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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Now here is a television series that I had absolutely no clue about just by watching the vague trailer — Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal, a new HBO comedy documentary program. I got to watch the first few episodes of this 6-episode first season show, and it had me laughing out loud way more than I had expected. The series premiere is titled, “Orange Juice, No Pulp”. It is written and directed by Nathan Fielder.
In this review, I will be discussing The Rehearsal Season 1 Episode 1. There will be no spoilers here, as the title of this article suggests. Nonetheless, please proceed with caution and read ahead at your own discretion to avoid any possible revelations.
Plot Synopsis
According to WarnerMedia, here is the synopsis for The Rehearsal.
Nathan Fielder (“Nathan For You,” “HBO’s How To with John Wilson”) returns to television for a new series that explores the lengths one man will go to reduce the uncertainties of everyday life. With a construction crew, a legion of actors, and seemingly unlimited resources, Fielder allows ordinary people to prepare for life’s biggest moments by “rehearsing” them in carefully crafted simulations of his own design. When a single misstep could shatter your entire world, why leave life to chance?
WarnerMedia
Discussion
I must make one thing clear. In watching this first season of The Rehearsal ahead of release, I have agreed with WarnerMedia publicity to not reveal how exactly Nathan Fielder is involved in this project. Now that I have seen this first episode a couple of times, I am not quite sure. While I do have a sense of what his role is, I still cannot explain what he does. The series’ title itself along with its synopsis gives just a basic premise away: Fielder works with individuals and helps them “rehearse” for a real-life scenario.
Nothing has been spoiled yet, right? This weekend’s second episode does give one hint as to what happens. Of course, we’ll get there when we get there, but other than that, your guess is just good as mine. This first episode follows Nathan Fielder as he helps a 50-year-old teacher from Brooklyn, Kor Skeet, rehearse for a conversation with a friend. Within the confines of 44 minutes, the show gives us a nonlinear and somewhat complex narrative, one that I find rather memorable.
Crucial Elements
Going into it knowing little, I found this first episode to be extremely promising. There are a few elements of the series premiere that I am most fond of, the first of which is the look of the show. I appreciate how detailed Ohwaki, Takenouchi, Sanders, Porter, and Wichman can be — to an extent — when it comes to recreating a couple of buildings in Skeet’s life. While there are some minor flaws, as Fielder points out with a chair, for example, it is just close enough to coming up with a copy of what’s real.
The second aspect, and a more specific one at that, is the cast. In this episode, Venditti, Neal, Butler, Feldman, and Pho gather an incredulous cast, along with Burgdorf and Freeman, both of whom I want to explain in a little more detail. Next to the latter two actors hired for this episode is Nation as the fake trivia host. I found it uncanny seeing him juxtaposed with the actual trivia host we see in the Alligator Lounge which Skeet frequents. His mannerisms are just as excellent as Burgdorf’s and Freeman’s.
Lastly, we have the screenwriting aspect of the episode. The way Nathan Fielder helps Skeet “rehearse” the scenario depicted here is remarkable. I do not want to give away just exactly how he accomplishes this, but consider me impressed. The method they use is an interesting one as it provides myriad options for reaching a successful ending to the scenario. I am curious as to whether Fielder uses this throughout the rest of the series or if there are other ways to go about it. For now, I enjoy what he is doing in this first episode.
Simulacrum of the Scenario
I don’t want to give away the magic too much, so allow me to explain it in terms I am personally familiar with. The “simulation” in which Nathan Fielder places Skeet consists of copies. Copies of what exactly, you might ask? The episode presents us with “doppelgangers” of Skeet’s home and the bar that he frequents. Not just that, but we also see copies of himself and some other people that he knows. Dialogue, body language, and other mannerisms are mimicked and collected as data to properly comprehend how the scenario might be played out.
What The Rehearsal achieves is the construction of simulacra. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the simulacrum is defined as “an image or representation of someone or something”. In Skeet’s case, we have a copy of his environmental world. I believe what makes this series Gothic in nature is its ability to provide an uncanny atmosphere.
Nathan Fielder corroborates this idea in his statements throughout the episode:
[W]hen you reveal your true self, people don’t always like what they see. … There’s something strange about entering a space that’s indistinguishable from another. In moments, you can forget where you are. … Maybe it’s easiest to choose a path when you can live the future first, to free yourself from doubt and regret, to always know the answers.
Nathan Fielder, ‘The Rehearsal’ Season 1 Episode 1, “Orange Juice, No Pulp”
In one instance of surrealism, one individual cites Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. If we look back at Roald Dahl’s classic novel, it is full of uncanniness. One room was recreated so that a river is chocolate liquid, grass that can be consumed, and more. The Rehearsal does something similar but has Nathan Fielder’s signature over it.
The Crew of The Rehearsal
The Rehearsal is created by Nathan Fielder.
Fielder, Clark Reinking, Dan McManus, and Christie Smith serve as the executive producers. Regina Heyman serves as the producer of the documentary.
Marco Cordero is the director of photography. Adam Locke-Norton serves as the editor, while Isaiah Fernandez is the assistant editor.
Rosie Sanders is the production designer. Briana Jorgenson serves as the costume designer, while Jason E. Frey is the set costumer.
Ayaka Ohwaki is the art director, while Maki Takenouchi is the assistant art director. Katy Porter is the set decorator, while Graham Wichman is the assistant set decorator.
Jennifer Venditti is the casting director for the episode. Alan Scott Neal serves as the casting associate, while Nick Butler is the casting assistant. Todd Feldman and Lucy Pho are the background casting directors.
The Cast of The Rehearsal
Gigi Burgdorf portrays a fake Tricia, while K. Todd Freeman portrays a fake Kor Skeet.
Tony Nation and Vilma Donovan portray a fake trivia host and a fake bartender, respectively. Raymond Lopez portrays a fake pizza cook.
Kristina Marie Horan plays a DKNY woman, while Roy James Wilson plays a police officer. Selwyn Wright Jr. portrays a construction worker, while Arnold Y. Kim appears as a fisherman.
Performances
Freeman’s portrayal of Kor Skeet is hilarious, but he did not have me convinced until the end of the episode. While I did wonder what the actual Kor’s reaction would have been, we do see what Freeman simulates in his depiction of the individual. I would have liked to see more of this actor, but the episode focuses more on Kor, so it would not be necessary anyway.
Burgdorf’s portrayal of Tricia is on point with the actual Tricia. The actor succeeds in studying the “source material” and making sure she simulates the actual person with no minutiae left out. If you saw her too, you would most definitely agree with what I am saying. It would be interesting to see a longer cut of this episode just to see how Skeet simulates his scenario with the fake Tricia.
Final Thoughts on Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal Series Premiere
“Orange Juice, No Pulp” makes for a radical pilot of Nathan Fielder’s new project. The next episode, “Scion”, is shorter and while I do not personally enjoy the premise for that, it does set up what the rest of the show has in store for us. As someone who is not acquainted with Fielder’s works, The Rehearsal is a neat introduction to his repertoire. You are in for a chaotic ride with this series!
Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal is now airing on HBO and streaming via HBO Max!
Have you seen this series? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more The Rehearsal updates as well as comedy and documentary-related news and reviews, don’t forget to follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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