Nathan For You Episodes - Ongoing Post

He graduated from a Canadian business school with really good grades, this, is Nathan For You

One of my favourite, yet little known TV series' is Nathan For You, an American doc-reality series that follows 'successful business graduate' Nathan Fielder, as he "helps" real struggling business owners to bring new customers into their stores. Nathan Fielder writes and stars in the show, his comedic timing and ability to keep a straight face make it brilliant, and comically highlight the reactions of the real people involved. We can almost only hope that the show doesn't ever get too popular, for fear of ruining the verisimilitude of this programme. The character Nathan has created for himself never breaks, and the episodes range from the ridiculous (poop flavoured fro-yo) to the downright genius (the world's greatest rebate located at the top of a mountain). For no particular reason other than an excuse to rewatch the show, here is every episode of Nathan For You, rated:

Season 1:

S1, E1 - Yogurt Shop/Pizzeria 

RATING 6.5/10

"If you heard that a frozen yogurt shop in your neighbourhood had a poo flavour, you wouldn't go to check it out?" 

The first episode of Nathan For You sets the premise of the show brilliantly. It jumps straight into Nathan's interactions with the owner of the yogurt shop. He then pitches his idea to the owner who laughs but agrees to try it (the general reaction from these business owners), and goes to create the bespoke flavour. After a meeting with a taste trial group and a lawyer Nathan starts directing custom to the store by standing outside, pretending to drop his personal items and then when members of the public help him, he tells them about the new flavour. His idea for the pizzeria shop is to guarantee 8 minute delivery or, the customers get a free (inch big) pizza. Unsurprisingly it doesn't go too well with reactions ranging from incredulous laughter to "take your pizza and stick it up your ass."

This episode is a little awkward, and I am sure some people will be turned off by poo fro-yo. It is a little rough around the edges, as with most first episodes, and indeed seasons,  but the introduction to the character, the pure cringe-factor of the his job interviews, and the cameo but the voice of Bob (Bob's Burgers) makes it worthwhile watching.

S1, E2 - Santa/Petting Zoo 

RATING 5/10

"Be less like you and more like me"

The best part of this episode is the Teen Street segment. This is one to skip unless you really like the show or want to watch every episode. This episode covers discount photos of Santa in the summer, creating a 'Shamu' animal for a petting zoo by creating a fake viral video of a pig saving a goat. It is hard to tell what this episode is lacking, but it is my least favourite.

S1, E3 - Clothing Store/Restaurant 

RATING 5.5/10

"I noticed that you guys have a strict, "bathroom for customers only" policy, and for that I congratulate you. Congratulations... on losing money."

This is slightly better than episode 2, the restaurant by itself is a solid 8/10 but the clothing store just isn't as well done, I think because it's slightly less believable than some of the other ideas presented in the show - the premise is that the store will encourage attractive people to shoplift so that their friends will then see the clothes and want to buy them.

S1, E4 - Gas Station/Caricature Artist 

RATING 10/10

"Do you find this drawing funny? If you answered yes, you're probably caricature artist Greg Dohlen. He was the one that drew it."

This is a perfect Nathan For You episode, and my favourite from any of the seasons. The ideas presented to both businesses could genuinely work in the real world. The two ideas are; the world's hardest tax rebate for gas, and to become an offensive caricature artist.

It is heartwarming, offensive, silly, and above all hilarious. All the real life participants are great characters in their own right, the cherry on top is the gas station owner - particularly the final five minutes, where he and Nathan discuss drinking your grandchild's pee (not relevant at all to the rest of the episode and you can see how uncomfortable and surprised Nathan is).

S1, E5 - Haunted House/The Hunk 

RATING 7/10

"I realized, I didn't have to do crazy stunts to get women to like me. I just had to be myself, inside a $5000 per night mansion with a TV crew filming me". 

The problem with the hunk is that it relies on the audience understanding the play on "The Bachelor" which a lot of UK viewers may not get. The haunted house section feels a lot more like an episode of Punk'd than a Nathan for You skit, but it is still an entertaining watch.

S1, E6 - Funeral Home/Burger Joint/Skydiving

RATING 6/10

"Of all the ways to make money from dead bodies, perhaps one of the most popular is running a funeral home"

The ideas for this episode, is to allow people to buy more friends for their funeral, $100 of the owner's own money if the burger isn't the best one the customer has tasted, and the skydiving one, well he decides they don't need any help. 

The funeral home owner is very believable and is clearly so uncomfortable at times. The radio station section where the callers give their opinion on the burger promotion is brilliant and you can hear extra people in the background laughing throughout. 

S1, E7 - The Claw of Shame

RATING /10

S1, E8 - Private Investigator/Taxi Company

RATING