The BEST episodes of Painting with John season 1

Every episode of Painting with John season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Painting with John season 1!

Part meditative tutorial, part fireside chat, each episode finds artist John Lurie ensconced at his worktable, where he hones his intricate watercolor techniques and shares his reflections on what he’s learned about life.

Last Updated: 12/1/2024Network: HBOStatus: Continuing
The Explosion Story
star
7.57
21 votes

#1 - The Explosion Story

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/29/2021

John damages seven drones in an attempt to film the opening of the series. Then he tells how his cancer treatment led to a disastrous curry shrimp incident in the middle of the night and recalls his meeting with Barry White.

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Elephant
star
7.13
16 votes

#2 - Elephant

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/5/2021

John recounts how the obsession he and his brother shared for John Coltrane’s “Live at Birdland” resulted in an unfortunate Sunday breakfast and chronicles his epic quest to procure a live eel in Manhattan.

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Finding Rudolph
star
7.07
15 votes

#3 - Finding Rudolph

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/26/2021

John considers the complex songs of tree frogs, recounts ongoing attempts to make his cameraman Erik laugh, and reflects on the challenges and benefits of painting with watercolors.

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The Disappearance of Chicken Man
star
7.00
12 votes

#4 - The Disappearance of Chicken Man

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/19/2021

John contemplates uncanny disappearances on the island where he lives. Next, he tells the story of being turned away from the DMV at 17 and how his mother tried to intervene.

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Bob Ross Was Wrong
star
6.85
34 votes

#5 - Bob Ross Was Wrong

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/22/2021

After analyzing how to open his series, John discusses how his parents approached stimulating their children's creativity and their lack of confidence in people until they made them laugh.

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Fame Is Bad
star
6.64
14 votes

#6 - Fame Is Bad

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/12/2021

John explains the origin of the painting he made in “honor” of Gore Vidal, tells the story of the now-famous actor who used to clean his house, and ponders the toll that fame took on his friend Anthony Bourdain.

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