HBO’s “The Rehearsal” May Have Influenced Pilot Mental Health Legislation
Nathan Fielder’s HBO series, The Rehearsal, appears to have had a real-world impact on aviation safety discussions. Following the show’s conclusion, a bill addressing pilot mental health has gained momentum in Congress, a advancement one expert believes may be linked to the series’ exploration of cockpit interaction.
Fielder, a fan of the Canadian series Mayday, began taking flying lessons even before pitching the concept for The rehearsal to HBO. He’d observed a recurring theme in Mayday crash investigations: co-pilots often possessing knowledge of an issue but hesitating to voice concerns to the captain or assume control. He’d discussed this observation for years before incorporating it into the show.
After appearing on the Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer and pamela Brown, Fielder publicly criticized the Federal aviation Administration’s (FAA) training standards, arguing they don’t adequately prepare pilots to confidently communicate concerns within the cockpit. He had hoped to present his concerns directly to Congress to raise awareness.
That hope may have been realized. In June, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved the Mental Health in aviation Act.This bipartisan legislation would encourage pilots to disclose mental health conditions without fear of losing their jobs – a current deterrent – and allocate $13.7 million annually to recruit mental health professionals, including psychiatrists.
Former National Transportation safety Board member John Goglia informed Fielder that the bill, previously stalled in the House, passed and moved to the Senate after the show aired. According to Goglia, young staffers indicated the HBO series played a role in its advancement, stating, “I think the show pushed them to [do it].”
Speaking at a panel hosted by the Writers Guild Foundation’s Sublime Primetime event, Fielder acknowledged Goglia’s report, stating, “I don’t know if it did anything, but it was nice to hear.” He also noted he has yet to recieve an invitation to speak before Congress.
The Rehearsal has received multiple Emmy nominations this year, including Outstanding writing For A Comedy Series, Outstanding Picture Editing For A Single Camera Comedy Series, and Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series. The series is executive produced by Fielder, Eric Notarnicola, Dave Paige, and Christie Smith, with Dan McManus, Carrie Kemper, Kris Eber, and Adam Locke-Norton also serving as producers and co-executive producers.