John Wilson’s new documentary The History Of Concrete hits theaters soon, and if you’ve never watched How To With John Wilson, the show that made him famous, now is the time to catch up. The AV Club has put together a crash course in the five episodes that best prepare you for his big-screen debut.
First Five Episodes
The show’s very first episode, “How To Make Small Talk,” sets the tone for everything that follows. The episode starts with social anxiety but quickly veers into suburban Chris Hansen-style antics and a wild trip to MTV Spring Break in Cancun. It’s a masterclass in Wilson’s signature style: handheld camera, first-person POV, second-person narration, and setups that land in quick cuts.
Episode four of season one, “How To Cover Your Furniture,” delivers the show’s first genuinely absurd moment. Wilson is looking for a protective cover to save his living room from his cat, and that search leads him to Ron Low, an anti-circumcision advocate who gets naked on camera to demonstrate his foreskin restoration device. The episode finds humor in Low’s passion without mocking him, a skill that defines the show’s approach throughout.
Season two, episode two, “How To Appreciate Wine,” leans into Wilson’s personal life. He explores his suggestibility while learning about fine wine, and a story from his college a cappella days introduces a near-miss with the subject of another HBO documentary. Later, a detour to Burning Man is derailed by production on The Man Will Burn. The episode shows how Wilson ties his work to his own history, often through his relationship with his elderly landlord.
The Show’s Uniqueness
How To shares DNA with Nathan Fielder’s work, including The Rehearsal and Nathan For You. The show also connects to Adult Swim’s Joe Pera Talks With You, and its storytelling owes a debt to Orson Welles’ F For Fake. But How To is its own thing.
The AV Club’s own opinion describes it as a “pitch-perfect blueprint for a documentary feature about the highs and lows of creative pursuits, the hidden layers of everyday people, and, yes, concrete.” That’s the point. Wilson’s obsession with mundane subjects — small talk, furniture protection, wine appreciation — reveals deeper layers in the people he meets.
The show’s humor comes from the subjects themselves. People will reveal almost anything to a guy with a camera, a disarming personality, and a boundless curiosity. Wilson doesn’t prod for jokes; he simply watches.
Why Catch Up Now
The crash course covers the show’s run, from its first season premiere to its expanded second season. They span social anxiety, strange encounters, and Wilson’s own history.
The list is a handy roadmap. If you’re heading to see The History Of Concrete, these five episodes will prime you for the film’s mix of grand ambition and mundane subject matter.
Running Order
| Episode | Season | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| “How To Make Small Talk” | 1 | Social anxiety, Chris Hansen shenanigans, MTV Spring Break |
| “How To Cover Your Furniture” | 1 | Anti-circumcision advocate Ron Low, TLC Tugger |
| “How To Appreciate Wine” | 2 | Fine wine, Wilson’s college a cappella days, Burning Man |
| “How To Get Into How To With John Wilson In Five Episodes” | N/A | Meta episode |
The Bottom Line
How To With John Wilson is a show about curiosity, and it rewards viewers who share that trait. The episodes recommended by the AV Club capture the show’s spirit, from Ron Low’s naked demonstration to the Burning Man detour.
The documentary The History Of Concrete is a natural extension of the TV show’s themes. Wilson’s fascination with concrete, like his fascination with small talk or wine, is a gateway to the people who live with it.
If you’re laughing at the trailer for The History Of Concrete, you’re already halfway there. These five episodes will bring you the rest of the way.
See the video the story is built around at The A.V. Club.
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