Sarah Michelle Gellar Had The Perfect Response To A Photographer Asking Her To Kiss Her Costar, And 12 More Awkward Moments From The 2026 Emmy Awards
by Kristen Harris · BuzzFeedPosted 3 minutes ago
Nobody likes dealing with awkward moments, but you know what? They make for good TV — and good TV is what the Emmys are all about!
Here are 13 super awkward moments from the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards:
1. On the red carpet, Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph shaded the other Outstanding Comedy nominees.
The other nominees included The Bear (a comedy-drama), Hacks (a dark comedy-drama), Margot's Got Money Troubles (a comedy-drama), Nobody Wants This (a romantic comedy-drama), Only Murders in the Building (a mystery comedy-drama), Shrinking (another comedy-drama), and Widow's Bay (a comedy horror).
Abbott Elementary was the only sitcom nominated in the category.
Widow's Bay ultimately won the award.
2. This E! reporter told Sally Field about her crush on Charlie Hunnam, and Sally did not GAF.
But then she got invested:.
3. Pluribus actor Rhea Seehorn got asked the most out-of-pocket red carpet question.
4. Host Mariska Hargitay gave a not-so-well-received opening number, including this Heated Rivalry joke.
5. She also made, well, a dick joke about Law and Order: SVU creator Dick Wolf's name.
6. A red carpet photographer asked Sarah Michelle Gellar to kiss David Boreanaz, her Buffy the Vampire Slayer costar! She replied, "I don't think his wife will appreciate that!"
Sarah is married to Freddie Prinze Jr., and David is married to Jaime Bergman.
7. While presenting Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, David and Sarah referenced that canceled Buffy reboot.
8. Mariska made a joke that Miss Piggy certainly did not like: "The Muppet Show is turning 50, which means it's now aged prosciutto."
9. Shailene Woodley wore this interesting ensemble...
And the people had a lot to say:
10. When Mariska asked attendees about their first jobs, Nick Offerman said he was an "erotic painter," but instead of people, he painted houses. With a completely straight face, he said, "I was in the nude," adding that he'd strip down, dump a can of paint over his head, and then roll around the exterior of the house. He added, "Roofs were not pleasant, but a buck is a buck." When Mariska said she didn't know how that was supposed to be erotic, he said, "It was erotic for the house."
11. While presenting Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama, John Mulaney sarcastically lauded the award as something that was finally for the men. Then, he made a joke that was quicky censored! He said, "I believe it was DJ Khaled who said real men don't [censored], but these nominees know that that is BS. They know there's often less pressure on them if they do that first."
For context, back in 2018, DJ Khaled got a lot of backlash for telling The Breakfast Club that he never "goes down" on his girlfriend. He said, "Nah, never. Nah, I can't do that. Hell nah...I can't do that. I don't do that." But when asked if he'd be okay with his girlfriend refusing to give him oral sex, he said, "Nah, it's not okay. You gotta understand I'm the Don, I'm the King. ... It's different rules for men. You gotta understand, we the King. There are some things that you guys might not wanna do or wanna do. It gotta get done. I just can't do what you want me to do. I just can't."
The reactions from the audience say it all:
12. When Widow's Bay creator Katie Dippold won Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, the internet couldn't help but remember the funniest thing she's ever done.
EMMY WINNER KATIE DIPPOLD!!!! https://t.co/qsh2Br1sgu
— Sophie Vershbow (@svershbow) September 15, 2026
Sophie Vershbow / Via x.com
13. And finally, to end on a wholesome moment, Selena Gomez adorably forgot she was on the red carpet for a sec.
Selena Gomez stuns on the #Emmys carpet 🤍 pic.twitter.com/yL2FgJke15
— Variety (@Variety) September 14, 2026
Variety / CNN / Via x.com