Critics have praised Apple TV+'s hit Hollywood satire "The Studio" for its authenticity, yet one prominent industry leader has pushed back on that notion, dismissing the series as mostly nonsense, save for one nugget of truth.
“Every episode contains a kernel of brilliant, undeniable truth—and that's what makes for great satire,” Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman stated in a recent Letterboxd interview. “The show is wonderfully satirical. But aside from that kernel, the rest is pure nonsense.”
He continued, “Are there bad days? Sure. But most days, we're not idiots. I took it in the humorous spirit it was intended. When I stepped on stage at CinemaCon a few months ago, I opened with, 'Hello everyone, I'm Seth Rogen!' which got a good laugh from the crowd.”
Still, Rothman does acknowledge some value in the show's portrayal of executives. This is particularly interesting given how the series—which stars Seth Rogen as a recently promoted studio head—deliberately mocks some executives while highlighting the humanity and dedication of others.
“What it captures accurately is the core reality of studio executives genuinely attempting to do the right thing, while facing countless obstacles along the way,” Rothman explained.
“Where it diverges is in suggesting there's widespread moral compromise in that pursuit. That's not really how it works. Most people in this business are like me: they love movies, operate with integrity, and are simply doing their best.”
“The Studio” has been renewed for a second season, meaning fans can look forward to more satirical behind-the-scenes glimpses, however loosely based on reality they may be. The entire first season is available to stream on Apple TV+, though no release date has been announced for Season 2 yet.
