Rodney Dangerfield's First Economics Class

A humorous example of the gap between the "real world" and school.

[@Mark-sj3xb]

“Greasing the local politicians for all the sudden zoning problems that come up” Nothing could be more realistic than this.

[@RandyBaumery-s4i]

I can agree because everywhere I ever worked in production once it got past being promoted to lead mechanic everything was so political that I knew some guys who took a demotion to get what they call "back on their tools", because they couldn't stand the politics.

[@Donathon-qx8kq]

Ah, you must also be from Texas.... lol 😂😆😂😂😂

[@Thirthton]

Liberal beaurocrats

[@babyboomer9560]

How about protection money

[@londonwerewolves]

If you believe your City/County Commissioners can afford their home, lifestyle & campaign expenses on just the salary they're given... you want to be lied to.

[@acb9896]

As a 34 year Widget builder, I can assure you Rodney was dead on.

[@cbrousseau]

What’s a Widget ?

[@terryogletree2128]

It's just like a Fidget only different

[@yommmrr]

Widgets actually exist. They're a mini app for a smart phone to do common tasks with one click.

[@spitfire4sergi]

It’s a fictional product… it…doesn’t…matta 🤣

[@Wastelander1972]

A widget is a software product. Basically if you have an iPad with a little spot that tells you the weather or the news without opening the application, that’s a widget.

[@robjacik3057]

I always thought Rodney's bit was funny, but 30 years later and after opening 5 businesses this is absolutely HYSTERICAL and SPOT ON!!!!

[@driftalaska6129]

You must be in NY, CA or one of the five swing states.

[@patraogames8635]

Z

[@robjacik3057]

@@driftalaska6129 North Carolina

[@squatchhammer7215]

​@@driftalaska6129 it's almost in all states sadly. Corruption has grown like a cancer in this country

[@bubbaburke]

@@driftalaska6129 you mean the 2 states with significantly higher productivity, who donate a large portion to the republican poor states through taxes and who both have a lower murder rate than Alaska per FBI 2020 for instance.

[@llg3pe]

30 years ago as a teenager, I didn’t grasp what Rodney was saying here. Today, after many painful years in engineering and contracting, I fully appreciate and agree 100%.

[@ianmangham4570]

The sacred and the propane

[@davebartosh5]

I live in Hackensack NJ. Town is run by wealthy Italian 'families'. Both Construction, and Waste Disposal.

[@scottsodyssey2485]

@@davebartosh5 but If they weren’t Italian you wouldn’t mind?

[@davebartosh5]

@@scottsodyssey2485 I have news for you. There's a thing called the Italian mafia. I've got no problem with law abiding Italians. I love Italian food.

[@ChapMeifan]

Yes. I work in Social Work and also wish I had listened more closely to the lessons in this film. Rodney was talking about how school teaches you theory but life is entirely different. I learned more from a seasoned Social Worker who had worked on the streets for years than I did in all four years of my degree. I wish he had been teaching my classes as I would have been more effective when I started my career. This film is a classic.

[@saratoga123321]

Hehe, I’m 2 years out of college working in the heavy construction industry and I can assure you, the “legitimate business “ realm *does* work like that. Rodney, a gem.

[@InfernosReaper]

Yeah, it's an unfortunate reality that grift and graft are essential parts of business operation, but reality none the less

[@ChrisCaramia]

And in every single mandatory corporate training, grift & graft "are not tolerated." Riiiiight.

[@deanpd3402]

So that's why I am having so much trouble trying to get my house built. I've been silly enough to be legitimate.

[@Texansfan254Jeff]

I was in electrical construction for over 15 years. It's just as Mr. Melon put it.

[@careditor]

Mafia payoffs hA ha

[@LevCallahan]

In case anyone's wondering the context, Dangerfield's character is a business owner and founder himself. The reason he's in school is to inspire his son to succeed in college, seeing as he never went.

[@jmark7390]

It's is just a movie. A comedy.

[@MrSwingcat1]

Vietnam is not the . Mo I I8

[@mariomichel]

@@jmark7390 he just explained that it's a character. Can you understand English?

[@leonardo899]

He was able to succeed without college. So why does he want his son to go to college?

[@CaptHayfever]

@@leonardo899 I would imagine so that the son can cite his own credentials in his future career so people can't just accuse him of getting everything from his father.

[@thearmyflyer4905]

Love how the students are taking notes when Rodney speaks proving he knows more than the professor lol

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

Of course he knows more, He's a self made multi millionaire businessman while the Professor is just another jackass talking about stuff he memorized but couldn't apply.

[@DaveDaShrubber]

Put Rodney in law school on The Paper Chase and he would have had Professor Kingsfield sobbing like a baby.

[@rapid13]

The line about product not mattering, "Tell that to the bank" So on point.

[@boliusabol822]

Look genius, he said "immaterial for the purposes of our discussion here". That doesn't mean that in practise it doesn't matter, it means he's explaining principles that apply whatever the product.

[@trentv5456]

That’s a fact!!

[@counciousstream]

@@boliusabol822 No it does matter. It matters because the first thing that your investors and customers are going to ask you is "Why don't you outsource it to China?"

[@counciousstream]

@@boliusabol822 to be fair however in an academic setting and an introductory course the very high level principles are important for students to know/learn. It is remarkable how few business people actually understand these basics as well. Worse yet, don't even know what questions to ask.

[@therabidscorpion]

@@boliusabol822 It matters, considering the first thing he went into is construction costs. Construction costs will be affected by whatever it is you're building. It affects the amount of space you need, and the type of equipment you need, and all the hidden costs Rodney brought up are a real thing.

