Selena Gomez briefly looked baffled, then dissolved into laughter with her face in her hands, after 2026 Emmys host Mariska Hargitay made a joke about Stranger Things at the expense of Gomez's Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short.
During her opening monologue at the Sept. 14 ceremony, Hargitay was running through a list of hit shows marking milestone anniversaries this year. She noted that Stranger Things had just wrapped after 10 years, joking, "look at how the kids have grown up now. They grow up so fast!" as she gestured toward the Only Murders in the Building table, where Martin and Short were seated.
Gomez did not immediately catch the joke, appearing confused before realizing Hargitay was referring to her veteran co-stars rather than the Stranger Things cast. Martin and Short laughed along, and Gomez's dawning recognition became one of the night's standout moments.
Hargitay, hosting the Emmys for the first time, used the same bit to riff on other anniversaries. She said The Muppet Show turning 50 meant it was "now finally aged prosciutto," and suggested anyone who watched Hannah Montana's original run should schedule "a Hannah mammogramma."
Hargitay's earlier dig at Short
The Stranger Things joke wasn't Hargitay's only reference to Short during the show. Earlier in her monologue, she called out the actor over his guest appearance years ago on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, suggesting he should be ashamed of himself for the "despicable things" his character did on the show.
Short was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Only Murders in the Building. His competition included Steve Carell for Rooster, Matthew Rhys for Widow's Bay, Jason Segel for Shrinking and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for Wonder Man, a nomination that came as something of a parting gift after Wonder Man was unexpectedly canceled on Disney+.
Only Murders in the Building's Emmy history
Short's nomination was one of five that Only Murders in the Building received this year, including a nod for Outstanding Comedy Series. The Hulu mystery-comedy has won seven Emmys over its five seasons so far but has never taken home the top comedy series prize.
2026 Emmy Awards: the winners
The Pitt led the drama categories with the night's top drama prize, while Widow's Bay took Outstanding Comedy Series. Here is a rundown of the winners across the ceremony's major categories.
- Outstanding Drama Series: The Pitt
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Noah Wyle, The Pitt
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Allison Janney, The Diplomat
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tom Pelphrey, Task
- Outstanding Comedy Series: Widow's Bay
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart, Hacks
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Matthew Rhys, Widow's Bay
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Kate O'Flynn, Widow's Bay
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Stephen Root, Widow's Bay
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Betty Gilpin, Widow's Bay
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Rob Reiner, The Bear
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Shailene Woodley, Paradise
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Ernest Harden Jr., The Pitt
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: DTF St. Louis
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Linda Cardellini, DTF St. Louis
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: David Harbour, DTF St. Louis
- Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program: Love on the Spectrum
- Outstanding Structured Reality Program: Antiques Roadshow
- Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program: Alan Cumming, The Traitors
- Outstanding Variety Series: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
- Outstanding Reality Competition Program: The Traitors
- Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded): The Muppet Show
- Outstanding Host for a Game Show: Jimmy Kimmel, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
