Seth Rogen's THE STUDIO Series is Self-Indulgent Studio Insiders with a Myriad of Celebs

Seth Rogen's series THE STUDIO on Apple TV+ is a supercilious, self-indulgent comedy that is neither a laughable sitcom or clever parody. Rogen's self-effacing stereotyping of studio execs is too exaggerated to be taken as witty critique of the movie industry's mismanagement of millions. Furthermore, it makes the rolls and cameos of A list actors/directors too facetious to be credulous or comical. A huge irony here is the wanton waste of talent cast. Bryan Cranston plays the big studio cheese of Continental Studios only his dress, antics and ideas are too cheesy. Catherine O'Hara plays Party Leigh whose job Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) gets hired after she's fired. Matt's lying and conniving for the coveted, high powered position helped him seal the deal. Kathryn Hahn plays Maya Mason, one of Matt's most outspoken directors who takes her role in an over-the-top direction that loses laughs and believability. The only cast member that rose above the material is Ike Barinholtz, "The Mindy Project") as Sal Seperstein. Sal is Matt's best friend who also aspired for the position passed onto Matt. Rogen is the star of this charmless series that feels more like a dated sitcom. The show is set within the extravagant homes and lifestyles which are more off-putting and pretentious than evocative of enviable Hollywood glamour. The major dilemmas (which are all minor) that plagued Matt are his desires to create great art at odds with easy profitability and his need to be liked and accepted into the elite echelon of celebrities. These shallow conflicts fail to generate the inertia to invest in Matt's petty problems  or his whiny, self-absorbed persona. The other major irony with THE STUDIO is the fact a studio green- lighted this into production. Perhaps it was passed due in part to the star power Rogen brought to the project. Rogen donned many hats here including writing and directing. Pass on this sorry, lackluster series that overlooked the simple rule that any fool knows, it all comes down to the story, script and blueprint.   

THE RESIDENCE-A Who Dunnit Series with a Sleuth Who Slays-Stars Uzo Aduba/Randall Park

For those who liked the "Knives Out" movies (count me out) I have no doubt you will love THE RESIDENCE, an 8 part series on Netflix starring Uzo Aruba ("Orange is the New Black") as a sleuth, Cordelia Cupp, whose style is indefatigable. Cupp's fashion style is a modern take on Sherlock and contemporary birder chic. Cupp is an avid birdie whose meticulous methods of investigation are well suited for her unflappable pursuit of factual information and people observation. Although quite amazing and unique in her detective persona, Cuppa is a hybrid amalgamation of Holmes, Poirot and Colombo. THE RESIDENCE will occupy your TV viewing, watching the highfalutin shenanigans of an upstairs/downstairs cast of characters. There are the elite catered to or staff who do the catering to the President, his staff and White House guests. The guest stars in this clever and highly entertaining series that takes comedy and social parody seriously. Jason Lee plays the president's deadbeat kleptomaniac brother, Jane Curtain plays the alcoholic mother of the president's partner, Bronson Pinchot is the eccentric French pastry chef, Edwina Findley is a bumptious butler with endless banter, and Al Franken is back in politics playing Senator Filkins leading the congressional investigation into the murder of A.B. White Head Usher of the White House and the Head Usher is played to perfection by Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad"). Cupp is the lead detective but she has strong support from FBI agent Edwin Park (Randall Park) who slowly wins her confidence and Officer Larry Dokes (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) whom she admittedly admires. There is so much to recommend in this show produced by Shondaland (Shonda Rhimes) and created by Paul William Davies ("Scandal"). The scenic tour of the White House is pleasurable and the backup story to Cupp's becoming a detective is endearing. All the staff are suspect and susceptible to thinking them culpable of the crime and its coverup. My only critical quip is the windup was too long winded and convoluted. Here the show should take a clue on being more succinct from Colombo. Even so, THE RESIDENCE is one of the most likable detective shows with good reasons. I hope a second season of Detective Uzo Aduba with FBI guy Randall Park will be revealed.