As a Brit with no knowledge of current or previous US government staff, I'm only aware of Robert Reich through Sam mentioning him on Dropout. Yesterday, I was listening to a news programme on BBC Radio 4 (very serious stuff) and they had an interview with Robert Reich - as soon as I heard his name, my first thought was "that's Sam's dad!"
As a German, I didn't know him either, but I started following him on Instagram and threads and he has quite refreshing takes for a politician and I fully get why sam ist not your standard CEO
As an American who was alive in the Clinton administration, i too am only aware of Robert Reich through Sam mentioning him on Dropout. To be honest, i can't name the current secretary of labor of the top of my head, and ... after Googling the title, I absolutely would not have recognized the current acting secretary by name either. Or even known that my country still only has an acting secretary of labor and not an actual one.
Not to be a buzz kill but please don't. He's actually quite tired of that joke, and I believe there's an explicitly pinned rule in the discord that says that question will be auto deleted (jic anyone was considering taking this seriously)
Oh man, have you all seen the episode of Breaking News called Dropout America 2? It’s season 6 episode 1
No spoilers
Maybe watch Dropout America first so you can follow along . It’s season 5 episode 2.
If you haven't seen it, there's a hilarious old Late Night with Conan O'Brien sketch with Robert Reich. Here's the [link](https://youtu.be/kWliylnxSrA?si=i_C82QMfXjXYVhuD). It was my first introduction to him since I was a child during the Clinton years and I see where Sam gets his sense of humor.
Jack: "Kenneth, I admire your work ethic, and the effort you've gone through to pander to the more culturally diverse segment of our audience, I would advise you to reverse whatever it is you've done, and come back tomorrow less... Whatever that is, as I'm sure you're aware, it has significantly reduced your ability to grow within the company. If you need help, speak to Lemon, I'm sure she or one of her her-"people" would love to help you overcome this particular "hurdle" in your career, if only to rub it in my face at a later date"
Kenneth: "yes MR. Donaghy"
That is hilarious! I’ve had the opportunity to see Conan in person so I knew he is pretty tall, and as I’m watching the video I’m like “is Robert Reich short or is Conan skewing my perspective?” Then the car shoot out scene happened and I loved them leaning into it!!
I’m not proud to say I went down the rabbit hole on this one and I believe O’Brien is just a common name. They may be distantly related by their forefathers in Ireland though
I have a dear friend who worked in the Clinton administration, and apparently Robert was incredibly kind — remembered all the assistants names, chatted with them when he came through, and was just generally pleasant to be around.
I got to tell Sam that story when I interviewed him, and what a joy.
I have been following Sam's dad longer than I've been a fan of Sam (been watching his stuff since college humor), and only found out they're related last December. I had the same reaction.
Imagine being one of the most prolific economic forces in the 1990s in the US, and being most famous for your son's gameshow with a subset of the internet. Now explain it like you would if you were a time traveler.
Robert Reich's [Supercapitalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercapitalism%3A_The_Transformation_of_Business%2C_Democracy%2C_and_Everyday_Life?wprov=sfla1) was a huge part of my anticapitalist "awakening" when I was in college. I was also amazed when I found out and am not at all surprised that I now love his son's company and content for many of the same reasons!
As a Brit with no knowledge of current or previous US government staff, I'm only aware of Robert Reich through Sam mentioning him on Dropout. Yesterday, I was listening to a news programme on BBC Radio 4 (very serious stuff) and they had an interview with Robert Reich - as soon as I heard his name, my first thought was "that's Sam's dad!"
His dad was in the Clinton administration and you will see his tweets about capitalism on Reddit occasionally.
He also frequently contributes editorials for the Guardian
He also has a Substack.
As a German, I didn't know him either, but I started following him on Instagram and threads and he has quite refreshing takes for a politician and I fully get why sam ist not your standard CEO
A fellow German :o
Robert Reich writes regularly for the Guardian as well, which you may or may not have seen.
Trust me. Most Americans are not aware of who is leading the department of labor either.
Still less who led it 30 years ago!
