The following review was made possible by Apple TV+ providing Popped with advanced screeners for all nine episodes of The Studio. The first two episodes stream March 26th on Apple TV+.
Have you ever wanted a look behind the scenes to see how the magic happens in Hollywood, how it really happens? The Studio probably isn’t that show, but it sure makes it look funny. Hot off the heels of HBO’s The Franchise, Apple TV+ is jumping into the studio satire with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s The Studio. Hollywood is overflowing with glitz, chaos, uncertainty, and ruthlessness, and The Studio taps into all of it, making the show great.
‘The Studio’ Is All Show Business
Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of Continental Studios. The series follows Matt as he scrambles to put together a worthwhile slate and juggle the stress of the job. Alongside Rogen stars Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, Kathryn Hahn, and Catherine O’Hara, each brings their own unique personality as fellow studio executives. The season follows the first months of Remick’s time as studio head, venturing through a mostly episodic first season. Each episode usually tackles a different roadblock or conflict facing the studio, either externally or internally. This format works well in the series favor and makes for a much more interesting narrative. The series doesn’t lock itself into one overarching storyline that would hold it back throughout the season. Instead, its episodic structure allows it to tackle different internal studio conflicts.
The show really harnesses its chaos into each of its episodes. There are some very tense and awkward moments. At times you know there is an absolute disaster unfolding in front of you but you can’t help but watch. These are very tricky and fiddly moments, like in episodes like “The Oner.” Part of what really intensifies the energy of the show is the way it’s being shot. Every scene is a one-take and a single camera following them through the studio, the set, and the awards ceremonies, and increases the energy of any scene.
The Studio is also incredibly gorgeous; beautiful work was put into bringing this world to life with a very clear and concise creative vision. Most of the sets offer a vibrant retro ’70s aesthetic that is still very much set in modern day Hollywood. The show is just able to maintain some great lighting throughout. This show could not be prettier to look at and see explored through the single take filming.
Personalities Clash in ‘The Studio’
Hollywood is full of strong personalities, under and over rock and around every corner you’ll find one. The Studio highlights that, and then cranks that up to a ten. Remick is just like that, except it’s his insecurity that most defines him. Probably the most chaotic of the bunch is Hahn, as Maya. Maya is the head of marketing at Continental studios and runs that shit like the navy. Feeling very reminiscent of her days on Parks and Recreation.
Rogen is quite fun here, his character is a bit incompetent, but he is doing his best, well he’s trying to do his best. Watching him find his footing is quite a satisfying arc for him, and he continues to improve throughout the series. That’s not to say he doesn’t make himself look like a complete ass any less than he does in the beginning. It just means he gets a bit better at handling it. Still he looks to guidance from his friends and learns from his mistake. He isn’t like other big wigs in Hollywood, he’s trying to preserve cinema, even if some don’t think he’s up to the task.
Throughout its 10-episode run, the series presents a reluctance to dive into any of their personal lives or backstories. In multiple instances we’re brought into a more personal setting of each of these characters’ lives. Whether that be meeting a partner, children, or even a romance between anyone in the leading cast. The show very lightly touches on those moments. It shows their detachment from their personal lives. Instead, they live as drones within their corporate system, and the way they allow their jobs to overtake their lives. At first it may seem like an attempt to add depth to their characters; interpreting it as that would feel reductive, as it isn’t effective. Viewing it through the lenses of their strained personal lives is much more effective. Showing the little that they did sells it.
Hidden Figures
Perhaps the weakest part of this roster of characters is how some will go missing for episodes at a time. Even characters that feel important to the series, such as Hahn, Wonders, and O’Hara, go missing for episodes at a time. They aren’t needed in certain episodes contained storylines, but room could’ve been made for them. Specifically singling out Catherine O’Hara’s Patty, who plays the recently fired head of Continental. One of the primary topics of the series is Remick dealing with studio issues he previously had no experience in. Patty previously having that role and being a mentor to him would’ve been an opportunity to use her more.
On the flip side, Wonders’ character Quinn plays a newly appointed creative executive at the studio, previously Remick’s assistant. Quinn is eager to get her first project greenlit in her newly appointed position, driven by her passion for me. Quinn fills the role that Matt filled with Patty, even referring to himself as her mentor throughout, but it feels like the show forgets about her. In these situations where Matt is learning to handle these tough situations. It would’ve allowed for more room to develop both of their characters,
Hahn’s role as a marketing executive does hinder her relevance in certain episodes, as she really just isn’t needed. It’s just the fact that she is just so much fun in this show. Hopefully there will hopefully be an effort to include her more in possible future seasons. She’s as chaotic as her designer wardrobe in the series. Full of glitz, glam, and a ton of attitude. This may be one of the drawbacks of the series episodic structure, that its episodes won’t always have room for everyone.
A Who’s Who in ‘The Studio’
Part of the charm of The Studio is its inclusion of real celebrities. Most of the cast features a revolving door of guest stars, many of whom play dramatized fictional versions of themselves. Favorites like Martin Scorsese, Adam Scott, Anthony Mackie, and Dave Franco to name a few. Even lesser known directors like Parker Finn and Owen Kline show up, get out of their comfort zones and act for a change. The latter half of the season even throws some fun surprises that viewers will have to look forward to.
The show really does shine when we see Matt up against these giants in the industry. Specifically in the “The Note” with Ron Howard, an episode that just goes so off the rails that you can’t peel your eyes away from. The guest stars and cameo work in this show is just really spectacular, everyone is there for a meaningful reason and having a ton of fun with the role.
Similar to the earlier note about locking yourself into a narrative, The Studio succeeds at this where The Franchise failed. Sure comic book projects have been known to have tumultuous productions. However, that show did not give itself a ton of room to move around, and trapped itself with a handful of uninteresting and at times, annoying characters. Here the series set us up with a lovable and eccentric bunch and allows them to break out into the world and be interacting with a revolving door of guest stars weekly. It keeps the show feeling fresh and entertaining and more accurately mirrors Hollywood as a whole.
Final Thoughts
The Studio is yet another fantastic original series from Apple TV+. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg craft a hilarious and high-energy satire set in a fictitious but all-too real look at Hollywood. Rogen, O’Hara, and Hahn stand out the most here and fit right in with the chaos unfolding on this studio lot. With how unpredictable and crazy the industry is these days and how good this show is, there should not be a reason why it can’t continue to make us laugh for years to come.
The first two episodes of The Studio release March 26th on Apple TV+, with new episodes arriving weekly. Check out the trailer below:
The Review
'The Studio'
'The Studio' is yet another fantastic original series from Apple TV+. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg craft a hilarious and high-energy satire set in a fictitious but all-too real look at Hollywood. Rogen, O'Hara, and Hahn stand out the most here and fit right in with the chaos unfolding on this studio lot. With how unpredictable and crazy the industry is these days and how good this show is, there should not be a reason why it can't continue to make us laugh for years to come.
