Abstract
Apple TV+’s The Studio uses the character of Matt Remick, a hapless new studio boss, to explore Hollywood’s long tradition of self-reflexive storytelling about the film industry. The article traces the evolution of the studio boss figure in Hollywood cinema, from early silent-era depictions and real-life moguls like Irving Thalberg, to satirical and critical portrayals in classics such as Sunset Blvd., The Bad and the Beautiful, and The Player. It highlights how producers and studio heads have been alternately vilified, mythologized, and lampooned—often portrayed as either clueless, tyrannical, or visionary. Through references to both films and literature, the piece underscores Hollywood’s enduring fascination with its own power structures and personalities, reflecting broader changes in the industry and American culture over time.