[@mickeyj71hp]

I love this clip. The guy who has never run a business is trying to teach the successful business man how to actually get the job done. Fantasyland indeed.

[@rcslyman8929]

Those that can, do. Those that can't, teach.

[@jacobo9611]

Maybe bribes and kickbacks is what you do but it’s not part of the legitimate youtube world

[@joshuatift4640]

@@jacobo9611 tell that to Nasty Piglosi and any elected official, because once you decide to build your factory all of a sudden the red zones rise up

[@jacobo9611]

@@joshuatift4640 haha, she needs to go, that life long congressman hack

[@brandoncomer6492]

That's college in a nutshell for you

[@beemo9]

I love how the students are turning around and taking notes while Dangerfield is talking

[@paulleger6566]

Yeah that professor don't know shit LOL

[@johngault3388]

Writing down "kick backs to the carpenters...that'll cost you." Scribbling furiously.

[@russell5078084]

bmo it means they actually had the good sense to listen to someone older with experience instead of someone who just knows what he learned from just books.

[@oiyabastard7275]

bmo. TRUMP FOR UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR

[@oiyabastard7275]

Paul Leger. Doesnt know shit

[@Graeystone]

As Mark Twain said - “I've never let my school interfere with my education.”

[@cedcarroll19]

So true. It reminds me of a line in a song called Prime by The Siege. “Go to school to make a living or teach yourself to make a fortune.”

[@Sconi71]

I don’t disagree, but Mark Twain did not originate this saying.

[@joemahoney1221]

I believe it was I never let schooling get in the way of a good education.

[@michaelbrownlee4857]

I never let governmental indoctrinational camps nor mainstream media propaganda interfere with my critical thinking - Michael Brownlee

[@AmerQuin]

Churchill was reported to have said: the only time my education was interrupted- was when I went to school.

[@ginger_breadman]

As an unemployed bum living in my parents basement, I can tell you that this scene is so on point and inspirational

[@careditor]

Get a job stop loafing around

[@VeryPeeved]

@@careditor No, don't be silly. He's gotta have dough to loaf, and for that he needs to join a union.

[@mikhailiagacesa3406]

@@careditor LOL.

[@Mostafa-rq9rm]

I live in Baton Rouge. Some kids down the road at LSU did a paper about opening a chicken restaurant and the professor gave them a C grade. They ended up opening it anyway and today it's worth $100 million. Raising Cane's.

[@NJGuy1973]

And in 1962, a Yale student named Fred Smith wrote a paper for an economics class, outlining overnight delivery service in a computer information age. He doesn't remember what he got, but figures it was a C grade like he usually got. He later started something called Federal Express. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_W._Smith#Early_years

[@williamrowlett740]

I love Raising Canes. Great food and sweet ice tea. In 1985, Houston attorney Joe Jamail won a $11 billion (yes, BILLION) verdict for his client Pennzoil against Texaco. Before that, while in law school, one of Jamail's enlightened professors gave him a bad grade on an exam and advised him to drop out and go back to Houston to work in his Lebanese family's grocery business. Smart professor (yeah, right).

[@kellensarien9039]

I know nothing about Raising Cane's or its history, but to be fair to the professor, maybe it really was a crap proposal, and the professor's feedback helped them make it better.

[@donalddavidcourtney]

Mostafa , Chick-Fil-A?

[@ronaldshank7589]

Smart kids! (Stupid Professor)!!!

[@cloudattack3279]

Doesn't matter, tell that to the bank....lmao

[@jakep1979]

RetroGuy76 me: yes i would like a 5.7 million dollars loan. Bank: that is a substantial amount... me: dont worry im building a factory for widgets, i will manufacture 7000 every week and should be able to pay back the loan fully within 15 year period!! Bank: what the fuck is a widget??!! Me: a product that doesnt exist! Bank: okay sir you see the exit on the right hand side?! you have 3 minutes to leave or i will call security for wasting my time!

[@MegaJustintee]

@@jakep1979 brilliant absolutely brilliant hahaha

[@bobphelps4013]

,

[@oceanblue22]

If Americans were forced to own a business for a year that would result in the comprehension that whenever a politician called for a tax increase Americans would immediately comprehend a ha we have an efficiency problem not a funding problem.

[@Sillysoft]

@Mike Fernandez Yep, very prominent during the dot com boom. You could literally walk into a board meeting with an idea on a napkin and walk out with millions of dollars from investors.

[@derrickstableford8152]

When I went to trade school, the most interesting lecturer was a part timer. He taught electrical science, and was tough. But he showed us how to break down the problems into bite sized chunks. As he put it, try to eat the cake all at once and you will choke. Take smaller bites and it soon goes. I followed this. A few years later I was the part time lecturer. I used those teachings with my classes.

[@fsca72]

I’ve always been good at diagnosing problems in my head but I’m absolutely horrible at showing others how to do it. Most people are capable of doing it with a good teacher.

[@randymillhouse791]

Sorry to hear you went into a trade.

[@rwebster1234]

Very cool. I’m sure he would be pleased

[@rwebster1234]

@@randymillhouse791 lol. Trade schools are more critical and practical than most college degrees.

[@randymillhouse791]

@@rwebster1234 No they are not. I have seen Toolmakers and shop employees my age (58) that look WAY older than deskbound me. Working with one's back is fine when young but get into ages 40 and 50 and the toll becomes VERY apparent. I do not care about how critical the work is. Even though that is true, I don't advise anyone to work a labor job past age 35. It wears the body down tremendously. Retirement begins on crutches and ends in knee, hip, shoulder replacement surgeries and finally a wheelchair.

