Working in Tinseltown isn’t always as sparkly as it seems.
Need proof? Just look toward The Studio, which follows Seth Rogen's Matt Remick, the new head of production company Continental Studios who struggles to find a balance between making great films and dealing with the pressure to produce blockbusters.
"I got into all this 'cause, you know, I love movies," Remick says in an episode of the Apple TV+ series, "but now I have this fear that my job is to ruin them."
The show has quickly become one of the toasts of Hollywood—racking up three Critics Choice Awards nominations, including for Best Comedy Series. And if that doesn’t impress you, then it’s star-studded cast surely will. Joining Rogen are Catherine O’Hara, Chase Sui Wonders, Kathryn Hahn and Ike Barinholtz. Then there are guest stars like Bryan Cranston, Dave Franco, Zoë Kravitz, Charlize Theron, Zac Efron, Olivia Wilde, Martin Scorsese, Ice Cube, Adam Scott, Steve Buscemi and Quinta Brunson.
And yes, the show pulls from real life. As Rogen admitted, he drew some inspiration from Steve Asbell, an exec at 20th Century Fox Studios.
"He’s a lovely guy," Rogen—who also co-created and co-directed the series—said on a March episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. "He’s very conflicted about what he has to do."
And while Rogen said some executives were pleased by the show's nods, others were…less enthused. Like the one who apparently cried at a Golden Globes party after not being thanked during an acceptance speech.
"We made a whole episode about that," Rogen continued, "and the person who it's based on knows we made a whole episode about it and they, in no uncertain terms, yelled at me very recently."
But how close to reality is this comedy? Well, it depends on who you ask.
"Oscar Wilde said that 'every jest is a truth in the womb of time,'" Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group Tom Rothman told Letterboxd in August. "So in each one of those episodes, there is a kernel of brilliant, blinding truth, and that’s what makes great satire and I think the show is wonderfully satiric."
But "besides that kernel," he continued, "everything else is horses--t. Maybe some days, but most days we’re not morons. I take it with the sense of humor that it’s intended, which was good for a laugh there."
So, what does that kernel of truth entail?
"What it gets right is there’s a fundamental truth in each episode of studio executives trying to do the right thing, and there being many, many obstacles to doing the ring thing," Rothman added. "The difference there is it depicts a great deal of moral compromise in pursuing that, and that’s not really the way it is. Most people are people like me, who love movies, have a lot of integrity and [are] just trying to do the best we can."
Then again, some would argue executive roles like Remick's have changed.
"It used to be a spectacular job—you could give a voice to people who deserved one, and you knew you were making something meaningful that would be seen and talked about," former president of Paramount Pictures Adam Goodman told The Hollywood Reporter in April. "Now, it feels as if there’s no real reward for taking big bets or championing a favorite script or an unknown filmmaker. You’re more of a brand manager than a creative advocate and playing it safe seems like the smarter career move."
Rogen and cast will find out if The Studio was indeed a smarter career move when the 2026 Critics Choice Awards airs live from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on E! and USA Network Jan. 4. Until then, keep reading to catch up on all the TV shows set for next year...
RuPaul's Drag Race (MTV) - Jan. 2
This season, 14 sickening new queens enter the Werk Room to compete for the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar,” an official makeup collaboration with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics and a cash prize of $200,000 courtesy of the popular video game RuPaul’s Drag Race Match Queen.
Snapped (Oxygen) - Jan. 4
Season 36 of Oxygen's true crime series debuts Jan. 4.
The Rookie (ABC) - Jan. 6
Nathan Fillion returns for season eight of the procedural.
Will Trent (ABC) - Jan. 6
Ramón Rodríguez and team return to solve more cases on season four.
1000-Lb Sisters (TLC) - Jan. 6
Amy is deep in wedding-planning mode as she prepares to marry Brian in a Halloween celebration that promises to be anything but ordinary. From haunting details to a lively bachelorette bash in New Orleans, Amy is pulling out all the spooky stops to make her big day unforgettable.
Tammy is embracing a life-altering new chapter of her own. Following her transformative skin-removal surgery, she’s officially ‘adulting’ – taking on a volunteer position at an animal shelter, and more responsibilities than ever at nearly 40. She’s also planning to move in with her girlfriend, Andrea, and their relationship takes center stage as Tammy steps into greater independence and new opportunities.
