Zach Galifianakis, the 56-year-old comedian and actor, has transformed his long-standing passion for gardening into a delightful new Netflix docuseries titled "This Is a Gardening Show". Released on Earth Day, the six-part series showcases Galifianakis’ genuine love for horticulture, a hobby he has pursued for the past 25 years, including guerrilla gardening efforts in Los Angeles.
A Unique Blend of Humor and Sincerity
The series channels the signature deadpan style of Galifianakis’ popular chat show "Between Two Ferns", but with a sincere and heartfelt tone instead of an arch one. It is filled with dad jokes that do not always land, yet this awkwardness adds to the show’s charm. Each episode runs under 15 minutes, making it a perfect bite-sized visual package for even the busiest viewers.
Episode Highlights
- "Apples": Galifianakis goes apple bobbing with reluctant kids.
- "Tomatoes": He sinks his teeth into the juicy fruit.
- "Foraging": He explores the art of foraging.
- "Root Vegetables": A self-explanatory dive into underground veggies.
- "Corn": He spreads kernels of truth.
- "Compost": He digs into the art of breaking it all down.
Filmed in Canada by RadicalMedia in association with Billios Productions, the series features Galifianakis—who primarily resides in Canada with his wife and two sons—as he explores independent farms, earnestly repeating phrases such as "The future is agrarian."
Packed with Memorable Moments
Despite its short runtime, the show is densely packed with content. Almost every line could become a meme. Viewers are treated to time-lapse videos of plants growing and "Sesame Street"-style interludes explaining the history of Mother Nature’s greatest buried treasures—rooted vegetables and other edible delights. For instance, we learn that phloem is the "blood of the tree" and xylem is the "skeleton of the tree."
Running Jokes and Callbacks
The series includes plenty of running jokes and callbacks. Galifianakis awkwardly exchanges knock-knock jokes with tweens and learns from experts in the field, all while utilizing his own brand of messy-haired goofiness and wearing Mr. Rogers-inspired cozy cardigans. The aesthetic and tone lean heavily into cottagecore, embracing a simple, rural, and sustainable lifestyle.
This sweet and bingeworthy series might even inspire you to stop doomscrolling long enough to go out and touch grass. "This Is a Gardening Show" is a joyous celebration of nature, humor, and the simple pleasures of gardening.