[@Sigma0283]

"It doesn't matter." tell that to the bank.

[@baumcollcsame7871]

As a former general contractor and real estate developer, when I saw this part in that movie, I sat there in the theater laughing my ass off about how everything Rodney said WAS TRUE!!! Every job I bid on I'd add 15% to the total cost of the bid for "unknown cost"! AND I WAS SURE GLAD I DID!!! Because the only time you make any money was with Change Orders.

[@maestroclassico5801]

Such a well written scene! Rodney delivers! Everything he said is spot on....HE should've taught the class!

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

By his 3rd or 4th intervention you see kids taking notes from Rodney, not the teacher.

[@WhiteCamry]

He did.

[@richardhart9204]

… this is why written “business plans” are a pure BS, waste of time.

[@rngnv4551]

As my grandfather who owned a business use to say: "You're either always at war with the government or always paying for a war on someone else's business."

[@roamer1389]

Id rather be at war with the government.

[@Archedgar]

@@roamer1389 That's a war you can't win. The business owner is the government's favorite target.

[@roamer1389]

@@Archedgar and you wonder why small business owners commit suicide.

[@AMildCaseOfCovid]

@@roamer1389 Yep, my friend and I have a startup and government is easily our biggest headache, and we're working with lasers and crap

[@shahsadsaadu5817]

@@Archedgar SMALL business owner. And they're only government's target because the government is in the hands of corporations.

[@ronstevens8733]

This is Dangerfield at his best. I love the great NYC cynicism humor that made Rodney famous. Here is Rodney in this movie in all of his comedic glory.

[@57clc]

I saw this in the theater when it first came out. The entire place was rolling with laughter. Rodney Dangerfield was hilarious. Great memories, funny movie.

[@andrewfrantz5502]

This 🎥 has class.

[@BobSince1981]

"Doesn't matter...Tell that to the bank." I love it! RIP Rodney

[@ronaldshank7589]

I love that line "How about fantasy land"?!? Hilarious!!!!

[@orvillemeadows3492]

Tell it to your investors

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

More like: “Dudnt matta… Heh, tell dat to da bank!”

[@charliedallachie3539]

This is true even today, there’s still this Gap between college lectures and reality. Many professors are way out of touch with the real world. That’s what Academia does. Book smarts vs street smarts etc.

[@lance862]

Those who can't do... teach.

[@CaptainSeamus]

@@lance862 HEY! I resemble that remark! LMAO! OK, seriously, that happens more often than not... I got blessed with being able to jump to teaching at a local college (trades - specifically automation and mechanical technologies) after 30+ years in the field. I did really well in life, and it was time to give back. We got everything paid off, figured out what we could live on comfortably, and made the jump. But yeah, I get so frustrated with the many other faculty and instructors I've run into that have no clue about the real world.

[@ruhtra-k]

When I went to college, I typically learned more from the night classes, which were taught by part-time instructors that had real day jobs in their field, than I ever did from day classes by full time educators.

[@LateLost]

I've had a mixed bag of this actually. I was once apprenticed to a individual who is supposed to show me the ropes after I took a course from that same individual at a college. When I got to the job I found out this person was really good at BSing her way through the job but really didn't do as much as you think she would being how she talked a good game. That's when I found out that sometimes when you're in the real world there are people who stick to what they know and when they do that one it's really hard to replicate because they found a system that works for them but is there sometimes really not transferable to anybody else.

[@ruhtra-k]

@@LateLost agreed. Not all have been good, I do remember one that was awful. And I have had a few career instructors that were amazing. Was just a general rule 🙂

[@LAVATORR]

I went to community college, worked as an English tutor while studying, and then transferred out to UCLA. my Hierarchy Of Practical Education goes: 1) Teaching nobodies 2) Learning from nobodies 3) Elite university

[@evanandersen64]

I totally agree. I recently got my associates of arts as a full time traditional student. I loved night classes. I remember my psychology class. The professor had her doctorate in psychology, however her full time job was as a real estate agent. Are class was so diverse in many ways (age, jobs, race, relationship status,etc) Really made for great conversation and learning material. Also going to a community college or a small college is great because the instructors are not research bond. They actually have the time and effort to teach.

[@johntrojan9653]

@@ruhtra-k 🙂🙂🙃

[@ghostbear200123]

Rodney was being very realistic.

[@frankm3214]

That's why teachers, teach and don't do.

[@bluehavencd]

He's 100% correct. It takes real world experience to know, and Thornton Mellon knew exactly what was up in real life, not Fantasyland like that uptight asshole thinking about "legit business". It takes bribes, contributions, lawyers, assistants, teamster cooperation, multiple unions, and other kickbacks to have shit done.

[@mannyistheman2221]

bluehavencd also mr. melon made a valid point about the Japanese on the labor cost because many things are outsourced to foreign countries from the United States because of the labor costs. This guy was thinking in an earlier time the professor when manufacturing was viable but he wasn't keeping up with important trends like mr. melon was. Proves that a college education isn't everything

[@bluehavencd]

+mannyistheman2221 exactly a great point. But now even Japan outsources to China and India becuase Japan itself is way too expensive. This movie was made over 30 years ago, imagine how antiquated that elitist snobby economy teacher really was?

[@jobdoneright5934]

JamesFrancesco oh shut the hell up

[@phoebefigalilly7559]

The students taking notes from RODNEY'S lecture - I love it!

