The Studio’s Ike Barinholtz Reveals Wildest Exec Experience

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Ike Barinholtz‘s stories about working in Hollywood are surprisingly tamer than what you might expect from Continental Studio VP Sal Saperstein.

Even though he was nominated for a 2025 Emmy for his role in *The Studio*, the actor still had a difficult story to tell to Zuri Hall on *Live From TopMob: 2025 Emmys*.

And best for everyone involved, it wasn’t about him.

Barinholtz shared with Hall that a studio executive ruined their career after getting heavily intoxicated at a wrap party and jokingly making fun of an actor. The executive is no longer working in the industry.

It wasn’t a happy ending for the character, but Barinholtz pointed out that his journey had been a long time in the making.

Looking meaningfully into the camera, he added, “Hopefully that doesn’t happen tonight.”

The Emmy Awards ceremony on September 14th at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater could be a historic night for *The Studio*. The comedy series received a leading 23 nominations this year, including a first-ever Emmy nomination for Barinholtz. (Check out all the stars on the 2025 Emmys red carpet!)

 

He faces tough competition in his category, going up against established actors like Colman Domingo from *The Four Seasons*, Harrison Ford from *Shrinking*, Michael Urie, Jeff Hiller from *Somebody Somewhere*, Ebon Moss-Bachrach from *The Bear*, and Bowen Yang from *Saturday Night Live*.

Seth Rogen has a chance to make Emmy history this year. If his show, *The Studio*, wins Outstanding Comedy Series, he could become the first person to win Emmys for producing, acting, directing, and writing all in the same year.

But, as Barinholtz pointed out, The Studio has already been renewed for a second season.

“So, even if we don’t win tonight,” he said, “the real winning is getting to do more episodes.”

He also received a lovely note from Martin Scorsese, a guest star from the first season who was nominated for an Emmy. Scorsese, by the way, is working on a different film project – and thanks for asking!

“It feels unreal, I’m still processing everything that just happened,” Barinholtz said. “It almost feels like a dream. I’ve been friends with Seth for years – he’s a genuinely good person – and getting to work on this show with my friends is amazing. Plus, every now and then, someone like Martin Scorsese will drop by, which is just crazy.”

No matter who wins tonight, whether it’s for *The Studio* or not, they need to remember to thank Sal Saperstein.

See all the award-worthy fashion at the 2025 Emmys: 

Andor
The Diplomat
The Last of Us
Paradise
The Pitt
Severance
Slow Horses
The White Lotus

Okay, seriously, let me tell you about the shows I’m *living* for right now. First, there’s *Abbott Elementary* – it’s pure sunshine! Then *The Bear*…oh my gosh, the *tension*! And *Hacks*? Rebecca Welton is everything. I’m also completely obsessed with *Nobody Wants This*, it’s just so real. Then there’s *Only Murders in the Building* – I swear, I’m solving those cases *with* them! *Shrinking* is hitting all the right emotional notes, and *The Studio*? It’s hilarious and brilliantly awkward. Oh, and I can’t forget *What We Do In The Shadows* – those vampires are my absolute *favorites*! I’m telling you, if you’re not watching these, you’re missing out!

Sterling K. Brown, Paradise

Gary Oldman, Slow Horses

Pedro Pascal, The Last Of Us

Adam Scott, Severance

Noah Wyle, The Pitt

Here’s a look at some actors and the shows they’re known for: Kathy Bates in *Matlock*, Sharon Horgan in *Bad Sisters*, Britt Lower in *Severance*, Bella Ramsey in *The Last of Us*, and Keri Russell in *The Diplomat*.

Here’s a list of actors and the shows they’re known for: Zach Cherry from *Severance*, Walton Goggins from *The White Lotus*, Jason Isaacs from *The White Lotus*, James Marsden from *Paradise*, Sam Rockwell from *The White Lotus*, Tramell Tillman from *Severance*, and John Turturro from *Severance*.

Here’s a list of acclaimed actresses and the shows they’re known for: Patricia Arquette from *Severance*, Carrie Coon and Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, and Aimee Lou Wood from *The White Lotus*, Katherine LaNasa from *The Pitt*, and Julianne Nicholson from *Paradise*.

Here’s a look at some actors and their recent shows: Adam Brody starred in *Nobody Wants This*, Seth Rogen in *The Studio*, Jason Segel in *Shrinking*, Martin Short in *Only Murders in the Building*, and Jeremy Allen White in *The Bear*.

