New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Expected to Open Mariska Hargitay Emmys

As Monday’s 78th Emmys ceremony fast approaches, Variety has learned of two new highlights that viewers should expect to see: New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson is expected to appear via a pre-tape at the start of the telecast, while Reba McEntire has been tapped to perform a Dolly Parton song in tribute to the late icon.

They join previously announced special segments including a “Charlie’s Angels” 50th anniversary reunion with stars Jaclyn Smith, Cheryl Ladd and Kate Jackson, as well as a “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” 30th anniversary tribute with stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz. Also lined up: Noah Kahan performing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to accompany this year’s In Memoriam segment, while Julianna Margulies is expected to present the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to Michael J. Fox.

With New York Knicks superfan Mariska Hargitay as host, there’s been plenty of speculation about how the team might make an appearance during the Emmys — especially regarding pal Brunson. Hargitay herself has hinted in interviews that she hoped the Knicks would have a presence on the Emmys. She also recently told Variety at the HBO Max Emmy Nominee Celebration that Brunson would “definitely” be getting a role in “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.”

“It’s definitely happening,” Hargitay said of an “SVU” guest spot. “He’s kind of magnificent that way. He is just open and ready. I don’t think there is much Jalen can’t do.”

When asked at last Thursday’s Emmys media day about whether Brunson would show up, executive producers Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay were coy: “She’s got a lot of friends,” Collins said. “Her contacts are deep.”

From what Variety has heard, Brunson will appear at the very start of the show as part of a pre-taped number. Hargitay will then continue that performance live on stage, with dancers and other performers. That will then lead to Hargitay’s opening host monologue.

Later in the evening, McEntire’s Parton tribute performance is expected to be introduced by Sally Field, who starred with Parton in 1989’s “Steel Magnolias.” Field will also be on hand as an Emmy nominee on Monday night, in the lead actress in a limited/anthology series or movie category for Netflix’s “Remarkably Bright Creatures.”

McEntire and Parton, of course, were close friends for decades; among their music collabs was 2021’s “Does He Love You,” a reworking of a McEntire hit. McEntire is star of NBC’s “Happy’s Place.”

Other presenters previously announced include “DTF St. Louis” stars Linda Cardellini and David Harbour, who won Emmys last weekend for outstanding limited/anthology actress and actor. Additionally lined up are Odessa A’zion, Macaulay Culkin, Alan Cumming, Sally Field, Jon Hamm, Marcello Hernández, Peter Krause, Dan Levy, Julianna Margulies, Annie Murphy, Niecy Nash-Betts, Keke Palmer, Amanda Peet, Amy Poehler, Florence Pugh, Rachel Sennott and Zendaya.

And then announced on Sunday as presenters were Jamie Lee Curtis, Stephen Amell, Awkwafina, Noah Beck, Jessica Belkin, Scott Caan, Emma D’Arcy, Julia Garner, LL Cool J, Shailene Woodley, Hassie Harrison, Paul Anthony Kelly, Thaddeus LaGrone, John Mulaney, Brooks Nader, Emmy Rossum and Sofía Vergara. 

Plus, expect Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson — stars of the upcoming Apple TV series “Brothers” — to appear together and one might assume, further milk the speculation that they might actually be related.