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Stars hit blue carpet for 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles

Mariska Hargitay made history as the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years at an event that replaced the traditional red carpet with a blue one.

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Stars hit blue carpet for 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles

Stars Light Up Blue Carpet at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards

The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards unfolded in Los Angeles on September 14, 2026, with a blue carpet replacing the traditional red, setting the tone for a night of glitz and glamour. Celebrities from across the television industry arrived at the Peacock Theater, showcasing bold fashion choices and setting the stage for the evening’s awards ceremony. Hosted by Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, the event marked a historic moment as she became the first woman to lead the Emmys in 15 years.
Detail Information
Most Nominations "The Pitt" (25), "Hacks" (24), "Widow's Bay" (19), "Pluribus" (18)
Blue Carpet Debut Replaced traditional red carpet for the first time
Notable Host Mariska Hargitay, first woman to host in 15 years
Major Snubs Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)

Fashion Highlights: From Flirty Gowns to Bold Suits

The red carpet was a runway for standout looks, with celebrities opting for dramatic silhouettes and vibrant colors. Supriya Ganesh of "The Pitt" stole the spotlight in a romantic baby blue silk gown with a flirty ruffled hem, while Mariska Hargitay dazzled in a shimmering off-the-shoulder red gown. Other notable arrivals included: - **Abby Elliott** (The Bear) in a delicate pink Erdem gown. - **Shabana Azeez** in a dazzling gold gown, channeling old Hollywood glamour. - **Lance Bass** in a sleek dark navy Tommy Hilfiger suit. - **Lena Hall** in a light blue gown and **Jackie Tohn** in a one-shoulder red ensemble. The fashion police at *Pedestrian.tv* highlighted Colman Domingo’s rust-colored jacket with a silk magenta tie belt, while *Viva* praised Kristen Bell’s muted pastel green gown with lace details. The event also saw unique choices, such as Zanna Roberts Rassi’s structured grey top with exaggerated hip detailing and Haley Kalil’s timeless black gown with a sweeping train.

Nomination Breakdown: HBO Max Leads the Pack

HBO Max emerged as the clear leader in nominations, securing 122 nods across 14 program categories. "The Pitt" dominated with 25 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and lead actor nods for Noah Wyle. "Hacks" followed closely with 24, led by Jean Smart’s potential fifth Emmy win. Apple TV’s "Widow's Bay" and "Pluribus" each earned 19 and 18 nominations, respectively, while Netflix’s "Beef" claimed 16 nods for its second season. Broadcast networks saw *Saturday Night Live* earn 11 nominations, the highest for a traditional network. Meanwhile, streaming platforms faced mixed results, with some shows like "The Bear" and "The Studio" falling short of expectations. The nominations, announced in July, included surprises and snubs, such as Sydney Sweeney’s exclusion from Euphoria’s final season and Jeremy Allen White’s absence from The Bear’s acting categories.

Historic Hosting and Unexpected Moments

Mariska Hargitay’s hosting role carried significance as she led the Emmys for the first time in 15 years. The event also saw unexpected moments, such as Glambot director Cole Walliser arriving with a black arm sling, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms stars Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell making a dynamic duo in sharp suits. The evening’s fashion and nominations underscored the evolving landscape of television, with both established and new series vying for recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who hosted the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards?

Mariska Hargitay, star of Law & Order: SVU, hosted the event, marking the first time a woman has led the Emmys in 15 years.

Which show received the most Emmy nominations?

HBO Max's "The Pitt" earned 25 nominations, the highest of any program, followed by "Hacks" with 24 and "Widow's Bay" with 19.

Video: 78th Emmy Awards bring television’s biggest stars to Los Angeles — WUSA9 (YouTube)

Why was the red carpet blue this year?

The 78th Primetime Emmys debuted a blue carpet instead of the traditional red, though the reason for the change was not specified in the sources.

Looking Ahead: Awards Night and Beyond

As the ceremony concluded, the focus shifted to the winners, with "The Pitt" and "Hacks" poised to dominate. The night’s fashion moments and nomination surprises left a lasting impression, highlighting the vibrant energy of television’s biggest night.
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Author & Beat Editor

Céline Navarro

Céline Navarro edits Entertainment for Dateline Wire, covering film, television, music, gaming and the business of culture. Her section holds entertainment news to newsroom rules: box-office and streaming figures are quoted exactly as their measurement source published them, casting and production stories are attributed to the trade outlet that broke them, and awards coverage separates confirmed results from campaign speculation. Céline is spoiler-aware by policy and business-minded by preference — her section explains what a deal, a delay or a cancellation means for the industry, sourced to the outlets that reported each piece of it. She also edits the desk's obituaries of cultural figures, which are checked against multiple published records. Contact: [email protected].

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