The real star of Stars on Mars is exactly who you think it is

The basis of Stars on MarsThe premise of the new Fox show, which debuted on June 5, is simple: Celebrities attend a space camp. The longer explanation is that it’s a reality show where 12 celebrities pretend they’re on Mars for 24 days and compete to see who the strongest, bravest, brightest, and most competent crew member is, earning the title of “Brightest Star of the Galaxy.”

Stars on Mars’ celeb cast is a hodgepodge of fairly notable names, who all get introduced as they arrive in the airlock to the base, as they try to make sense of the new digs and the HAL 9000-like “AI” who’s hosting them. It’s standard meet-and-greet reality show stuff.

Marshawn has no need for such an intro. Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch are the only two people to be introduced on the program. They bounce along in a Mars rover. While Sherman has been working as an analyst for Prime Video’s football coverage, it’s Lynch who seems to be the clear star of the moment. Everyone else’s talking-head interviews illustrate what they’re thinking about the show: Sherm says he’s glad to have a teammate; Modern Family Ariel Winter, the star of Ariel Winter’s new show, says that she is looking to become more confident in her own skin. Lynch’s segments are pure commentary gold.

He’s upset about the bed situation (“Yeah, the sleeping arrangements on Mars nasty as fuck”). He’s ready to step up as base commander and rescue the stranded 12th mate (“We gotta send a team out there… It might be Beyoncé,” he sagely notes). Even outside the cutaways, Lynch is always good to hit a comedic beat, whether it’s ragging on Lance Armstrong for not being a real athlete — because cycling is easy, in Marshawn’s book — or just passing out in his private commander’s quarters.

For those following Lynch’s post-NFL career, this is no surprise. The top guest at the show was Lynch. MurdervilleHe was an incredibly fierce individual. guest star on a Bear Grylls show. He was a surprise visitor on WestworldYou can also find out more about the following: The LeagueHe fought against the Predator. Hell, you only have to look to Lynch’s iconic NFL career to remember the man has always known how to work a spotlight in his favor.

Photo: Darren Michaels/Netflix

Image: Illfonic/Sony Interactive Entertainment

It seems that even the host of this show knows it. Vanderpump Rules Tom Schwartz, the star of Tom Schwartz’s new movie “The Star Tom Schwartz”, refuses to address Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Christopher. Superbad character name, since he’s probably heard it yelled at him since he was a teen. Cut to Marshawn Lynch saying “Hey, McLovin!” Even comedian and fellow Mars mate Natasha Leggero wonders how she’s supposed to be Mars’ resident comedian with him around.

When Lynch isn’t on Stars on MarsThe show is good, but not outstanding. The first episode is a lot of softball challenges as the celebrities pretend they’re on Mars and face down the “real” challenges of being an astronaut. This show is a mix of a reality competition and an escape room. Winter thought Lance Armstrong was NeilArmstrong or Tinashe call Tallulah willis the quintessential nepo child. This is the type of thing that you see on so many reality TV shows. Stars on Mars’ test will be whether the challenges and celebrities manage to stand out as the herd gets thinned.

But there’s already one clear standout. It doesn’t really matter who wins the competition for this reality space show. One star is already shining much brighter than the rest, and it’s Marshawn Lynch.

Episodes of Stars on MarsFox broadcasts on Mondays from 8 to 9 p.m.