Watch How To with John Wilson

How To with John Wilson is a unique documentary-style TV series that premiered on HBO in October 2020. The show is created, produced, directed and narrated by John Wilson, who is also the star of the show. The show is an amusing, quirky, and thoroughly entertaining exploration of modern-day life in New York City through the lens of John Wilson's infectious curiosity and oddball sense of humor.

Each episode of How To with John Wilson is a mini-documentary that focuses on a specific topic, such as small talk, scaffolding, or how to make the perfect risotto. Wilson's self-deprecating humor and deadpan delivery provide a perfect counterpoint to the series' often-surreal imagery.

One of the essential elements of the show is John's ability to capture his surroundings in a way rarely seen before. He uses his iPhone to record the city's scenes, people and happenings, and then edit and weave them together into a strangely mesmerizing whole. The show is full of long, lingering shots of New York City street scenes, parks, and buildings, but there's always a twist: instead of capturing the city's beauty, Wilson focuses on the oddities, absurdities, and quirks that make the city unique.

The show's unique style of filming is accompanied by its incredible sound design. The footsteps, conversations, ambient soundscapes, and even the silence are all crafted to elevate the viewing experience. The sound and images are often used to add or augment punchlines, creating a subtle, uncanny effect that makes the show feel more like a piece of art installation than a television program.

Part of what makes How To with John Wilson stand out is that, while it has a specific format, it never feels the same. Each episode is unique and keeps the audience on their toes with its imaginative, unpredictable twists and turns. It's hard to say what each episode will bring or teach us, and that's precisely what makes the show so engaging.

Throughout the series, Wilson shares his wry, idiosyncratic observations and insights into aspects of city life that most people overlook, like the multitude of chairs on display on the streets of New York, the many types of private trash containers or the way scaffolding changes the face of a neighborhood block. In each episode, John tries to learn a new skill, such as impersonating celebrities, attending a meditation retreat, or following a GPS route anywhere. Along with his experiences and observations, he always shares anecdotes and snippets of information from interviews with other people, some of whom are recognizable, like Kyle MacLachlan or Nathan Fielder.

It's hard to describe the precise tone of the show, as it often veers from whimsical to poignant, from cringe-worthy to hilarious. Still, there's an underlying warmth and sense of humanity to the series that ties everything together. At its core, How To with John Wilson is a heartfelt love letter to New York and its inhabitants, with all their quirks and contradictions.

In summary, How To with John Wilson is a brilliantly executed TV series that manages to be both hysterically funny and deeply emotional. John Wilson's deadpan humor, vivid imagery and impeccable sound design are a winning combination that makes this series unlike any other. If you're looking for a new take on the documentary genre and a fresh perspective on modern city life, this show should be on your must-watch list.

How To with John Wilson is a series that ran for 3 seasons (18 episodes) between October 24, 2020 and on HBO