Scripted series · HBO
How To with John Wilson
Hey, New York.
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
John Wilson
Self
18 eps
Kyle MacLachlan
Self (Swiping MetroCard on the Subway)
1 eps
Liz Schack
Self
1 eps
Yanjaa
Self
1 eps
Mariska Hargitay
Self
1 eps
Christopher Meloni
Self
1 eps
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Self
1 eps
Martha Stewart
Self
1 eps
Michael Bloomberg
Self
1 eps
Elon Musk
Self (uncredited)
1 eps
Ron Howard
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1 eps
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How How To with John Wilson actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
How To with John Wilson reads strongest on Character Depth, Bingeability and Humour.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
The story
What it's about
In a uniquely hilarious odyssey of self-discovery and cultural observation, documentary filmmaker and self-described "anxious New Yorker" John Wilson covertly and obsessively films the lives of his fellow New Yorkers while attempting to give everyday advice on relatable topics. The awkward contradictions of modern life are eased by Wilson’s candid, unpolished commentary. Building upon Wilson’s previously released "how to" short films, each episode takes wildly unexpected turns but is grounded in John's refreshing honesty.
The run
Seasons
3 seasons · 18 episodes.
Season 1 · Complete
Season 1
20206 episodes
8.2IMDbBest episode · S01E01 How to Make Small Talk
Season 2 · Complete
Season 2
20216 episodes
8.0IMDb
Season 3 · Complete
Season 3
20236 episodes
8.2IMDbIn season three, documentary filmmaker and self-described “anxious New Yorker” John Wilson continues his heartfelt mission of self-discovery, exploration, and observation as he films the lives of his fellow New Yorkers while attempting to give everyday advice on six new deceptively simple and wildly random topics. Building upon season two, the episodes take unexpected turns, as John navigates a new set of topics including: how to find a public restroom, how to work out, and how to clean your ears.
Best episode · S03E01 How to Find a Public Restroom
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.
S01E01 · Signature episode
How to Make Small Talk
John Wilson reflects on the delicate balancing act of making – and safely redirecting – casual conversation, highlighting the rewards and risks of small talk.
- Directed by John Wilson
- Written by John Wilson
Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- Brendan McHughProducer
- Clark ReinkingExecutive Producer
- Michael KomanExecutive Producer
- John WilsonExecutive Producer
- Nathan FielderExecutive Producer
Writing
- Michael KomanWriter
- Susan OrleanWriter
- John WilsonWriter
- Conner O'MalleyWriter
- Alice GregoryWriter
Direction
- John WilsonDirector
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
- HBO Max Amazon ChannelStreaming
- YouTube TVStreaming
- HBO MaxStreaming
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