Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous

First off, I'm a 29 year old male, not a 14 year old girl, so my review has nothing to do with how cute he is and has everything to do with how SMART he is. I was first introduced to Bo Burnham as I watched his comedy special "what" on youtube/netflix and immediately knew this kid was something special. I've been a performer/writer most of my life and I was so refreshed by his clever artistic material, shameless indulgence of vulgarity all blended together with original music, theater, and a unique brand of charisma. So I already had a certain respect for Bo before I ever watched an episode of Zach Stone. Once I watched the first episode, I was further impressed by his acting ability and writing (Bo created and wrote this show with the help of a couple others). Sure, he's painfully ignorant and annoying as a character for most of these episodes, but believe me, Bo knew exactly what he was doing when he wrote these roles. For me, it had the perfect blend of hilarious/random comedy, dichotomy between characters, relatable life problems for the new generation, satire as a whole, and character likability in the end. There is definitely a story within all the episodes and jointly as a full season. Caitlin Gerard who plays Amy is absolutely beautiful as the "girl next door," his hot friend from high school Christie is smokin' hot, his best friend Greg is the perfect offset to Zach's wild personality, and Zach's family is very relatable and believable. The outtakes are hilarious and the bonus material is great. Buy this dvd and support a dude who, in my opinion, will go down as a very special name in comedy when all is said and done.

Zach Stone just wants to be famous. He hires a camera crew to follow him around instead of going to college, to document his pre-celebrity life and rise to stardom. The thing that really stuck with me after watching the entire run was that Zach is a sad, lost child. He doesn't know who he is or what he wants to do with his life. So instead of leaving his comfort zone of home and heading to college to figure it out, he stays where it is safe and hopes to luck into the life he's always wanted. That being said this show is a comedy. It's hilarious and awkward, you'll laugh and cringe in the same scene. Bo Burnham does a great job as a believable egomaniac, Zach can only really shine in front of the camera and the few times he is candidly shot you see just how introverted and quiet he becomes. It's a shame that we won't see more of the show but clearly they were aware of the ending and manage to leave us with some closure. Watch this show, it's touching and funny and only 4.5 hours long all together so just do it.

Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous was hands down the best show MTV ever aired. Here is why. MTV is known for casting talentless teens wanting so badly to be famous, and are almost willing to do anything and everything to become famous. Take one of my favorite shows, Real World, for example. They cast people with little to no talent. Throw them in a house for 3 months, and have them argue, get drunk, and have sex for their 15 seconds of fame. With this show, Bo Burnham is poking fun at MTV and all the people they cast on their reality tv shows, by acting as if he is one of the talentless teens that are striving to get cast on one of their shows. Which is why I find it hilarious MTV allowed this show to go through. Either MTV was blindsided by the fact this show was going to make fun of them, or it was MTV acknowledging the fact this show makes fun of them, and it was their way of laughing along with it. Bo Burnham is a comic genius, and for those who say this show is boring, or isn't funny because it isn't typical Bo, you obviously aren't seeing what Bo was trying to accomplish with this show. I truly wish this show lasted more than one season, but for the 12 episodes MTV allowed, they certainly poked fun at the most well known reality shows to date. (Master Chef, American Idol, Real World, The Bachelor, TMZ, and so many more.) Like I said, Bo is a genius, and it's sad this show didn't do as well as it should've, but that just goes to show how many people are brainwashed into watching Duck Dynasty and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and let's not forget Lizard Lick Towing. Zach Stone is perfect for those that know how reality tv works, and was a great show to show anyone trying to get cast on reality tv what not to do. But sadly, most people don't find humor in that.

top 5

my favorite show ever

Zach’s false-bravado monologs, out-of-nowhere one liners, off-the-wall reactions, and unpredictable ideas, mixed with his family and friend’s attempts to understand and support him while tolerating him, make for a hilarious, fast paced, season of comedy. A decade ago, I was watching Bo Burnham's original online skits, back when he was going to be famous. Watching Zach Stone looks to be autobiographical in a sense with Bo playing Zach, a teen just out of high school and intent on becoming famous by recording himself performing any possible antic to gain publicity. Each episode focuses on a particular approach Zach has found, and his family and friends’ reactions and involvements (willing or unwilling). Zach’s character is spastic, and for the majority of each episode he seems oblivious to the feelings of others and how he is perceived. However, by the end of each episode and by the end of the season the character does seem to grow (mature) while making some headway toward his goal of becoming famous, and the show accentuates the value that Zach (despite his flaws) brings to the lives of those around him.

Watched through it once and was surpised with how in touch it was with its sensitive side despite its over-the-top satirical front-facing persona. Watched through it again and was moved by how nuanced even the satire was as the show was really telling a story on five different levels: 1. The character Zach Stone and his over-the-top quest to be famous 2. The satire of what this generation views as valuable and the notion that you aren't anybody if you aren't famous 3. A story about kids making the biggest step of their life to adulthood from high school and the attempt several make to reinvent themselves in this new life 3. A touching love story between childhood friends whose relationship was taken for granted before it almost slips away 5. A parallel of Bo Burnham's life, struggling with how he was derailed towards a life of "fame" while his friends (not many in high school) prepared for the typical next stage of life. Is the stress it has put on his family and his relationships worth the payoff?

If you don't appreciate Bo Burnham's delivery then you may not enjoy this show, but if you are a fan it is often times hilarious. Each episode Zach comes up with a new scheme to get famous, one of the funniest is him attempting to become a celebrity chef. Really the only downside to the show is the show might as well have been called Bo Burnham is gonna be famous, as the character never really comes into his own. Funny, witty, and at times heartbreaking if it wasn't for Zach being so unlikable/quirky.