In Hollywood, the real action doesn’t happen on the screen. It happens behind closed doors, over bad coffee and even worse decisions. “The Studio” cracks that door wide open to answer the question “What if Hollywood took a long, hard look in the mirror and immediately slipped on a banana peel?”
At the time of writing, six episodes of the 10-episode first season are out on Apple TV+, with each one weaving uniquely deranged storylines. For over a month now since its release on March 26, I’ve been slipping it into every conversation like some kind of reverse pyramid scheme — no one asked, no one’s safe.
Every great disaster starts with a great idea, and in the case of “The Studio,” that idea came from the whimsical minds of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The veteran duo has certainly built a reputation for churning chaos into comedy gold with cult classics like “Superbad,” “The Interview,” “This Is The End” and “Pineapple Express.”
Rogen wears the suit of the show’s protagonist, Matt Remick, a young executive unexpectedly thrust into the top job at Continental Studios, one of Hollywood’s most reputable but struggling film companies. Determined to restore the studio’s reputation and make meaningful original films, Remick constantly finds himself at odds with a system driven by corporate interests, marketing trends and a relentless obsession with existing IPs.
The show’s comedy thrives because of the hilarious chaos swirling around Remick. Ike Barinholtz (“The Mindy Project”) steps in as Sal Saperstein, Remick’s longtime friend and right-hand man, whose questionable advice is delivered with absolute confidence. Kathryn Hahn (“Agatha All Along”) plays Maya, the razor-sharp head of marketing who can sell sand in a desert. Chase Sui Wonders (“Bodies Bodies Bodies”) plays Quinn, Matt’s assistant, often serving as the voice of reason when the executives spiral into madness. Rounding out the ensemble is the iconic Catherine O’Hara (“Schitt’s Creek”), who steals every scene as Patty Leigh, the former studio head who can't quite let go of the reins.
As if the main cast wasn't enough, “The Studio” also sprinkles in a stacked lineup of celebrity appearances, including Bryan Cranston, Anthony Mackie, Steve Buscemi, Dave Franco, Antony Starr, Zoë Kravitz and legendary directors Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard. And these aren’t just blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos — they show up as themselves, playing important roles woven directly into the story.
There’s never a dull moment on set and the showrunners capture this in all its glory with every scene being shot in one take and with one camera. It’s a cherry on top of the delicious irony that makes it look sharper than the films its characters are scrambling to produce. Every episode sucked me in right from the start, like I was stumbling through the madness myself. And honestly, with that direction style, I never wanted to find the exit.
Filming for the show took place at Universal Studios Hollywood and Fox Studios in Century City, grounding all the satire in the real-world settings of the industry it parodies.
Fans of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” will feel right at home with the show’s brand of harebrained comedy. Each episode explores a different facet of Hollywood’s backstage absurdity and feels like a whole new circus act. One minute you’re watching Remick accidentally make an 82-year-old Scorsese cry, and the next, you’re thrown into a full-blown neo-noir detective parody as the he hunts down a missing film reel.
One of the best things about “The Studio” is how it portrays its characters. I’m so glad we didn’t get another “suits are evil tycoons” trope. The executives at Continental aren’t egocentric masterminds — they’re a bunch of overgrown movie nerds who squabble like children and secretly just want to get invited to celebrity parties. They're fueled less by greed and more by insecurity, self-preservation and the desperate hope that no one figures out they’re in over their heads.
Despite the high-flying movie references, the show isn’t just for die-hard film buffs. It’s for anyone who loves sharp comedy, brilliant performances and a front-row seat to Hollywood’s beautiful mess. In a year packed with good TV, I’m itching to say it could be the funniest show of 2025.