[@joshuarayfield4300]

Rest in Peace, Paxton Whitehead, He worked really well with Rodney Dangerfield in this scene and in the movie.

[@greenwich1754]

More truth was spoken by Rodney than most are willing to admit.

[@timothyball742]

Rodney got real good writing.

[@Ryooken]

This is the difference between academic experience and real world know how.

[@timothyball742]

@@Ryooken How true, but he had help with two other writers.

[@timothyball742]

@Sigkim The, director, said that about John Lithgow during a scene he did for Buckaroo Bonzi, as the mad scientist. John read the script and took that character to a point the writers didn't put in. So yes any good actor can be catalist for the movie or show that has Oscar tagged.

[@crazykellywfo4240]

How yah doin' Barney.

[@realazduffman]

Ironically when this was filmed if you wanted to use any concrete in NYC where the Tall & Fat HQ was, back then you DID have to pay off the mafia if you wanted concrete.

[@brianschwatka3655]

Just back then? Heck try getting something built in NYC or Atlantic city now and you still have to work with the Mob. Many of the unions there are still mafia controlled.

[@1978mcduff]

Great name Duffer

[@Joscope]

SJWs for the protection of Tall & Fat people would skewer this movie if it came out today.

[@anthonyagueci2418]

If your talking about NYC, its still like that today. The cosa nostra in new york has gone through a serious revival the last 5 to 8 years. They definetely control the labour unions still.

[@danbuter]

Philly is the same way. You have concrete ordered but you're not union? You don't get yours until every single union job gets theirs first.

[@princeinflorida214]

I watched this clip because it evokes the fond memories of when I took my elderly parents to a double feature at a now closed movie theater on Miami Beach. Playing was Back to School and Crocodile Dundee. We all loved both films. What a terrific combination for a double feature.

[@SuperChuckRaney]

THAAAAT'S not a note book? THIS IS A NOTEBOOK ! Crikkey.

[@gary6137]

There is a lot of truth in this scene, both how business really operates, and the out of touch arrogant professor.

[@rcslyman8929]

Says he's not going to waste their time with useless theory. Proceeds to perpetuate the theory of "legitimate business world."

[@Eyes-of-Horus]

When I was teaching I would get comments from the students that they liked the way I would teach. I would use myself as an example and talk about how to use the ideas I talked about. By the way, I taught psychology for almost 40 years.

[@richardplantan4375]

There's such a thing as real life that Dangerfield brings up and then there is school which teaches you things as if it's a perfect world.

[@redrock3109]

Classic example of someone who has actually been engaged in real life business, versus a professor full of himself and his theories.

[@harrymiram6621]

Went thru similar situational scenario w/F&B instructor. ALMOST came to debate-level classroom "exercise!"-lol

[@walterpalmer2749]

"Back to School" a classic.

[@davidrichter9164]

So true Walter. I personally liked just a smidge more than Caddy Shack.

[@bbb462cid]

@@davidrichter9164 yes, but it had notably less in the way of a topless Cindy Morgan

[@rototumassi]

I miss Rodney. He’s always made me laugh and still does with this clip. Thanks.

[@dannythomas417]

Paxton Whitehead too. Of course I've always preferred Englishmen anyway.

[@GrahamSlieker]

This is one one of my all time favorite skits. A dear friend is a commercial construction project manager and listening to his day to day, Dangerfield is dead on. The part about the "Sudden Zoning Problems" is absolutely true, until the unions get a little love, happens on every job. They add about 20% to every job for "Lubrication"...

[@teenagerinsac]

Look for the UNION LABEL :) SING IT !!

[@user-pm4ij1jo9f]

"Doesn't matter , tell it to the bank" haha , he was being for real even when he wasnt doing comedy he was making $$$$

[@andymate2006]

Teacher: The next question is....where to build our factory? Rodney: How about fantasy land. 😂

[@counciousstream]

The answer for the past 20 years has been China. I am a manufacturing and supply chain consultant with 40 years of global experience. Over and over I hear the same thing - We will just outsource it to China. When I ask the question Why? the answer is always "because it's cheaper and easier". This is exactly why they need me to help them answer the question why. Many times the answer is China is not cheaper and not not not easier.

[@danielmcgillis270]

@@counciousstream As we are discovering now. Everything from China has to come in by boat. When the boats don't run or the docks don't unload fast enough, things get unreliable. There there is the problem of China.

[@franklinegbuche7097]

*Even China itself has 86 cargo planes and recently launched the world's biggest cargo plane. In addition to all the cargo planes from other countries. So how exactly does everything from China come through boats?*

[@counciousstream]

@@danielmcgillis270 I understand your point. SC risks have been very high since US companies moved production to China. When manufacturing moved to China these companies became essentially brands. Once the Chinese contractors had the money from making the stuff they bought the US brands. Fewer and fewer products are designed in the US now. The "trusted brand" is now entirely owned by a company in China. Companies in China are partnerships between the government and the Chinese entity. This is the problem of China and it has all been brought about by American Business people chasing lower costs and consumers buying all of the lower cost goods. We asked for this. Freight moves by aircraft in addition to ships. You would be surprised at how much.

[@blairminyard2666]

@@counciousstream Thank you for this thread. I actually learned a little bit reading these comments (that doesn't happen often). And, yes, I'm being honest and sincere with my comment. Business, manufactoring, etc is in no way anything near my area of knowledge (let alone expertise), but I do enjoy learning new things. Thank you.

