by Sam H.
How to with John Wilson seems like an odd standout in HBO’s portfolio of shows, and not only because it isn’t as stuffed with cuss words, graphic violence, and explicit sex scenes as most HBO shows have been known to be. Hosted by the awkward but charming John Wilson, this show explores the world from the perspective of a documentarian, searching for an answer to questions such as “How to Make Small Talk” and “How to Put Up Scaffolding”, the titles of the first two episodes. Though the questions seem mundane, the journey to answer them certainly is anything but as Wilson pieces together strange, candid moments filmed in the streets of New York and interviews with quirky strangers to craft a narrative about self-discovery and examining life’s trivialities. Despite that the show is categorized as a comedy, Wilson’s anxious but sweetly candid rambling and direct address to the viewer works with the visuals to create a relaxing and earnest vibe.
Before How to with John Wilson first aired in 2020, Adult Swim was home to Joe Pera Talks with You, which ran from 2018 until 2021. Unfortunately, it was eventually canceled in July 2022, ending with season 3. Each episode centers around a general concept (ex. “Joe Pera Takes You to Breakfast”) but in between Pera’s soft musings to the viewer, the comedian, playing a fictionalized rendition of himself, intertwines a story about his place in the world as a choir teacher in a small Michigan town appreciating life’s small pleasures that most people around him seem to ignore.
What’s unique about both shows is the gentle structure of storytelling both use. Since Pera and Wilson both talk directly to the camera, the viewer isn’t only watching the story – they’re also part of it. This casual intimacy keeps the viewer intrigued without requiring them to actively keep up with fast-paced plot points similar to those of drama shows or purposefully timed comedic beats planted in sitcoms. This method also keeps the show grounded since the narrators have the ability to talk directly to the viewer and retain the ability to control the portrayal of their life. In other scenarios, an unreliable narrator may pose a threat, but in these shows, the narrator feels like a polite friend and the viewer doesn’t feel the need to resist the strange but smooth flow of events. Watching these shows gives viewers permission to forget about the bad eggs of the world and makes them feel a little less alone in their problems.
One TV show that comes to mind when talking about the direct address aspect of this format is Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s iconic Fleabag. The show’s structure follows that of a more traditional drama show intercut with the protagonist, and eventually, one of her love interests, breaking the fourth wall. She uses the viewer as a crutch to gain some semblance of control over her life while she’s struggling with grieving her mother’s death and sorting out her unapologetically messy life. What all three shows share in common is the ability of the narrator to confess truths that may otherwise be hard for them to see if they were not aware of a third party’s presence.
I would be amiss not to mention The Rehearsal when discussing these shows, especially since Nathan Fielder is a producer on Wilson’s show. In The Rehearsal, Nathan Fielder, known for creating and starring in Nathan For You, simulates scenarios, attempting to imitate them as accurately as possible, and in the process, discovers more about the trials and tribulations of living as a human. Though The Rehearsal doesn’t have the same framework as Wilson’s and Pera’s, it’s worth mentioning as it manages to capture subtle humorous undertones that provide a good chuckle between displays of humanity’s most outlandish traits.
As much as I’m sure there are many creative series on YouTube that follow a similar format, it’s important that more shows like these are created. Creators like John Wilson and Joe Pera deserve support from networks and exposure to larger audiences. People need to know that in a world oversaturated with content, some of which is insincere and an obvious cash grab, there are still shows that provide a safe space for them, one where they can just sit back and watch as someone frets about protecting furniture from their cat’s vicious glass or writing a musical about the rat war in Alberta, Canada.
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