Sony CEO calls out Apple TV+'s comedy with a 93% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, The Studio, as "mostly horsesh*t," calling out the series for what it gets wrong. The story of The Studio follows Seth Rogen as Matt Remick, a film producer at a struggling company balancing corporate and artistic visions. The series satirizes film production and business decisions.
Speaking with Letterboxd, however, Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman described The Studio as "mostly horsesh*t" while praising some elements of its comedy. The CEO explained that the core of the series, involving the struggles of producing films, is realistic. However, the "moral compromise" it depicts doesn't reflect what's really going on behind-the-scenes. Check out what Rothman had to say below:
In each one of those episodes, there is a kernel of brilliant, blinding truth, and that's what makes great satire. The show is wonderfully satiric. Besides that kernel, everything else is horsesh*t. 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. 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]. 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.
What Tom Rothman's Statement Says About The Studio
The cast of The Studio consists of many actors and recognizable faces within the film industry. This includes a number of people who act as fictionalized versions of themselves, such as Dave Franco, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Anthony Mackie, and even director Martin Scorsese. It's also emphatic on its satire, clearly playing up many elements of behind-the-scenes filmmaking.
Rothman's response to the show's depictions emphasizes this point, since he claims there's not as much chaotic energy and moral decision-making in real life. However, the CEO doesn't appear offended by the show, since he also praises it for emphasizing how studio executives have a passion for filmmaking that's sometimes barred by unforeseen obstacles that get in their way.
Despite his response, though, the show must go on: The Studio season 2 was confirmed by Apple three weeks before season 1 ended. Even if the series isn't entirely true to life, the parody nature of its comedy means events are bound to be over-the-top. Its aim is to poke fun at the film industry, even if that means exaggeration.
Our Take On Sony's CEO Responding To The Studio
Rothman may have emphasized some disdain for the show with how he described it, but he also explained how reality isn't as black and white as the series makes it out to be. Luckily, it's clear The Studio is playing up many of its ideas for laughs, even if it offers an unrealistic expectation of what the industry is like.
Even so, The Studio still provides a comedic romp through the day-to-day of a fictional struggling film company. Although Sony's CEO doesn't find it very true to life, it's clearly resonated with general audiences considering its quick season 2 pickup. Even with inaccuracies to reality, the show's witty humor and hyperbolized approach still makes it engaging and funny.
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Like Follow Followed The Studio TV-MA Comedy 9/10 16 7.8/10 Release Date March 25, 2025 Network Apple TV+ Writers Peter Huck Cast See All Catherine O'Hara Amy Seth Rogen Matt Remick
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