"The Studio" Episode 1 Review

Apple TV+ has a new series called The Studio, and its pilot, “The Promotion,” kicks everything off in a wild, disorderly way that almost feels like you’ve been dumped into the heart of a rowdy satire of Hollywood’s goofier side.

It’s co-created by Seth Rogen (yes, that Seth) and Evan Goldberg, and you quickly get the sense that what you’re about to watch isn’t just another show—it’s a messy trip through the battles of creative egos, meddling suits, and absurd, overblown project ideas all colliding in a bizarre mix.

Welcome to the madness

Without any preamble, we’re thrown into the thick of things. There’s Matt Remick (Seth Rogen again, playing a guy who once was just a mid-level exec at Continental Studios) who suddenly lands the top job after longtime powerhouse Patty Leigh (Catherine O’Hara) is unceremoniously shown the door. The excuse?

That all-too-familiar “corporate restructuring” spiel, which leaves her storming off in frustration—swearing the whole studio will collapse without her. Matt, looking as baffled as the rest of us, steps into his new role with a sort of misplaced, almost bumbling confidence that hints at upcoming chaos.

Soon enough, 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. His first major hurdle?

Approving an enormous, soulless blockbuster dubbed Kool-Aid: The Movie, a project that, in a way, 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.

The circus cast in full swing

Characters burst onto the scene in unexpected ways. Ike Barinholtz plays Sal Seperstein—a creative exec. Then there’s Chase Sui Wonders, the young development exec who actually seems to care about making a good movie, making her, in a funny twist, the odd one out amid all the corporate getup.

And, of course, Catherine O’Hara doesn’t just play a part; she practically owns every moment. In the role of Patty Leigh, she barrels through her scenes in a blur of indignation and champagne, taking aim at Matt, wrecking the office, and even mentioning offhand that she was nearly about to seal a deal with Christopher Nolan (an admittedly wild claim).

If this is her final bow, it’s a showstopper exit—but knowing how things roll here, expect her to pop back up eventually, perhaps with a grudge and a tell-all memoir tucked under her wing.

Hollywood’s hilariously chaotic pieces

What really makes The Studio work is its sharp humor and a 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, which makes everything feel unpredictable.

Take that scene where Matt is invited to a “creative summit.” It quickly unfolds into a gathering where execs bicker over how many CGI explosions should power up Kool-Aid: The Movie. One executive even mulls over an origin tale for the Kool-Aid Man, while another blurts, “But what about his trauma?” Moments like these, full of absurdity and off-the-cuff logic, give the show its quirky, off-kilter heart.

I love how the jokes speed in, raw and biting, and you just know they hit the mark. You can tell Rogen and Goldberg have waded through one too many bizarre board meetings, and they’ve spun those real-life quirks into something that’s both wildly funny and, yeah, a little unnerving in its accuracy.

Final thoughts

I'd definitely give this a 9/10 ⭐

The Promotion really sets the stage for The Studio in an unexpected, hilarious way—it grabs that modern office comedy feel while also taking a swiping jab at Hollywood’s relentless love affair with licensed crap.

Rogen fits the role like a glove: a kind-hearted, frazzled exec caught in the madness, while the rest of the crew (O’Hara pops up in a particularly brilliant burst) makes sure every scene fizzles with energy and unexpected laughs.

If later episodes manage to keep up this razor-sharp wit and unfiltered satire, The Studio could end up being the best send-up of Hollywood since Entourage—just without all that overplayed bro bravado.

This debut is absurdly funny and self-aware in a way that’s almost maddening. It skewers some of Hollywood’s worst habits while delivering a ride that is honestly a blast. So, if you’re into movies, can’t stand snooty studio interference, or simply get a kick out of watching Seth Rogen scramble through chaos, this show might just be your next favorite guilty pleasure.