Seth Rogen reveals secrets behind The Studio: Emmy Comedy Actor interview highlights and surprises

As Emmy voting continues ahead of the July 15 nominee announcement, contenders in the Best Comedy Actor category have shared their creative journeys and surprises, with Seth Rogen‘s Emmy Comedy Actor interview highlights offering rare insight into the making of “The Studio.” Interviews conducted with stars such as Brian Jordan Alvarez, Adam Brody, Ted Danson, David Alan Grier, Luke Kirby, Danny McBride, David Oyelowo, Jason Segel, and Saagar Shaikh reveal the dedication, intensity, and emotion behind their acclaimed performances.

Brian Jordan Alvarez explores high school challenges in “English Teacher”

Brian Jordan Alvarez stands out for his multifaceted role as creator, writer, director, and lead actor in FX’s “English Teacher,” portraying Evan Marquez, a teacher responding to both the complicated landscape of a modern Austin, Texas high school and his evolving relationship with Malcolm, played by Jordan Firstman. Navigating sensitive, socially charged storylines, Alvarez emphasizes the show’s approach to difficult conversations with a focus on empathy and insight.

“I think with hot topics in general, somehow we just found in the voice of the show that we could handle this stuff, that there was a certain perspective, or even I would say the show has a certain empathy and intelligence that allows us to really look at things that can be uncomfortable conversations,”

—Brian Jordan Alvarez, Creator/Star

Adam Brody reflects on unexpected reactions to “Nobody Wants This”

Adam Brody takes on the role of Noah, a charismatic rabbi entangled in a romance with agnostic podcaster Joanne, played by Kristen Bell, in the Netflix comedy “Nobody Wants This.” The series follows their exploits as they face obstacles shaped by difference in faith and worldviews. Brody describes the surprising and positive audience response to this unconventional storyline, noting the unique journey his career has taken.

“lovely, wonderful, very, very surprising, very gratifying. I really can’t think of a negative,”

—Adam Brody, Actor

“Maybe it’ll come, but I don’t know. I’ve been doing this a long time, so it’s not like it’s surprising, but I feel acclimated to the business, the ebbs and flows. So it’s nothing that I don’t feel ready to handle, but it’s just really lovely.”

—Adam Brody, Actor

Ted Danson contemplates aging and comedy in “A Man on the Inside”

In “A Man on the Inside,” Ted Danson embodies Charles, a former professor searching for meaning in the aftermath of his wife’s passing. The Netflix comedy pushes him into a unique situation when Charles goes undercover in a retirement facility to unravel the mystery of a missing necklace. Through the process, Danson wrestles with the personal reality of aging and the ongoing pursuit of humor.

“I’m exploring aging at 76. Some of it hurts a little, there’s more aches and pains. There’s some sadness because you live long enough. But I’m beginning to learn, ‘so what? keep going!’ And I get the same thrill driving through a studio gate today that I did when I was in my late 20s. One of my goals in life is to keep acting and figure out how to be funny at every age.”

—Ted Danson, Actor

David Alan Grier balances drama and humor in “St. Denis Medical”

David Alan Grier steps into the shoes of Doctor Ron, the gruff but expert physician at the center of NBC’s mockumentary, “St. Denis Medical.” His portrayal stands out for skillfully combining comedic moments with dramatic elements. Grier, a Yale School of Drama alum, reflects on the creative approach, emphasizing trust in the writing and the authentic blend of genres that define the show.

“It’s a weird show, it’s like a hybrid,”

—David Alan Grier, Actor

“the humor there is earned and organic. … The way it’s written, it’s a drama,”

—David Alan Grier, Actor

“The biggest challenge was just, you have to trust … I had to trust that the tone was right.”

—David Alan Grier, Actor

Luke Kirby captures energy and artistry in “Étoile”

Luke Kirby stars as Jack MacMillan, the principal of a New York ballet company, in Prime Video’s series “Étoile.” His character navigates a cross-continental collaboration with a Paris troupe in an ambitious bid to reinvigorate both companies. Kirby reflects on the positive response to the dynamic storytelling and the carefully constructed, evolving narrative that binds the season together.

“I’m really happy with how people are responding to the dynamism of the story, the kinetic energy of it, how different it is from our last endeavor. And I think the biggest thing is just people saying the show grows as the episodes go on, that it does work as a big movie where things are revealed episode to episode where by the end, you have this very rich tapestry of information for these characters and this endeavor to keep their art alive.”

