Los Angeles, California — Nathan Fielder is making waves on HBO and Max with his latest endeavor, aiming to address critical aviation safety issues in a unique way. In a recent episode of his show The Rehearsal, Fielder took a detour to shed light on a controversy involving Paramount+, the parent company of the platform that had previously aired his previous work.
During the Sunday broadcast, Fielder shared that a 2015 episode from his earlier series, Nathan for You, had been removed from Paramount+, raising eyebrows about the motives behind the decision. The episode in question introduced viewers to the creation of Summit Ice, a winter sports apparel line established in reaction to controversial remarks made by the Vancouver-based jacket company, Taiga.
Originally intended as a lighthearted joke, Summit Ice evolved into a genuine brand that donates all its profits to the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. Fielder, who identifies as Jewish, stated that since its inception, the brand has contributed millions of dollars to the cause.
In this latest season of The Rehearsal, Fielder referred to Summit Ice as one of his most notable achievements, emphasizing its mission to demonstrate that comedy can indeed create meaningful change. This season, he employs his characteristic elaborate setups to empower co-pilots, encouraging them to assert themselves in potentially dangerous situations while flying.
Despite the removal of the episode from streaming platforms, Summit Ice has continued to raise awareness and funds for its mission. Fielder expressed his surprise upon discovering that the episode featuring the brand had been taken off Paramount+.
To address his concerns, he reached out to contacts within Paramount, navigating the sensitive situation carefully. The response was complicated, as Fielder was simultaneously involved in a scripted drama for Showtime, which also operates under the Paramount umbrella and had yet to be renewed.
In recounting his approach to the situation, Fielder noted the balancing act he faced: maintaining cordiality while expressing urgency in his communication. He humorously shared that he hired an actor to reenact the uncomfortable moment as he hovered nervously nearby—a showcase of his unique style of blending reality and performance.
Paramount informed Fielder that the episode’s removal was a deliberate decision linked to sensitivities following recent global events. They explained that executives in Germany had expressed discomfort with any content related to antisemitism in light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This local sentiment quickly escalated into a broader policy that affected the entire service.
Fielder pointed out disparities in streaming search results, citing numerous findings related to historical figures associated with hate, juxtaposed against a stark absence of content centered on Judaism. "We’ve been erased," he lamented, underscoring a troubling narrative emerging from the corporate decisions.
The episode concluded with Fielder creating a comical re-imagining of the Paramount offices in Germany, allowing him to articulate more assertively what he had wished to express in his initial, restrained communication. This layered approach highlights not only the absurdity of the situation but also Fielder’s commitment to using his platform for social awareness, even in the face of corporate resistance.