Episode 9 of "The Studio" opens with Matt sitting at a dinner table, yet seemingly absent from the moment, his fingers flying above the phone screen, as the countdown to the year's most anticipated film release ticks away. The highly anticipated Kool-Aid blockbuster stands on the cusp of its debut, and Matt confesses to a lingering sense of solitude, bemoaning the absence of a special someone in his life.
Amidst this introspective dinner, Matt steps outside to engage in a brief chat with Dave Franco's nutritionist, from whom he procures a batch of mushrooms, a peculiar yet purposeful addition to his preparations for CinemaCon—the grand gathering where cinema owners converge to preview the cinematic landscape of tomorrow. Matt harbors an unwavering confidence that Continental Studios is poised for a triumphant run, anticipating their most prosperous year yet.
As Matt and his executive elite arrive at the CinemaCon venue, they are immediately taken by the grandeur of the theater, its vastness a testament to the magnitude of the event. Maya, adeptly orchestrating the logistical symphony, discusses their grandiose display—a spectacle that promises to awe, featuring a colossal Kool-Aid man descending from the heavens like a celestial being.
With the show set to commence at the precise stroke of 7:30 AM, Matt and his team are keen to be punctual for their presentation. Griffin, too, is present, overseeing every detail with a meticulous eye. However, Matt's joy is quickly tempered when Griffin reveals a bombshell: Continental Studios is on the brink of being acquired by Amazon. This startling revelation casts a pall over the festivities, signaling that the entire workforce may soon be displaced, and the cinematic experience could be supplanted by the realm of streaming.
On the heels of this bombshell news, Griffin's inhibitions unravel at the lavish bash, leaving the group with no viable option but to deliver a presentation of epic proportions to thwart the sale of Continental. Matt vows to spearhead this endeavor. The party sees everyone taking psychedelic mushrooms, and more astonishingly, Zoe Kravitz strolls in and consumes the drug-laced chocolates. As Sal and Matt attempt to guide Zoe through the ecstatic turbulence of her trip, the rest of the Continental contingent finds themselves equally enraptured by the enchanted chocolates.
Meanwhile, Griffin wanders aimlessly, clearly under the influence of shrooms. He winds up amidst the casino's bustling floor, lost in a whimsical whirlwind, indulging in an assortment of culinary delights. In his current condition, the prospect of Griffin delivering a coherent speech the following morning appears as likely as a mirage.
Eventually, Griffin stumbles out front of the Venetian, where he unleashes a tirade on Patty. Incensed, she reaches for her phone, dialing up the tabloids with a promise of an explosive scoop if they rush to witness the spectacle.
