Part 1: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Wild Stories From the Set of ‘The Studio’ - The Town with Matthew Belloni

Summary

The Town with Matthew Belloni: Part 1 – Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Wild Stories From the Set of ‘The Studio’

Episode Release Date: May 23, 2025
Hosts: Matt Belloni, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg
Guests: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg
Podcast: The Town with Matthew Belloni by The Ringer

Introduction

In the premiere episode of The Town, host Matt Belloni engages in an insightful conversation with renowned filmmaker duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The discussion centers around their latest project, the critically acclaimed show ‘The Studio’, which has garnered positive reviews and is now part of the Emmy conversation.

Genesis of ‘The Studio’

Matt Belloni recounts how Seth Rogen initially approached him with the idea for The Studio. Seth expressed interest in creating a show where he portrays the head of a movie studio for Apple TV+. Intrigued by the concept, Matt agreed to contribute by recording scripted lines, which he found both amusing and mysterious due to unexpected references like a "Kool Aid movie."

Seth later extended the collaboration, inviting Matt to play himself in a few scenes. Matt shares his initial apprehension but praises Seth and Evan for making him feel at ease on set. This seamless integration highlights the comfortable and collaborative environment fostered by the filmmakers.

[04:02] Matt Belloni: “It doesn't matter if you're like the dude from Ted Lasso, the journalist character that harasses him all the time, like, it still works, it's fine.”

Creating a Positive Set Environment

A significant portion of the conversation delves into the unique set dynamics of The Studio. Seth and Evan emphasize their commitment to maintaining a fun and stress-free atmosphere, free from “bullshit politics.”

[06:35] Seth Rogen: “It's how we run every set. We had this incredible revelation early on that we didn't need to be huge assholes to our jobs.”

They attribute this harmonious environment to their partnership. With two heads overseeing production, they effectively check each other’s behaviors, ensuring that negativity doesn’t permeate the set.

[06:54] Evan Goldberg: “We’re still like those 23-year-old kind of kids on set who I can't believe any of this is happening and just think that it should be fun and there's no reason for it not to be unless there's a problem.”

Innovative Production Techniques

Seth and Evan discuss the deliberate choice to employ a one-take, immersive filming style using a 21mm lens. This technique aims to place viewers directly within the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, capturing real-time reactions and interactions without the predictability of traditional editing.

[10:25] Seth Rogen: “We wanted to make it as immersive to our literal experience as possible. We use one wide lens on the whole show to the 21 millimeter lens, which is like sort of what you see when you're standing in a room.”

This approach not only enhances viewer engagement but also mirrors the spontaneous and often chaotic nature of studio operations.

Reflecting Modern Hollywood’s Anxieties

The trio explores how The Studio serves as a mirror to the current state of Hollywood, juxtaposing the optimistic narratives of shows like Entourage with a more authentic portrayal of industry anxieties.

[12:02] Matt Belloni: “The overwhelming sense of fear that has enveloped the industry... it's like the anti or the reverse Entourage.”

Seth and Evan confirm that while the show wasn't explicitly designed to comment on the industry, their personal experiences naturally seeped into the narrative, highlighting themes of fear, risk mitigation, and the constant pressure to make safe bets in an unpredictable environment.

[13:56] Evan Goldberg: “There’s a lot of risk mitigation, a lot of fear, a lot of trying to create a circumstance where you feel like you’re making a safe bet on a thing that is almost impossible to predict the outcome of.”

Character Dynamics and Real-Life Parallels

Matthew probes the authentic portrayal of studio executives within the show, specifically referencing a character based on Steve Asbell from 20th Century Studios. Seth and Evan discuss the blurred lines between fiction and reality, noting that many industry professionals believe the show accurately depicts them.

[25:14] Evan Goldberg: “A lot of people think the show is based on them.”

They share anecdotes about interactions with real-life executives who recognize themselves in the characters, leading to a deeper exploration of the human side behind the industry veneer.

Reception and Industry Impact

The Studio has sparked conversations both within and outside Hollywood. The authenticity of the characters and scenarios has resonated with industry insiders, leading to media debates and increased interest in the show.

[27:38] Evan Goldberg: “It’s all stuff that happened. It’s all stuff I’ve seen personally 10 times in cycles throughout my time here.”

Seth adds that the show has humanized the often misunderstood nuances of studio operations, making it relatable even to those unfamiliar with the inner workings of Hollywood.

[26:42] Matt Belloni: “It’s very easy to understand if you don’t know anything about Hollywood, you get that line. Because everybody can relate to that in their own jobs.”

Conclusion and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, Matt Belloni expresses his gratitude towards Seth, Evan, and the production team for their candid insights and entertaining stories. He teases the audience with the promise of more engaging discussions in part two, set to release the following day.

