Episode 8 of "The Studio" kicks off with Matt en route to the prestigious Golden Globes, his heart pounding with anticipation. His studio's masterpiece, "Open," is poised to clinch an award, but Matt harbors a secret hope: that Zoe Kravitz, the film's luminous lead actress, will acknowledge his name in her heartfelt acceptance speech and express her gratitude towards him.
Upon arriving at the Globes, Matt is greeted by the sight of Patty, already immersed in the glitz and glamour. The venue is awash with Influencers, their phones held aloft like a sea of digital lanterns, capturing every moment. This flurry of activity leaves Matt and Patty momentarily discombobulated, their conversation briefly veering towards DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) amidst the whirlwind.
They eventually converge with Sal, and together, they steel themselves for the grand spectacle ahead. To Matt's surprise, he spots Adam Scott among the attendees, and the two old friends reunite with Sal, their bond instantly reignited.
On stage, the comedian takes a gentle, albeit not scathing, approach in his remarks, playfully hinting at Hollywood's collective wish for "Avatar 3" to be a box office triumph and urging audiences to watch the film "for the love of movies" that unite us all.
At their table, Matt strives to maintain a jovial demeanor, yet an undercurrent of anxiety gnaws at him. He fears that Zoe might overlook his contributions in her speech, rendering his efforts invisible. Patty, sensing Matt's plight, offers a sympathetic ear. She laments how executives often fly under the radar, unacknowledged and practically invisible unless explicitly thanked, their hard work overshadowed by the glamour of the limelight.
Now, this starkly contrasts with the usual acceptance speeches we witness. As the night progresses, Adam Scott claims the Best Supporting Actor award, and amidst his gratitude to Netflix and Ted Sarandos, who seemingly cannot be stopped in their awards sweep, he also acknowledges Sal for his past assistance. Matt becomes increasingly agitated, making a concerted effort to discuss Zoe's acceptance speech with her, but she remains utterly indifferent to the entire affair. Beyond this speech ordeal, Matt's irritation grows as Sal is repeatedly thanked by the winners.
Matt even attempts to alter the teleprompter at one juncture, but Zoe appears backstage and catches him in the act. Her composure falters momentarily, revealing that she is confident in her impending victory. Moreover, she intends to omit any thanks to Matt. She has spent years honing her acceptance speech and has it down to a tee, unwilling to alter it anytime soon.
Thanks to Matt's antics, Zoe scraps her next project, Blackwing. As Matt's despair deepens, he encounters Ted Sarandos in the bathroom, who reveals that he has cleverly incorporated his overnight shout-outs into his contracts. Ted recognizes that these individuals have no genuine obligation to thank him and mocks Matt's self-professed artist status.
Despite the odds, Zoe's movie wins, and she delivers her rehearsed speech on stage, concluding with a thank you to Matt Remick—only to be abruptly cut off before her words are heard. Matt exits, dejected and unhappy. However, Zoe experiences a change of heart. She decides to proceed with the Blackwing movie after all. Nevertheless, this revelation fails to lift Matt's spirits.
