Is it still possible to halt the excessively rapid film production in Hollywood and revert it to its original state? Industry insiders discuss the grim state of affairs.
Rebooted Roundtable: The Whirlwind World of Modern TV
Grab a seat and get comfy, folks! The creative minds behind six buzziest shows of 2025 gathered for a jaw-dropping chat that'll leave you buzzing. From social media blackouts to runaway production, these innovators dished on the juiciest tales behind their shows, including Bravo's "The Valley," as crazy as it gets!
The brainiacs in the spotlight hail from "The Diplomat," a political drama set in the heart of Washington D.C.; "The Pitt," an adrenaline-pumping look at frontline healthcare workers inside a Pittsburgh hospital over a single 15-hour shift; "The Penguin," a gritty reimagining of the Batman villain Oswald Cobblepot as a rising Gotham City kingpin; "The Last Of Us," an apocalyptic tale based on the popular video game series; "The Studio," a nit-and-grit look at the film industry's craziest challenges from the eyes of a newly appointed studio chief; and "Hacks," a raw take on an aging comic's complicated relationship with her sharp-tongued mentee.
Lend an ear to some excerpts from our electrifying conversation:
Lauren LeFranc, facing the challenge of adapting a beloved source material, shares her experience working with DC and "The Batman" director Matt Reeves:
"I knew where Oz ended in 'The Batman.' I knew my job was to arc him to rise to power and achieve a certain level of power by the end. Beyond that, I was given free rein, baby! And that's the most exciting thing for me – playing around!"
A fan favorite character's demise in "The Last Of Us" left Craig Mazin devastated but determined to craft an unforgettable Season 2. Catch a glimpse into his dark yet empowering journey:
"I was bummed when it happened, but I wasn't upset at the game. It was the right narrative move, and that's what I needed to do if we were telling this story. Some might wonder, 'Did you think twice about having Joel die?' No way! That'd be nuts!"
Scott Gemmill, "The Pitt's" creator, dishes on the traditional weekly release model keeping viewers on the edge of their seats:
"I've only gone the weekly route, and I ain't complaining! I don't wanna binge all at once – who's got time for that? Plus, my show's intense nature would make it a struggle for marathon watching."
Seth Rogen and Jen Statsky unpack the cathartic joy of lampooning the film industry and making a dent in the absurdities of the business:
"I never set out to make fun of the industry with 'The Studio,'" Rogen confesses. "It was all about those crazy, self-doubting thoughts swirling through my head as a studio chief. I began to see I had more in common with high-level industry execs than the creative folks in the game."
"Yes, but with my background in showrunning, I often felt the loneliness that comes with being at the top of the food chain," Statsky admits. "Being a boss means taking some tough decisions, ones that impact people's lives and careers. It's a hard pill to swallow - I could use some therapy for that!"
Debora Cahn, writer for "The Diplomat," reflecting on the political drama's timing amid the 2024 presidential election:
"The election-year timing of 'The Diplomat' was intense!" Cahn exclaims. "Back in 'The West Wing' days, we always stayed topical, but today, it feels like there's nothing that's too absurd for government! We aim to explore the conflicts between sane people with good intentions – it's where things get interesting!"
Gemmill, Mazin, Rogen, and Statsky express their gratitude – and occasional frustration – for the world of digital responses, venting about the ups and downs of validation, applause, and backlash:
"I avoid digging into the numbers," Mazin confides. "I've learned to let go of the good feelings to avoid the bad ones. People making comments online represent a negligible percentage of our audience, but boy, it sure doesn't feel that way at times!"
[Everyone snickers]
Rogen interjects, "Sure, I get the validation, but I'm still learning how to not look! Can you teach me?" Mazin grinned, "I'd be happy to!"
[More snickering]
Attention spans and the move towards one-episode-a-week releases were a hot topic among the creators:
"Nothing I'll make is as good as 'The Valley,'" Rogen admits, nodding to the Bravo reality show. "But what we noticed is that a one-episode-a-week release model actually prolongs cultural impact. People got to sink their teeth into the storyline over a longer stretch."
The talk has turned to runaway production and strategies to keep shows rooted in their home states:
"'The Pitt' was set in Pittsburgh, but we didn't actually film there," Gemmill muses. "However, we fought hard to get the California tax credit, keeping our production crew employed and off the streets of Albuquerque!"
As the chat wound down, our table favorites revealed their small-screen guilty pleasures:
"Jax, the star of 'Vanderpump Rules,' is in a world of trouble – and folks love to watch it!" Statsky shares.
Reality TV, it seems, holds a special draw for these creative powerhouses, providing a welcome distraction from the intellectual challenges of their own projects:
"I watch reality shows because they let me disassociate," Mazin admits. "If it takes me away from the thought-provoking nature of my own shows and makes me feel zen, I'm all in!"
[Everyone nods and smiles, sharing their love for some guiltiest of guilty pleasures]
So there you have it, folks! The nitty-gritty of modern TV from the minds behind the most talked-about shows of 2025. Catch the drama, the laughs, and the wisdom of these creative gurus as they continue to shape and stir the world of television!
- The creator of "The Pitt," Scott Gemmill, finds the traditional weekly release model perfect for keeping viewers engaged, as opposed to binge-watching, which might be too intense for the show's intense nature.
- Debora Cahn, writer for "The Diplomat," sees the timing of the political drama's release amid the 2024 presidential election as a unique opportunity to explore conflicts between sane people with good intentions, particularly given today's political climate.
- Seth Rogen and Jen Statsky, creators of "The Studio," share a cathartic joy in lampooning the film industry and making a dent in the absurdities of the business, as they find that they have more in common with high-level industry executives than the creative folks in the game.
- Craig Mazin, showrunner for "The Last Of Us," expresses gratitude for the world of digital responses, despite occasional frustration with the ups and downs of validation, applause, and backlash, acknowledging that online comments represent a negligible percentage of the show's audience.
- The creators express their appreciation for the allure of reality TV, with the likes of "Vanderpump Rules" serving as a welcome distraction from the intellectual challenges of their own projects, providing moments of disassociation and even Zen.
