Category: Micro Clips

King of the Hill – Ilegal Propane Cartel

In this clip from King of the Hill, local propane sellers had engaged in a price war that drove prices so low that they were incurring losses. Frustrated by the unsustainable competition, Hank Hill brings the producers together to encourage them to “work together” and charge more reasonable prices. What starts as an attempt to stabilize the market quickly becomes an illegal propane cartel, resulting in higher prices and larger profits for the few remaining sellers.

The scene shows how firms may be tempted to coordinate prices to avoid losses, even though such agreements harm consumers and violate antitrust laws.

Thanks to Brian Lynch for the clip recommendation

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The Today Show – What is the Internet?

In this clip from The Today Show in 1994, the hosts puzzle over a then-emerging concept: the internet. They debate the purpose of the “@” symbol, question how the internet works, and ask, “What is the internet, anyway?”—a moment that seems almost surreal today.

This is a powerful reminder of how quickly technology reshapes the economy. It can be used to introduce students to the idea of structural change in the labor market and how technological progress creates entirely new industries, jobs, and skills. Many of today’s careers didn’t exist just a few decades ago, and this moment in broadcast history captures how disorienting that change can be in real time.

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Friends – A Selfless Good Deed

Phoebe and Joey engage in a spirited debate about whether any good deed is truly selfless. Joey argues that all good deeds ultimately make the person feel good, so they’re not entirely altruistic. Meanwhile, Phoebe insists that true selflessness is possible. As the conversation unfolds, the discussion centers on motivations and emotional payoffs.

This clip is an engaging way to introduce utility maximization. Joey’s argument that people help others because it makes them feel good offers a humorous entry point into the idea that individuals make choices to maximize their own utility, even when the actions appear altruistic. It also sets the stage for deeper classroom discussions about rationality, behavioral economics, and how utility functions may include emotional satisfaction, not just material outcomes.

Thanks to Charlie Ben-Nathan for the clip submission!

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The Smiths – Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now

This track by The Smiths offers a rich backdrop for exploring the opportunity costs associated with how people allocate their labor. The lyrics reflect the emotional cost of employment: the narrator moves from idleness to employment, only to express regret and dissatisfaction:

I was looking for a job and then I found a job
And heaven knows I’m miserable now

The chorus questions why he spends his valuable time (a scarce resource) on work that feels meaningless and unappreciated:

In my life, oh, why do I give valuable time
To people who don’t care
If I live or I die?

This song is a great opening to discuss opportunity cost in labor decisions: just because someone can allocate their time to paid work doesn’t mean it’s their most valued use of time. It’s important to remember that most labor models don’t focus on maximizing income, but rather utility. There is a tradeoff between the income we earn from paid labor and the loss of leisure time. The cost of that tradeoff is much higher when the work we do isn’t satisfying.

Thanks to Allison Murphy from Oregon State for the clip submission and topic recommendation

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Southwest Airlines – Winglets (a.k.a. Doohickeys)

In this 2014 commercial, Southwest Airlines highlights a new fuel-saving technology—winglets, affectionately dubbed “doohickeys.” The airline explains that these wingtip extensions improve fuel efficiency, helping them lower costs and, in turn, offer lower prices to customers.

This ad is a fun and accessible way to show how technological improvements can shift the supply curve. Teachers can use it to illustrate how increased productivity lowers production costs, which leads to lower prices and greater availability—in this case, more affordable flights for more people.

Thanks to Matthew Jordan from Lincoln-Way East High School for the clip submission and description suggestion!

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The Tom Green Show – Undercutters Pizza

In this sketch from the Tom Green Show, the host engages in an unconventional experiment where he shadows a pizza delivery driver. As the driver delivers orders, Green attempts to undercut the original pizza company by offering the customers a cheaper pizza from his makeshift, mobile operation, Undercutters Pizza. Despite the lower prices, customers react negatively, some even threatening violence if he doesn’t leave their property. In real markets, firms often vie for customers by offering lower prices for substitutable products.

Thanks to Kevin Carlson for the clip submission!

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Talladega Nights – No One Lives Forever

This funny scene involves Ricky Bobby (played by Will Ferrell) discussing his prospects for longevity with his pit coach. When warned about the dangers of reckless driving, Ricky confidently cites advances in modern science and his substantial income as reasons he might live exceptionally long—perhaps to 245 or even 300 years old. Though exaggerated, Ricky’s statement underscores a real economic observation: higher income levels are correlated with better health outcomes, largely due to better access to healthcare and medical advancements.

Thanks to Scott Cunningham for the clip suggestion!

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Hobby Lobby – Christmas Competition

The holiday commercial illustrates key economic concepts through the story of two young entrepreneurs competing to sell hot chocolate. Initially, both firms engage in product differentiation by progressively increasing their decorations to attract customers. This competition raises their average costs above what would be necessary in a more competitive market.

The ending of the commercial takes a surprising turn: instead of continuing the costly competition, one firm pivots to selling a complementary product (marshmallows). This demonstrates the potential power of collusion or cooperation, where firms can align their strategies to raise overall profits, behaving more like a monopolist rather than competing solely on price.

Thanks to Patrick Johnson for the clip submission!

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Condor Pipe Tobacco – Reducing Externalities

Negative externalities are activities that generate costs that accrue to people not directly involved in those activities. These effects are generally unattended. From the pipe smoker’s point of view, the noise generated by the rowdy boys was an external cost.

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KAYAK: Don’t do it yourself (Vacuum)

This KAYAK advertisement showcases a person who insists on manually handling tasks, including booking travel, despite acknowledging it’s not the most efficient method. He thinks he can do everything the best (absolute advantage), but fails to recognize that people can be better off when they focus on their comparative advantage instead.

Thanks to John Kruggel for posting this clip on Twitter/X!

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