Sony Chief Slams Apple TV+ Show "The Studio" as Near-Fiction

Apple TV+'s hit Hollywood satire "The Studio" has been praised for its realism, but one industry executive is pushing back, describing the series as "horse**t" with only a "kernel" of truth.

"Each episode contains a kernel of brilliant, undeniable truth—that's what makes great satire," Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman said in a recent Letterboxd interview. "The show is wonderfully satirical. Beyond that kernel, everything else is horse**t."

He continued: "Sure, we might have our moments, but most days we're not idiots. I took it in the humorous spirit it was intended. When I stepped on stage at CinemaCon a few months back, I opened with, 'Hey everyone, I’m Seth Rogen!' which got a good laugh from the crowd."

That said, Rothman does acknowledge some accuracy in how executives are depicted on the show. This is notable, given that the series—starring Seth Rogen as a freshly promoted studio executive—balances mocking some execs with portraying the humanity and commitment of others.

"What the show gets right is the central truth that studio executives aim to do the right thing, while facing countless roadblocks along the way," Rothman explained.

"Where it diverges is in showing widespread moral compromise in that pursuit. That’s not really how it works. Most of us are film lovers like me—people of integrity doing our best."

"The Studio" has been renewed for a second season, so fans can look forward to more behind-the-scenes satire, regardless of its real-world accuracy. The complete first season is available for streaming on Apple TV+, though Season 2 has not yet been scheduled for release.