Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings

See All

7.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Season Details & Credits

MTV | MTV - Music Television | Season Premiere Date: May 2, 2013

Starring: Thomas F. Wilson, Caitlin Gerard, Bo Burnham

Summary: With a camera crew documenting his every move, Zach Stone (Bo Burnham) decides against attending college to pursue his goal to become an overnight celebrity.

Creator: Dan Lagana and Bo Burnham

Genre(s): Comedy

Watch Now

Buy on

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E12. Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous (No, Really)
Air Date: June 29, 2013
tbd
S1:E11. Zach Stone is Gonna Be a Hero
Air Date: June 29, 2013
tbd
S1:E10. Zach Stone Is Gonna Be an Actor
Air Date: June 27, 2013

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Mark A. Perigard

May 2, 2013

Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous is a clever riff on the fanaticism and cynicism inspired by the network’s own reality slate, including “Teen Mom,” “16 and Pregnant” and “Buckwild. Read full review

Verne Gay

May 1, 2013

This is almost too clever, funny and ironic for MTV. Read full review

Lindsey Bahr

Apr 29, 2013

Overall, it’s a promising debut and we’re excited to see where MTV takes Zach Stone on his ill-fated quest to be famous. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Apr 29, 2013

While the concept is hardly original (and probably hews closest to the movie “EdTV”), the series still feels fresh and timely. Read full review

Jon Caramanica

May 2, 2013

When Zach is performing for the cameras, he’s hammy verging on pathetic, as if he’s starring not in a reality show but a sketch-comedy show about someone with deep feelings of inadequacy..... He’s at his most personable and affectionate when he thinks he’s shooed away the cameras, which are of course still filming, in a more vérité style. Read full review

David Wiegand

Apr 30, 2013

The show is more noisy than funny. Read full review

Hank Stuever

May 2, 2013

This show is so bad, it’s beneath even MTV. Read full review

User Score

Write a Review

7.8

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

Tashy497

Jun 21, 2013

When I first saw the commercial I groaned because I thought it was pretty weak considering how big Bo is... why do a sitcom. I gave it a try out of respect. The first episode was sorta' low budget looking and justified as it's a pilot. A few boring parts, but in all I liked it. When Bo wentWhen I first saw the commercial I groaned because I thought it was pretty weak considering how big Bo is... why do a sitcom. I gave it a try out of respect. The first episode was sorta' low budget looking and justified as it's a pilot. A few boring parts, but in all I liked it. When Bo went to a funeral and gave a speech not knowing she was black and said... "black... she's black... yeah dad she's black, deal with it!"

The next episode was completely updated with cash. Bo looks different... looks like a lot of time passed between those two episodes. Much funnier, more edgier, starting to feel like Family Guy.

The next episode 3, I'm sold 100%. Now some bleeped out cussing words, complete Seth McFarlane feel to it, yet Bo's own style. Bo is very funny, and this is the only show I was laughing out loud to... I can't think of any show outside of Family Guy, American Dad, and South Park that I was laughing my ass off to... OK so Eastbound and Down.

Great writing... worried this will get canceled.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

sladen

May 6, 2013

Clever and light in all the right spots, the show is incredibly funny. Fantastic work by supporting cast really helped ground the show into believable moments. Worth a watch.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Hangrabbykat

May 10, 2013

Greatest show ever. I can tell right now that this will be on for 20+ seasons. Dont you dare ever say this show sucks cause it is a gift from the universe and I love bo burnham so much. When im not playing sims 3 or playing on my x box, i will watch marathons of this show, even though thisGreatest show ever. I can tell right now that this will be on for 20+ seasons. Dont you dare ever say this show sucks cause it is a gift from the universe and I love bo burnham so much. When im not playing sims 3 or playing on my x box, i will watch marathons of this show, even though this show only has two episodes. I can even recite the first episode for you: Camera zooms to Bo in his bed, Bo begins monologue. I have watched each episode at least 69 times, and I laugh every single time. You guys need to stop hating on Bo, he is a magical butterfly sprouting from his cocoon. This show is that cocoon. He is a masculine god sent from Greece itself. His slender body and his wavy, messy hair gets me every time. I want him, and this show only makes me want him more. Zach stone is going to be famous. The only thing I don't get about the show is that why did no one like him in high school. I would've been his best freaking friend. Bo if you ever read this, please contact us at mclovin.chin@aol.com
Oh Bo, play that oboe... Peace and blessins.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

