Nathan for You Intro: Why Those Really Good Grades Actually Matter

Nathan for You Intro: Why Those Really Good Grades Actually Matter

"My name is Nathan Fielder, and I graduated from one of Canada’s top business schools with really good grades."

If you’ve watched even five minutes of Nathan for You, that sentence is burned into your brain. It’s the ultimate deadpan mission statement. It’s also a masterclass in how to set a tone for a show that spent four seasons blurring the lines between reality, performance art, and absolute chaos.

But there is a lot more going on in that thirty-second clip than just a guy in a windbreaker looking awkward. The Nathan for You intro isn’t just a sequence; it’s a legal disclaimer, a character study, and a subtle joke that half the audience usually misses on the first watch.

The Mystery of the "Really Good Grades"

Let’s talk about the transcript. When Nathan says he got "really good grades," the show flashes a document from the University of Victoria. Most people laugh because he looks so serious, assuming the grades are actually terrible.

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They aren't.

If you freeze-frame the intro, you’ll see his actual GPA was around a 3.3. In the world of business school, a 3.3 is... fine. It’s solidly "B" territory. It’s the most "Nathan" grade possible. It’s not a failure, but it’s certainly not "top of the class" energy. Calling them "really good" is the first lie—or rather, the first "Nathan truth"—of the series. He isn't technically lying, but he's framing mediocrity as excellence. That's basically the entire philosophy of the show.

Who is the Voice Behind the Music?

The music is another thing people always ask about. That driving, epic orchestral swell that sounds like it belongs in a Christopher Nolan trailer? That’s "Heart of Courage" by Two Steps from Hell.

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It is incredibly dramatic. It feels like someone is about to save the world, which makes the visual of Nathan standing awkwardly in front of a green screen even funnier. The contrast is the point. You have this "Epic Movie" music playing while a guy talks about helping a frozen yogurt shop by inventing a flavor that tastes like poop.

The Visual Clues You Missed

The intro is packed with low-budget B-roll that feels intentionally "local news." You see Nathan:

  • Shaking hands with confused business owners.
  • Looking intensely at a computer screen.
  • Walking through a generic office hallway.
  • Standing in front of a "Business" digital background that looks like it was made in 1998.

This isn't just because they had a small budget. It’s a parody of "turnaround" shows like Kitchen Nightmares or The Profit. Those shows always start with a "host with a pedigree" who comes in to save the day. Nathan is playing that character, but he’s playing the version of that character who might actually be a sociopath. Or just really, really lonely.

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Why the Intro Stays the Same

Most shows update their intros as the seasons go on. Not Nathan. The intro stayed virtually untouched throughout the entire run. Why? Because the joke never gets old. The more famous Nathan Fielder got in real life, the funnier it became to see him clinging to his "really good grades" from a Canadian business school.

By the time he was opening "Dumb Starbucks" and getting international news coverage, he was still introducing himself as a humble graduate with a 3.3 GPA. It keeps the character grounded in this weird, bureaucratic reality. It reminds the viewer that, in his own head, Nathan is a professional. He’s a consultant. He’s there to help.

Actionable Takeaways for Fans

If you're looking to dive deeper into the lore of the Nathan for You intro, here is what you should actually do:

  1. Check the Transcript: Go back to Season 1, Episode 1. Pause at the 0:08 mark. Look at the specific courses. You'll see he did quite well in "Entrepreneurship" but struggled more with the technical aspects of finance. It explains a lot about his "creative" solutions later.
  2. Listen to the Full Song: Search for "Heart of Courage" on Spotify. It’s actually a great song for the gym, even if you can’t stop thinking about the "Man Zone" while you’re lifting.
  3. Watch the Pilot Version: There are early versions of the intro from his segments on This Hour Has 22 Minutes (called "Nathan On Your Side"). Seeing the evolution from a standard satirical news bit to the polished "Business Consultant" persona shows just how much work went into the character.

The intro is the "handshake" of the show. It tells you exactly what you’re in for: a man who is technically qualified, emotionally stunted, and 100% committed to the bit. It’s the perfect setup for the most uncomfortable comedy ever aired.