For nearly two decades, Seth Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg have been synonymous with a particular brand of comedy: sharp, self-aware, and imbued with a knowing affection for the significant pop-culture tropes they gleefully skewer. Their films have often delighted in mocking the world of Hollywood, using the film industry itself as both backdrop and punchline. So, it only makes sense that the duo’s first foray into television, The Studio (Apple TV+), would be an acerbic, hilarious dissection of the very machinery they’ve spent years lampooning. And with Rogen front and center, playing a Hollywood exec trying to balance the pressures of artistic ambition and box-office success, The Studio is easily one of the most masterful satires to emerge in decades.
The show tracks Rogen’s character, Matt Remick, the youngest studio head in Hollywood, navigating the chaotic waters of movie-making; where creative integrity often collides with commercial pressures. Rogen and Goldberg are no strangers to the Hollywood grind, but The Studio signals a marked evolution in their storytelling. Gone are the days of riff-heavy improv, replaced by a more refined, cinematic approach that echoes their growth as artists beyond their early collaborations with Judd Apatow. This show pulses with their evolved creative voice, which is every bit as funny as it is visually striking.
That visual style deserves special mention. The show’s cinematography is nothing short of dazzling, with long, fluid tracking shots reminiscent of Alfonso Cuarón’s work (Gravity, Children of Men). Each frame feels thoughtfully composed, grounding the absurdity of the comedy in an almost documentary-like realism that’s rare in the genre. It’s a breathtaking achievement, both in aesthetic and execution, and it adds an unexpected layer of sophistication to the proceedings.
The humor, meanwhile, is as sharp as ever. Rogen and Goldberg have always excelled at turning Hollywood’s foibles into fodder for laughs, but here they elevate it to an art form. They dive headfirst into the kind of behind-the-scenes drama that fuels industry gossip, spinning it into uproarious set pieces that offer a playful take on the insiders’ world. The Studio pulls no punches when it comes to poking fun at the likes of Ron Howard (who, it turns out, might be too nice) or the indomitable Martin Scorsese, whose inability to be told “no” leads to one of the most uproarious scenes in recent television memory. The show’s portrayal of the Kool-Aid Man blockbuster; a knowing jab at Hollywood’s obsession with repurposing beloved IP; feels both timely and timeless, with Rogen’s Matt caught in the absurdity of trying to bring this preposterous idea to life.
Supporting Rogen is a cast of comic heavyweights who elevate the already brilliant script. Bryan Cranston, as the studio’s outgoing head, sets the stage for the hilarity that follows, while Ike Barinholtz delivers an impeccable performance as Matt’s loyal but hapless right-hand man, Sal. Catherine O’Hara and Kathryn Hahn add layers of nuanced humor, with Hahn especially making every scene she appears in utterly magnetic. It’s rare to see a sitcom ensemble this finely tuned, where even minor characters bring so much to the table.
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Each episode of The Studio unfurls like a mini-masterclass in movie-making. One episode explores the idea of “the oner” shot, where a director dares to capture an entire scene in a single take; a cinematic trick that Matt and Sal try to turn into a disaster. In another, the show veers into noir territory, with Zac Efron’s shifty character introducing a subplot about shady Hollywood dealings that is both thrilling and hysterical. And, of course, The Studio never lets go of its central comedic premise: Hollywood itself. From the bizarre, often hilarious politics of casting (such as the race-based casting of Ice Cube as the Kool-Aid Man) to the trials and tribulations of trying to land a director for a tentpole film, Rogen and Goldberg mine the absurdity of the industry for comedic gold.
But what truly elevates The Studio is how it strikes a balance between inside jokes aimed at film aficionados and broad humor that will appeal to even the most casual viewer. It’s a show that both understands the inner workings of Hollywood and recognizes the absurdity that lies at the heart of it all. Whether it’s the quickfire banter between Matt and Sal or the exaggerated portrayals of superstar egos, The Studio has a knack for making the audience feel like insiders without ever alienating them.
As the first season barrels toward its end, the show proves itself to be an embarrassment of riches, packed with hysterical cameos, sharp social commentary, and the kind of electric performances that will have you quoting lines long after the credits roll. The Studio is, without question, one of the best new comedies of the year, and Apple TV+ has struck gold with it. With so many stories left to tell about Hollywood’s inner workings, here’s hoping the platform is already greenlighting five more seasons. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have crafted a comedy that’s not just funny; it’s essential viewing for anyone who’s ever wondered what really goes on behind the velvet ropes of Tinseltown.
In a world where Hollywood is endlessly self-reflective, The Studio stands as a brilliant reflection of that self-absorption; only this time, it’s funnier than anything Hollywood itself could ever produce.
