Mariska Hargitay Playfully Roasts ‘Lioness’ Star Nicole Kidman at the Emmys

Tena Milakovic
Nicole Kidman Mariska Hargitay
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Hosting an awards show is no easy feat, especially when it comes to delivering an opening that captivates an audience that has seen it all. Many hosts resort to safe jokes about nominees or light-hearted industry jabs, hoping to land a few laughs before the awards begin.

This year’s Emmy ceremony took a refreshing turn, focusing on a host who has spent nearly three decades portraying a beloved character and was now stepping into a new role. The anticipation for the evening was just as much about the host as it was about the potential winners.

Mariska Hargitay kicked off the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards by transforming one of the internet’s most parodied commercials into her own comedic moment, with the original star sitting right in the audience. Hargitay recreated Nicole Kidman’s iconic AMC Theatres ad almost verbatim, complete with dramatic lighting and the same trembling delivery that made the original go viral in 2021.

As Hargitay delivered lines like “that indescribable feeling we get when the light begins to dim, dazzling images on the silver screen,” the camera panned to Kidman, who humorously interrupted the performance. “Mariska, no. That’s my bit… you can’t do that,” Kidman playfully exclaimed as the bit unfolded live.

Hargitay quickly responded, saying, “Zip it, movie lady, it’s TV’s turn tonight,” according to Rolling Stone’s coverage, making this exchange one of the most memorable moments of the night. Kidman, who was nominated as an executive producer, appeared to take the playful ribbing in stride, clearly enjoying the banter.

This lively exchange capped off an opening segment that was already filled with spectacle, starting with a pre-taped video of Hargitay singing a parody version of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” reimagined as “I Love TV Screens,” with lyrics tailored to this year’s nominees. The segment featured cameos from New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson and Jennifer Coolidge, setting an energetic tone before Hargitay even took the stage.

Hargitay’s hosting role was a significant milestone, making her the first woman to host the Emmys solo since Jane Lynch in 2011. She acknowledged this history in her monologue, sharing that she received two pieces of advice before accepting the role: “Number one, don’t do it, and number two, whatever you do, don’t go for sincerity.” She humorously noted that she had ignored the first piece of advice.

Much of Hargitay’s opening drew from her twenty-seven-year tenure as Olivia Benson on ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,’ including a joke about never having a series finale to properly announce. She even took a playful jab at ‘Law & Order’ creator Dick Wolf, joking that his “real name” was something much more scandalous than what audiences know.

With the Kidman callback, the musical opener, and self-deprecating humor about her long TV career, Hargitay’s monologue set a surprisingly playful tone for a night that would feature many historic wins.

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