Nathan Fielder on ‘The Rehearsal’ Finale, His Failed Communications With Sully and How Often He’s Flying Today

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On a Sunday afternoon, Nathan Fielder and Jack Black engaged in an intriguing discussion over lunch, focusing on Nathan’s captivating HBO show, “The Rehearsal,” which delved extensively into the intricacies of the aviation sector.

In the second series of the program, Fielder embarked on a nearly three-year mission to become a genuine pilot, aiming to validate his theory that poor co-pilot-to-pilot communication is primarily responsible for airplane accidents. During a conversation with Black (who was puzzled about how he secured the moderator role at the FYC event and proposed Christopher Nolan as an alternative), Fielder disclosed his fascination with commercial aviation mishaps, which had been piquing his interest for nearly two decades. He pointed out that inadequate communication between pilots was a recurring factor in these incidents.

In the final episode of season two, Fielder unexpectedly piloted a Boeing 737, carrying 150 actors as passengers. Black commented during viewing, “I was fooled because I assumed we were on our way to a scenario reminiscent of ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’. Instead, you’ll be sitting on a panel discussing flight safety with Congress members; but then you surprised us, and it turned out that the finale wasn’t a discussion, but rather, you had mastered flying a 737 – a shocking plot twist I hadn’t anticipated.

In response, Fielder stated, “If given the opportunity to address the Congress panel, I would seize it and have done so previously. Should they invite me again, I’ll certainly take part, if possible.” He went on to express his views about the recent statement made by the FAA regarding their show, which he had earlier labeled as ‘dumb.’ At the event, he reiterated this sentiment, stating, “From what I can gather, they appear to lack a thorough understanding of the matter.

Fielder shared that after coming up with the concept for the show, he decided the most effective approach to gain a deep insight into aviation was by training as a pilot personally. This move, he added, would not only enhance his knowledge but also allow him to establish rapport with pilots more authentically, saying something like “I’m a fellow pilot.

He expressed his aim was to reach a stage where he could confidently say, “Even though it’s a small aircraft, the responsibilities as a commercial pilot are immense.” He further added, “This would not only help me maintain the right mindset but also demonstrate my commitment.” His primary objective was thus established. As for flying a large plane, he clarified that we hadn’t been certain we could do it until just a few days prior to the event. We were still working out the details at that point.

Although viewers didn’t learn until the finale that Fielder had plans to become a pilot, he had been open about it during his on-camera conversations. In the editing process, they decided it would be more engaging if this revelation occurred in the final episode instead of being spread throughout the series, making it a surprise twist. Part of this decision was based on the creative choices made during the edit.

Black inquired from Fielder, as he’s now a licensed pilot, about how frequently he takes flights. In response, the comedian shared, “I fly when I can find the time. Recently, I had to mail my passport to the Chinese Consulate to obtain a China crew visa for an upcoming flight.

He confessed with a chuckle that not flying often can make one feel a bit uneasy. ‘I guess I’ll give it a go,’ he said, but when there are long gaps between flights, doubts creep in about the need for more practice. Yet, I passed the test, so I should be confident, right?

In a whole episode focusing on Sully Sullenberger, known for his miraculous Hudson River plane landing in 2009, Fielder shared that he hasn’t spoken with him directly. He had attempted to contact him once, expressing his desire to discuss the incident, but it seemed like there was no response. Fielder joked that perhaps Sullenberger didn’t reply because it was through a representative, and he might have been surprised that someone had uncovered what truly happened during that flight. Fielder speculated that Sullenberger might not be able to openly acknowledge the incident, as it could potentially be against the law, and he was jestingly referring to his revelation on the show about Sullenberger listening to an Evanescence song on his iPod during the landing.

Fielder playfully commented, “We’re emphasizing him due to his commendable communication – although he did hold off until they were almost at the water’s edge. If I may offer some feedback as peers, perhaps he could have sought his co-pilot’s opinion a bit sooner. Few of us have managed a plane miracle, we’re an exclusive club. So here’s hoping he shares his insights now.

After the presentation at Vidiots, Black told Fielder, “Your impact on TV and movie history is truly enchanting. Watching your work makes me laugh so much, I think it’s absurdly funny. But then there’s this strange thing – it not only entertains but also addresses real-life issues effectively. It leaves me in awe, wondering, ‘How does he do that? What secret sauce is he using?’

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2025-06-02 21:55