In the new Apple TV+ series "The Studio", Seth Rogen steps into the shoes of Matt Remick, the freshly appointed head of a fictional production company called Continental Studios. While the series delivers plenty of industry satire, what makes it really stand out is how it convinces real-life directors to appear as exaggerated versions of themselves — and often not in the most flattering light.

From Ron Howard to Sarah Polley and Olivia Wilde, several well-known names have signed on to poke fun at their own reputations, and the results are as funny as they are surprising.

Ron Howard’s ‘Not-So-Nice’ Cameo Was His Idea

Ron Howard is widely considered one of the most likable directors in Hollywood. But in "The Studio", he flips that reputation on its head. His episode, “The Note,” shows a version of Howard that’s anything but friendly. When Matt Remick tries to give feedback on Howard’s latest movie "Alphabet City," things take a sharp turn. What starts as a calm meeting escalates into a full-blown humiliation, with Howard mocking Matt in front of the entire room.

What’s surprising is that Howard was totally on board with the portrayal. According to co-creator Alex Gregory, he didn’t just tolerate the idea — he embraced it. “He liked the idea of not being the nice guy for once,” Gregory shared. “He’s known for being polite and approachable, but everyone’s got a side that doesn’t always show. He thought it would be fun to bring that 0.01% out.”

Instagram | lomckee| "The Studio" features Ron Howard in "The Note" as a departure from his likable reputation.

In the scene, Howard reveals an old grudge — Matt once suggested a major spoiler for "A Beautiful Mind" that the character of Charles Herman should be shown as imaginary from the beginning. Howard never let it go. Now, years later, he uses that moment to publicly tear Matt down.

Eventually, Matt stands up for himself and tells Howard the motel sequence in "Alphabet City" is dull. That confrontation ends with Howard agreeing to cut the scene but warning Matt never to challenge him again.

Sarah Polley Returns to Acting

The episode before Howard’s features filmmaker Sarah Polley in a one-shot episode titled “The Oner.” Known for directing "Ramona" and "Take This Waltz," Polley hadn’t acted in over 15 years. But Seth Rogen — who worked with her on Take This Waltz — felt she was perfect for the role.

Polley plays a version of herself directing a complex one-take sunset scene. It’s a director’s nightmare — timing has to be perfect, everything must go right, and there's no room for error. In "The Studio," things fall apart quickly. Equipment fails, actors miss cues, and Remick keeps interfering.

Gregory said that Rogen simply trusted Polley’s instincts. “Seth knew she was hilarious and had great timing. She wasn’t sure at first, but she jumped in, and it turned out better than anyone expected.”

While everything goes wrong for Polley’s fictional film, the episode itself stands out as a highlight of the season — chaotic, funny, and sharply written.

Olivia Wilde Steals the Show (and Her Own Reel)

In the noir-inspired episode “The Missing Reel,” Olivia Wilde plays a fictional version of herself who’s secretly sabotaging her own film. The plot kicks off when a crucial reel from her movie disappears. By the end of the episode, it’s revealed Wilde herself took it because she didn’t like the scene and wanted a chance to re-shoot it.

Instagram | oliviawilde | Olivia Wilde embodies a self-sabotaging fictional persona in the noir setting of "The Missing Reel."

Wilde leans fully into the role of a controlling, high-strung auteur. Her character is intense, manipulative, and a total nightmare for Matt Remick to manage. Gregory explained that actors who also direct, like Wilde, are perfect for these roles. “They get the industry jokes, and they can act too. Olivia was totally in on the joke and wanted to go all out. She knew she’d be seen as the demanding director, and she had fun with it.”

After destroying the reel, Wilde forces Matt to pay for reshoots by selling his $2 million car to Zac Efron — who also appears in the episode. It’s a ridiculous, high-stakes ending that makes the episode unforgettable.

Directors Having Fun With Their Public Image

What makes "The Studio" so entertaining isn’t just the satire — it’s how self-aware the celebrity cameos are. These directors aren’t just playing roles; they’re poking fun at the versions of themselves that exist in the public eye. And thanks to Seth Rogen’s connections and creative instincts, the show pulls it off with a perfect mix of humor and honesty.

Seth Rogen’s presence ties it all together. Whether he’s awkwardly navigating meetings or trying to manage directors with strong personalities, his character brings a grounded, relatable quality to the chaos around him.

So far, the first half of the season has featured standout moments from all three directors. With five episodes still to go, there’s plenty of room for more surprises. And based on how well Ron Howard handled playing the “asshole” version of himself, there’s hope we might see more directors — maybe even someone like Greta Gerwig — join in the fun later on.

Why It Works

These cameos don’t feel forced. Instead, they reflect a bigger truth about the entertainment industry: it’s full of big egos, clashing visions, and absurd situations. "The Studio" takes those truths and adds just enough exaggeration to make it hilarious, but never too far from believable.

Thanks to Seth Rogen and the team’s smart writing, the show balances satire with genuine character work. It’s not just about poking fun — it’s about creating memorable TV that feels both funny and familiar to anyone who’s watched a behind-the-scenes documentary or read about studio drama.

If "The Studio" keeps this up, it could become one of the smartest and most entertaining comedies about Hollywood in recent years.