The Biggest Moments From The 2026 Emmys, If You Went To Bed Before The Ceremony
by Becca Monaghan · BuzzFeedThe 2026 Emmys had a bit of everything, from a surprise Taylor Swift cameo to some emotional tributes, and a few big wins.
Mariska Hargitay made history as the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years, after joking that Amy Poehler and Tina Fey must have said no, while The Pitt picked up two awards and Widow’s Bay had a particularly good night with six wins.
There were also a few moments you’ll probably be seeing all over your feed today.
So, if you sensibly went to bed instead of staying up until godly hours in the UK to watch the awards, here are all the biggest moments from the night.
1. Emilia Clarke breaks out the High Valyrian alongside Emma D’Arcy
Emilia Clarke speaks High Valyrian at the Emmy awards, alongside Emma D’Arcy. #Emmys pic.twitter.com/91DvcIDZ7l
— westerosies (@westerosies) September 15, 2026
westerosies / Via x.com
2. Taylor Swift makes a surprise cameo in a Law & Order skit
Taylor Swift is wanted at the Emmys 🚨#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/Pb59goEkxw
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
NBC Entertainment / Via x.com
3. Marcello Hernández invites Zendaya and Tom Holland to dinner
While presenting at the Emmys, Marcello Hernández invited Zendaya and Spider-Man, aka Tom Holland, over for dinner:
“I would like to invite you and Spider-Man to have dinner at my house.” pic.twitter.com/pjdFjgViKa
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) September 15, 2026
cinesthetic. / Via x.com
4. Dolly Parton gets an emotional tribute from Reba McEntire
Reba performs a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Dolly Parton 🦋#Emmys LIVE on NBC and streaming on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/rXV9kZrgGZ
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 15, 2026
NBC Entertainment / Via x.com
5. Megan Stalter takes the Emmy dress code very literally
Megan Stalter is literally an #Emmy tonight with Paul W. Downs. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/VCc9sarfuE
— Television Academy (@TelevisionAcad) September 14, 2026
Television Academy / Via x.com
6. Sally Field takes a swipe at the Warner Bros merger after winning Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Sally Field calls out the Warner Bros/Paramount merger in her Emmys acceptance speech.
“We can’t let those voices be silenced or compromised or merged.” pic.twitter.com/umYmGItZiu
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 15, 2026
DiscussingFilm / Via x.com
7. Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy pay tribute to Catherine O’Hara in an emotional speech
this tribute to Catherine O'Hara at the Emmys was soooo sweet wow. and the camera cuts to Martin Short and Steve Martin crying...I'm not okay. her on-screen children Macaulay Culkin, Annie Murphy, and Dan Levy spoke so highly of her
Macaulay: "She was encouraging. She was warm.… pic.twitter.com/k4iukLfFlI
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) September 15, 2026
Spencer Althouse / Via x.com
8. Stephen Colbert wins an Emmy after The Late Show's cancellation and uses his speech to champion his staff
wow Stephen Colbert's ~canceled~ late-night show just won the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Series. his tribute to his wife during his speech was so sweet
"There can only be one favorite guest, and that is my wife Evie McGee. Thank you for being my only crew and my only guest… pic.twitter.com/evRVi1FJvo
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) September 15, 2026
Spencer Althouse / Via x.com
9. Jean Smart makes Emmy history with her fifth consecutive win for Hacks
Jean Smart reacts to winning her historic fifth Emmy for playing Deborah Vance in ‘HACKS.’ pic.twitter.com/vSxxJHEByd
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 15, 2026
Film Updates / Via x.com
10. Matthew Rhys also sets a new Emmy record as the first person to win two lead acting awards in one night
Matthew Rhys just made Emmys history, becoming the first man to win ~two~ Lead Actor categories in the same ceremony. he won for Widow's Bay (Comedy Series) and The Beast in Me (Limited Series)
here's his reaction and full speech: pic.twitter.com/HsaAOCrI9l
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) September 15, 2026
Spencer Althouse / Via x.com
11. Michael J. Fox receives the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his Parkinson’s advocacy
Michael J. Fox has been given a humanitarian award at the Emmys for his contributions to Parkinson's disease research.
“Accepting Parkinson’s didn’t mean I had to surrender to it, it's about doing everything I could for everyone living with this disease.” pic.twitter.com/zDYOzsBP0h
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 15, 2026
DiscussingFilm / Via x.com
So, what was your standout moment from the night?
Additional thumbnail photo credits: Amy Sussman/Monica Schipper/Kevin Winter (Getty Images)