WELL Worth The “Weight” of 13 Emmys | Funny Business
Getty Images
Seth Rogen, thank you. I haven't laughed out loud at a show in a minute. What made The Studio such a phenomenon was I believe was the subtle marriage of style and substance.
In reflecting on my modern TV watching, there hasn't been anything as well-dressed since Westworld, featuring the “unc” Jeffrey Wright from DC Proper bringing intellectualism to the humanity of AI. Now Seth Rogen explores the humanity of the industry in the age of AI. A fair decade removed, yet consider Jeffrey Wright then and Seth Rogen now—you'll see the strength of style within period pieces and how your clothes are the silent yet visible soul of the character.
Packed with research, The Studio offers not just satire on the business of the industry, but more of a sartorial view with every thread of the story intentional and tailored . Kameron Lennox, acclaimed custom designer, brings the field of talent together through modern period pieces. With suits made on the spot at Warner Bros. studio and the meta feeling of making a series against the backdrop of movies, they nailed and balanced the challenge of real stories masked as fiction.
While Seth—whom I've watched since Superbad—brings in Catherine O'Hara (whom I watched since Home Alone), they create a centralized mentor-mentee relationship that's understated, making the pursuit warm and honest. The goal that one has to ask for what you want and make desires known amongst the entirety of characters in their career ambitions proves how relationships are reciprocal—depending on what you give, you may just receive a splash of red sauce thrown on your suit.
What prompted this exploration was my enjoyment watching the show and recommending it while noting from the beginning that Seth dressed well. When the comedian noted his happiness about winning on the Emmys, Seth showed that it's cool to win—and you have to dress the part. Maybe it's the Canadian in his spirit, but when style is backed by substance and a win, you cannot help but root for the guy.
Presenting natural maturity through color choices and style—the double-breasted suits, hands in pockets, pensive looks, the cars, the non-pretention—all placed with integrity made Seth’s character a related mogul.
Aligned with Apple TV+'s strategy of premium content and prestige, the psychodynamics of the investment should be studied. Today's model is engagement, and it's a juggernaut battle for every eyeball hour. Netflix is about volume, Apple TV+ about quality, and YouTube is about everyone. As a strategic tool, Apple is warding off competitors hour by hour. Talent acquisition and capacity drive Apple TV+'s business strategy, and it's paying dividends that make you laugh and returns that make you smile.
In direct competition with the likes of Netflix (rumored to enter the video podcast market as YouTube dominates and make a large acquisition), the market will always crave options. Apple's timely placed "Thank You, Sal Saperstein" billboard—uttered by Apple's crossover star from Severance and Parks and Rec alum at an award show in the series—was a marketing exclamation point for a historic night in Hollywood.
And for Seth's long career in Hollywood, do you think the funny business is about the money or the "wait"? Even at the end of this piece, I'm still happy for the cast because they got a chance to genuinely celebrate the industry they love, and they were rewarded for it.
With a $6-7 billion investment in content each year without a clear path to ROI, for one of the world's largest trillion-dollar companies, it's clear—it's definitely about the "weight."
Apple's 2025 win-efficiency is a proven model:
Netflix: 30 wins ÷ 568 projects ≈ 0.053 wins per project
Apple TV+: 22 wins ÷ 50 projects ≈ 0.44 wins per project
Each platform provides the world content that inspires subscribers, the industry, and executives alike. In the end, both the "wait" for quality and the "weight" of investment create the cultural moments that matter. Thank you Tim, Seth and Sal Saperstein for the laughs and style.