—Luke Kirby, Actor

Danny McBride seeks new creative horizons beyond “The Righteous Gemstones”

Danny McBride leads as Jesse Gemstone, a pivotal member of a well-known televangelist family in South Carolina, in HBO Max’s “The Righteous Gemstones.” While celebrating the show’s success, McBride discusses his decision to wind down the series, motivated by the urge to craft new stories and explore uncharted creative worlds after years of devotion to this project. His process reflects a continuous search for fresh inspiration and meaning.

David Oyelowo grapples with flawed fatherhood in “Government Cheese”

David Oyelowo takes on the complex role of Hampton Chambers in “Government Cheese,” set in San Fernando Valley during the transformative summer of 1969. The Apple TV+ series closely examines a Black family’s life and Oyelowo’s character, who is torn between self-interest and love for his family—serving as both a central theme and a dramatic driver for the show’s narrative.

“He is a bit of a scoundrel. But I think the lovability and the relatability come from the fact that he is constantly trying to be better, and, of course, failing at that. And that is the drama, that is the tension of the show. He is both selfish and selfless. He is both a man of faith and steeped in fear. He is someone who loves his kids but really behaves in very questionable ways as a father, the same thing as a husband. So, you know, I think that’s both relatable and, of course, is quite a compelling thing to watch play out.”

—David Oyelowo, Actor

Seth Rogen pushes comedic boundaries in “The Studio”

Seth Rogen, recognized for his multifaceted involvement as cocreator, producer, director, writer, and lead in Apple TV+’s “The Studio,” shares significant behind-the-scenes details about staging ambitious comedic sequences. Focused on authenticity, Rogen describes the difficulties of filming the Golden Globes-centric episode, which stood out due to its scale, logistics, and the necessity for convincing representations of celebrity, all while dealing with the constraints of the Beverly Hilton setting.

The episode’s ambitious nature is reflected in the extensive use of oner shooting style, which presented new levels of complexity with hundreds of extras. Rogen’s commitment to realism meant orchestrating intricate scenes with large casts and ensuring that viewers would feel immersed in the award show atmosphere. Despite the immense challenge, he takes pride in creating scenes that reflect the true energy of a major Hollywood event.

“It was also the first time that we were really using our oner shooting style in an environment with so many people. A lot of the episodes are pretty contained — maybe 30, 40 people in some scenes. But this, every scene had 500 people in it, and so we instantly saw, oh, the resets take so much longer, and so much more can go wrong. And even though very few people have been to the Golden Globes, and ever will go to the Golden Globes, very few people will understand the lengths I went through to obtain this. I just wanted it to feel like you were there. And when I watch it, to me, it really feels like what it feels like to be at the Golden Globes, and I’m very proud that I was able to do that.”

—Seth Rogen, Cocreator/Producer/Director/Writer/Star

Jason Segel finds purpose amid loss in “Shrinking”

Jason Segel leads the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking,” charting the journey of Jimmy, a man reconstructing his life after losing his wife to a drunk driver. Segel highlights the importance of preparation, immersing himself thoroughly in his character’s world so he can respond authentically in unpredictable moments on set.

“I have found with time that for me, my best strategy acting-wise, is to know my sh-s really well,”

—Jason Segel, Actor

Saagar Shaikh blends high stakes and humor in “Deli Boys”

Saagar Shaikh stars in Hulu’s “Deli Boys,” a comedy about two brothers discovering their late father’s secret life as a powerful drug kingpin. The series mixes wild comedic moments with action elements, generating tension that sharpens both genres. Shaikh explains the creators’ intent to entertain rather than deliver messages, and how the blend of drama, action, and comedy keeps viewers off balance.

“We’re not teaching a lesson. We’re not taking a stance on anything. We’re just having fun, we’re being silly, we’re making this stupid show that we love so much,”

—Saagar Shaikh, Actor

What these Emmy Comedy Actor contenders reveal about TV’s evolving landscape

This year’s group of Emmy contenders in the comedy actor category demonstrate a deep passion for their craft and a commitment to exploring complex, even conflicted, emotional territory. Their willingness to embrace discomfort, experiment with hybrid genres, and tackle new creative challenges reflects the changing expectations for what comedy can achieve on television. The insight provided through these interviews highlights the intense effort required behind the scenes—from Brian Jordan Alvarez navigating high school politics to Seth Rogen orchestrating massive Hollywood spectacles for “The Studio,” and David Oyelowo revealing the struggle of flawed fatherhood in “Government Cheese.”

As Emmy voters consider their choices, the dedication and ingenuity exhibited by these actors is on display, shaping narratives that connect with audiences across diverse worlds, from Austin’s schools and the glamour of Beverly Hilton to the hidden dramas of family and friendship. Regardless of which nominee emerges victorious, the impact of these creative journeys continues to push comedic television forward, redefining both the genre’s limits and its enduring appeal.