The Pediatric Oncologist
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Episode 6
| "The Pediatric Oncologist" | |
|---|---|
| The Studio episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 6 |
| Directed by | |
| Written by | Alex Gregory |
| Cinematography by | Adam Newport-Berra |
| Editing by | Eric Kissack |
| Original air date | April 23, 2025 |
| Running time | 27 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Pediatric Oncologist" is the sixth episode of the American satirical comedy television series The Studio. The episode was written by series co-creator Alex Gregory, and directed by series co-creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. It was released on Apple TV+ on April 23, 2025.
The series follows Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of the film production company Continental Studios. He attempts to save the floundering company in an industry undergoing rapid social and economic changes. In this episode, Matt accompanies his girlfriend Sarah, a pediatric oncologist, to a hospital fundraiser. The storyline highlights the contrast between Sarah's medical profession and Matt's role as a studio executive, emphasizing the differing values and expectations of their careers. When Matt argues with Sarah's colleagues during the event, the conflict underscores the challenges of reconciling their professional worlds.
The episode received positive reviews from critics, with Rogen's performance singled out for praise. His work in this installment earned him a Primetime Emmy Award.
Matt is dating a pediatric oncologist, Sarah. She convinces him to accompany her to the Ebell to attend a Cedars-Sinai Medical Center fundraiser to benefit children with cancer. Continental Studios previews Spike Jonze's new satirical film, Duhpocalypse!, starring Johnny Knoxville and Josh Hutcherson and featuring scatological humor. During the meeting, the staff and actors argue over the film's themes and tone, as it could conflict with the sales.
At the fundraiser, Matt feels out of place with Sarah's colleagues, and also feels bummed that they are not passionate about films, preferring to watch things on streaming. He gets into an argument with Sarah and her colleagues when they feel his job is not as demanding as their professions, while questioning if his MK Ultra action series deserves to be called "art". During a charity bid for an expensive golfing vacation at Royal County Down Golf Club with Scottie Scheffler, Sarah's colleagues bid over $100,000, appearing to win, but are shocked when Matt suddenly bids $200,000 and wins the vacations. Sarah is very upset with Matt, and forces him to apologize and hand over the prize.
While Matt apologizes, he will only agree to give them the vacations if they admit his job is as important as their profession. This leads to another argument, where Matt insults them as the establishment is more known for filming locations than their own fundraisers. Matt finally admits to Sarah that their relationship cannot work as they have no respect for each other, and leaves to answer a call regarding the final edits to the trailer for Duhpocalypse!. Matt trips over a balloon, and finds that he broke his pinky. He goes back to Sarah's table, but she asks him to leave. As he walks away, he collapses on a table and is taken by an ambulance, ending on bad terms with Sarah. Later, Matt hooks up with Knoxville's agent Leigh, who is more knowledgeable about films but less enthusiastic about him.
Production
Development
The episode was written by series co-creator Alex Gregory, and directed by series co-creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. It marked Gregory's second writing credit, Rogen's sixth directing credit, and Goldberg's sixth directing credit.[1]
Writing
Rogen explained that the inspiration behind the episode originated when he and Goldberg wrote Superbad, remarking that they learned that "the more you see someone get sh-t on, the more terrible behavior they can get away with." He added, "the fact that nobody likes me and no one hangs around me, I think, allows my character to push the comedy further, and my character's likability was a real active topic of discussion as we were shooting the show."[2] While some aspects were changed to make the doctors "meaner" than originally written, Rogen said that the episode was "based on my own feelings, being at tables with doctors and not feeling respected — nor should I — but that is based on my own ego. And placating people, kissing people's asses because you want a thing, wanting to be thanked, but a part of it is also from a very human, relatable place."[2]
Filming
The episode was filmed in June 2024. Rogen remarked that they would continue filming oners even if they did not end up as planned, "It's good to just finish the first few [takes], for morale."[3]