Only Zac Efron could make tap water interesting. That’s right. In his newest eight-part docuseries, “The Greatest Showman” star Zac Efron talks all things water, food, and health. 

“Down to Earth with Zac Efron”, a Netflix Original released on July 10th, is surprisingly… down to earth. In the web documentary, Efron, alongside Darin Olien, a health and wellness expert and self-proclaimed “superfood guru”, embarks on a journey across the globe to explore how different cultures approach health and sustainability.  

While the idea of traveling might now be an anxiety-inducing, panic-causing activity, viewers are allowed to join in on Efron’s travel expedition from the comfort of our own home and watch as Efron attempts to find new perspectives on some of the world’s most pressing issues. From visiting Iceland’s hydroelectricity plants to being chastised at the hands of the world-renowned Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, Efron makes the show enjoyable and, at surface level, educational. But that’s where it begins to lose its focus. 

Each of the eight episodes tackles a different topic, with subjects ranging from spiritual healing to the importance of honey bees. But sprinkled into the mix are rather puzzling, touristy time-fillers that take away from otherwise productive material. In episode seven, Efron journeys to London to learn more about urban pollution but fifteen minutes in and we’re watching him slide down the longest tube slide in the world. Disjointed storytelling strips the show of chronology and by the end, leaves it rather scattered. It’s easy to forget what each episode is trying to achieve when reality TV-esque moments, that would have been better left behind the scenes, are spliced in so liberally. 

And while fascinating, the little informational content that is included leaves many questions unanswered. Critics are quick to point out the vapid and fruitless remarks from Efron in conversations with leading experts, with slang such as “gnarly” and “dude” making frequent appearances. Olien, who would have been expected to provide a knowledgeable edge to Efron’s more Hollywood take, leaves the viewers with little more than generalized comments. The majority of the show’s educational material stems from quick introductions of a subject that ultimately fails to be fully explored. But while the show does suffer from a lack of elaboration, it does act as a realization of how much the US is lagging behind in many aspects. 

In episode one, Efron and his team reveal that zero percent of Iceland’s energy is derived from fossil fuels, while it claims a sixty-three percent stake of the United States’ energy. In Paris, we discover how citizens have public access to free mineral water and in Costa Rica, we learn the ins and outs of local, sustainable farming. All of these things, and more, make it abundantly clear how much the United States has stalled in the health and wellness sphere and how we lack critical health-related public policy. Pointing the spotlight on the domestic problems the US faces, it’s good to see recognition of the successes of other countries and how those solutions could potentially be implemented here. 

Even more so, the show highlights the sometimes toxic downsides of American culture- with a special focus on Hollywood and diet culture. “I gotta get out of Hollywood, dude. I’m done,” Efron says halfway through the season. “It’s not a place conducive to living a long, happy, mentally sound life.” Throughout the show, it’s rather heartwarming to watch the actor, who rose to fame at a young age, go through revelations and question the culture he was surrounded with since he was a teenager. In the end, his epiphany leaves the viewer questioning their own circumstances and habits, with the show having the potential to serve as an awakening and healthy mental shift into a more conscious, eco-friendly lifestyle. 

While the intention behind the series should be applauded, execution and coherency fall a little flat for “Down to Earth with Zac Efron”. Nevertheless, the show is entertaining and the appeal of Efron and his Hollywood charm has definitely helped boost the show onto top Netflix rankings. Half didactic documentary, half reality TV, “Down to Earth with Zac Efron” is an excellent light-hearted show to watch for the casual viewer, but a pass for those who are looking for a deeper delve into worldly issues.