Did Nathan Fielder Fly The Plane? ‘The Rehearsal' S2 Finale, Explained
HBO's The Rehearsal season 2 finale has sparked debate, as viewers were left wondering how much of the series had been staged, or deceptively edited.
Nathan Fielder's comedy has always walked a fine line between truth and performance. In the finale of The Rehearsal's second season, Fielder appears to fly a plane full of passengers, and lands safely.
Viewers weren't sure what to make of the stunt. Did Nathan really fly that plane? Were the passengers actually on board?
Was the truth behind the flight really the point?
Given the premise of the show and hints dropped by Fielder during the finale, it seems that the truth lay somewhere in the middle, with the ambiguity being the point.
Yes, and no. Fielder has always been interested in the performance that people instinctively adopt for the camera, and uses his intensely awkward persona to break that facade.
His work often explores the phenomenon of people working together toward a delusional goal, and the shared hesitance to voice the obvious.
Previously, Fielder has discussed being inspired by the 2008 financial crisis, rooted in "these personal moments between people where someone senses something's wrong, but they don't want to speak up."
His breakout series, Nathan For You, saw Fielder successfully convince real people to undertake ludicrous business proposals.
In season one of The Rehearsal, Fielder still leaned on the eccentric individuals that his process uncovered, but the focus was more on himself, or rather, his persona.
Season 2 is even more focused on Fielder, with the distinction between persona and personality all the blurrier.
Season 2 of The Rehearsal sees Fielder explore his fixation with plane crashes, which he believes are often caused by miscommunication between co-pilots and their captains.
Fielder comes to the conclusion that the hierarchy in the cockpit, combined with the professional consequences of speaking out, often leads to tragedy.
Fielder reckons that these crashes can be avoided if pilots could be encouraged to speak their minds, and embarks on an increasingly bizarre series of training exercises and rehearsals to try and enter the minds of pilots.
Fielder's talent for finding eccentrics and oddballs is still there—he meets a couple who cloned their dog multiple times, and a man who attempts to sell a hilariously dilapidated plane, assuring Fielder that broken dials and knobs will not affect his safety in the slightest.
Fielder, however, is the main character of this series, and some of the most surreal moments come from his self-imposed experiments (a scene where a diaper-wearing Fielder is breastfed by a gigantic, motherly puppet has to be seen to be believed).
The series walks a fine line between truth and fiction, but the finale reveals that Fielder has spent two years training for his pilot license, and is now qualified to fly a 737.
Fielder is then shown flying the plane with a visibly nervous co-pilot, who Fielder encourages to speak his mind. Fielder appears to successfully land the plane, with 150 people on board.
However, not all is as it seems, as Fielder deliberately mentions the art of pulling off a 'magic trick' during the finale, hinting at some sort of deception.
Judging from the footage, which was also shot outside of the plane, Fielder does appear to have flown the 737. On Reddit, fans of the show even tracked down the flight, which appears to have taken place on Feb 16 of this year.
However, it appears that the plane was not actually full of passengers, and that Fielder's co-pilot was the only individual on board.
Scenes of the passengers entering the plane, and applauding Fielder's landing seem to have been edited alongside the real flight, the 'magic trick' that Fielder told his audience he was going to pull off.
Despite Fielder's meta-comedy, it appears he was attempting to make a serious point, not just about airline safety, but the persona that people put on when in positions of responsibility and authority.
In a final twist, Fielder appeared on CNN to discuss his findings from the show, and cheekily pointed out that the power dynamic between Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown mirrored the imbalance in the cockpit.
'You're Wolf Blitzer, right?' Fielder said. 'So you're like, your name is first on the thing. So I'm sure, Pamela, at times you might not want to say, 'Oh, Wolf wants to do something. I don't think it's a good idea.' You might not want to express that, always.'
Both hosts appeared disarmed by Fielder's comment, and stammered a defense, with Brown politely insisting that Blitzer doesn't have an 'ego' and that she feels free to speak up.
