The Promotion

After hearing so much about this I was excited to sit down and watch it. WOW but not in a good way. OK it's actually not a secret that Hollywood is a town full of crap. But there are more interesting ways to tell it than this is. I'll try another episode but it better get better quickly or I'm out. We're already at the point where it this is 45 minutes of my life and I'm never getting back. Oh and just one additional note, directing is more than just following people while they walk and talk and thinking that's engaging it's actually headache inducing.

I can't believe that the ratings are genuine. All 8, 9 or 10? I couldn't finish the episode. The writing is mediocre. The pilot is awful, in the sense that you don't root for anyone, it's poorly filmed, it's incredibly self indulgent, I'd say it's enjoying the smell or its own farts. The breaking bad character was written by a 5 year old. It's ironic that it's meant to be a commentary or criticism of Hollywood, because in fact, it felt exactly like a show made by Hollywood, for Hollywood. Nothing was funny. The same actors are playing the same way they've been playing their entire careers, the only difference is they got old. Really, really bad.

Apple TV+ has launched a new series, The Studio, created by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The show follows film executive Matt Remick as he becomes the new head of the fictional Continential Studios after his mentor is fired. The show pokes fun at modern Hollywood, capturing its flaws and ridiculous habits. The pilot shows how executives capitalize on hype created by other films with silly IP-based pictures. The Studio is presented as a comedy, but it balances humor and drama as Matt struggles to navigate a chaotic industry and fears that he will ruin cinema for the sake of his job. Matt's first episode effectively showcases the dark side of Hollywood and the sacrifices one must make as a leader. The show also feels like a slice of cinema, with a heart-pounding pilot feeling like an actual documentary about the trials and tribulations of a real Hollywood studio. The witty, rapid-fire dialogue and numerous long tracking shots immerse the audience in Matt Remick's chaotic world, effectively conveying the intense pressure Matt regularly feels and the fast-paced nature of the cinema industry. The opening film-within-a-film starring actor Paul Dano succeeds in replicating big-budget action movies, giving something for many kinds of cinephiles to enjoy. The Studio is a hit with casual audiences and lovers of film, as it showcases the flaws and ridiculous habits of the film industry. In The Studio, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg co-create a comedy series that delivers an incredible cast, hilarious writing, and harsh commentary on modern Hollywood. The show, which premiered on Apple TV+, follows Matt Reick, a movie executive struggling to succeed, as he adapts to his new role at Continental Studios. The cast delivers hilarious and electric performances, with Ike Barinholtz playing Sal Seperstein, Chase Sui Wonders playing Matt's assistant Quinn, Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O'Hara stealing the show with their over-the-top, loud-mouthed, and quick-witted characters, and guest star Martin Scorsese shining with his comedic timing and energetic personality. The Studio is a messy trip through the battles of creative egos, meddling suits, and absurd project ideas all colliding in a bizarre mix. Matt Remick, who once was just a mid-level exec at Continental Studios, suddenly lands the top job after longtime powerhouse Patty Leigh (Catherine O'Hara) is unceremoniously shown the door due to the "corporate restructuring" spiel. The situation spins out of control in a jumble of studio politics, outlandish pitches, and a growing realization on Matt's part that he's completely out of his depth. The first major hurdle for Matt is the approval of Kool-Aid: The Movie, a project that sums up everything off-kilter about modern Hollywood-obsession with a slick brand image over genuine creativity, executives who rarely actually watch films, and a ridiculously bloated budget that defies logic. Characters burst onto the scene in unexpected ways, with Ike Barinholtz playing Sal Seperstein, Chase Sui Wonders as the young development exec who seems to care about making a good movie, and Catherine O'Hara practically owning every moment in her role as Patty Leigh. What makes The Studio work is its sharp humor and surprisingly clear-eyed take on Hollywood's messy inner life. It isn't just about lampooning the industry-there's a real celebration of its contradictions, making everything feel unpredictable. For example, Matt is invited to a "creative summit," where execs bicker over how many CGI explosions should power up Kool-Aid: The Movie. Moments like this, full of absurdity and off-the-cuff logic, give the show its quirky, off-kilter heart. The jokes speed in, raw and biting, and you know they hit the mark. Rogen and Goldberg have waded through one too many bizarre board meetings, spinning those real-life quirks into something that's both wildly funny and unnerving in its accuracy.

For decades, Hollywood has been a battleground between artistic vision and corporate interests, with big studios increasingly favoring safe, brand-driven content over riskier auteur-driven films. This ongoing tension has given rise to a wave of sharp Hollywood satires, from "The Player" to "Tropic Thunder," and now Apple TV+ enters the fray with "The Studio," a razor-sharp takedown of the modern film industry. Episode 1, titled "The Promotion," is an expertly crafted introduction that sets the stage for what promises to be one of the most insightful and darkly funny shows about Hollywood in many years.

The most surprising strength of "The Studio" lies in its writing. This premiere episode is packed with incisive satire and rapid-fire dialogue that hilariously skewers the absurdity of Hollywood decision-making. While some of the industry in-jokes may fly over the heads of casual viewers, cinephiles and insiders will revel in the show's ability to critique the ever-growing clash between artistic integrity and the pursuit of billion-dollar franchises. The script doesn't just make fun of Hollywood - it lays bare the compromises, the egos, and the desperation that drive the machine. At the heart of the story is Matt Remick, a studio executive who still clings to the idealistic belief that great films can be made within the system. Watching Matt navigate his moral dilemmas - balancing his passion for cinema against the demands of his superiors - creates a compelling character study. His internal struggles force the audience to ask themselves: what would they do in his position? It's a masterful way to ground the satire in something deeply personal and engaging. Beyond the writing, the episode also boasts an impressive visual style. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg bring their signature kinetic energy to the direction, making use of long takes and methodical editing to heighten the chaotic nature of studio life. The pacing never lets up, keeping viewers locked into the whirlwind of meetings, negotiations, and backroom deals. Every scene crackles with tension and humor, ensuring there's never a dull moment to be found anywhere in this brilliant hour of television.

"The Studio" announces itself as a must-watch satire with "The Promotion," perfectly capturing the madness of the modern film industry. It's biting, hilarious, and unsettlingly real, promising an insightful journey into the compromises and contradictions that shape Hollywood today. If the rest of the season maintains this level, "The Studio" is posed to be one of the most essential shows of the year.

Like so many movies about the movie industry - and there's too many to mention - this one is so awesome. We hope it's not really like this but we kind of dread that it is.

Seth Rogan is the perfect person to put this together I'm sure he knows all the ins and outs of the industry and he plays it to the hilt! Everyone in the cast is absolutely brilliant and perfectly cast! The cameos with the real people also fantastic. Especially Martin Scorsese!

Amazing they are talking about Kool-Aid as I'm sure half the world has been drinking it - you know which half. This is a cutting expose as well as hilarious!