“Thanks, Sal Saperstein.” Some Emmy winners have already stated this whereas accepting their prestigious awards, and we might hear it extra when the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards air on the 2025 TV schedule this Sunday night time. For these of you who’ve by no means heard of this titan within the leisure trade, that’s as a result of it’s a reference to The Studio, which is nominated in seven classes at this weekend’s awards ceremony. To not fear, I’m right here to clarify the within joke in case you’ve by no means watched the Apple TV+ subscription-exclusive comedy sequence.
Who Is Sal Saperstein?
Sal Saperstein, performed by Ike Barinholtz, is the vp of Continental Studios on The Studio, which Seth Rogen’s Matt Remick grew to become the brand new head of within the Martin Scorsese-infused first episode. As is usually the case with Barinholtz’s roles, Sal is hilarious to observe, and I particularly like watching his feud with Chase Sui Wonders’ Quinn Hackett unfold in “The Warfare”. Nonetheless, there’s no query that “The Golden Globes” is the place he shined brightest.
In The Studio’s eighth episode, Matt is nervous that Zöe Kravitz received’t thank him if she finally ends up successful for her Continental Studios-produced film Open, and he grows extra insecure about this because the night time goes on. In the meantime, it’s revealed that Severance’s Adam Scott slept on Sal Saperstein’s sofa 20 years in the past on this universe. So when Scott wins a Golden Globe, he thanks Sal throughout his acceptance speech.
This turns into a recurring joke all through the remainder of the episode. Golden Globes host Ramy Youssef references it whereas bantering through the Golden Globes ceremony, and Quinta Brunson, Jean Good and Aaron Sorkin all amusingly thank Sal throughout their acceptance speeches regardless of having by no means met him. Sal goes viral on social media, which frustrates Matt as he obsesses about whether or not he’ll be thanked by only one particular particular person.
How Sal Saperstein Has Already Gotten Emmy Recognition
“Thanks, Sal Saperstein” grew to become considered one of The Studio’s most referenced jokes amongst followers, and I hope that the greenlighted Season 2 finds a solution to name again to it. For now, I’m simply getting a kick out of how The Studio’s Sound Modifying, Manufacturing Design, Casting, Image Modifying and Music Supervision groups dropped their traces throughout their acceptance speeches on the Primetime Artistic Arts Emmy Awards earlier this month. Take a look at this montage from the Tv Academy:
The Studio is competing in seven classes on the Primetime Emmys: Excellent Comedy Sequence, Excellent Lead Actor in a Comedy Sequence (Seth Rogen), Excellent Supporting Actor in a Comedy Sequence (Ike Barinholtz), Excellent Supporting Actress in a Comedy Sequence (each Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O’Hara), Excellent Directing for a Comedy Sequence and Excellent Writing for a Comedy Sequence. So there can be a number of alternatives all through the night time for “Thanks, Sal Saperstein” to be stated, and I’ll welcome every considered one of them. And if Barinholtz finally ends up, in essence, thanking himself whereas on the stage, I’ll cackle.
Catch the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS. Particulars for The Studio Season 2 are scarce, however there’s a holdover Season 1 script that has a tremendous title, and Seth Rogen has expressed curiosity in having Vin Diesel visitor star sooner or later.