The Studio Season One Discussion with Gal Balaban
In the latest episode of The Austin B Media Podcast, I was thrilled to be joined by Gal Balaban, the founder and extraordinary critic behind the blog FilmToppings, for a comprehensive breakdown of Apple TV's hit series, The Studio. We break down the celebrity cameos, the art vs. commerce debate, the chaotic finale, and so much more.
What's The Show About?
The Studio tells the story of Matt Remick (Seth Rogen), a passionate filmmaker who takes over a struggling legacy movie studio. He must navigate the treacherous waters of modern Hollywood, balancing his artistic ambitions with the commercial demands of IP-driven blockbusters, all while dealing with eccentric actors, egomaniacal directors, and the constant threat of being bought out by a tech giant.
Episode Chapters
00:08 – Introduction
00:37 – Guest Introduction: Gal Balaban
01:48 – Gal's Recommendation: Under the Bridge
04:41 – Austin's Recommendation: Presence
07:29 – Expectations for The Studio
09:59 – First Impressions
13:08 – Balancing Satire & Love for Filmmaking
16:11 – Standout Performers
20:33 – Final Ratings (Non-Spoiler)
26:24 – SPOILER WARNING
27:14 – The Pilot and Scorsese's Passion Project
32:41 – Matt & Patty's Dynamic
37:34 – Art vs. Commerce: The Kool-Aid Movie
47:35 – Grounding the Satire: The Oncologist Debate
53:57 – Favorite Celebrity Cameos
59:03 – The Ron Howard "Note" Episode
01:03:04 – Quinn's War with Sal
01:06:12 – The Chaotic CinemaCon Finale
01:12:54 – How The Studio Compares to Other Satires
01:17:21 – Final Thoughts & Outro
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Where to Watch The Studio
You can watch The Studio on Apple TV+ right now.
Where to Watch Our Recommendations
Gal's recommendation - Under the Bridge — Streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
My recommendation - Presence — Streaming on Hulu.
Where to Follow Me
Where to Follow Gal
Until next time!
