Mariska Hargitay opened the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in LA with a hilarious skit — and no one was safe, not even Hollywood star Nicole Kidman.

.: SVU star kicked off the ceremony with a pre-recorded musical number before appearing on stage at the Peacock Theatre, where she continued the joke-filled opening.

Instead of singing the lyrics to I Love Rock n Roll, Hargitay swapped them for I Love TV Screens.

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“The Emmys are celebrating their 78th year and NBC is celebrating its 100th year,” Hargitay said, after a group of backup dancers wearing TVs on their heads carried her onto the stage.

“And I have been on Law & Order: SVU for all of them.”

Host Mariska Hargitay performs during the 78th Emmy Awards. Credit: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Hargitay, who is the first woman to host the Emmys in 15 years, is best known for playing Olivia Benson on the long-running police drama. And she wasted no time poking fun at her fellow stars in the audience.

Looking out at the room packed with TV stars and celebrities, Hargitay joked she had “arrested” many of them, given the number of famous faces who have made guest appearances on the show.

“Reassuring to see so many familiar faces out there. And I’m just talking about how many of you I’ve arrested on ‘SVU,’” she quipped.

“Talking to you, Martin Short,” Hargitay added, pointing to the legendary comedian and actor.

No one was safe, as the Law & Order star roasted audience members. Credit: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

But after opening with a string of jokes, Hargitay appeared to shift into a more heartfelt tone.

“I am truly deeply moved and so incredibly grateful to be in a room full of people who have dedicated their lives to telling stories,” she began.

“At the end of the day, we come to TV for magic, to laugh, to cry, to care, because we need that, all of us, that indescribable feeling that we get when the lights begin to dim.

“Dazzling images on the silver screen, sound that I can feel.”

Then came an unexpected interruption from one of the audience members — Australia’s very own Nicole Kidman.

Mariska Hargitay took aim at Nicole Kidman’s iconic AMC advert. Credit: AAP

“Now, Mariska, come on,” Kidman said. “That’s mine. That’s my bit. You can’t do that.”

And Kidman was right.

Hargitay’s dramatic closing lines were actually taken from Kidman’s now-famous AMC cinema advertisement.

The cinematic 60-second commercial, released in 2021, was designed to celebrate the magic of the communal moviegoing experience and encourage audiences to return to cinemas after the pandemic.

But Kidman’s intensely dramatic delivery quickly took on a life of its own, turning the ad into a viral meme and internet cult classic.

Nicole Kidman’s now famous AMC advert was released in 2021. Credit: YouTube

The lines have since become so recognisable audiences often cheer or recite them when the commercial plays in cinemas.

Still, Hargitay refused to give up the bit.

“That is my line. That is actually my line,” Kidman hilariously interjected again.

“Zip it, movie lady! It’s TV’s turn tonight!” Hargitay yelled, sending the crowd into fits of laughter.