‘The Pitt’ looks to repeat and ‘Widow’s Bay’ could bring an epic wave

Show host Mariska Hargitay [AP Photo]

The 78th Emmy Awards are here. “The Pitt” will look to find its place in the television pantheon and “Widow’s Bay” will ride a storm of buzz into the ceremony Monday night (this morning, Macau time) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Mariska Hargitay, the longtime “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” star and a three-time Emmy winner, will host the show on NBC, which has rolled out a peacock blue carpet for the occasion, a nod to the network’s 100th anniversary.

The ceremony will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the 50th anniversary of “Charlie’s Angels,” with cast members among the presenters.

The Emmys telecast rotates between the broadcast networks, and this year it’s airing live on NBC and streaming live on Peacock at 8 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Pacific.

“Live from E!: Countdown to the Emmys” will show stars arriving beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific on YouTube and Peacock. The Associated Press will also have a delayed feed of celebrity arrivals on YouTube.

HBO Max’s real-time emergency room drama “The Pitt” was a rookie upstart a year ago when it won best drama, best actor for star Noah Wyle and best supporting actress for Katherine LaNasa. Now an esteemed veteran, the show is expected to repeat in all three categories and could win three more, with Wyle himself up for three trophies. The show’s ensemble got four nominations in the supporting actress category and three more for supporting actor.

“Hacks” got the most nominations of any comedy for its fifth and final season on HBO Max, and star Jean Smart is a virtual lock to make it 5-for-5 with yet another win for best actress in a comedy.

But the Apple TV horror comedy “Widow’s Bay” may spoil the “Hacks” send-off. It comes into the evening with eight wins at earlier ceremonies where most of the well over 100 Emmys categories are awarded.

The show can add up to six more Monday. If it does, it will break the record of 13 Emmys for a comedy in a season set last year by “The Studio.”

“Widow’s Bay” star Matthew Rhys is a favorite to win best actor in a comedy, and the show’s breakout star Kate O’Flynn is a strong candidate for best supporting actress.

Rhea Seehorn plays the lone central character on Apple TV’s “Pluribus,” and she could ride the role to her first Emmy for best actress in a drama.

Seehorn’s competition includes Zendaya, who won for the first two seasons of “Euphoria” in 2020 and 2022, and is nominated for its third and final season.

The night could also bring the first Emmy — and first major competitive Hollywood award of any kind — to 84-year-old Harrison Ford, who is among the favorites for best supporting actor in a comedy for playing a therapist coping with Parkinson’s disease on “Shrinking.” ANDREW DALTON, LOS ANGELES, MDT/AP