Seth Rogen has gone from playing lovable slackers to making Emmy history. His Apple TV Plus series “The Studio” swept the comedy categories at Sunday’s Emmy Awards, winning a record 13 trophies and cementing his status as one of television’s most celebrated creators.
The Vancouver-born comedian and his longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg walked away with top honors including best comedy series, best directing, best writing, and best comedy acting for Rogen himself. It marked the first time in Emmy history that a comedy series has claimed 13 wins in a single season.
While accepting the best comedy series trophy, Rogen stood center stage, visibly stunned and grinning. “It’s getting embarrassing. I really appreciate it, in all honesty,” he said, before pausing to let out his trademark chuckle. “If you watched our show, if you appreciated our show, if you voted for our show, especially, thank you very much. I’m legitimately embarrassed by how happy this makes me.”
A night of milestones and broken records
The night began with Rogen picking up best comedy actor, the first award of the evening. He appeared genuinely shocked as he stepped to the microphone. “I still could not wrap my head around this happening, so I’ve literally prepared nothing. I’ve never won anything in my life,” he said. “When I was a kid I bought a used bowling trophy at an estate sale, and my parents were like, ‘Yeah, that’s a good idea.’”
“The Studio” went on to collect 13 awards overall, including nine that were handed out at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys. That haul included best guest actor in a comedy series for Bryan Cranston, as well as multiple craft and technical honors.
With four Emmys personally, Rogen tied the record for the most awards won by a single individual in one night, joining Moira Demos in 2016, Amy Sherman-Palladino in 2018, and fellow Canadian Dan Levy in 2020. It was a career-defining night that firmly established Rogen as more than a comic actor, but a powerhouse showrunner.
‘The Studio’ surpasses ‘The Bear’ for Emmy dominance
Before this year, FX’s “The Bear” held the record for the most Emmy wins by a comedy in a single season with 11 trophies. “The Studio” blew past that mark with 13. It also set a new benchmark for a freshman comedy season, surpassing the 10 awards earned by “The Bear” in 2023.
“The Studio” follows a frazzled Hollywood studio executive, played by Rogen, who struggles to balance corporate demands with his passion for making good films. The show’s sharp satire, cringe humor, and emotional core have resonated widely with audiences and critics.
Its rapid rise from a new title to an Emmy juggernaut signals a shift in the comedy landscape, with bold, risk-taking storytelling winning over voters. It also signals Apple TV Plus’s growing influence in the awards space, long dominated by older networks and platforms.
Celebrating a groundbreaking creative team
Rogen and Goldberg’s victory was more than just a personal milestone. In his acceptance speech, Rogen highlighted producer Frida Perez, who became the first Latina to win an Emmy for best comedy series. The moment drew loud applause in the theater.
“In all honesty, thank you so much. We couldn’t appreciate this more,” Rogen said, turning to the team behind him on stage. “Thank you to you all, for real. Thank you, guys.”
Rogen and Goldberg have worked together since their teenage years in Vancouver, building a creative partnership that has delivered hits like 2007’s “Superbad” and 2016’s “Sausage Party.” They previously earned Emmy nominations as producers for “Pam & Tommy” in 2022 and “The Boys” in 2021, but this marks their first major Emmy wins.
Their shift from raunchy teen comedies to prestige TV signals how far they have come in two decades. The duo’s journey from high school friends to Emmy record-breakers is now part of television history.
Canadian talent ruled the Emmy night
It was also a banner night for Canadian talent across the board. Toronto native Lorne Michaels won best live variety special as executive producer of “SNL50: The Anniversary Special.” Accepting the trophy, the “Saturday Night Live” creator reflected on his first Emmy win five decades ago.
“I was younger, and I had a lot of dreams about what would happen in my life,” Michaels said. “And not one of those dreams was that I’d still be doing the same show for the next 50 years. However, here we are.”
His special beat out the Oscars, Beyoncé’s “Beyoncé Bowl,” and the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show featuring Kendrick Lamar. Presenter Tina Fey even joked, “If Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime special wins, I’m really going to hear it from Drake. And Drake and I are supposed to play pickleball tomorrow,” drawing laughs from the crowd.
Other major winners included Netflix’s limited series “Adolesence,” which picked up six awards including best limited series, and HBO’s medical procedural “The Pitt,” which took home two trophies including best drama series.
A defining moment for Rogen’s career
For Rogen, who once built his image around laid-back slackers and stoners in films like “Knocked Up” and “Pineapple Express,” the Emmy sweep marks a striking career transformation. He recently earned praise for his supporting role in Steven Spielberg’s 2022 drama “The Fabelmans,” but “The Studio” represents his boldest leap yet into prestige territory.
His success with “The Studio” shows that risk-taking storytelling, when paired with heartfelt execution, can change the trajectory of a career. It also shows how far the television comedy genre has evolved, embracing more daring and nuanced work.
Rogen closed his speech with a wink to the very industry figures his show skewers. “Thank you to the executives. Thank you, executives! Bye everybody,” he said as the crowd laughed and applauded.
The night ended with Rogen and his team clutching their trophies, the weight of history clear on their faces. The man who once joked about never winning anything now holds more Emmys in one night than most comedians will see in a lifetime.
The stunning sweep has cemented “The Studio” as a modern classic and Rogen as a creative force reshaping the landscape of television comedy. What do you think about this record-breaking Emmy night? Share your thoughts and send this story to your friends who love TV comedy.
