Prime Video: “Studio” created by Seth Rogen

I enjoyed “Studio,” (Apple TV), Seth Rogen’s satire of the film industry, but do have your Lorazepam handy—the pace is fasten-your-seatbelts fast and furious.

Rogen, who also co-wrote the 10-episode series, plays Matt Remick, a nebbishy studio executive who’s been unexpectedly booted up the chain to run the fictional Continental Film Studio. However, now that he’s the boss, Remick must put his desire to make “quality” films on the back burner. “I’ve heard you’re really into artsy-fartsy filmmaking bullshit,” says Continental’s mustachioed CEO, brilliantly played by Bryan Cranston. “Rather than being obsessed with making this studio as much money as possible.”

A softie at heart (and clearly in over his head), Remick leaves the more difficult tasks — e.g., telling Martin Scorsese that his script for a proposed “Kool-Aid” movie is terrible—to his fast-talking underlings. These include Sal Saperstein (Ike Barinholtz), his manic second-in-command; Quinn (Chase Sui Wonders), an ambitious young creative executive; Maya (Kathryn Hahn), the potty-mouthed chief of marketing; and Patty Leigh (Catherine O’Hara from “Schitt’s Creek), the mentor whom he replaced.

The series is filled with how-did-he-do-that moments, the chief among them are cameo appearances by some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Ron Howard, Charlize Theron and Zoe Kravitz. All seem tickled pink to poke fun at their massive egos.

“Studio’s” smartest episodes deal with real-world issues in the industry, like male

chauvinism, political correctness, and the threat of being taken over by companies like Amazon. The funniest ones are strongest on physical comedy—Rogen’s accidental tripping over a bush and breaking his wrist at a fundraiser for a hospital. Or in the finale when a coked-up Cranston is propped up, “Weekend at Bernie’s” style, to deliver a speech.

The dialogue is often so too-cool-for-school it could make your teeth hurt. But like all satires, there’s probably a lot of truth to “Studio.” So with that caveats, I say go for it. Just remember what you’re watching isn’t real. It’s Hollywood.

Like this review? Follow me at “What Does Aug Think?” at acsntn.substack.com. Thank you!