[4] The series, executive produced by Nathan Fielder, Michael Koman and Clark Reinking, was ordered by HBO.

The 25-minute episodes, framed as tutorials and filmed mainly on the streets of New York City, cover topics from small talk to scaffolding.

[10] While each episode initially focuses on its title topic, in the course of his investigation, Wilson meets people and strikes up conversations that lead in unpredictable and diverse directions.

The site's critical consensus reads: "Surprising, thoughtful, and superbly strange, How To with John Wilson's blend of documentary styles comes together to create a singularly delightful experience.

[29] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter wrote How To with John Wilson is "funny, sad, and, in the end, shockingly profound.