The Promotion

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.

I've noticed how it's hard to find a really good comedy on streaming anymore, so The Studio is extremely welcome. It's an exaggeration of the inanities of Hollywood, but not so much to become entirely unbelievable.

The premiere episode is very promising, a nonstop nightmare rollercoaster ride that just gets worse as it goes. Kudos to Martin Scorsese for keeping a straight face in his scenes. Bryan Cranston and Kathryn Hahn are standouts among a very good cast.

There was another series that attempted this called The Franchise, but I could tell in the premiere episode they weren't getting it right. Too inside-baseball, not relatable enough for even a chuckle.

The Studio is also an insider view but focused on what the audience suspects about Hollywood anyway, so it works. The Franchise was cancelled, but I think The Studio will run as long as Apple wants it to, if only to put more little digs at Hollywood in. I guess it's no coincidence that of all the studios, Apple is the only one that avoids IP entirely.

Life imitates art department: Right now, the big box office hit is an inane Minecraft movie. So, Continental, greenlight Kool-Aid asap, but make sure you sign Jason Momoa as the Kool-Aid man.

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.

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!

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.