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Lately, I’ve been drawn to Apple TV+’s series titled “The Studio” and found myself smitten from the very start. It’s a satirical comedy that reels me in right away. The series “The Studio” boasts numerous appealing aspects such as an amusing cast, incisive commentary on Hollywood, and spot-on guest appearances. As of 2025, it has risen to become my top pick for the year, which is a pity since I almost missed out on it initially.

It seems there are an overwhelming number of television shows, and Apple TV+ doesn’t seem to excel in marketing their series, so I only discovered The Studio during its debut week. After a brief look at a social media post, I’m not sure I fully grasped the show’s idea.

Warning minor The Studio Season 1 spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

I Misjudged The Studio Even Before I Really Knew What It Was About

I generally discover new TV shows and movies without watching their trailers, relying instead on word-of-mouth recommendations, intriguing promotional content like clips or posters, press announcements, or articles. For instance, I was unfamiliar with “The Studio” on Apple TV+ until I learned that Seth Rogen stars in it. While I appreciate his acting and think he’s been in some fantastic films, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate from him as the main character. Despite being a key player in another Apple TV+ series called “Platonic,” I haven’t had a chance to watch that yet.

Watching The Studio, despite Seth Rogen being the lead, initially didn’t appeal to me due to my assumptions about its plot. I thought it was focused on the making of one specific movie and the studio’s role in it. However, the storyline is broader, delving into the overall influence of studios in the filmmaking process, which isn’t as straightforward as I initially believed. It wasn’t until I saw a reliable source for movie and TV show recommendations praising it that I decided to give it a chance.

The depth at which it portrays this universe and its imperfections is far more complex than I initially thought. Perhaps my initial assessment of “The Studio” could serve as a reminder to always take a peek at trailers, particularly for movies and series that are entirely new to me.

The Series Stresses Me Out, But That’s Also What Charms Me About It

In real life, I dislike feelings of anxiety, but when it comes to the cinematic universe, I am quite fond of it, particularly in movies and TV shows that belong to the genre known for inducing tension. As soon as I watched the pilot of The Studio , I knew it was a show I would adore because almost every episode features high-stakes scenarios and elements that provoke anxiety. The characters, especially Matt (Seth Rogen) and Sal (Ike Barinholtz), never seem to relax. Each episode’s situations intensify, leaving viewers feeling just as anxious as the characters. Yet, it’s all so amusing.

Occasionally, the scenarios in this show might leave you cringing for the characters, yet they’re never so extreme that you can’t find humor in them. These tense situations actually enhance the appeal of The Studio. Moreover, many of these situations aren’t particularly significant, but the characters tend to exaggerate their importance. They manage to transform routine studio decisions into what feels like life-threatening predicaments.

That makes everything happening with or between these characters hilarious.

I Knew It Would Be A Comedy, But I Especially Love The Way It Parodies And Pays Homage To Films

Among the episodes I’ve enjoyed most from the series thus far is “The Missing Reel,” found in Season 1, Episode 4 of The Studio. This particular episode revolves around Matt’s quest to find a lost reel containing footage from Olivia Wilde’s new film. Given that it was filmed instead of digitally recorded, the movie is quite costly. The hunt for the missing reel takes many unexpected turns, leaving both Sal and Matt on the verge of insanity. The storyline and execution pay tribute to some classic noir films.

In “The Missing Reel,” Chinatown is frequently referenced, and it’s clear that the episode incorporates elements from this neighborhood as a tribute or satire, which is one of several ways The Studio pays homage to films. The Kool-Aid man’s storyline is a recognizable wink to numerous movies that utilize established properties to attract audiences. Examples of such movies include Barbie, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, A Minecraft Movie, and The Angry Birds Movie.

The subtle film references demonstrate that the creators of The Studio have a deep affection for cinema, and imitating them is simply their way of paying tribute or complimenting.

Every New Cameo Surprised And Delighted Me

It came as a pleasant surprise to me that The Studio boasted such an extensive roster of director appearances and acting talent. Given Seth Rogen’s popularity in the industry, it wasn’t entirely unexpected for him to gather friends and acquaintances to join the cast. Nevertheless, the depth of talent is still remarkable. Each actor or director excels in their respective roles, offering some of the most hilarious performances they’ve ever delivered in their careers.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but sing praises for Zoe Kravitz who graces multiple episodes of “The Studio.” In my humble opinion, she outshines every other guest star with her exceptional talent. Her portrayal in this series might just be my favorite performance by her yet! Here’s hoping that she continues to make delightful cameos on “The Studio” in the future.

Since The Studio has been renewed for its second season, I’m eagerly anticipating which new characters will join the cast and bring more laughter with their amusing actions.

I Appreciate That The Studio Humanizes Studio Heads But Is Also Quite Critical Of Them

Matt seems disorganized. To me, someone leading a significant studio would appear more organized, dedicated, and polished. However, it’s likely that even these individuals may occasionally struggle and behave in a manner similar to Matt. After all, humans aren’t always rational, composed, or focused, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the heads of studios sometimes mirror Matt’s days.

The production company portraying Matt as a disorganized character serves as a reflection of imperfections even in men holding influential positions. At times, Matt can be unsympathetic and act to bolster his ego. This mirrors real-life studio heads possibly. The blunders and actions of Matt echo those of genuine individuals who have the authority to approve film productions. I appreciate how The Studio humanizes these figures in charge, yet doesn’t hesitate to depict them as fools at times.

The Studio Reminds Me Of Some Of My Other Favorite Satirical Shows, And That May Add To My Admiration Of It

I’m really into satire, whether it’s shows, films, or books. Consequently, I’ve had a chance to watch quite a few of them. The Studio seems very similar to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Parks and Recreation, and even Succession. In fact, some episodes of The Studio, particularly the sixth one titled “The Pediatric Oncologist,” bear a strong resemblance to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, specifically Episode 7 from Season 4, “Who Pooped the Bed.” Both share themes of art, humor, and the subjective nature of importance.

Due to the clear connections I see among many of my favorite series ever in “The Studio“, it only strengthens my affection for it. It also indicates that I should definitely explore more of the forthcoming Apple TV+ shows, as there could be plenty more that I’d appreciate.

Stream The Studio on Apple TV+.

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2025-05-29 17:08