Paradise, Gary Oldman for Slow Horses, Mark Ruffalo for Task, and Rufus Sewell for The Diplomat.

On the series he portrays Dr Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch who is the main protagonist of the show as he deals with trauma and PTSD alongside unresolved post-COVID stress.

Meanwhile, Rhea Seehorn earned one of the biggest wins of television's biggest night and beat one of the biggest stars in Zendaya to earn the honour. 

The 54-year-old actress triumphed in the Lead Actress in a Drama category at the Emmy Awards 2026 as she was recognized for her work in Pluribus.

Jean Smart earned her fifth Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy win in a row at the Emmy Awards 2026 on a night that featured a star-studded red carpet.

 The 75-year-old talented actress was recognised for her work on Hacks which just had its fifth and final season. 

Smart – who earned her eighth total Emmy in her 15th total nomination – was obviously emotional as her name was called and she was presented the honour by Zendaya.

Sally Field earned Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her work in Remarkably Bright Creatures. 

The 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards took place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Monday night. Law & Order: SVU executive producer/star Mariska Hargitay served as host of the gala event which marks the first time a woman has hosted the show in 15 years.