OpinionatedGuy

Apr 21, 2015

Most of MTV’s programming isn’t well known to make programs that is actually enjoyable and smart to watch. One of a few exemptions where a MTV show that is smartly written is Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous. It’s co-created by Bo Burnham, a comedian who uses music to tell politically incorrectMost of MTV’s programming isn’t well known to make programs that is actually enjoyable and smart to watch. One of a few exemptions where a MTV show that is smartly written is Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous. It’s co-created by Bo Burnham, a comedian who uses music to tell politically incorrect jokes that only many people with a lot of knowledge about the world can get what Burnham was joking about and people who are smart enough to know Bo Burnham is a sarcastic comedian.

Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous has a smart concept about the titular character who wants to become famous and has a camera crew around him to document his journey to stardom, despite having little talent and having an “obnoxious” on-screen persona when the cameras are around. The show is also smartly written as it has the same wit it has with Parks and Recreation.

Usually, a character like Zach Stone is annoying as hell but this show has an emotional core that it reveals emotionally about Zach Stone that it’s easy to sympathize with him why he wants to be famous in the first place and there are parts where he visibly loves the people around him which are his family and friends. He is never a cringe-worthy character, in fact, I can relate to him in a lot of ways which I won’t go in detail about my personal life.

The show’s satirical theme is quite meta in MTV’s standards as the show is in a “mockumentary” style as it’s supposed to poke fun at reality shows focusing on actual people wanting to be famous and a lot of those shows are aired on MTV.

Lastly, I liked how the first (and only) season of the show is self-contained just in case MTV cancels the show, which sadly in fact got cancelled by MTV. At least you will somehow have a satisfying ending when you’re done with the show.

Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous is an underrated MTV show with its smart concept, wit in vein of Parks and Recreation and an emotional core that will make you like and sympathize with the titular main character.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

younginator93

May 10, 2013

Bo Burnham fans will delight in his childish escapades of cringey awkward humour in this clever and cynical show, satirising modern obsession with fame and reality television. Sweet show with heart and most importantly very funny.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Lowgunh

Jun 5, 2013

I personally enjoy this show, however, I can clearly tell that this show definitely isn't for everybody. It's kind of like a "You're gonna love it or you're gonna hate it" kind of thing. There are moments in the show that are just so embarrassing for the main character, that you literallyI personally enjoy this show, however, I can clearly tell that this show definitely isn't for everybody. It's kind of like a "You're gonna love it or you're gonna hate it" kind of thing. There are moments in the show that are just so embarrassing for the main character, that you literally will cringe, but there are also moments that are going to make you laugh out loud. Overall a very funny show, and I expect it to only get better as the characters develop.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

sadtosaythis

May 20, 2013

Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous overall reads like a stale and done many times before comedy show. Although a great idea for a series, Bo Burnham went in over his head in taking a lead role. Ironically showing his need to be famous is valued above a top tier actor who would have done the roleZach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous overall reads like a stale and done many times before comedy show. Although a great idea for a series, Bo Burnham went in over his head in taking a lead role. Ironically showing his need to be famous is valued above a top tier actor who would have done the role better. Claiming to be birthed from other mockumentaries like "The Office" Zach Stone plays a much worse, more annoying, and more awkward Michael Scott, so awkward in fact that the show stops becoming enjoyable, and turns into an all out cringe-fest.… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

66

Series Overview
Season 1

66
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: May 2, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E12. Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous (No, Really)
  Air Date: June 29, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E11. Zach Stone is Gonna Be a Hero
  Air Date: June 29, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E10. Zach Stone Is Gonna Be an Actor
  Air Date: June 27, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E9. Zach Stone is Gonna Be Scary
  Air Date: June 20, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E8. Zach Stone is Gonna Go Missing
  Air Date: June 20, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E7. Zach Stone is Gonna Be the Zachelor
  Air Date: June 13, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E6. Zach Stone is Gonna Be a Celebrity Chef
  Air Date: June 6, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E5. Zach Stone is (maybe) Gonna Go to College
  Air Date: May 30, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E4. Zach Stone is Gonna Make a Sex Tape
  Air Date: May 23, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E3. Zach Stone is Gonna Get a Makeover
  Air Date: May 16, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E2. Zach Stone Is Gonna Be a Recording Artist
  Air Date: May 9, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: May 2, 2013