Draft:Celebrity Substitute

  • Comment: Your manual referencing is very wrong. Read WP:REFB to understand how to use proper citations. Bobby Cohn (talk) 21:27, 5 November 2024 (UTC)


Celebrity Substitute
Genre
Created by
Directed by
  • Jake Wilson
Original languageEnglish
Original release
Release2024 (2024) –
present

Celebrity Substitute is an American web series created by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Julian Shapiro Barnum.

Hosted by Shapiro Barnum, directed by Jake Wilson, and produced by Danielle Perelman, Zach Stafford, and Sean Walsh, the show features celebrities stepping into real classrooms across the United States to act as substitute teachers, leading students through hands-on lessons related to their areas of expertise.

The series premiered on YouTube in October 2024, with Amazon sponsoring the first season.[1][2]

Background

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Shapiro Barnum, known for his work on Recess Therapy, co-created the series with Pasek & Paul. Reflecting on the series' purpose, Shapiro Barnum stated, "I wanted to bring together learning and joy, giving students a unique chance to meet people who inspire them".[3][4]

Format

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Celebrity Substitute is presented as a web series with short-form content published on YouTube, along with promotional clips on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Each episode is structured around an interactive lesson in which Shapiro Barnum, serving as co-host, guides the celebrity guest and students through activities tied to the celebrity’s skills and background. Wilson’s direction emphasizes a blend of education and entertainment, capturing the dynamics of each celebrity-led lesson, such as acting workshops with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, and a K-pop dance session with Lisa from BlackPink.[1]

Episodes typically conclude with a donation to the school, facilitated by Amazon's wishlist program, which provides items tailored to the school's needs. This element highlights the importance of community contributions in supporting education.[4]

Reception

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Since its debut, Celebrity Substitute has been covered by media outlets such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Rolling Stone, receiving praise for its unique combination of celebrity culture and educational impact.[1][2][3]

Critics have noted the show's success in making learning accessible and engaging while also emphasizing its philanthropic dimension through Amazon's wishlist sponsorship. The series has been recognized for its role in bringing visibility to educational needs and promoting community involvement.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Variety, "Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield join Celebrity Substitute for educational fun".
  2. ^ a b Hollywood Reporter, "Inside Celebrity Substitute with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield".
  3. ^ a b Rolling Stone, "Lisa from BlackPink teaches dance on Celebrity Substitute".
  4. ^ a b c Tubefilter, "Celebrity Substitute brings celebrities into classrooms for meaningful lessons".