[@atx4fun]

The hardest thing I had to learn when I got out of school was realizing that what I was taught was theory and it was just a depiction of how things were supposed to be in a perfect world. Its taking that and adapting it to real life that makes for a real education. It takes another 5-10 years of experience to fully utilize that 4 year degree to its fullest because of that fact.

[@colonelkurtz2269]

The professor taught the class, Rodney lived it.

[@operator91210]

The true difference between book smart & street smart

[@scottgolden2766]

And you know who runs that business, I can assure you it's not the Boy Scouts

[@1noetic]

"I'm in the waste management business, everybody immediately assumes you're mobbed up. Its a stereotype. And its offensive...And you're the last person I'd want to perpetuate it. "

[@patm4899]

Dude. My friend is fourth generation in waste management and has nothing to do with the mob today but before Chris Christie and Rudy took out the families his GrandDad had no option but to be mobbed up. The alternative was being buried in a landfill.

[@makemarker]

@@1noetic yeah but it sure was in the 80s..

[@shmoopygoldberg4032]

The reason it is a stereotype now is because it was a reality back then.

[@gamerzero7735]

How about Fantasy Land?

[@thunberbolttwo3953]

Great line.

[@ronaldshank7589]

Beautiful!

[@anaraliev4789]

Lol

[@TudorOwen50s]

Still great after all these years! 🤣 Miss ya' Rodney! Standing ovation 👏👏👏👏

[@snakeguy76]

I am slightly familiar with such waste disposal problems. I worked for a company where owner moved into a building and got dumpsters from a company he found in phone book, few days later some one set the dumpsters on fire. Next day a man comes by asking if he had a waste disposal problem. Apparently, he got dumpsters from the "wrong company".

[@kdrapertrucker]

snakeguy76 I'd have told him no, as long as the garbage continued to get burned I had no disposal problems.

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Was it Palumbo d.b.a. Orange Crush?

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

I heard of a similar system for marketing cloth towel service to small restaurants back in the 1960s.

[@trueblueclue]

"Doesn't matter? Tell that to the bank..." Perfect delivery. Also he isn't wrong. Try doing business in any major metropolitan area. If the politicians don't have their greasy fingers in the government contracts you'll find a lot of "unexpected costs" popping up.

[@bbb462cid]

The dude playing the smug prof was perfect. What a composite of every nose-in-the-air elite and know-it-all higher educator who made reality with a chalkboard.

[@JAG312]

One of my friends is on the Board of Directors of a major company. They decided to build a facility in a different State. After getting a long term lease on the land, architectural fees, interior design fees, and other expenses, all of which cost a few million dollars. They were refused the building permits. They had a private meeting with the head of the local political machine, slipped $65,000 in cash across the table, and the permits were issued the next morning. That's today's reality. I choose not being specific with the location, the name of the head of the political machine, or the name of the company. Too well known.

[@3182john]

Yeah I bet this didn't happen. No name no location no nothing that anyone can purport as true.

[@JAG312]

@@3182john You would lose that bet. Too many people worship politicians. There are politicians that are in it for whatever they can steal. You can believe it or not. I really don't care.

[@victorblock3421]

This is true. I am close to a situation where the municipality is an old line political machine. The 3 top guys(mayor and 2 others) were greased with bags of cash. Then they recommended the project and it sailed through the approval process.

[@iamnotanuggetblackhart5103]

@Ralph Macchiato Tell that to the bank!

[@JayDogTitan-he6wo]

Rodney nailed it here, Kickbacks, bribes and payoffs ARE business. How do think a lot of business owners got rich?

[@Mosin-lf7wl]

What a national treasure Rodney was.

[@iamthem.a.n.middleagednerd1053]

This is my favorite scene from a really wonderful movie that had a very interesting concept; what happens when a successful middle aged man tries to relive his youth and finds out that he can't because he's not young anymore. This scene is so enjoyable not only because it is funny but it perfectly illustrates the difference between knowledge and wisdom and how the latter is infinitely more valuable. Rodney's character has lived and triumphed through the lessons that the professor preports to teach thus giving him a superior perspective.

[@CaptainSeamus]

I can't say I did not think of this movie when I went back to school 10 years ago, at age 48... got my technology degree, worked in the field for 5 years, and now am back at the school I graduated from, teaching those classes... I try every day to NOT be that stupid professor.

[@micahphilson]

"Bribes... are not part of the legitimate business world." Yeah... about that. It's funny how Rodney is so much more right every step of the way!

[@cflo1386]

I can't believe it's going to be thirty years since this movie came out "Hey you're a Melon."

[@phillyfansufferer]

Not only has it been 30 years, but everything Rodney says here still rings true............

[@wetzel1628]

Marc I love ur profile pic

[@al8603cl]

LMAO. This is so very illustrative of the real difference between pointy-headed academics talking to each other in the faculty lounge, so very impressed with themselves, never ever having to live in reality, and the real world the rest of us live in. The truism that the very best comedy is based in reality is very well illustrated in this clip. Love this movie. One of my favorites.

[@CaptainSeamus]

I teach at a college - but I don't hang out with most of the faculty... you nailed why.

[@Torgo1969]

Arguably the BEST scene in the film! Rodney was the King of the 1980s! He absolutely killed in everything he touched!

[@aarongranger]

I need to go find the scene in this movie where Sam Kennison was teaching history!

[@hdn4nd]

@@aarongranger exactly

[@aarongranger]

@@hdn4nd kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWqngGVshJuXf8k

[@johnnyhb89]

One thing I did learn in business school is that there is a legal difference between greasing and bribing. Greasing a palm for the quickening of a labor is generally the same as tipping.

[@not.supermario]

No joke, my dad was in a college class similar to this, and he only went to college twice and he built his own business from scratch. The professor was exactly like this. My dad won in the end of the argument. Proud to have a dad who is more educated than the professors.

[@mickfunny4185]

Dane Insane did your dad hire an accountant

[@davidackermam5826]

Those who can't do...teach

[@katherinkeegan8601]

@@davidackermam5826 And that is what is wrong with the system. If they can't hack it, then they don't know enough to teach what they don't know.

[@qmac10]

@@davidackermam5826 And those who can't teach........ Administrate

[@johnnywalker6385]

College makes you educated but it doesn’t make you smart.

[@BettinaBalser]

"...the TEAMSTERS are gonna wanna have a little chat with you" LOL

[@richardramfire3971]

My father grew up in poverty went to work at age 16 as a tradesman. Today he’s a deca millionaire/ entrepreneur. Very similar to rodneys character

[@WillN2Go1]

I love this. Someone I know is in an MBA program. One of the professors a year ago spent 90 minutes carefully explaining why Tesla wasn't worth even a third of its then $400 share value. I wish I could've been there - Rodney Dangerfield would've been proud. I think the market's proved any point I would've made.

[@jeffreynocera4017]

Love how all the students turn around and take notes on what he's saying...Totally shutting out the so-called professor...

[@nutsackmania]

Oh yeah it was totally in the script

[@larrydicus7822]

That’s what I hated about college, they teach perfect world and fantasy ideas, the exact opposite of real world business.

[@americanrroyalty]

80% of my professors are all successful businessman that use real world experience.

[@alex35agm]

Remember Dan Ackroyd's line from Ghostbusters where he says "I've worked in the real world,they expect results."

[@CaptHayfever]

Well, they _can't_ teach the parts that are illegal.

[@andym28]

@@americanrroyalty "what's the products?" drug trafficking doesn't count Jose.

[@frankesposito2182]

True!I worked in the Hotel business for nearly 18 years.. I would meet people ... who would say.... really! I'am taking Hotel management in College...I can't wait to do it! I would think to myself..... (Just let wait until they get a job!, It's a completely different ballgame in the Real World)

[@itsnotme07]

I tried college at 18....and it just wasn't for me then. 9 years later at 27, I was a Freshman....with 10 years real world experience in the IT world. It's funny how this is very close to a real life college class...talking about "the ideal setup" when in reality, it's nothing like that. My advisor back then asked me to take her "Intro to Business Data Processing" class, as there was some theory she said I needed. I even showed her my resume asking her if I needed the class, she said yes. I went to the 1st day, got the schedule for all quizzes/tests and only showed up on those days. Got a 4.0. She was mad I didn't come to all the classes, and I said "I was working at my real job". College was wicked fun for me.

[@mwarren400]

Most people think McDonald's is in the "burger business". They are actually in the "real-estate business". McDonald's franchisees are in the "burger business" paying McDonald's 11% of their revenue AND leasing the property from McDonald's. McDonalds is in the "income producing real estate business"

[@Now_lets_get_this_straight]

I heard Trump is set up the same way. He licensed his name on the property with “Trump” brand.

[@bobjacobson858]

Rodney Dangerfield was being realistic. Some aspects of business are deeper than face value. This reminds me of a time when I was employed by a university, and a salesperson came in to show her product, and I mentioned that the university was already buying it elsewhere. When she asked why it was being bought from someone else, I joked that where I come from several states away, one can get into trouble by asking such questions!

[@jckeltz]

Nice! One of the few comedy movies that wasn't pure fiction from start to finish, bid Rod speaks the truth. Also a accurate portrayal of modern academia illustrating why the old adage of 'Those that can, do....Those that can't, teach' is almost always true.

[@edp3202]

Some teachers who teach literacy, math, science discovery, etc....can benefit students. But some just are waiting to retire.

[@MikesOrganicVideos]

After I had been running my retail business for a couple of years, I decided to take some business classes in the evening, at the local community college. The guy that taught small business management, who later ran for, and was elected to political office in local government, told me after a few weeks that I KNEW MORE about running a business than he did, and could probably teach the class. 😁 he didn’t have an over blown ego like Sherlock, in this movie.

[@barcrrt]

Rodney is right!

[@samwisegamgie8163]

I> talkin to a professor

[@timothyball742]

Rodney got real good writing.

[@Ishbu101]

College is such a waste of time

[@Ishbu101]

***** Yup. And I got that slip of paper. And hate my career. Imagine if this was an apprenticeship system and I could've tried it out first...I could have made a better decision. Its just a business.

[@DR.VinnieBoomBatz]

I went to college it ruined my life. I went from struggling in the job market to struggling in the job market with serious debt.

[@mrtron1850]

It depends on what you study and if you have a clear career goals.

[@avalsonline2]

trump's attorney does not think so

[@avalsonline2]

maybe you should have learned something useful

[@fishgutz4272]

The most accurate assessment of what I've faced trying to open a business in NY , NJ, or almost any other D run region.

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

I will listen to Rodney before I will ever listen to a professor who knows nothing about the real world. I have two degrees, but I learned a lot more outside the classroom.

[@DannySullivanMusic]

An excellent criticism of the modern educational system, as well as a funny and enjoyable skit.

[@noutheticcounseling5447]

I always loved this scene. Was Rodeney actually telling the viewers the truth about how business actually works. After many years after this movie originally aired I have experienced the exact truth in similar ways of what he said. No matter how much hard work or earning a higher level of education you put into being successful in achieving dreams in a career it does not reward you success unless you know somebody. There is always someone with the money and power who want to take credit for your hard work so they have a little power over you and gain more control to secure their position at the top. And if those with the power do not like you or your worldview it does not matter how much hard work, education, sacrifice, and the blood, sweat, and tears that went into it. But I know the ending of the story and can be joyful. Psalm 73. Why is it that many people love the ending of this movie? Because the protagonist won the respect and adoration of everyone and also won the heart of the woman. The antoginist lost all what Rodney gained including his woman. Rise above the antoginist in your life. From the words of Rodney; "I don't take shit from anyone!"

[@geraldfrost4710]

I thought he always said, "I don't get no respect!"

[@CaptainSeamus]

"It's not who you know, it's who you b**w, and MAN do you SUCK!" was how it got put to a "bosses kid" one time in my presence... and it was very accurate. I know, not very Christian of me, but man it still makes me laugh to think about it... also, kid took over a couple of years later, and business flopped in a couple more... which is sad, because he was 4th gen running it, but was spoiled and didn't understand how to run.

[@walktheworld]

Rodney is getting major respect here.

[@MondoBeno]

If you're going to a working class college (like Touro) and studying business, paralegal work, education, physical therapy, then the instructors all have real-life experience in the field. There are no "professors" there; the instructors are all industry professionals teaching at night or on weekends as a side gig. But in a university like this, they have porfessors who have never been out of college. They don't really understand what you face out there in the business.

[@valuecalc]

MondoBeno , right. I would never take their classes.

[@sthomas2592]

I've been to 6 diff colleges in the pursuit of 2 degrees. The best education I got for the money was at a lowly community college, where none of the profs had more than a masters degree, but all had worked in their fields and in most cases were still working. At the expensive private college there were world-famous researchers who couldn't teach, refused to meet with students, were only semi literate in English, worthless as advisors, etc etc.

[@SuperChuckRaney]

@@valuecalc i THOUGHT the same thing, until I got pissed at the Business Law prof ... she was an idiot, what kind of lawyer teaches part time? Sooo I looked up her salary in the school budget. (Available in your school library) AAnnnddd she was making $80,000 a semester for 3 hours work a night. Not bad.

[@valuecalc]

@@SuperChuckRaney, exactly. Prima donnas like her are always paid very well. It's a big bureaucracy. She'll tell you to volunteer all your time for experience while she makes out like bandit.

[@DerekMPiec]

Good example of your modern day liberal professor who has basically been a career college student.

[@Reach1335]

Those who cannot do, teach.

[@737Adventures]

and those who cannot teach, teach gym.

[@furrykef]

I'm sorry, but I'm with the professor on this one. Mellon (Dangerfield) is just bogging things down with details that are not yet relevant. You can learn about all that stuff after you've got a good grasp of the basics.

[@jaymcd8577]

True, but there's basics and then there's reality

[@sethronalds9457]

exactly. the point was the professor, while trying to teach the class what I technically supposed to be the ethical way in all business are run, was teaching them an idealized version of how business actually works. Mellon understood the reality of shady stuff in business because he had to live it himself. there is a reality to a lot of those large business and deals, etc. where shady stuff happens more often than people realize. so in the one sense, while the professor should be commended for trying to teach his class the ethical and, in theory, proper way to start and run a successful business, Mellon was in reality more practical

[@davidleigh443]

The math teacher I had in college was a part time instructor who had a real job as a time management consultant who eork with corporations. He gave us real world applications to our math problems.

[@JasonNation72]

"What's a widget?" "It's a fictional product, it doesn't mat-tah!"

[@travisreed1730]

"Tell thet to theh bank."

[@Maples01]

This is whats wrong with college students today, professor teaching classes on business, that have never run one!

[@Ken2234]

reading about it in a book

[@dudetocartman]

I had a couple professors that own their own businesses. They taught business very well. Plus i know them both. But yes, that's the problem if professors don't run a business. Textbooks are the only option.

[@chriswhited]

most them are worried about creating an ideological economy that ignores economic laws and simple realities. Also it would seem to be very static as is, ironically, most of academia, that merely preaches aesthetical diversity. Screw who you want, smoke some dope, pretend not to be racist in the name of hating racism etc etc. but they'll keep counting your money.

[@goooglebites5084]

Chris Whited BRAVO BRAVO!! hey this scene will be like trump at the debate lol

[@quasidiem99]

My accounting prof made multi-millions and then started teaching. He taught for $1/year. A good man and good businessman. I did terrible in the class but "learned" a lot.

[@vincentbaca790]

Love how the students take notes frantically, while Rodney pontificates...

[@usaalways]

This movie is the PERFECT example of academia v the REAL world. Sure you get into the door with that degree, but EXPERIENCE will make you successful. College won't tell you to "grease the local politician for zoning problems", but I assure you people like Harry Reid will tell you it is needed...

[@argtv100]

Reid and the rest with their hands out.

[@braceyourselvesfortruth2492]

@@jackbrennan1125 That's funny, I'm in a high-demand STEM field in Dallas, a tech/telecom hub of a city, and all the companies demand at least a 3.0 GPA just to intern with them. It's worse in liberal arts. I would love to know what your mother studied.

[@daniellopez-vd8pm]

What's the name of the movie?

[@Aaron_R]

@@daniellopez-vd8pm Back to school

[@anon6975]

@@braceyourselvesfortruth2492 With experience, gpa doesn't matter. I know several people in FAANG who didn't do great in highschool and/or didn't go to college. Don't be an ass.

[@sagatuppercut2960]

In college, you learn about theoretical situations. After college, you learn how the world REALLY works!

[@lucyterrier7905]

I remember seeing this at the theater. Loved his dorm after the remodel.

[@dre32pitt]

OG MTV Cribs.. complete with Oingo Boingo

[@kirinrex]

I've always felt that before you're allowed to teach, even junior high, you need to work at the very least two years in your field of study OUTSIDE education. The problem is that we have people who go to kindergarten, elementary school, junior high, high school, and university and then jump right back into a classroom as a teacher without ever actually working in the world we're supposedly educating our kids for. Teachers need to understand what it's like working in a business and need to know how their field of study is applied practically.

[@captainpinky8307]

They also need to teach the most important subject school's never teach. money! how to earn it. how to handle it. and how to spend it.

[@CaptainSeamus]

My local college (where I teach trades and actually run one program) - our programs for the trades has a basic 5 year rule - you need to have at least 10,000 hours (5 years at 40 hours a week) work experience outside before you come back to teach... we've made a couple of exceptions, and those have nearly never worked well.

[@seankelly7552]

I'm sure the teamsters would like to have a little chat with ya!!😂😂😂

[@dariowiter3078]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 😆😆😆😆😆 😁😁😁😁😁

[@Tizoc69]

Rick O'Shay ringleaders? Lol

[@komptozegee6795]

This has always been on of my favorite scenes in this movie. Melon is dead on! As a kid watching this I knew he was right and not just being a class clown like Sherlock was making him out to be.

[@bgwhalley]

Funny because this is what college is really like. A professor who graduated with a Masters or Doctorate and never worked a day in the real world and has no clue what it's really like. Just reads from a textbook!

[@katherinkeegan8601]

And that is why an college education is not worth it anymore.

[@happybear3706]

Yeah, unless it’s stem, the trades, or accounting and finance.

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

Exactly, my nephews ex-wife went from being a student, post grad, assistant, phd, associate professor to tenured professor of economics without spending a single day in the real world workforce. She was so full of herself, pompous and just a jerk to anyone without a degree. The family cheered when he announced they were divorcing.

[@jgreico11]

How bout Fantasy Land?

[@waynetompkins3006]

I remember watching this scene with my Dad on HBO when I was a teenager. Everything went over my head, but Dad was laughing his butt off.

[@sangkang6294]

I can assure you, corruption is as old as it gets and will never go away as long as human exist.

[@OtterloopB]

And that, my friend, is because we're all corrupt sinners by nature. The more you read the Bible, the more you discover it's not myths. It has the human condition pegged perfectly, and mercifully points us to the cure: Christ Himself.

[@dan4091]

@@OtterloopB this is why arguments about capitalism vs communism are invalid, neither system works when sinners are involved, or said the other way, either system could work just fine if sinners weren't involved.

[@mycatisromeo]

It will go away if our system rewarded cooperative behavior. Instead it rewards corruption and greed. Because those who run it, those at the top are corrupt and greedy.

[@jackt5617]

When I was in college and knew plenty of friends who were majoring in business. I always wondered how the professors could teach business classes when they themselves had never worked in or owned a business themselves as they had never done anything but get degrees and worked for universities.

[@ZENIGMATV]

That's how business really works! I saw Dangerfield not long before he died and all he was "man it's hot in here!".

[@Johnny-ht3qh]

This is a perfect example in my life why I never appreciated educational institutions. Even attending technical and certification classes during my career, I always Challenge the instructors to apply more real life teaching.

[@mariopalos9238]

Maybe you’re supposed to learn the book stuff in school and the life stuff in life.

[@wordpressobsessed9067]

Reminds me of a story: My father was getting his Master's degree with a bunch of guys that had been in business for years. After a long lecture from a "professor" who had no business experience, one of his classmates yelled out "you're full of shit!" Until they require college professors to actually have experience running a business, students will always require safe spaces.

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

Business isn't an academic field. It's about experience and talent. Economics is an academic field on which business is based

[@makemarker]

That's the problem.. you can't get a real business person to teach full time.. too busy doing business 😊

[@dicky7600]

Those who can, will “do”. Those who can’t, will “teach”.

[@Rockhound6165]

@@DrJ-hx7wv and I believe this course is economics so what Barbay is doing here isn't wrong.

[@Rockhound6165]

@@dicky7600 to quote Jim Rohn, "Those who do are the envy of those who merely watch."

[@jerrypadilla4384]

This STILL holds up, after all these years. Academics dont "Live" in the real world, yet try to teach about something, they do not know. It's funny, because true... then, as now.

[@GaryBrowder-kw2iq]

I saw this at the theater and I laughed throughout the whole movie this is a classic

[@martincaidin4166]

waste management = Tony Soprano

[@tlots2345]

This clip was so good, I had to watch it a second time. The Fantasyland comment was even funnier the second time I heard it.

[@hoyit]

“And if you plan on using any cement in this building, I’m sure the teamsters would like to have a little chat wit ya.” 😂

[@operator91210]

Oh I'm sure they have a few bodies to throw into the cement floor for that factory of theirs.

[@freedom2084]

This is real life!!Things are harder than in a class room

[@Milestonemonger]

"You have to grease a local politician" 😂 so true

[@TheAssasin2525]

Rodney was/is telling it like it is... R.I.P

[@NelsonFranks-xk1jw]

One of the most brilliant scenes ever filmed.