However, Brown did admit that Fielder had a point.
Clearly, Nathan Fielder's talent for disarming people on camera, even media-savvy news hosts, is as sharp as ever.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sydney Sweeney Is Facing A Backlash Over Her New American Eagle Campaign. Here's What People Are Saying
Sydney Sweeney's new collaboration with the fashion brand American Eagle has become the centre of a whole lot of debate. The Euphoria star unveiled a new campaign with the American clothing brand last week, to promote their line of denim last week. However, it didn't take long before social media clips to promote the deal sparked a wave of discomfort among many critics, largely due to some of the language that's used in the campaign. This is the story so far… What is Sydney Sweeney's new ad campaign for American Eagle all about? For American Eagle's autumn 2025 campaign, Sydney Sweeney can be seen sporting items from the brand's denim range, including a new pair of jeans inspired by her. The campaign also makes use of the slogan 'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans', a pun on the term 'great genes'. In another, she explains: 'Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour.' 'My jeans are blue,' she then quips, at which point a narrator delivers the line: 'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.' Why are some people upset about Sydney Sweeney's new ads for American Eagle? Unfortunately this repeated use of the slogan 'great jeans', a pun on 'great genes', has put some viewers in mind of the language used by white supremacists and eugenicists. By centring a blonde, white star in a campaign referencing 'genes', some critics are accusing the brand of tone-deafness at best – particularly in the current political climate – and deliberately pushing a white supremacist agenda at worst. HuffPost UK has contacted representatives for both Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle for comment. Others are pointing out that Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle campaign doesn't mention one other important aspect of the product American Eagle's new 'Sydney Jean' features a butterfly detail on its back pocket, in a nod to domestic violence awareness, a cause which the White Lotus star has championed throughout her career. In fact, an American Eagle press release confirmed that '100% of the purchase price from 'The Sydney Jean' will be donated to Crisis Text Line', a charity in the US which aims to help those affected by domestic violence. However, the ads are also being criticised for not highlighting this key part of the campaign, with some saying its accompanying slogan is even more jarring as a result. Has Sydney Sweeney or American Eagle said anything about the controversy? Not yet, but we'll be sure to keep you updated if and when they do… READ MORE: Glen Powell's Ex Makes Veiled Comments About How Sydney Sweeney Rumours Affected Relationship Sydney Sweeney Fires Back After Producer's Takedown Of Her Looks And Talent Sydney Sweeney Makes Blunt Comment On Women's Empowerment In Hollywood
CNET
3 hours ago
- CNET
Access More Than 30,000 Movies and TV Shows With This One Free Item
When I was an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I added a concentration in film studies as part of my English and Comparative Literature degree. This choice exposed me to the marvelous world of film scholarship, adding to my already fervent love for movies. The decision also meant I was screening anywhere from four to seven movies each week for assignments and my honors thesis. The one platform that saved me throughout my semesters of frantic screenings was the streaming service Kanopy. Kanopy is an on-demand video platform that boasts a catalog of 30,000-plus titles, including classics, film noirs and award nominees. And unlike other streaming services like Netflix that are consistently raising their prices, Kanopy is still free. As a college student, I had free access to the platform with my university email address. The best part -- besides Kanopy being ad-free -- is that I didn't have to give up my account after I graduated; I'm still streaming its robust offerings for free thanks to my public library card. Below, I'll show you how you can sign up with Kanopy, and why it's worth it. Read more: 9 of the Best Netflix Alternatives to Entertain You How to create a Kanopy account With Kanopy, you can stream for free — without ads — movies, TV shows and documentaries. To create a Kanopy account, you can do the following: Go to and click Get Started . . The next window will ask if you're signing up with a university credential or a public library card. Select which option applies to you. You'll need to select your library system or university from the dropdown list. To find a library near you, share your location when prompted or search for