Apple TV+ hit Hollywood satire The Studio has received plaudits for its authenticity, but one industry executive has now clapped back on that sentiment, calling the show “horses—t” besides a “kernel” of truth.
“In each one of those episodes, there is a kernel of brilliant, blinding truth, and that’s what makes great satire,” Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman told Letterboxd in a recent interview. “The show is wonderfully satiric. Besides that kernel, everything else is horses—t.”
He added: “Maybe some days, but most days we’re not morons. I did take it with the sense of humor intended. When I took the stage a few months ago at CinemaCon, I walked out and said, ‘Hi, everybody, I’m Seth Rogen!’ which was good for a laugh there.”
That said, Rothman does see some merit in the way execs are being portrayed on the show, which is interesting considering how the show, which stars Seth Rogan as a newly promoted executive, makes it a point to poke fun at some execs and show the humanity and dedication of others.
“What it gets right is that there’s a fundamental truth of studio executives trying to do the right thing, and there being many, many obstacles to doing [so],” Rothman said.
“The difference there is it depicts a great deal of moral compromise in pursuing that. That’s not really the way it is. Most people are people like me, who love movies, have a lot of integrity and are just trying to do the best we can.”
The Studio has been renewed for a second season, so fans will continue to get a satirical glimpse behind the curtain, no matter how close to reality it actually is. The first season is available to stream in its entirety on Apple TV+, and Season 2 has yet to secure a release date.
Lex Briscuso is a film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.