Oh my gosh, these women are EVERYTHING! Uzo Aduba? Seriously, a queen in *The Residence*. And Kirsten Bell? I’m obsessed with her in *Nobody Wants This*! Then there’s Quinta Brunson, who is a comedic genius in *Abbott Elementary*-I can’t even breathe when I watch it! And Ayo Edebiri in *The Bear*? Absolutely phenomenal. Honestly, Jean Smart in *Hacks* is just…iconic. I could watch all of them forever!

Here’s a list of actors and the shows they’re known for: Ike Barinholtz from *The Studio*, Colman Domingo from *The Four Seasons*, Harrison Ford from *Shrinking*, Jeff Hiller from *Somebody Somewhere*, Ebon Moss-Bachrach from *The Bear*, Michael Urie also from *Shrinking*, and Bowen Yang from *Saturday Night Live*.

I’m absolutely loving the incredible comedic talent on TV right now! Liza Colón-Zayas is a standout in *The Bear*, and Hannah Einbinder is hilarious in *Hacks*. Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O’Hara both shine in *The Studio*, and Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph are consistently funny in *Abbott Elementary*. Finally, Jessica Williams is bringing the laughs in *Shrinking* – seriously, these actors are all amazing!

Adolescence
Black Mirror
Dying for Sex
Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story
The Penguin

Here’s a look at some recent and upcoming projects featuring these actors: Colin Farrell in *The Penguin*, Stephen Graham in *Adolescence*, Jake Gyllenhaal in *Presumed Innocent*, Bryan Tyree Henry in *Dope Thief*, and Cooper Koch in *Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story*.

Here’s a list of actors and the series they’re known for: Cate Blanchett in *Disclaimer*, Meghann Fahy in *Sirens*, Rashida Jones in *Black Mirror*, Cristin Milioti in *The Penguin*, and Michelle Williams in *Dying for Sex*.

Here’s a list of actors and the projects they’ve recently worked on: Javier Bardem appeared in *Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story*, Bill Camp in *Presumed Innocent*, Owen Cooper in *Adolescence*, Rob Delaney in *Dying for Sex*, Peter Sarsgaard also in *Presumed Innocent*, and Ashley Walters in *Adolescence*.

Here’s a list of actors and the projects they’re known for: Erin Doherty in *Adolescence*, Ruth Negga in *Presumed Innocent*, Deirdre O’Connell in *The Penguin*, Chloë Sevigny in *Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story*, Jenny Slate in *Dying for Sex*, and Christine Tremarco also in *Adolescence*.

The nominees for this award were Giancarlo Esposito (from *The Boys*), Scott Glenn (*The White Lotus*), Joe Pantoliano (*The Last of Us*), Forest Whitaker (*Andor*), and Jeffrey Wright (*The Last of Us*). The winner was Shawn Hatosy for his work on *The Pitt*.

The nominees for the award were Jane Alexander and Gwendoline Christie, both from *Severance*, Kaitlyn Dever from *The Last of Us*, Cherry Jones from *The Handmaid’s Tale*, and Catherine O’Hara also from *The Last of Us*. The winner was Merritt Wever for her performance in *Severance*.

The winners were Bryan Cranston for *The Studio*. Other nominees included Jon Bernthal and Dave Franco, along with Ron Howard, Anthony Mackie, and Martin Scorsese, all recognized for their work on *The Studio*.

Here’s a list of the nominees and the winner for the award: Olivia Colman (The Bear), Jamie Lee Curtis (The Bear), Cynthia Erivo (Poker Face), Robby Hoffman (Hacks), and Zoë Kravitz (The Studio). The winner is Julianne Nicholson for Hacks.

The Daily Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

The Amazing Race
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Survivor
Top Chef
The Traitors

Oh my gosh, I am *completely* obsessed with these people! RuPaul, the queen of queens from *RuPaul’s Drag Race*, seriously slays me every time. And *Shark Tank*? I could watch Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Robert Herjavec, and Daymond John grill entrepreneurs all day! Speaking of winners, Alan Cumming was *amazing* on *The Traitors* – absolutely brilliant! Then there’s Kristen Kish, a culinary genius from *Top Chef*, and Jeff Probst, who just *makes* *Survivor* – I’m hooked on every season! Seriously, these are my heroes.

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
Saturday Night Live

Here’s who hosts these popular game shows: Elizabeth Banks hosts *Press Your Luck*, Steve Harvey hosts *Celebrity Family Feud*, Ken Jennings hosts *Jeopardy!*, and Colin Jost hosts *Pop Culture Jeopardy!*. And the winner is… Jimmy Kimmel, who hosts *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire*!

Antiques Roadshow
Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives
Love Is Blind
WINNER: Queer Eye
Shark Tank

Here’s a list of popular shows: America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Love On The Spectrum (which won an award), RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and Welcome to Wrexham.

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2025-09-15 02:49