While I know all of my readers out there love it when I analyze a bunch of characters for a full blog post, I hate to disappoint, but this one’s gonna be a little different. While you might think my writing style is developing, it’s not, it just so happens that this week I’m writing about a show with only one character: Nathan for You. Now if any of you have actually seen this show, I’m willing to pay cash (not really, come on I’m a broke college student) because absolutely nobody knows this show.
For a brief synopsis, the show follows Nathan Fielder, a business consultant who “graduated from one of Canada’s top business schools with really good grades.”
Nathan for You is essentially a spoof on the show “The Profit,” where a business expert saves failing businesses. Instead, Nathan visits middle-of-the-road businesses and pitches them an insane business model that *technically* could improve their business, but is near impossible to sustain. Then, for the rest of the episode, Nathan attempts to prove the validity of his model.
In one episode, Nathan visited a local gas station with a plan to increase sales. Nathan proposed that the owner advertise gas at 1.75 *after rebate*. But, in order for customers to claim their rebate, they have to hand-deliver it… at the top of a mountain. While Nathan was expecting the prospect of a hike to scare customers away from claiming their rebate, over 10 people were willing to take the hike. So, Nathan hired a van and led them to the top of the mountain. Upon reaching the top, Nathan informed the group that to find the rebate box they needed to complete a series of riddles, which was indicated in the fine print of the rebate form. After a night of riddles, everyone gave up without claiming their rebate, proving Nathan’s business model was a success.
I’m not kidding.
Now here’s the best part, THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES. Nathan presents these insane plans like he’s completely serious (honestly he might be serious, I have no clue) and we get to watch these actual people attempt to be polite and try out his crazy ideas. In addition, any customers or people that Nathan hires throughout the show are ALSO real people. So when Nathan puts an ad on Craigslist for a “security guard,” a “temporary position at shell oil,” a “taxi cabs drivers who want to destroy uber,” or an “oversized suit-wearer who has access to your mother’s ashes,” the responses are genuine.
As my Aerospace 204 professor says, “Americans are polite, Germans are honest.” While Dr. Maughmer was speaking to the success of the German Akaflieg, it applies to this situation, I promise. Because our society values personable social skills and polite tendencies, it’s very unnerving to watch Nathan making awkward small talk. But in actuality, it’s these small, uncomfortable moments that reveal people’s true character. There are the realists, who immediately shoot down Nathan’s ideas and sometimes, even choose to personally insult him. Then there are the dreamers, who choose to stay polite even in the most awkward of moments, and positively respond to Nathan’s ideas by keeping an open mind. This idea speaks to each business owners’ character. While I could analyze the genius behind Nathan’s orchestration of his show, I’ll just let you listen to someone deep dive into one of the best episodes, “Smoker’s Allowed.”
Nathan’s motto for a business model is essentially “it’s so dumb it might actually work.” While his ideas are easy to write off, his navigation of the legal system is actually quite intelligent. For example, in one episode, Nathan created “Dumb Starbucks,” which was an exact copy of Starbucks, but everything was called “dumb ______.” In this episode, Nathan was taking advantage of parody law, which is what shows like SNL use, where you can use a brand name if you’re making a parody off of it. Some of Nathan’s best ideas sound absolutely crazy, and really, are actually crazy, but are still genius.
Now I’ll leave you with some episodes I HIGHLY recommend giving a watch (Nathan for You is available on Hulu):
- Gas Station/Caricature Artist
- Private Investigator/Taxi Company
- Souvenir Shop/ELAIFF
- Dumb Starbucks
- Electronics Store
- The Movement
- Sporting Goods Store/Antique Shop
- Smoker’s Allowed
- Nail Salon/Fun (Only watch after Private Investigator)
- Shipping Logistics Company (AMAZING)
- The Anecdote, (lookup “Nathan Fielder Jimmy Kimmel Live Pulled Over by the police and watch that first)
I really find it interesting that people were actually serious enough to take the hikes. I liked how you introduced the show and how engaging was your journey. Unlike others, this show hasn’t earned a spot in my top shows, unlike others in your blog. By the way, have you watched Money Heist? I went nuts over that show, I’m on season 2 and it is getting really suspenseful.
I haven’t watched money heist! I’ll have to try it and get back to you!
I haven’t watched money heist! I’ll have to try it and get back to you!
I really enjoyed your blog and this show! This is unlike anything I have ever seen before and I think it’s a really interesting look into human nature. I’ve always been interested in psychology and sociology but sometimes I wish the experiments were more outlandish. I just finished up a season of another show so I’ll have to start watching this one soon. I think it is so interesting to see people act so genuinely without the added guise of performance/acting. Overall, excellent show and blog!
Yes oh my gosh I think you would really enjoy the psychology behind this show, it’s cringey while at the same time entertaining, so it’s super fun to watch.