The 78th Emmy Awards Set for Los Angeles with 'The Pitt' and 'Hacks' Leading Nominees

The 78th Emmy Awards will take place in Los Angeles at the Peacock Theater. Mariska Hargitay, star of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, will host the ceremony. This marks a departure from the tradition of using a comedian as emcee and makes her the first woman to host the gala in 15 years. The event will be broadcast on NBC and stream on Peacock, with additional coverage available on TNT and HBO Max.

HBO Max dominates the nominations with 122 total. The series The Pitt is a leading favorite for best drama, while Hacks is a top contender for best comedy. Other notable nominees include Apple TV's Pluribus and the horror comedy Widow's Bay. In the acting categories, Noah Wyle is a strong candidate for best actor for his role in The Pitt, and Jean Smart is a frontrunner for best comedy actress for Hacks.

Coverage of the event differs in focus based on political lean. A center left source frames the awards as a rare moment of celebration amidst industry turmoil, specifically citing production cutbacks, artificial intelligence anxiety, and the proposed purchase of Warner Bros Discovery by Paramount Skydance. Conversely, a center right source frames the event as a prestigious competition, focusing on the historical number of nominations and the specific lists of contenders across various categories.

The Television Academy has revamped the late night comedy competition this year. Under new rules, any show in the outstanding variety series category that receives 90 percent approval from the academy will receive an Emmy, meaning the category could produce multiple winners. Nominees in this category include The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel Live.