A Metaphor for Academia

Suddenly a curtain rises, and you figure out that you're on a large stage in front of a packed house. A spotlight shines on you. You're front and center, directly facing the audience, surrounded by smiling dancers in identical costumes, like The Rockettes. They've practiced and are ready, and they begin the number. You don't know the dance, so you try to fake it, awkwardly kicking your legs and gesticulating, staring at the dancers next to you. The audience roars. Turns out you're on Saturday Night Live, and this is a bit. You're alarmed and humiliated.

But then, cat ball shaver is a good one too.