“The Studio” is a look at Hollywood at its most hectic. The Apple TV+ series follows Matt Remick (Seth Rogen), the recently appointed head of the fictional Continental Studios, as he fumbles his way from one high-stakes filmmaking faux pas to the next. Featuring dazzling, no-cuts camerawork and a parade of A-list cameos—from iconic filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard to blockbuster stars like Charlize Theron and Anthony Mackie—it’s no wonder the show notched 23 Emmy nominations, a record for a freshman comedy. Here, we attempt to narrow down the first season to our five favorite moments.
Zoë Kravitz goes on a journey
When I sat down with Dave Franco to discuss his cameos on Episodes 9 and 10 of “The Studio,” he told me about a text he got from a friend: “I’m sorry to let you know this,” it read, “but for the next 20 years, people are going to be coming up to you saying ‘You did 21 grams of shrooms!’ ”
Dave Franco’s friend is correct; for my money, the actor letting Zoë Kravitz know that she just accidentally ingested an ungodly amount of hallucinogens is the comedic highlight of a show filled with comedic highlights. The entirety of the last two episodes, “CinemaCon” and “The Presentation,” is a head-trip, a mad drug-fueled dash by Matt Remick and co. to present their slate (and sober up) with the fate of Continental Studios on the line. But it’s that moment that kicks it all off—when Matt learns his “old-school Hollywood buffet” has backfired spectacularly—that I will be (apologies to Dave Franco) quoting for all time.
—Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor
Introducing Patty Leigh, the former head of Continental Studios
Two words: Catherine. O’Hara. I was hooked on “The Studio” from the very first minute, but the roller coaster of Catherine’s first scene took my appreciation for both her and the show to a whole new level. From the instant she flung open those intricate wooden double doors—frizzy hair, scowling face—I knew we were in for a ride. And she did not disappoint. The perfectly executed oner(!) captured her spiraling humiliation and frustration over losing her job as she moved from entryway to living room, kitchen, and backyard—cycling through annoyance, sadness, anger, exasperation, and back again. Each beat is as sharp and layered as the last. —Stephanie Snipes, chief creative officer
“Thank you, Sal Saperstein!”
On Episode 8 of “The Studio,” everyone had a great time at the Golden Globes. Well, everyone except for studio head Matt Remick, who only sought a “thank you” from Zoë Kravitz in her acceptance speech. His friend and colleague Sal Saperstein (Ike Barinholtz), on the other hand, had the best night, receiving plenty of shoutouts in award speeches from Kravitz, Adam Scott, Quinta Brunson, Aaron Sorkin, and Jean Smart. While he may not have taken home a literal statue, Saperstein won MVP of the night, spawning a huge trend and countless memes that we hope carry over to the real-life awards shows. —Jalen Michael, associate editor
Martin Scorsese’s “Kool-Aid” movie gets whacked
Seeing such a legendary director step into this space was incredible. But what truly stood out was his commitment to the comedy element, especially when he discovered his film was being buried by the studio. His onscreen charisma made the moment unforgettable, and showed not only is he a timeless talent, but also a good sport with a great sense of humor! I loved it! —Bryony Pulizzi, business development executive (U.K.)
Sarah Polley tries to capture a oner
I really enjoyed “The Studio” and also found it incredibly stressful to watch—a testament to the creators, editing, and performances. The feeling of discomfort and anxiety is palpable through the tracking shots, heart-pounding music, and cringe-worthy (but real-to-life?) characters. My favorite moment is early in the season: Episode 2, “The Oner,” with Sarah Polley and Greta Lee, director and star, trying to capture a one-track shot while the magic hour light slips away. When the crew realizes it’s Matt’s car ruining the shot they finally got and Polley is chasing him through the set down the driveway...such sweet relief. “Are you explaining supporting women to me?” she cries. “Support me from anywhere on Earth other than here!” —Jenn Zilioli, client services manager
My favorite moment from Season 1 has to be “The Oner.” The whole thing was made to look like it was filmed in one continuous shot, and honestly, I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. Every camera move, every transition felt so seamless. It’s the kind of episode that makes you appreciate just how much planning and precision goes into great TV. —Lis Brum, Mandy marketing manager
