‘The Studio’ Just Added Even More Celebrities to Its Second Season

Catherine O’Hara was phenomenal in the first season of The Studio. She wasn’t in it a bunch, but her presence loomed large both due to story reasons and because that’s who she was. It could be hard to think about anything else after you get to see that hilarious and thoughtful woman onscreen. So, to put it mildly, it will take a lot of big personalities to make up for such an incredible loss. And, while I don’t think Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are trying to replace O’Hara, they’re certainly stacking the deck in their favor.

Season 1 of The Studio was filled to the brim with celebrity cameos. While there are plenty to choose from, Dave Franco pops into my mind immediately. He managed to walk an insane tightrope that required him to balance playing a ridiculous version of himself without embarrassing himself in the process. Instead, his appearance is proof of his comedic chops and that Rogen really is done with his brother (who could have easily played the same role had it been seven or eight years earlier).

Details about the new season are in short supply, but there are rumors that it will involve the Venice Film Festival, given that Rogen was seen at the event snapping pictures last year. Now, according to Deadline, the show is rolling its cameras in the famed city and is joined by the likes of Donald Glover, Madonna, Michael Keaton, and Julia Garner. Presumably, these stars will all be playing themselves, and if I don’t hear at least one joke about Donald Glover voicing Yoshi, then what are we even doing here?

Another fun bit of meta shenanigans that the show could play with is the fact that Julia Garner is supposed to be playing Madonna in a biopic. Having a fictional version of herself that is shadowing Madonna in Venice feels perfect for The Studio. It could be a perfect blend of something that seems to be happening in real life (especially if you look at Madonna’s Instagram), but could be pushed to an absurd degree for some big old belly laughs.

I’m on board. These all sound like fun additions to a show that will have a giant comedic hole to fill.