your library by name, city or ZIP code. You can do the same when searching for your university. Hit Continue. Create your Kanopy account by filling out the requested fields (name, email address and password). Click Sign Up . . You will receive a verification email from kanopy@ Open the message, and click Verify My Email . . Start streaming. You'll need to select your library system or university from the dropdown list when creating a Kanopy account. Kanopy/Screenshot by CNET Are there limits to the number of films I can watch per month? Yes, Kanopy does not offer unlimited streaming. After signing up, you can stream up to 10 titles per month. Your 10 play credits will renew at the beginning of every calendar month. These credits do not carry over if you don't use them. Why is there a monthly limit? CNET Kanopy works on a pay-per-checkout model, meaning the public library system pays a small fee each time you check out a title. By limiting checkouts to 10 titles per month, libraries can ensure they stay on budget. Which films are offered on Kanopy? Kanopy catalog gives you access to over 30,000 titles, including: Award-winning foreign films Critically acclaimed movies A24 films Documentaries Classic films from the Criterion Collection Content from the Great Courses and PBS Festival indie or world cinema Storybooks Films and series for children Some notable standout films include Memento (2000), Donnie Darko (2001), Dial M for Murder (1954), and my personal favorite, Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019). If you're interested, you can read my commentary about why I love this film so much. Does Kanopy offer seasonal collections? Yes, Kanopy offers select seasonal and speciality collections. Kanopy's Holiday Collection is released each December and includes a slew of Christmas features and documentaries, and Yuletide classics. In October, Kanopy released its Fright Fest collection -- a catalog of Halloween favorites -- comprised of horror flicks, slashers, thrillers and more. The Fright Fest collections includes A24 favorites, creepy classics, cozy horror and so much more. Kanopy/Screenshot by CNET You should also explore our full rundown of the best movies on Max, Netflix and Amazon Prime. Plus, stream our favorite horror double-feature now on Netflix.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
How Dan Mace Is Making Kindness Go Viral: Inside Beast Philanthropy's Storytelling Super‑Power
Getting involved in Philantropy What happens when you merge cinematic storytelling with philanthropy — and strip away every trick that makes traditional filmmaking sensational? For Dan Mace, the creative force behind Beast Philanthropy, the answer is both simple and profound: you find a way to tell the truth and still move millions. Mace, known for his collaborations with creators like Casey Neistat and for his own award-winning films, wasn't initially convinced that the mix of philanthropy and YouTube's fast-paced attention economy could work. 'I struggle to see these videos getting any more than 5 million views,' he admitted when first approached. Yet, the very first video he directed for Beast Philanthropy soared to 20 million views — and changed the course of his career. 'I then studied that video for a very long time to try and figure out' why it resonated so deeply with audiences. Fast forward 29 months, and Mace has helped grow the Beast Philanthropy channel to 28 million subscribers, with most videos now surpassing 25 million views each. 'When I started, people would constantly say that it's impossible to make philanthropy films 'viral.' With Jimmy Donaldson's (Mr Beast's) dedication and my exceptional team at JOE, we are pulling it off, film by film,' he said. Traditional charity films often swing between two extremes: earnestness that bores or sensationalism that exploits. 'We refuse to do either,' Dan told me. The Beast Philanthropy team instead aims for the sweet spot where entertainment, inspiration, and impact intersect—content you want to watch and feel compelled to share. That alchemy matters because on this channel every view literally funds the mission: 100 percent of ad revenue, brand deals, and merch profit flow straight back into projects on the ground. Dan Mace is a creative and visionary Filmmaker, Youtuber, CCO (Chief Creative Officer) for Beast ... More Philanthropy and the founder of JOE and ALL OF US Studios in Cape Town. For Mace, storytelling has always been about emotion — the ability to make people feel something real. But philanthropy posed a unique challenge. 'With philanthropy, and especially with BEAST, everything that we say, everything we do, is 100% true,' he explained. 'Sometimes, as a director, I think I could make this seem a lot more impactful by framing it differently, but we have to focus on being really, really honest and still make it gripping. It's a fascinating challenge.' Music is one of the tools he uses to shape that honesty into something powerful. 