78th Emmys to Open With Jalen Brunson Bit, Reba McEntire Tribute
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson will help open the 78th Emmys in a pre-taped bit to start the telecast.
The segment will hand straight to host Mariska Hargitay live on stage. She will continue the performance with dancers before moving into her opening monologue, according to Variety.
The ceremony airs live Monday, September 14 on NBC and Peacock, NBC has announced. Hargitay, best known for a long run on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, is hosting the Emmys for the first time.
Music will play a big part in the night. Reba McEntire will perform a Dolly Parton song in tribute to Parton. Actor Sally Field is expected to introduce the tribute.
Field has her own stake in the evening. She is nominated for lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie for Netflix's Remarkably Bright Creatures. That category honours a starring performance in a one-off series or television film.
Noah Kahan will sing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” during the In Memoriam segment. That is the annual section of the show that remembers television figures who have died in the past year.
Another honour will go to Michael J. Fox. Julianna Margulies is expected to present him with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, which recognises charitable and humanitarian work.
Nostalgia is also on the running order. A 50th anniversary reunion for Charlie’s Angels is planned with original stars Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd and Kate Jackson. A 30th anniversary tribute to Buffy, the Vampire Slayer is planned with Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz.
What makes this stand out is the mix. Sport, live music and two big cast reunions all sit inside one broadcast. For fans, this means plenty to watch before a single trophy is handed out.
