More like a Drunken Debacle.

The real test of history in this webisode series is "can the narrator make it through with out vomiting?" Drunk History is an online video series that features inebriated people sharing their version of a specific event in history. The recounted stories are then re-enacted, by professional actors while the drunken commentary plays in the background. This webisode series is the brainchild of comedian and actor Derek Waters. An idea that stemmed from an evening of drinking and chit chat about music. Derek Waters, the genius behind it all, listened to close friend Jake Johnson babble on about legendary Otis Redding. “Otis Redding before he got on that plane knew he was going to die man,” said Jhonson. All Waters could imagine was Otis Redding sitting next to Johnson saying “man shut the f*@& up.” On the spot Derek knew he had something. The concept is drunk people talking about something they are passionate about (particularly history), but the comedy lies in how the story and celebrity reenactment occur. Derek Waters pitched the idea to long time friend and director Jeremy Konner, who loved it and immediately jumped on broad.

The intention behind these crazy drunken narratives was not to create a World Wide Web phenomenon, but to have some fun. Drunk History is a YouTube series, also appearing on Funnyordie.com. Within its first six months of being posted on Youtube, episode one, which is titled Hamilton vs. Burr; featuring Mark Gagliardi, a second city alum, as the narrator and Michael Cera, Arrested Development star, as Alexander Hamilton received 1.5 million views. The opening clips of each episode introduce the narrator as well as the amount of alcohol they have consumed before their story begins; “On August 6th, 2007 Mark Gagliardi drank a bottle of scotch and then discussed a famous historical event.” This is then followed by a smooth dissolve into our inebriated storyteller. Each episode, the narrator does the voiceover, as the viewers see flashbacks involving well-known actors, in full costume, mouthing the impromptu dialogue described by the narrator, including all expletives and sound effects.

As of the now there are only four episodes posted to YouTube, there have been rumors of a fifth episode coming soon, but with the fame this video short has brought Derek Waters his attention has been directed towards other projects. With each new episode the stories become more historically outlandish and farfetched, while the narrators consume more alcohol then the previous one. Additionally, better known actors are hoping aboard the reenactment train and the narrators are coming from the “common” circle of intelligent people. Episode two, narrated by Eric Falconer, tells the story of how Benjamin Franklin, played by Black Jack, discovered electricity highlighting that Franklin’s fame and fortune should be credited to his son William Franklin, played by Clark Duke. Episode three, features Jen Kirkman recapping the story of George Washington’s slave Oney Judge. George Washington is played by Danny McBride, Oney Judge is played by Tymberlee Hill. Episode four narrated by J.D. Ryznar depicts the story of William Henry Harrison, played by Paul Schneider.

One wonders where the humor can be found in this webisode series. First, who doesn’t enjoy being the sober one while a drunken idiot goes off on a tangent about something they are passionate and knowledgeable about. Second, since episode one, not many of the narrators have made it through an entire story without getting sick, or hiccupping. Eric Falconer, who appears in episode two, makes a dive into the bottom of the toilet bowl at least three times, but folks don’t worry if the sounds don’t gross you out the imagine just might. Jen Kirkman, from episode three, gets the hiccups the moment she opens her mouth, while setting the new world record for most minuets to hold ones breathe, but at the same time “honoring her (Oney Judge).” J.D Ryznar, episode four, is sure to wish his mother a happy mother’s day, after for mentioning he has “had a lot of booze.”; followed by a pause in the reenactment as Mr Ryznar up heaves his insides. The comedy behind Drunk History is found within an immature and yet, just take it as these people are idiots, thought process.

The style and medium of Drunk History is that of a homemade video, but with studio production quality. For this reason, there is no homepage site to visit. It is a YouTube series, and the fan base is all word of mouth and blog postings.

Drunk History is by no means going to replace American History taught in our school systems. Nor should the contents of the historical event, being told and reenacted visually, be taken as the only truth. The creativity behind Derek Waters Drunk History is the play on the narrator. Derek Waters, takes someone who is emotionally invested into a historical event, gives them an enormous amount of alcohol (which EVERYONE knows only intensifies emotions) and waits for the mix to explode. The real creative credit should be directed toward the actors, who word for word, as well as, action for action (hiccupping in Episode 3) is what seals the deal. Additionally, credit should go to Jeffrey Konner who edits and shoots this series in such a way to capture the “oops” and “hahah’s” of the narrator. Derek Waters is the genius behind the talent, but that’s as far as his name should go with in this webisode series.