Wednesday, September 4, 2013

The Best of 'Drunk History' Season 1

After a few weeks here at 'The Web' I've almost figured out how to balance my time. Expect 3-4 posts per week. That's what I'm shooting for. If you're following on Facebook, I'll let you know when I'm publishing new posts. If you're not following on Facebook, you should. I try to do a micro-blog there, where I give you the latest movie and television news and other topical content; as well as some quality videos to keep you entertained throughout the day and night. This blog and the page go hand-in-hand, so interact on it and get involved.

Anyway, let's talk about 'Drunk History'. This show has instantly become one of my favorites on TV. That is why I am posting this, it deserves it's own post.






'Drunk History' started as an online video on funnyordie.com. It became such a success that it was featured on the HBO show 'Funny or Die Presents' which ran for 2 seasons. Creator, Derek Waters, has one brilliant mind for devising a show such as this. It's fucking genius. It really is. With a bachelor's degree in History I can also say that these stories are, for the most part, historically "accurate".

This is a must-watch show for any history buff out there. It's wasted-ass drunk people, telling historical stories, with famous celebrities acting them out. What is not to like about this show? Seriously. Even if you're not a history buff, you can still enjoy this show and actually learn something from it! Yes, you can learn history by watching drunk people talk. Excellent. If I was a history teacher, I would absolutely use this show as a way to teach my students. It will entertain them, keep their attention and teach them. This is me asking you, history teachers out there, to please use this as an educational tool, since I can not; thank you.

This show is really not something I can put down into words. Each episode takes place in a different city around the country, and the stories focus on events surrounding that city's history. The funniest elements are how the actors mimic the slurring speech, repeated words and incorrect pronunciations. As well as the laziness they use to describe a number of facts condensed into one thought. Like I said, the humor on this show is not something I can write about to make you understand. You just have to see it for yourself. So, with that, I give you,

"THE TOP 5 STORIES FROM 'DRUNK HISTORY' SEASON 1"

First up, let's take a look at how the show began on funnyordie.com (This sketch still ranks as one of my favorites of all time. Will Ferrell and Don Cheadle as Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. This is a classic. Will Ferrell and frequent collaborator, Adam Mckay, also serve as Executive Producers to the series. Story told by Jen Kirkman.

Click HERE to see the sketch on Youtube (Embedding was disabled)

Next up, since I really couldn't narrow this down to five. Here's two Honorable Mentions. 

**Note: These clips are not full videos. It is only what Comedy Central provides online.**

HONORABLE MENTION - MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND J. EDGAR HOOVER

The relationship between, Martin Luther King Jr. and J. Edgar Hoover, featuring Lamorne Morris (Winston from 'New Girl') as MLK Jr. and Rob Riggle ('The Hangover', '21 Jump Street') as J. Edgar Hoover. Story told by James Atkinson. Featured in Episode 3 "Atlanta"
 



HONORABLE MENTION - AL CAPONE

The hilarious story of Al Capone and his fight with syphilis. Featuring Jo Lo Truglio ('Superbad', 'Role Models') as Al Capone. Story told by Tommy Blacha. Featured in Episode 2 "Chicago".




#5 - PATTY HEARST KIDNAPPING 

Female drunk story tellers tend to be the best ones. This is one of them. Featuring Kristen Wiig ('Bridesmaids', 'Saturday Night Live') as Patty Hearst and the story of her kidnapping. Story told by Natasha Leggero ('Roast of James Franco'). Featured in Episode 5 "San Francisco".





#4 - STETSON KENNEDY AND THE KU KLUX KLAN 

The story of how Stetson Kennedy infiltrated the KKK and revealed them as a giant joke. Featuring Jason Ritter (son of deceased John Ritter) as Stetson Kennedy and Kevin Nealon ('Weeds', 'Saturday Night Live') as the Grand Dragon. Story told by Mark Gagliardi (this guy is one of the best story tellers also doing a "Rough  Riders" story and one of my favorites from the web series about "The Duel" with Hamilton and Burr). Featured in Episode 3 "Atlanta".

 
 

#3 - THE INVENTION OF COCA-COLA 


This one kills me. Bill Hader ('Saturday Night Live', 'Superbad') plays John Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-Cola. It is told by the hysterical Jenny Slate ('House of Lies', 'Kroll Show'). Featured in Episode 3 "Atlanta". All three sketches from the "Atlanta" episode made this post. If there is one episode to watch to see if you will enjoy it, it's that one.


 




#2 - LINCOLN, THE LAWYER 

This sketcchhhhhhhhh. THIS SKETCH!!!!! This is the story of Abraham Lincoln, the lawyer, and his involvement in the case of the automatic reaper. Story told by Rich Fuller, who's monotonous delivery is fucking hysterical. Featured in Episode 2 "Chicago"

 



 
#1 - LEWIS AND CLARK

This sketch was gold. I couldn't decide between the past couple of stories, because they all could be #1, but I decided to go with this one. Featuring Tony Hale (Buster on 'Arrested Development) as Meriwether Lewis and Taran Killam ('Saturday Night Live') as William Clark with Aubrey Plaza ('Parks and Recreation) as Sacagawea, and their expedition into the West. Oh! And Kumail Nanjiani ('Franklin and Bash', Twitter Comic Genius) is in this, too. Story told by Alie Ward and Georgia Hardstark, the first tag-team story on 'Drunk History'. Featured in Episode 7 "Nashville".




I encourage all of you to find some way to watch the full episodes. This show is one of the most intelligent, funny and creative shows on TV. Look out for it in the September 2013 TV Power Rankings, as it will likely break the Top 25.

No comments:

Post a Comment