Draft:Celebrity Substitute

Submission declined on 5 November 2024 by Bobby Cohn (talk).

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Declined by Bobby Cohn 5 minutes ago. Last edited by Bobby Cohn 5 minutes ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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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 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

The concept for Celebrity Substitute originated from Shapiro Barnum’s interest in merging entertainment with education by connecting students with high-profile mentors who could inspire them.

Shapiro Barnum, known for his work on Recess Therapy, co-created the series with Pasek & Paul. Director Jake Wilson was brought on to shape the visual and narrative tone of each episode, capturing the spontaneous energy of classroom interactions. 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]

Each episode features a different celebrity guest teaching a lesson at a new school, covering topics such as acting, drama, music, and sports. The show also incorporates philanthropic elements, with Amazon’s wishlist program providing essential resources and supplies to each featured school, tailored to the unique needs of each location.^[5]

Format

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.^[6]

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.^[7]

Reception

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.^[8][9] 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.^[10]

References

Variety - "Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield join Celebrity Substitute for educational fun"
Hollywood Reporter - "Inside Celebrity Substitute with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield"
Rolling Stone - "Lisa from BlackPink teaches dance on Celebrity Substitute"
Tubefilter - "Celebrity Substitute brings celebrities into classrooms for meaningful lessons"
Celebrity Substitute Official Website