Nathan for You Review: A Deadpan Business Experiment
9/10 — Nathan for You (2013)
Pros
- Deadpan comedy
- Brilliant finale
- Inventive schemes
Cons
- Cringe may be too much
- Some stunts feel exploitative
Comedian Nathan Fielder presents himself as a business consultant, offering real small businesses outlandish ideas, including a parody coffee shop called ‘Dumb Starbucks’. The show ran for four seasons.
What works
The deadpan delivery is brilliant, and the show treats its premise with such seriousness that the awkward silences become hilarious. The finale, ‘Finding Frances’, is surprisingly moving and a highlight.
Where it falters
The cringe humour is not for everyone, and some stunts feel manipulative of their participants.
Verdict
Inventive, uncomfortable and brilliant.
