“Widow’s Bay” and “The Pitt” emerged as the biggest winners at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, while Mariska Hargitay brought her own brand of enthusiasm to television’s biggest night. The September 14 ceremony saw Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay” make Emmy history with 14 wins, a record for a comedy, as “The Pitt” took home Outstanding Drama Series for the second consecutive year.
“Widow’s Bay” also swept its four acting categories. Matthew Rhys won Lead Actor, while Kate O’Flynn and Stephen Root took the supporting prizes. Rhys also collected Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Netflix’s “The Beast in Me.” “The Pitt” added another major acting prize for Noah Wyle, who won Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch. Rhea Seehorn won Lead Actress in a Drama Series for “Pluribus,” while Jean Smart collected her fifth consecutive Emmy for “Hacks.”
“Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay, who hosted the ceremony for the first time, opened the broadcast with a musical number and carried the show through a series of television-themed segments. The ceremony also leaned heavily into nostalgia. Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd reunited onstage for the 50th anniversary of “Charlie’s Angels” and remembered their late co-star Farrah Fawcett. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz also reunited for the series’ 30th anniversary.
The night carried an emotional tone through several tributes. A wheelchair-bound Michael J. Fox received the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic work, while Catherine O’Hara received a special tribute. Reba McEntire also honored the late Dolly Parton, who died earlier this year, during the ceremony.
Despite the star power and record-setting wins, the Emmys continued to face a ratings challenge. The NBC telecast drew approximately 6.7 million viewers, down nearly 10% from last year’s 7.42 million, with the ceremony also facing competition from Monday Night Football.