How To with John Wilson

Last updated

How To with John Wilson
Htwjw-s02-logo-1733x300.png
Genre
Created by John Wilson
Written by
Directed byJohn Wilson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes18
Production
Executive producers
Producer
  • Brendan McHugh
Production location New York City
EditorAdam Locke-Norton
Running time25–37 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network HBO
ReleaseOctober 23, 2020 (2020-10-23) –
September 1, 2023 (2023-09-01)

How To with John Wilson is an American television comedy docuseries created by filmmaker John Wilson. [4] The series, executive produced by Nathan Fielder, Michael Koman and Clark Reinking, was ordered by HBO. [5] It premiered on October 23, 2020. [6]

Contents

On December 9, 2020, HBO renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on November 26, 2021. [7] [8] In February 2022, the series was renewed for a third season. [1] In May 2023, HBO announced it would premiere on July 28 and would be the final season, with Wilson stating that he had decided it would be the last one. [9]

Premise

John Wilson attempts to give advice while dealing with his own personal issues. The 25-minute episodes, framed as tutorials and filmed mainly on the streets of New York City, cover topics from small talk to scaffolding. While each episode initially focuses on its title topic, in the course of his investigation, Wilson meets people and strikes up conversations that lead in unpredictable and diverse directions. For example, the episode "How to Improve Your Memory" ends up featuring a conference on the Mandela effect in Ketchum, Idaho. [10]

Production

Wilson explained to Variety about his process of making the show:

I try to draft very rough scripts of what might happen in an episode, and then we give it to production and put a plan in action to shoot it—and every single script is rewritten from the ground up by the time we're done in the edit. So much of the rewriting has to happen in the edit, because we're now writing to these shots that we never could have predicted that we would have, and they're always so much better than the stuff that we roughly conceived. [11]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 6October 23, 2020 (2020-10-23)November 27, 2020 (2020-11-27)
2 6November 26, 2021 (2021-11-26)December 31, 2021 (2021-12-31)
3 6July 28, 2023 (2023-07-28)September 1, 2023 (2023-09-01)

Season 1 (2020)

No.
overall		No. in
season		Title  [2] Directed by  [2] Written by  [2] Original air date  [2] U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"How To Make Small Talk" John Wilson John WilsonOctober 23, 2020 (2020-10-23)0.187 [12]
22"How To Put Up Scaffolding"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman and Alice GregoryOctober 30, 2020 (2020-10-30)0.352 [13]
33"How To Improve Your Memory"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman and Alice GregoryNovember 6, 2020 (2020-11-06)0.288 [14]
44"How To Cover Your Furniture"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman and Alice GregoryNovember 13, 2020 (2020-11-13)0.273 [15]
55"How To Split the Check"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman and Alice GregoryNovember 20, 2020 (2020-11-20)0.231 [16]
66"How To Cook the Perfect Risotto"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman and Alice GregoryNovember 27, 2020 (2020-11-27)0.083 [17]

Season 2 (2021)

No.
overall		No. in
season		Title  [3] Directed by  [3] Written by  [3] Original air date  [3] U.S. viewers
(millions)
71"How To Invest in Real Estate" John Wilson John Wilson, Michael Koman, Alice Gregory, Susan Orlean, and Conner O'Malley November 26, 2021 (2021-11-26)0.118 [18]
82"How To Appreciate Wine"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman, Susan Orlean, and Conner O'MalleyDecember 3, 2021 (2021-12-03)0.068 [19]
93"How To Find a Spot"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman, Alice Gregory, Susan Orlean, and Conner O'MalleyDecember 10, 2021 (2021-12-10)0.079 [20]
104"How To Throw Out Your Batteries"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman, Alice Gregory, Susan Orlean, and Conner O'MalleyDecember 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)0.069 [21]
115"How To Remember Your Dreams"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman, Susan Orlean, and Conner O'MalleyDecember 24, 2021 (2021-12-24)0.049 [22]
126"How To Be Spontaneous"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman, Alice Gregory, Susan Orlean, and Conner O'MalleyDecember 31, 2021 (2021-12-31)0.114 [23]

Season 3 (2023)

No.
overall		No. in
season		Title  [24] Directed by  [25] Written by  [26] Original air date  [24]
131"How To Find a Public Restroom" John Wilson John Wilson and Michael Koman July 28, 2023 (2023-07-28)
142"How To Clean Your Ears"John WilsonJohn Wilson and Michael KomanAugust 4, 2023 (2023-08-04)
153"How To Work Out"John WilsonJohn Wilson and Michael KomanAugust 11, 2023 (2023-08-11)
164"How To Watch the Game"John WilsonJohn Wilson, Michael Koman and Allie VitiAugust 18, 2023 (2023-08-18)
175"How To Watch Birds"John WilsonJohn Wilson and Michael KomanAugust 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
186"How To Track Your Package"John WilsonJohn Wilson and Michael KomanSeptember 1, 2023 (2023-09-01)

Reception

Critical response

How To with John Wilson has received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has a score of 100% with an average rating of 7.8/10 based on 26 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "Surprising, thoughtful, and superbly strange, How To with John Wilson's blend of documentary styles comes together to create a singularly delightful experience." [27] On Metacritic, the first season has a weighted average score of 84 out of 100, based on 7 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [28]

Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter wrote How To with John Wilson is "funny, sad, and, in the end, shockingly profound." [29] Steve Greene of IndieWire gave the series a positive review of an A−, saying it has "a hint of darkness and a wealth of empathy." [30]

The second season received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a score of 100% with an average rating of 9/10 based on 6 reviews. [31] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 92 out of 100, based on 4 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [32]

