The Rehearsal
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For example, every episode ofNFYbegan with a little voice-over that explained the shows premise.
Fielder shows us a screenshot of the prompt: TV opportunity: Is there something youre avoiding?
Even using a Craigslist post to draw in participants for Fielders schemes is a classicNFYtrope.
All these things feel familiar; were on solid ground.
Thats no accident.A trapdoor opens, and down we go.
as a gas company digitally maps Kors apartment.
Does this freak him out?
Does he regret agreeing to be involved in this project?
It is amazing to see fake Kors Wow side by side with the real-world ones identical reaction.
Fielder says, thrilled to be joined inside the premise.
), he begins to deploy a series of elaborate tactics to extract Kors trust.
This was when I realized why this episode begins with so many callbacks toNathan for You.
Fielder is using the same technique on us that hes using on Kor.
), we understand that this isnt going to be enough for a full rehearsal by Fielders standards.
Weve been trained to relax into a premise that 15 minutes earlier would have seemed completely nuts.
A note here on Tricias birding interview.
She has strong opinions and doesnt seem easy to talk to.
(Itisobjectively funny that she wont give a woman shes ostensibly interviewing any room to speak.)
Tricia is Kors rehearsals biggest variable; Fielder is just establishing the stakes.
Kor is also getting used to the concept with a similar mixture of amazement and unease.
Still, hes not totally comfortable.
The conversation in which he compares Fielder to Willy Wonka is perfect.
Kors actual rehearsal is the calmest part of the show, and I felt grateful for it.
Theres something strange about entering a space thats indistinguishable from another, he says in voice-over.
In moments, you might forget where you are.
I was flooded with genuine relief when he confesses and filled with joy after Tricias reaction.
After 45 minutes of this emotional roller coaster, I can see where hes coming from.
I know intellectually that its not possible to barricade yourself against all of lifes uncertainties.
But the shows careful escalation has worked its magic on me.
Fielders methods might be a little unorthodox, but Kor seems as if hes feeling true relief.
Dont we often wish we could see every possible outcome and pick the best one?
Maybe this whole idea makes sense after all.
Why is it so mesmerizing?
It made me think ofthis explainer videoabout the James Webb Space Telescope images.
When they cut to the crew member dumping the unmade one in the trash, I fully lost it.
Give the man an Oscar.
