Seth Rogen continues his successful relationship with Apple TV in his latest comedic series, “The Studio.” Rogen and his longtime collaborator, Evan Goldberg, direct all ten episodes and write three. Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez write the remaining episodes.
Rogen portrays ‘Matt Remick,’ the newly appointed leader of troubled Continental Studios. As films struggle to maintain relevance, Matt and his turbulent team of feuding executives grapple with their insecurities while managing egotistical artists and greedy corporate giants in the relentless quest to create exceptional cinema.
Beneath their polished suits lies a constant dread, where every party, set visit, casting choice, marketing discussion, and awards ceremony holds the potential for both dazzling success and disastrous failure. A devoted cinephile who lives and breathes film, Matt has dreamed of this career for years—yet it could ultimately lead to his undoing.
“The Studio’s” supporting cast features Catherine O’Hara as Matt’s mentor, alongside Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, Kathryn Hahn, and Dewayne Perkins, who play members of his team. The film also includes cameos from various Hollywood A-listers, such as Ice Cube, Anthony Mackie, and Zoë Kravitz, who portray hyper-realistic versions of themselves.
As a child, seeing the films “The Player” and “The Big Picture” really spoke to me about the ins and outs of the Hollywood system, so naturally, “The Studio” was right up my alley. From the very first episode, when Matt clearly grows tired of doing big-budget franchises and wants to move into indie fare, I had a smile on my face.
The centerpiece of the show is a pitch meeting for “Kool-Aid: The Movie,” in which adult participants endeavor to persuade one another that a sentient jug of sugar water possesses the potential to support a franchise. It was also great seeing all of the cameos in the show as the Hollywood talent all go against type and are having a blast while doing so.
The supporting cast is strong and has scene-stealing moments, but make no mistake—this show belongs to Rogen. Naturally, Rogen doesn’t give himself plot armor, which allows the comedian to showcase his trademark mix of exasperation and barely contained chaos while portraying Matt, who loves movies yet struggles with their production logistics.
In addition, the writing of each episode features ego-centered deals alongside failed marketing ploys while artists face industry-induced existential angst about their creative purpose. “The Studio” delivers a hilarious yet sharp tribute to Hollywood that perfectly mirrors the industry’s brilliance and brutality.
Final Grade: B+
The first two episodes of “The Studio” will arrive on Apple TV on Wednesday, April 26, and new episodes will air weekly until May 21.
