FT News Briefing Life and Art: Nathan Fielder and ‘The Curse’
6 snips
Nov 18, 2023 
Rebecca Watson, an FT assistant arts editor and novelist, joins Stephen Bush, an FT columnist and film enthusiast, to dive into the cringe-drama-comedy series, The Curse. They explore how prestige TV is transforming comedy, discussing why laughter seems harder to come by and cringing has taken the spotlight. The conversation touches on the complexities of modern comedic narratives, the ethical implications of portrayal, and the need for genuine humor in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Satire of Reality TV
- The Curse satirizes the behind-the-scenes happenings of reality TV, like those in Fielder's earlier shows.
- It exposes the manipulation and questionable ethics often involved in reality TV production.
Poo-Flavored Yogurt
- Nathan Fielder convinced a yogurt shop to sell poo-flavored yogurt in an episode of Nathan For You.
- A business consultant on the show appeared to escalate from mildly to very annoyed, suggesting manipulation.
Exploitation for Entertainment
- People struggling financially might compromise their dignity for monetary gain. This raises ethical questions about exploiting such vulnerabilities for entertainment.