Nathan fielder challenges Paramount over anti-semitism concerns as 'The Rehearsal' revisits 'Nathan for You' episode

Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal season 2 took a striking turn as the comedian tackled the fallout from the removal of a controversial Nathan for You episode by Paramount+.

In the second episode of his HBO series, Fielder revisits "Horseback Riding/Man Zone," the Nathan for You episode that saw him launch Summit Ice, a clothing brand created to promote Holocaust awareness after he discovered a popular outdoor company he supported had honoured a Holocaust denier.

Photo: Summit Ice

Summit Ice, endorsed by several Hollywood celebrities, went on to raise millions for the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. However, Fielder reveals in The Rehearsal that the episode was removed from Paramount+ Germany and later globally due to concerns about content relating to anti-Semitism following the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict. 

Fielder reflects on the personal and professional difficulties of challenging Paramount, given that the company also airs his other series, The Curse. He draws parallels between his hesitation to confront the network and the communication failures he believes can cause aviation accidents, a central theme of The Rehearsal season 2.

In typically meticulous style, Fielder stages re-enactments to work through the controversy, including constructing a mock Nazi war room and engaging actors in a simulated debate. However, an actor ultimately accuses Fielder of bias, suggesting that rather than genuinely seeking to understand the network’s perspective, he framed the scenario to ensure he appeared righteous.

Although the Nathan for You episode remains unavailable on Paramount+, it can be streamed on Max or purchased via Prime Video.