I wasn't sure about it at first, but the more I watch this show, the more I like it. I'm up to episode 12.
Warning: Spoiler!I agree that Onodera is an underhanded jerk, but acting is a pretty cutthroat industry. Maya and the others will have to learn how to navigate the shark pool if they want to succeed. (Besides it just makes me root for them even more.) I know they haven't told much about it, but it seems to me that Tsukikage's "accident" that damaged her face and ended her acting career was probably not an accident.
Maya won the hearts of the audience and that was the most important victory. Even Ayumi acknowledged defeat. She knew that Maya's performance was the one people would remember in years to come. To me, it just highlighted that the competition was more about politics and less about acting.
It's becoming one of my favorites, too.