'We score all the films ourselves,' Mace said. 'That really helps when you have the ability to control the emotion through music, you can work people towards a crescendo with different motifs.' He often records authentic sounds on location — the footsteps, voices, and rhythms of the communities they're filming — and weaves these elements into the score to make the films feel alive and deeply personal. Beast Philanthropy is not just about creating content — it's about creating change. Every view directly fuels real-world impact. 'The sums of money that come in through philanthropy that goes straight back into philanthropy is insane,' Mace said. Unlike most charities, 100% of the revenue from ads, brand deals, merchandise, and donations goes directly to the causes. MrBeast personally covers the production costs, ensuring every penny raised is put to work. But for Mace, the most powerful moments aren't on camera. 'They're not these really aesthetic pieces of content,' he said. 'They're just legitimately sending you a video over WhatsApp, thanking you and going like, you know, this is, look at the impact it's made on the community. And that for me is the most special part.' The scale of Beast Philanthropy's work is staggering. In the past two years, the team has launched 30+ films spanning more than 20 countries, delivering everything from life-saving surgeries to solar-powered villages. They've built homes for orphans in South Africa, provided 20,000 pairs of shoes for school children, and funded 100 heart surgeries for children in Nigeria. In Asia, they've powered a mountain hospital and birthing center in Nepal, given 2,200 prosthetic limbs in Cambodia, and rebuilt shelters for hundreds of animals in Thailand. In the U.S. alone, the channel has donated over $2.7 million in clothing, 13 tons of food, $1 million in dental surgeries, and supported teachers, hospitals, and mental health organizations. 'When I look back at the projects we've brought to life across the globe, I'm so humbled,' Mace said. 'Creativity truly has the ability to change the world.' Mace approaches YouTube storytelling with the same precision he learned during his years in advertising. His formula? Impact, communication, and persuasion. 'The hook up front, this is why,' he explained. 'Once you get into the video and the hook suggests that yes, the film is indeed going to show you what you've clicked on, you go into this level of communication, and that's where you solve the emotion throughout that communication part. The persuasive elements at the end… that's transforming in those last 30 seconds of the film, giving people the ability that now they really want to be involved.' This structure ensures that viewers are not just entertained but also moved — inspired to share, donate, or simply see the world in a new way. When Mace joined Beast Philanthropy, he wanted to create something with more depth than the flashy giveaways that defined early videos. 'The videos prior were kind of… bubblegum,' he said. 'They were throwing money down and had these little explosion animations. It's just not what I was interested in.' Today, every video is designed like a cinematic mini-documentary. A project in Colombia, for example, powered a remote island but also gave women a path to financial independence by creating a bakery. 'Does the creation of a bakery on an island sound as clickable as 'We Powered an Island'?' Mace asked. 'Probably not. But once we get them to click, we can introduce the deeper story — like women's empowerment — and keep them engaged through authentic storytelling.' For Mace, Beast Philanthropy offers viewers a simple yet powerful way to contribute. 'There's this notion where it's like, okay, there's so many problems in the world, which there is,' he said. 'If you go and you just view a Beast Philanthropy video, a simple view is giving back.' Even young audiences are finding inspiration in the work. 'There's been comments of kids saving their tooth fairy money to donate a few dollars to the charity,' he shared. 'That stuff is just incredible for youth. It's given a lot of hope' Our conversation ends with a mutual sense of wonder at what storytelling can still achieve. 'I've stopped trying to be the best,' Dan says quietly. 'Now I just want to share what I've learned. Because there are so many amazing organizations out there doing incredible work—but no one sees them. And views? Views create hope.' Beast Philanthropy proves that storytelling, when done with honesty and heart, can turn attention into real impact. With just one click, a viewer can spark donations, amplify awareness, and help change lives. In a world overloaded with content, these stories stand out because they remind us that even the smallest action can make a difference.
