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.