Why there will never be a fake reality show about academia

Earlier this year I explained in laborious detail why the academy was not a fertile ground for a reality show. Undaunted by this pronouncement from on high, some Harvard graduate students have come up with a brilliant end-run around this dictum — an Office-like show about the academy (hat tip: CoreEcon): If you’re in the ...

By , a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

Earlier this year I explained in laborious detail why the academy was not a fertile ground for a reality show. Undaunted by this pronouncement from on high, some Harvard graduate students have come up with a brilliant end-run around this dictum -- an Office-like show about the academy (hat tip: CoreEcon): If you're in the "field," as it were, I dare you to watch this and not laugh (my favorite part -- the third flash card). I am curious whether those not in the social sciences will find it as funny. My guess is "no," but I'll leave it for the commenters to decide. Either way, there are two lessons to draw from this video: 1) Harvard grad students have way too much free time at their disposal. 2) Firing political theorists is always comedy gold. UPDATE: Henry Farrell draws other useful lessons.

Earlier this year I explained in laborious detail why the academy was not a fertile ground for a reality show. Undaunted by this pronouncement from on high, some Harvard graduate students have come up with a brilliant end-run around this dictum — an Office-like show about the academy (hat tip: CoreEcon):

If you’re in the “field,” as it were, I dare you to watch this and not laugh (my favorite part — the third flash card). I am curious whether those not in the social sciences will find it as funny. My guess is “no,” but I’ll leave it for the commenters to decide. Either way, there are two lessons to draw from this video:

1) Harvard grad students have way too much free time at their disposal. 2) Firing political theorists is always comedy gold.

UPDATE: Henry Farrell draws other useful lessons.

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

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