The Studio (Apple TV+) 

By: Rachel Brodeur

The enemy of art is the committee. Nowhere is that more obvious than in Hollywood, where too many voices—especially studio executives—can water down any creative vision. Apple’s The Studio leans into that very chaos, casting the unlikely Seth Rogen as Matt Remick, a clueless but well-meaning studio head in charge of greenlighting major productions.

Known for playing lovable slackers in Knocked Up and Pineapple Express, Rogen brings a wild absurdity to Remick, turning him into a walking disaster whose blunders become the show’s main comedic engine. His antics often dwarf the more nuanced performances of his castmates, including Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek) and Kathryn Hahn (Agatha All Along), who ground the show while Rogen plays the loudest clown in the room.

Beyond the strength of the cast, however, the reason to watch The Studio is for its guest stars. Hollywood directing legends like Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard make time to play pivotal roles in episodes. Their acting and willingness to play out what audiences can imagine as a behind the veil peek of movie making is both novel and hilarious. In addition to those that play major roles, The Studio is littered with cameos by: Steve Buscemi, Paul Dano, Charlize Theron, to name a few.  

The Studio takes a moment to find its footing. Like many comedies, audiences are willing to accept ridiculous situations, but it's more challenging when viewers don’t want to root for the protagonist. Characters have to first be likeable in order for viewers to look past the comedy of errors and want to see them win. Remick is likeable enough with boyish charm but his character is inconsistently competent. The streaming service Max had a similar endeavor in the comedy The Franchise that aired and was subsequently cancelled in late 2024. It also attempted a behind the scenes look at the movie making industry, but where it failed, it appears The Studio is succeeding. The Studio leverages its viewers love for movies and creates characters that don’t take themselves too seriously. Like the projects that the show features, viewers need to trust that The Studio will work out the bugs and capitalize on its stars.  

Rachel’s Rating: 7/10

The Studio (Apple TV+) is intentionally messy, chaotic, and occasionally brilliant—just like the industry it mocks. With Seth Rogen at the center of the storm, it’s a show that earns its laughs with a standout cast, high-profile cameos, and a bold comedic style.