Following this year’s nominations, many industry experts have been thinking about the 2026 Emmy Awards. A slow-paced discussion with critics and experts broke down the winners, shocking insults and unexpected appearances from the TV contestants of the year.According to interviews shown on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, the medical series ‘The Pitt’ led all programs with an unprecedented 25 nominations, including Best Drama and 13 nominations. Its star, Noah Wyle, is in the main role of the contestant. The comedy ‘Hacks’ won 24 votes in its fifth season, setting a new record for the most nominations ever received by a comedy show. Star Jean Smart is now on track to win her fifth Emmy for the show, which would make her the most Emmy-winning actress in history.
Pitt won the 2026 Emmys with 25 nominations, the most nominations of the year. Photo credit (Instagram).
Strange opponents are new
Two first-year programs have emerged as top contenders this year. Comedy drama ‘Widow’s Bay’ won 19 votes after much attention during Emmy consideration. The ‘Pluribus’ show also made a strong showing with 18 nominations in its first year. A short list from a rival advertising platform topped his team with 16 names.Michael Schneider, Emily Longeretta and Jazz Tangcay, who participated in the roundtable discussion, highlighted several notable moments in the nomination process. Longeretta expressed disappointment with one notable omission. “I was really disappointed that ‘Half Man’ didn’t get more love. I would say that one was huge for me. That even one actor was amazing in it, not realizing Jamie Bell was amazing to me. And not realizing the whole show because the writing was crazy,” he said.The surprising success of ‘Widow’s Bay’ was widely praised, as late shows during Emmy consideration are often hard to get people to listen to. “I know for a very long time, when I talked to a lot of people, they felt that they didn’t have time to show something. But the buzz on ‘Widow’s Bay’ was so persistent that I think a lot of people checked it out and went, ‘Oh, this is great,'” explained Schneider.
Mariska Hargitay’s special year and hosting duties
The group also discussed the amazing year that actress Mariska Hargitay, who will host this year’s Emmy Awards, has had. She represents the first woman to host the ceremony in 15 years. Beyond her hosting role, Hargitay faces a very busy schedule, which includes the success of the sports team, Broadway Theater productions, her writing for which she received two Emmy nominations, her long-running drama that is on the rise, and her award-winning work.
A notable absence and a surprising surprise
Software and technology from other developers failed to get nominated despite having many stars, and the top list was not considered. However, the show which featured a former actress as a supporting cast created a stir among the group’s creators. “I loved Sally Field in ‘Creatures of Strange Light.’ I mean, Sally is just a legend. It was fun to watch him do that,” Tangcay said.A panel discussion with Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta and Michael Schneider examines the year’s main Emmy contenders and previews the upcoming ceremony.