THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JEFF GOLDBLUM -- A Fascinating Infotainment Series with a Charismatic Host

Editor's Note: This recurring column was cancelled after episode 3 due to controversy involving the show's host.

S1E1: "Sneakers"

Review by Sean Boelman

Jeff Goldblum in front of giant sneaker sculpture at the Addidas research lab in Portland, Oregon. (National Geographic/Sam Jackson)

The World According to Jeff Goldblum, produced by Disney+ and National Geographic, is a new documentary series exploring various trends taking the world by storm. A must-see for any fans of the show’s host, and an entertaining and informative documentary series in general, hopefully this show is indicative of the quality of the rest of the documentary offerings from Disney+.

In each episode of this series, Goldblum will take a deep dive into a particular trend beloved by people around the world and explore some of the science, history, and stories associated with them. Although there are plenty of other documentary shows that do similar things, mainly on the Discovery Channel, The World According to Jeff Goldblum sets a new standard for infotainment by presenting the information in a way that is thoroughly enjoyable.

Of course, a big part of the success of this series is the charm of its host. A talented character actor known for his eccentric personality, it seems like it was Goldblum’s destiny to star in a show like this. Because he seems legitimately fascinated by the information being communicated by the experts he is interviewing, the interviews play out in a way that is completely absorbing.

Jeff Goldblum playing basketball during National Geographic's THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JEFF GOLDBLUM. (National Geographic/Aisling Browne)

​The only weakness of the series seems to be its execution, which is a bit too hectic for its own good. Even though everything about the show looks good, it seems like the creators couldn’t decide what the best means of communicating the information to the audience in a palatable way would be, so they tried a bit of everything and hoped that something would stick. Hopefully this issue will smooth itself out over the course of the next few episodes.

This first episode explores the phenomenon of sneakers by investigating the history of the shoe style and showcasing some of the leaders in the footwear industry. Though one normally wouldn’t expect a shoe to the basis for a riveting hour and a half of television, the episode shines a light on a side of the industry of which few viewers are unlikely to be aware. Some of the interviews featured in the episode provide some pretty mind-blowing insight into something many people wear on their feet every day. 

With upcoming episodes centering around such things as ice cream and tattoos, The World According to Jeff Goldblum is sure to become a fan-favorite documentary show on Disney+. Despite a few kinks that need to be worked out, this fascinating docuseries is going to be one of the streamer’s best offerings.

The World According to Jeff Goldblum is now streaming on Disney+. New episodes stream every Friday.

Rating: 4.5/5

​S1E2: "Ice Cream"

Review by Sean Boelman

Las Vegas, NV - Jeff Goldblum in a Fat Daddy's Ice Cream Truck. (National Geographic/Susannah Wilkinson)

Exploring the widely beloved dessert that is ice cream, the second episode of Disney+ and National Geographic’s documentary series The World According to Jeff Goldblum takes a much more conventional approach to its topic than one would expect. Still, thanks to its charismatic host, this manages to be an entertaining look at something many people eat on a regular basis.

Perhaps the biggest issue with this episode is that it does not offer any particularly new information regarding its topic. Whereas the first entry went into depth on the processes involved in the sneaker world from manufacturing to sale, this one feels like it’s really more focused on the consumerist angle. Although the final ten minutes feature an artisan who makes the treat out of unusual ingredients, one will be left craving more about the behind-the-scenes of ice cream.

That said, the episode does feature some beautiful shots of ice cream that are sure to trigger the sweet tooth of most viewers. Although a definite step down from the first entry, the visual energy of of this series complements Goldblum’s personality quite well, allowing the show to serve as solid entertainment, even when the information it is conveying isn’t particularly revelatory.

The World According to Jeff Goldblum is now streaming on Disney+. ​New episodes stream every Friday.

Rating: 3.5/5

S1E3: "Tattoos"

Review by Sean Boelman

In the third episode of his new infotainment series, Jeff Goldblum explores the sensation of tattoos. Although this episode does branch away from the previous two in that tattoos are a tradition that has been around for centuries, the episode is as entertaining as always thanks to Goldblum’s quirky personality.

The main issue with this episode is that it attempts to explore too much in such a short runtime. Tattoos are an admittedly huge topic, from the modern form they have taken as a way of expressing oneself via art on their body to the traditional form of conveying a tribal identity, so it is understandable why the filmmakers had a difficult time compressing all of this material into a single thirty-minute episode.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of this episode is watching Goldblum learn how to give a tattoo, both because this segment features some information that viewers likely won’t know before seeing the episode and because it is the portion featuring the host most out of his comfort zone. That said, there is also a portion of the episode that doesn’t quite fit, exploring a revolutionary new “tattoo” (more of a sticker) that measures UV exposure. This shows that this series will have some very strong portions, but will likely be pretty uneven as a whole.

The World According to Jeff Goldblum is now streaming on Disney+. ​New episodes stream every Friday.

Rating: 3.5/5