Nevertheless, while love is in the air, tensions between the sisters are boiling over like never before. Family dynamics, envy, and personal growth collide, bringing the drama, heart, and humor that define 1000-Lb Sisters.
Finding Your Roots (PBS) - Jan. 6
Twenty new celebrity guests will sit down with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to learn about their genealogical history and the journeys of their ancestors dating back hundreds of years when season 12 premieres.
Best Medicine (Fox) - Jan. 6
The series centers on Dr. Martin Best (Josh Charles), a brilliant surgeon who abruptly leaves his illustrious career in Boston to become the general practitioner in a quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent summers as a child. Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, and he quickly alienates the town, even though he's all they've got. Although Martin can expertly address any medical ailment or mystery in this idiosyncratic town, he’s really just desperate to be left the hell alone. Instead, he keeps getting dragged right smack into the middle of their personal chaos, feuds and fantasies. What the locals don’t know is that Martin’s terse demeanor masks a debilitating new phobia and childhood trauma that prevent him from experiencing true intimacy with anyone. But tenacity is the creed of everyone in their small village, and the people who live there may be exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Masked Singer (Fox) - Jan. 7
Season 14 debuts with new mystery celebrities.
The Valley: Persian Style (Bravo) - Jan. 8
A spinoff of The Valley, this series follows a tight-knit group of Persian friends who have traded Beverly Hills for suburban life in the Valley. As they juggle marriages, parenthood and thriving careers, cracks in their relationships – both between lovers and friends – begin to emerge. Rooted in their culture that values family, friendships and loyalty above everything else, emotions often take over as these fiery personalities navigate their highs, lows and everything in between.
The Traitors (Peacock) - Jan. 8
During season four, fate takes the spotlight as contestants tempt destiny inside the castle - where every move, alliance, and betrayal could change the game.
HIS & HERS (Netflix) - Jan. 8
Set in the sweltering heat of Atlanta, Anna lives in haunting reclusivity, fading away from her friends and career as a news anchor. But when she overhears about a murder in Dahlonega – the sleepy town where she grew up – Anna is snapped back to life, pouncing on the case and searching for answers. Detective Jack Harper is strangely suspicious of her involvement, chasing her into the crosshairs of his own investigation. There are two sides to every story: HIS & HERS, which means someone is always lying.
The Hunting Party (NBC) - Jan. 8
The Hunting Party is a high-concept crime procedural about a small team of investigators led by former FBI profiler Rebecca "Bex" Henderson (Melissa Roxburgh). They’ve been assembled to track down and capture the most dangerous killers the world has ever seen, all of whom have just escaped from “The Pit,” a top-secret government prison that’s not supposed to exist. As Bex races to catch these killers before it's too late, she’ll discover the one thing more twisted than the dangerous fugitives she's chasing is the prison itself that they just escaped from…because “The Pit” wasn’t just a prison.
A Thousand Blows (Hulu) - Jan. 9
Inspired by the true-life stories of a group of characters battling for survival in the brutal East End of London in the 1880s. One year later, Hezekiah's a shadow of the man he once was whilst Sugar Goodson is estranged from his family and drinking himself to death. Just as Wapping is about to sigh its last breath, Mary Carr bursts back into town with her loyal second, Alice Diamond, to reassemble her gang and reclaim her crown. As always, Mary has a plan; one which will involve all those she holds dearest. And this time it's riskier than ever.
Maxxed Out (OWN) - Jan. 10
OWN dives into the emotional and financial chaos impacting families and friends across America with its bold new series, Maxxed Out.
This unflinching eight-episode series reveals how money (and mismanaged money) can strain even the strongest relationships. Each episode uncovers the “What were you thinking?” moments behind financial disasters and the tough love it takes to turn things around.
Tell Me Lies (Hulu) - Jan. 13
Tell Me Lies season three follows Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) as they've rekindled their tumultuous romance in time for spring semester at Baird College. While they promise things will be different this time, past indiscretions hinder their best intentions, and Lucy finds herself embroiled in a controversy she wants nothing to do with. Meanwhile, the disastrous repercussions from the previous year also force Lucy and Stephen's friends to face their own destructive behaviors. As scandalous secrets fester around campus, vicious consequences threaten Lucy and everyone in her circle.
