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CELEBRITY EXTRA #12345_20260727
FOR RELEASE JULY 27, 2026
BYLINE: By Dana Jackson
Photo Credit: Depositphotos
Photo Caption: Host of the 2026 Emmys Mariska Hargitay ("Law & Order: SVU")
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Q:When are the Emmy Awards, and who'll be hosting this year? I think Conan O'Brien should host them, like he does the Oscars. -- S.H.
A:While former late-night host turned podcaster Conan O'Brien has hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards by himself in both 2002 and 2006, he's pretty much locked in as the permanent host of the Oscars. This isn't a guarantee, but we're all assuming that he'll be back to host cinema's most prestigious awards show for the third year in a row.
In recent years, the Emmys have been hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, father-son duo/"Schitt's Creek" stars Eugene and Dan Levy, and sitcom actor Anthony Anderson. Jimmy Kimmel has hosted three times, but there hasn't been a female solo host since actress Jane Lynch ("Only Murders in the Building") introduced presenters in 2011.
New York Knicks fanatic and "Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay has been chosen by NBC to be this year's emcee when the ceremony airs live on Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET. However, a recent announcement stating that the live telecast would feature five fewer categories to make room for more musical performances and comedy sketches has the Hollywood community in an uproar.
Two of the categories that didn't make the cut are Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. According to Variety, the two talents projected to win in these respective categories this year are David Harbour for "DTF St. Louis" and Constance Zimmer for "Love Story."
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Q: Is it true that Robert Redford was supposed to star in "Yellowstone"? Was it the role that Kevin Costner played? -- L.G.
A: Before "Yellowstone" found its home with Paramount, its creator Taylor Sheridan pitched the show to HBO. He suggested actor Kevin Costner in the lead role of John Dutton, but HBO wanted a "generational talent" of Robert Redford's stature, which Sheridan misunderstood to mean Robert Redford himself. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan personally visited Redford to make him an offer (which the legendary movie star accepted), only to have to rescind it when HBO clarified that they wanted someone of Redford's type but not age.
Costner went on to play Dutton for five seasons before departing the show. Meanwhile, Sheridan went on to dedicate the first episode of his most recent hit series "The Madison" to Redford, in what's felt to be a fitting tribute.
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Q:Are they still going to do an American version of "The Traitors" with noncelebrities? If so, when and where will it air? -- C.C.
A:Yes, "The Traitors: New Blood" will launch its two-hour premiere episode on NBC on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. ET. This version featuring civilian contestants will also be hosted by Alan Cumming, the two-time Emmy-winning host of Peacock's "The Traitors." It'll be filmed at the Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands as well.
Twenty-two contestants, who were chosen from a nationwide search of more than 60,000 applicants, will compete for the $250,000 prize -- and what's sure to be a lucrative career on social media when it airs!
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com.
(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
