Celebrity Substitute — Season 1
School is in session—with a star-studded twist! Each week, a new special guest takes over the classroom as a surprise substitute teacher. Tune in every Tuesday to see your favorite celebs try to make the grade!
About this season
Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh lead acting class. Jordan Chiles fills in for the gym teacher. LISA forms her own dance group. They’re the best in the world at what they do—but teaching elementary school kids how to do it? Harder than it looks. And funny and adorable… but thank goodness the real teacher’s back in charge tomorrow. Hosted by Julian Shapiro-Barnum (Recess Therapy), Celebrity Substitute asks our favorite stars to swap limos for lesson plans and spend a day with an amazing class of public school kids. And, thanks to Amazon, every episode has a few other surprises in store… Most of all, Celebrity Substitute reminds us to give teachers their flowers. Because substituting for a day is one thing. The ones who do it full time? Absolute heroes. Celebrity Substitute is the ultimate feel-good series that celebrates the importance of education and the power of connection—whether you’re selling out Madison Square Garden or singing backup in your first grade choir.
Episodes (12)
1. Can Andrew Garfield & Florence Pugh Teach Kids To Act?
Aired 22 October 2024 • 8 min
"We Live in Time" stars Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield are stepping into the spotlight—and the classroom! Watch as they bring some DRAMA to the students of PS 63 in the premiere episode of Celebrity Substitute.
2. LISA forms a New Girl Group
Aired 29 October 2024 • 7 min
Lilies, it’s SHOWTIME! Teacher LISA is taking over PS 282 as the next Celebrity Substitute—and she’s filming a brand-new Rockstar music video with the students! Get ready for exclusive behind-the-scenes moments, epic dance moves, and an unforgettable classroom takeover.
3. Olympic Gymnast Jordan Chiles Does Backflips with 1st Graders
Aired 12 November 2024 • 8 min
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles is bringing her A-game to PS 9’s PE class in this episode of Celebrity Substitute! Watch as she helps the students create an epic workout video, packed with flips, fun, and fitness. Will these kids keep up with Jordan’s Olympic-level energy? Can they pull off a workout video that’ll make them stars? Tune in to see this unforgettable class filled with surprises, teamwork, and a whole lot of sweat!
4. Cynthia Erivo and Stories That Defy Gravity!
Aired 19 November 2024 • 6 min
What makes a great story? Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo visits PS 11 to inspire students with her storytelling expertise! Watch as the WICKED movie star shares her craft, encourages creativity, and brings the magic of storytelling to life.
5. Antoni Porowski Opens a 5 Star Restaurant at an Elementary School
Aired 26 November 2024 • 7 min
Food and kindness take center stage in this heartwarming episode of Celebrity Substitute! Queer Eye's Antoni Porowski steps into the classroom at PS MS7 to teach students the art of cooking. From slicing and dicing to plating with style, Antoni helps the kids turn their cafeteria into a pop-up restaurant!
6. Camila Cabello Films a Music Video with Elementary School Kids
Aired 4 December 2024 • 7 min
Get ready to turn up the volume! 🎶 In this episode of Celebrity Substitute, music superstar Camila Cabello teaches the students of PS 241 the art of performance, from stage presence to choreography and vocals. But the fun doesn’t stop there—she leads the kids in creating an epic music video for her song “I Luv It”. Watch as the students channel their inner pop stars and Camila shows us why she’s a true stage queen!
7. Soccer Pros Ali Krieger and Midge Purce Face Off Against Kids
Aired 11 December 2024 • 7 min
Soccer stars Ali Krieger and Midge Purce from Gotham FC step into the gym with a group of talented kids, teaching teamwork and soccer fundamentals. Then, the real fun begins: an unforgettable match packed with energy, laughs, and a few surprises as Ali and Midge face off against their pint-sized challengers. Can the pros keep up? Find out in this heartwarming episode of Celebrity Substitute!
8. Billie Eilish and FINNEAS Write a Hit Song with Kids
10.0Aired 19 December 2024 • 10 min
When Billie Eilish and FINNEAS drop by Garvanza Elementary, things get chilly in the best way. Together with the students, they write an original hit called "I'm Just a Polar Bear"—and it’s as adorable as it sounds. Watch the ultimate collab unfold as Billie, FINNEAS, and the kids turn classroom chaos into musical magic!
9. Kenan Thompson Schools Kids in Improv Comedy
Aired 19 February 2025 • 8 min
SNL legend Kenan Thompson surprises a real elementary school by becoming their improv comedy teacher for the day! From quick-thinking games to laugh-out-loud performances, Kenan teaches the next generation of comedians how to embrace spontaneity, say “yes, and,” and think on their feet.
10. Broadway Bootcamp with Ashley Park
Aired 5 March 2025 • 8 min
"Mean Girls" Broadway star and "Emily in Paris" actress Ashley Park surprises a real elementary school by becoming their musical theatre teacher for the day! From vocal warmups to show-stopping choreography, Ashley brings her love of performing arts to the next generation.
11. Jon Batiste Inspires Kids Through Poetry
Aired 26 March 2025 • 11 min
Grammy-winning musician and Soul composer Jon Batiste steps into the classroom at PS 83 to teach the art of spoken word poetry! From rhythm to rhyme, Jon helps students find their voices, craft powerful verses, and bring their words to life in a performance that’s sure to inspire.
12. Jacob Collier Breaks Down the WHOLE of Music for Elementary Schoolers
Aired 9 April 2025 • 9 min
Grammy-winning musician and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier steps into the classroom at PS 182 to answer one very big question: What is music? From rhythm and harmony to improvisation and songwriting, Jacob takes the students on a mind-bending journey through the language of sound.