[30:56] Matt Belloni: “That's the show for today. Want to thank my guest, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, producer Craig Horvik, our editor Jesse Lopez and I want to thank you. Part two coming tomorrow.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

Matt Belloni [04:02]: “It doesn't matter if you're like the dude from Ted Lasso, the journalist character that harasses him all the time, like, it still works, it's fine.”
Seth Rogen [06:35]: “We didn’t need to be huge assholes to our jobs.”
Evan Goldberg [06:54]: “We’re still like those 23-year-old kind of kids on set... it should be fun.”
Seth Rogen [10:25]: “We use one wide lens on the whole show to the 21 millimeter lens, which is like sort of what you see when you're standing in a room.”
Matt Belloni [12:02]: “It's like the anti or the reverse Entourage.”
Evan Goldberg [13:56]: “There’s a lot of risk mitigation, a lot of fear... making a safe bet on a thing that is almost impossible to predict.”
Matt Belloni [25:14]: “A lot of people think the show is based on them.”
Evan Goldberg [27:38]: “It’s all stuff that happened... seen personally 10 times in cycles.”

Final Thoughts

Part 1 of The Town with Matthew Belloni offers an in-depth look into the making of The Studio, revealing the thoughtful production choices and authentic portrayals that set the show apart. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s commitment to creating a realistic yet comedic depiction of Hollywood provides listeners with both entertainment and a nuanced understanding of the industry's pressures and dynamics.

Transcript

Zach Lowe (0:00)

Welcome to the brand new Zach Lowe Show. That's right, I'm back to have the same in depth NBA conversations you're used to. We're going to talk about the games, the X's and O's, the drama. The playoffs are coming up and now you get to see every episode in full on video on Spotify and on my own YouTube channel. Episodes drop every Monday and Thursday with a collection of guests you're going to love. So make sure you follow and subscribe to the brand new Zach Lowe show on Spotify or wherever you watch or listen. Listen to your podcast. Let's go.

Matt Bellany (0:35)

This episode of the Town is brought to you by max Presenting Hacks for your Emmy consideration. Starring Gene Smart and Hannah Einbinder, the new season picks up with Deborah Vance's late night show finally in production and Ava Daniels stepping in as head writer. To Deborah's dismay, their ever complicated relationship is pushed to new limits as they clash over creative direction and get entangled in blackmail and betrayal. Don't miss the series Slate says has never been better. Emmy eligible for Outstanding Comedy Series and all other categories now streaming on max, this episode is brought to you by Netflix. Presenting the Diplomat from writer and creator Deborah Kahn. Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell return, with Allison Janney joining in the explosive second season as US Ambassador Kate Wyler navigates high stakes diplomacy and a fraught marriage in search of the truth. The Guardian lauds the Diplomat a masterclass in storytelling, and Indiewire hails it one of the best shows of the year for your Emmy consideration. It is Thursday, May 22. About a year ago I got a DM on Instagram from Seth Rogen. He said he was making a new show for Apple where he played the head of a movie studio and he and the writers thought it might be fun if his character listened to the Town and if the Town talked about his character. He just wanted me to record a couple fake lines for them. No problem, I said. He sent over the pages. I read the lines. I had no idea why I would be referencing a Kool Aid movie, but Craig sent the audio back and we both laughed about it. Then a few weeks later, another dm, Seth said, actually we thought it might be fun if you showed up as a character in the world of the show. Would I be willing to play myself in a few scenes? Okay, I said. I didn't really know what that meant, but whatever, I'm game. He said. Tons of Hollywood people will be doing guest roles as themselves on this show, and who doesn't like Seth Rogen. His company, Point Gray, which he started back in 2011 with his collaborator and high school buddy Evan Goldberg. They've got a good reputation in town and a great track record as producers and everything from Seth's movies to stuff he's not in, like the boys on Amazon blockers, Good Boys joyride from a couple years ago. They also did the recent Ninja Turtles animated movie. Since last year, Point Grey has had a first look deal with Universal for film and Lionsgate for tv. And even amid the content recession, they're doing great. Anyway, last summer I went to Vegas a couple times and played myself in a few scenes of the last two episodes of the studio, which are set at the Cinemacon movie theater convention. If you haven't seen it, we will be discussing some spoilers today from those episodes and the whole show. Because the only request I had when I agreed to do the show was, was that Seth and Evan come on this show once the studio came out. Now that it has, now that the finale has aired, the critics love it. It's in the Emmy conversation. They are here today to tell some stories from the set. How they made this very unique looking show who got cut out, what kind of feedback they've gotten from their friends in the industry, what's next for the show and their company Today is Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and the studio from the ringer and Puck. I'm Matt Bellany and this is the Town. All right, we are here, a very special episode of the Town. I would like to welcome all the new listeners who are fans of the studio and Seth Rogen and are currently saying to themselves, holy shit, this podcast guy, he's like a real person. The Town is a real podcast. Welcome, guys.