In his new Apple TV+ series The Studio, Seth Rogen plays an anxious Hollywood executive desperate to not get fired. Studio heads are charged with deciding which projects get greenlit, and which get scrapped. They also give notes to creatives that are supposed to help their films become better — or, more specifically, be financially successful. Rogen reflects on this funny dynamic and the research he did for the series. The Studio drops on March 26. Also, John Powers reviews the series Long Bright River on Peacock.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Chapter 1: What is the inspiration behind Seth Rogen's new series?
This is Fresh Air. I'm Tanya Mosley. Let's go back to the year 2000. A young Seth Rogen and his writing partner, Evan Goldberg, have arrived from Canada, and they're meeting with a studio executive to go over a screenplay they've written together. During the meeting, the executive makes a cynical confession.
"'I got into this job because I love movies,' he says, "'and now I feel like it's my job to ruin them.'" Rogan and Goldberg never forgot what that executive said, and 25 years later, they've made it the basis of a new satirical comedy series called The Studio.
Rogan plays Matt Remick, a Hollywood executive who gets an unexpected promotion as the head of the fictional Continental Studios after his boss is fired. In this scene, the CEO of the studio, played by Bryan Cranston, offers Matt the job, but asks if Matt really has what it takes to do it the Continental way.
Patty's time has come and gone, and I'm seriously considering you to replace her.
Oh, my God. Yes, yes. I'm the guy. I'm the guy for the job. Why are you... Tell me that. Why are you the guy?
Well, um... I've worked at Continental for 22 years. I bought the original spec script for MKUltra, which, as I'm sure you know, spawned a franchise that's made us over $3 billion for the... Hey, Rene! Where the f*** is my green juice?
You want a green juice? Uh, yeah, I'd love one. Two green juices! Now! Now! Sorry.
Continue. Film is my life. Ever since I came to the studio as a kid and went on the tour, being the head of Continental is the only job I've ever wanted. That is adorable.
All right, well, listen, I honestly just have one strong reservation about you. Oh. I've heard you are really into artsy, fartsy filmmaking bull . You're obsessed with actors and directors liking you, rather than being obsessed with making this studio as much money as possible.
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Chapter 2: How does Seth Rogen view Hollywood executives?
Feels like just yesterday she was standing in the supper line at St. Francis Inn.
And these victims, any connection to Casey?
Other than the fact that they all work the avenue.
Casey's been missing six weeks. And most of these girls' bodies showed up days after they disappeared, right?
So?
So maybe it's unrelated. Casey's gone missing before.
I know. But in Alonzo's video, Casey was picked up by a John in a red pickup truck. I saw a red pickup truck outside of my house. And I think I saw a red pickup truck in Kensington, too.
You think he's been following you?
I don't know. My landlord said that a guy got out of the truck and was asking about me, and she tried to describe him. I have no idea who it is.
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