The third season received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a score of 100% with an average rating of 9.3/10 based on 12 reviews. [33] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 92 out of 100, based on 8 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [34]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
2021 American Cinema Editors Best Edited Non-Scripted Series Adam Locke-NortonNominated [35]
Gotham Awards Breakthrough Nonfiction Series Nathan Fielder, Michael Koman, Clark Reinking, and John Wilson Nominated [36]
Cinema Eye Honors Outstanding Anthology SeriesNathan Fielder, Michael Koman, Clark Reinking, and John WilsonNominated [37] [38]
Outstanding Broadcast EditingAdam Locke-NortonWon
2022 TCA Awards Outstanding Achievement in News and Information How To with John WilsonNominated [39] [40]
Writers Guild of America Awards Best Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series Alice Gregory, Michael Koman, Conner O'Malley, Susan Orlean, and John WilsonNominated [41]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program John Wilson, Michael Koman, Susan Orlean, and Conner O'Malley (for "How To Appreciate Wine")Nominated [42]
Cinema Eye Honours Outstanding Anthology SeriesNathan Fielder, Michael Koman, Clark Reinking and John WilsonWon [43]
Outstanding Broadcast EditingAdam Locke-NortonNominated

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References

  1. 1 2 Hailu, Selome (February 8, 2022). "'How to With John Wilson' Renewed for Season 3 at HBO". Variety. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "HBO Docu-Comedy Series "How to with John Wilson" Debuts October 23". WarnerMedia . October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Season Two of HBO Docu-Comedy Series "How to with John Wilson" Debuts November 26" (Press release). HBO. November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021– via The Futon Critic.
  4. ↑ "John Wilson". Filmmaker Magazine. July 25, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  5. ↑ Otterson, Joe (August 12, 2019). "Nathan Fielder Sets HBO Overall Deal, Docu-Series and Comedy Pilot (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  6. ↑ "New Docu-Comedy Series "How to with John Wilson" Debuts October 23". The Futon Critic . September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  7. ↑ Porter, Rick (December 9, 2020). "'How To With John Wilson' Renewed for Second Season on HBO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  8. ↑ Grobar, Matt (September 16, 2021). "'How To With John Wilson': HBO Sets Premiere Date For Comedy Series' Second Season". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  9. ↑ Campione, Katie (May 25, 2023). "'How To With John Wilson' To End With Season 3; HBO Sets July Premiere Date". Deadline . Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  10. ↑ Knibbs, Kate (November 18, 2020). "How to With John Wilson Is the Year's Best Nature Documentary". Wired . Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  11. ↑ Framke, Caroline (January 14, 2022). "John Wilson on the Spontaneity of Filming 'How To' and Why New York Is the Perfect City for the Docuseries". Variety . Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  12. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (October 26, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.23.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  13. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 2, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.30.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  14. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 9, 2020). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.6.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  15. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 16, 2020). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.13.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  16. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 23, 2020). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.20.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  17. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (December 1, 2020). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.27.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  18. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 30, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.26.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  19. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (December 6, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.3.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  20. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (December 13, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.10.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  21. ↑ Salem, Mitch (December 20, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.17.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  22. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (December 28, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.24.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  23. ↑ Salem, Mitch (January 4, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Friday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.31.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  24. 1 2 "Shows A-Z - How To with John Wilson on HBO". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Third And Final Season Of The HBO Original Docu-Comedy Series HOW TO WITH JOHN WILSON Debuts July 28" (Press release). Warner Media. May 25, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  26. ↑ "How To with John Wilson - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  27. ↑ "How To with John Wilson: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  28. ↑ "How to with John Wilson: Season 1". Metacritic . Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  29. ↑ Fienberg, Daniel (October 22, 2020). "'How To With John Wilson': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  30. ↑ Greene, Steve (October 23, 2020). "'How To with John Wilson' Review: A Sweet Primer on Humanity and the Magic of Small Moments". IndieWire . Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  31. ↑ "How To with John Wilson: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  32. ↑ "How to with John Wilson: Season 2". Metacritic . Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  33. ↑ "How To with John Wilson: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  34. ↑ "How to with John Wilson: Season 3". Metacritic . Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  35. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (April 17, 2021). "ACE Eddie Awards: 'Trial Of The Chicago 7', 'Palm Springs', 'Soul' Top Film Winners; 'Ted Lasso', 'Queen's Gambit' Score In TV – Full Winners List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  36. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (November 30, 2021). "Gotham Awards: 'The Lost Daughter' Wins Top Prize — See the Full List of Winners". IndieWire . Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  37. ↑ Thompson, Anne (October 20, 2021). "Cinema Eye Honors Nominees: 'American Utopia' and 'City So Real' Top Broadcast Categories". IndieWire . Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  38. ↑ Pond, Steve (March 1, 2022). "'Flee' Wins Top Prize at Cinema Eye Honors for Documentaries". The Wrap . Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  39. ↑ Longeretta, Emily (June 16, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Leads 2022 TCA Awards Nominations: Full List". Variety . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  40. ↑ Hailu, Selome (August 6, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Tops 2022 TCA Awards". Variety . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  41. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (January 13, 2022). "WGA Awards TV Nominations: 'Yellowjackets', 'Hacks', 'Loki', 'Only Murders In The Building' Join Usual Suspects On List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  42. ↑ Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2022). "Emmys 2022: Complete Nominations List". Variety . Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  43. ↑ Carey, Matthew (October 20, 2022). "Cinema Eye Honors: 'Four Hours At The Capitol,' 'The Beatles: Get Back' Lead First Round Of Nominations For Documentary Awards Show". Deadline . Retrieved October 20, 2022.
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