McCartney 3, 2, 1
By Martin Brown,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Beatles-centric documentary for fans only.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
McCartney 3, 2, 1
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
McCartney 3, 2, 1 is an intimate conversation between Paul McCartney and producer Rick Rubin about the former Beatle's long and winding career. The two listen to and discuss tracks by the Beatles and from other spots in McCartney's catalog: how they were made, what makes the songs work, and how fans reacted at the time.
Is It Any Good?
Most Beatles content gets republished or reproduced over and over again because there's an audience for it, no matter how many times fans hear the same stories or songs. Even though it contains a lot of familiar anecdotes, McCartney 3, 2, 1 is unique because its primary focus is on the craft of songwriting. Hearing Sir Paul explain creative choices is interesting, but the overall effect is the equivalent to rewatching a movie for the director's commentary. It will appeal most to dedicated listeners.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Paul McCartney. How familiar are you with Paul McCartney or the Beatles? What do you like about them? Does McCartney 3, 2, 1 help you appreciate the music more? If so, how?
What are some creative songwriting choices McCartney talks about? What makes them so unique? Can you hear those things in the songs after he describes them? Does it change the way you listen to songs?
What were your favorite stories about the Beatles or McCartney's personal life? How do they relate to the music? What is the day-to-day life of a professional musician like?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 16, 2021
- Cast: Paul McCartney, Rick Rubin
- Network: Hulu
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate