Dropout’s Sam Reich on ‘Rookie’ ‘Copaganda’ Backlash to ‘Game Changer’ Crossover
Dropout, formerly known as CollegeHumor, has long been a favorite among comedy streaming service fans. Known for its liberal-leaning content, it came as a surprise to many when cast members from the game show “Game Changer” were set to appear on an episode of the ABC cop procedural “The Rookie.”
The decision sparked backlash from viewers who viewed “The Rookie” as promoting “copaganda,” while Dropout talent has been vocal about issues such as police brutality. However, the episode aired on Monday night featured Dropout CEO and “Game Changer” host Sam Reich, along with Vic Michaelis, Jacob Wysocki, Zac Oyama, and Anna Garcia, playing exaggerated versions of themselves alongside “The Rookie” star Nathan Fillion.
The storyline revolved around the cast portraying caricatures of themselves on the set and during a police lineup, with Reich inadvertently involved in a burglary due to a failed insurance fraud attempt. Reich, in an email interview with Variety, addressed the fan concerns and explained that the opportunity to reach a broader audience through the collaboration with “The Rookie” was too good to pass up.
The episode came about when “The Rookie” showrunner, Alexi Hawley, who is a fan of Dropout, approached the streaming platform. The script was mostly written by the “The Rookie” team but allowed for a significant amount of improvisation from the Dropout cast.
Despite the divisive reaction from fans, Reich emphasized the importance of exposing Dropout to a new audience through the collaboration. While there are no plans to incorporate the “The Rookie” episode into an upcoming “Game Changer” episode, Reich expressed his enjoyment of playing caricatures of themselves and embracing the opportunity to showcase Dropout to a larger audience.
Overall, the collaboration between Dropout and “The Rookie” provided a unique opportunity for both platforms to cross paths and introduce their content to new viewers. Despite initial concerns, the episode allowed for a fun and entertaining portrayal of Dropout talent in a scripted setting, showcasing their comedic abilities to a wider audience.