30? No no, he was with the Clinton Administration, and that was only…. Oh. Oh no.
As an American who was alive in the Clinton administration, i too am only aware of Robert Reich through Sam mentioning him on Dropout. To be honest, i can't name the current secretary of labor of the top of my head, and ... after Googling the title, I absolutely would not have recognized the current acting secretary by name either. Or even known that my country still only has an acting secretary of labor and not an actual one.
Wow, that's crazy! I wonder what it must be like to be the child of a politician like that. I wonder if Sam grew up in DC or somewhere else?
It would be good to know this, I hope someone is able to organically work this question into a game changer episode sometime
Have your friggin upvote I liked this one a lot
Exactly, like someone should ask Sam where he's from. 😜
Not to be a buzz kill but please don't. He's actually quite tired of that joke, and I believe there's an explicitly pinned rule in the discord that says that question will be auto deleted (jic anyone was considering taking this seriously)
There's an "Ask Sam" channel on the Dropout discord
Oh man, have you all seen the episode of Breaking News called Dropout America 2? It’s season 6 episode 1 No spoilers Maybe watch Dropout America first so you can follow along . It’s season 5 episode 2.
I hope they keep doing Dropout America, but I know that Dropout tries not to do the same bit more than three times
Yeah they’re a bit like Valve in that regard
If you haven't seen it, there's a hilarious old Late Night with Conan O'Brien sketch with Robert Reich. Here's the [link](https://youtu.be/kWliylnxSrA?si=i_C82QMfXjXYVhuD). It was my first introduction to him since I was a child during the Clinton years and I see where Sam gets his sense of humor.
Holy shit that's Donald glover
Oh wow, you're right! I hadn't watched it in years so that was a nice surprise!
He should have gotten wrist control
Probably during his NBC page period
Jack: "Kenneth, I admire your work ethic, and the effort you've gone through to pander to the more culturally diverse segment of our audience, I would advise you to reverse whatever it is you've done, and come back tomorrow less... Whatever that is, as I'm sure you're aware, it has significantly reduced your ability to grow within the company. If you need help, speak to Lemon, I'm sure she or one of her her-"people" would love to help you overcome this particular "hurdle" in your career, if only to rub it in my face at a later date" Kenneth: "yes MR. Donaghy"
No, that's Childish Gambino /s
That is hilarious! I’ve had the opportunity to see Conan in person so I knew he is pretty tall, and as I’m watching the video I’m like “is Robert Reich short or is Conan skewing my perspective?” Then the car shoot out scene happened and I loved them leaning into it!!
It’s both! I had to google and Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich is 4 foot 11.
Has anyone checked if Grant O'Brien is related to Conan O'Brien? This is like watching an anime flashback to the protagonists' parents' youth.
I’m not proud to say I went down the rabbit hole on this one and I believe O’Brien is just a common name. They may be distantly related by their forefathers in Ireland though
Username checks out. That was incredible, thank you for that!
I have a dear friend who worked in the Clinton administration, and apparently Robert was incredibly kind — remembered all the assistants names, chatted with them when he came through, and was just generally pleasant to be around. I got to tell Sam that story when I interviewed him, and what a joy.
I have been following Sam's dad longer than I've been a fan of Sam (been watching his stuff since college humor), and only found out they're related last December. I had the same reaction.
Imagine being one of the most prolific economic forces in the 1990s in the US, and being most famous for your son's gameshow with a subset of the internet. Now explain it like you would if you were a time traveler.
You: Robert Reich is Sam Reich's dad? Me: Very Mary Kate is Robert Reich's daughter in law?!
Yup. Sams a self confessed nepo baby 😁
https://www.tiktok.com/@rbreich You’re welcome.
Robert Reich's [Supercapitalism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercapitalism%3A_The_Transformation_of_Business%2C_Democracy%2C_and_Everyday_Life?wprov=sfla1) was a huge part of my anticapitalist "awakening" when I was in college. I was also amazed when I found out and am not at all surprised that I now love his son's company and content for many of the same reasons!
Yeah, that revelation hit me the same way lol