Zero Stars Review: A Brilliantly Subversive Take on Celebrity Travel Shows
In a television landscape saturated with celebrity travelogues, Zero Stars emerges as a rare and refreshing exception. Hosted by comedians Sara Pascoe and Roisin Conaty, this series boldly skewers the genre's smugness and laziness, offering a witty exploration of the world's worst tourist experiences.
A Novel Premise That Delivers
The premise of Zero Stars is ingeniously simple: instead of glorifying exotic locales, the show delves into the dark underbelly of tourism. Pascoe and Conaty travel the globe in search of overpriced attractions, dubious food, and tours that leave visitors more frustrated than fulfilled. This focus on the exploitative side of travel—where tourists are often treated as walking ATMs—sets the series apart from typical feel-good fare.
If you enjoy watching people have fun, Zero Stars might not be for you. But if you appreciate sharp humor and social commentary, this show is a must-watch. The hosts bill themselves as comedians but, more importantly, best friends, and their chemistry is palpable as they navigate rubbish landmarks with a blend of enthusiasm and ridicule.
Hosts Who Hit the Mark
Sara Pascoe and Roisin Conaty excel in their roles, treading a fine line between mockery and empathy. Their ability to keep themselves as the primary targets of humor prevents the show from descending into mean-spiritedness or cultural insensitivity. In the first episode set in Istanbul, for instance, they turn a chaotic water bike excursion into a comedic highlight, with Pascoe riffing on her disappointment to their visibly annoyed guide.
However, the series occasionally pulls its punches. While they visit a five-star hotel that doubles as a hub for hair-transplant patients—a lobby full of bandaged heads—it's still a luxurious accommodation. This raises questions about the show's commitment to its zero-star premise. A quick Tripadvisor search reveals far grimmer options, like hotels with cockroaches and unsafe conditions, which might have amplified the discomfort factor.
Balancing Humor and Critique
Zero Stars also serves as a clever commentary on online review culture. The show flashes hysterical reviews of objectively nice places, highlighting how people often find trivial things to complain about. Yet, this sometimes feels like having your cake and eating it—the series wants to showcase bad experiences but also includes beautiful drone shots and scenic panoramas.
Despite this, the hosts deliver a brilliant performance. Conaty, in particular, seems thrilled to be out in the world after her screen-based role in Last One Laughing. There's room to dial up the discomfort, though; as the title suggests, a show called Zero Stars should perhaps involve more genuine mishaps, like food poisoning, to fully commit to its bit.
Zero Stars premieres on Sunday on TLC, offering a smart, laugh-out-loud alternative to traditional travel programming. It's a series that not only entertains but also prompts viewers to rethink the tourism industry's excesses.
