LOS ANGELES—Zac Efron is the face of an original Netflix program that’s part travel show, part classroom, and part eye candy. In Down to Earth, Efron crisscrosses the globe with his nutrition guru in an effort to learn…something. Anything, really. He’s a blank page.
Efron has the recognizability and abs to draw viewers, but this is where his contribution ends. However, he is obviously backed by a capable team that make DTE an interesting and enjoyable watch.
“Cool! Wow! Mind blown!” says Efron in every episode. The star doesn’t utter much else. Thankfully, wellness expert Darin Olien is along for the ride and can form full sentences. The curious hippie probes relevant subjects and gives episodes some personality while providing older fans something more age-appropriate to ogle.
Kudos to the script writer who segues from Efron’s “This is sick!” to a voice-over narrative explaining geothermal energy use in Iceland. It’s somewhat jarring to hear the heartthrob’s voice flawlessly extrapolate on the workings of an eco-village in Costa Rica while he stares blankly at a plant. But it’s easy to forgive him as he stands shirtless in the jungle.
If you’re looking for insight on healthy, sustainable ways to live in our modern world, this show is for you. If you just want to stare at some beefcake, this show is also for you. At a reasonable volume or muted, Down to Earth has something for everyone.