Suddenly Amish (TLC) - Jan. 13
TLC’s all-new series follows six non-Amish individuals on a rare journey as they leave behind their modern “English" lifestyle and step into a deeply traditional Amish community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Seeking a profound change from their present way of modern life, each participant contemplates the possibility of converting into Amish society, as they navigate drastically different routines and a culture defined by faith, discipline, simplicity and community.
Pole to Pole With Will Smith (National Geographic) - Jan. 13
This January, Will Smith takes audiences on the ultimate journey of discovery in the new National Geographic original series. Five years in the making, the series follows Will across all seven continents, taking him from the icefields of Antarctica to the jungles of the Amazon, the mountains of the Himalayas, the deserts of Africa, the islands of the Pacific and the icebergs of the Arctic.
Fear Factor: House of Fear (Fox) - Jan. 14
Hosted by Johnny Knoxville, the iconic reality competition Fear Factor is coming back bigger, bolder and more daring as Fear Factor: House of Fear! Dropped into an unforgiving, remote location, a group of strangers will live together under one roof, and face mind-blowing stunts, harrowing challenges and a twisted game of social strategy where trust is fleeting—and fear is a weapon. Only one contestant will conquer all their fears and walk away with the massive grand prize!
Riot Women (Britbox) - Jan. 14
A teacher, a police officer, a pub landlady, a midwife and a shoplifting freeloader: Five menopausal women form a punk rock band to take part in a local talent contest, and suddenly find they have a lot more to shout about than they ever imagined. As they become closer, the teacher, Beth, and freeloader, Kitty, discover a surprising, heartbreaking connection.
Going Dutch (Fox) - Jan. 15
Season two debuts.
Animal Control (Fox) - Jan. 15
Season four debuts in its regular time slot.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO) - Jan. 18
From the world of Westeros comes an endearing tale centered on the adventures of an unexpected duo.
Drops of God (Apple TV+) - Jan. 21
In season two of the multilingual drama, Camille and Issei are thrust into their most perilous challenge yet: to uncover the origin of the world’s greatest wine, a mystery so profound that even their legendary father, Alexandre Léger, could not solve it. What begins as a pursuit of legacy, becomes a search for truth that spans continents and centuries, unearthing forgotten histories, hidden rivalries and secrets buried for generations. As the search pushes them to the edges of the world, and to the darkest corners of themselves—Camille and Issei must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice. The answer could shatter their bond as siblings…or destroy them both.
American Idol (ABC) - Jan. 26
American Idol premieres its ninth season on ABC and 24th season overall. Music superstars Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood return as judges alongside Emmy Award-winning host Ryan Seacrest. For the first time ever, Idol will bring the iconic Hollywood Week round to Nashville. Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover will feature one round only as the hopefuls from all musical genres take the stage for a make-or-break performance, facing the biggest Hollywood Week cut in Idol history.
Memory of a Killer (Fox) - Jan. 26
Inspired by the book and 2003 award-winning Belgian film De Zaak Alzheimer, Memory of A Killer is a dramatic thriller starring Emmy nominee Patrick Dempsey as a hitman, Angelo Doyle, leading a dangerous double life while hiding an even deadlier personal secret.
Extracted (Fox) - Jan. 26
Season two of the family reality competition series debuts.
Shrinking (Apple TV+) - Jan. 28
Shrinking follows a grieving therapist (Jason Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives…including his own.
Bridgerton (Netflix) - Jan. 29
The fourth season turns its focus to bohemian second son Benedict (Luke Thompson). Despite his elder and younger brothers both being happily married, Benedict is loath to settle down -- until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother's masquerade ball.
Next Level Chef (Fox) - Jan. 29
The cooking competition series returns for season five.
Fear Factor: House of Fear (Fox) - January 2026
Dropped into an unforgiving, remote location, a group of strangers will live together under one roof, and face mind-blowing stunts, harrowing challenges and a twisted game of social strategy where trust is fleeting—and fear is a weapon. Only one contestant will conquer all their fears and walk away with the massive grand prize!