Mel Brooks’ Latest Comedy Series Is a Wild Ride Through Human History (again)

Read Time:3 Minute, 22 Second

TV SERIES REVIEW
History of the World, Part II
(adult comedy) –

Genre: Comedy, History
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 8 episodes (approximately 25m each)
Writer(s): Mel Brooks
Cast: (had to share them all because this is so crazy!) Mel Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, Pamela Adlon, Tim Baltz, Zazie Beetz, Jillian Bell, Quinta Brunson, Dove Cameron, D'Arcy Carden, Ronny Chieng, Rob Corddry, Danny DeVito, David Duchovny, Hannah Einbinder, Jay Ellis, Josh Gad, Kimiko Glenn, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Jake Johnson, Richard Kind, Johnny Knoxville, Lauren Lapkus, Jenifer Lewis, Poppy Liu, Joe Lo Truglio, Jason Mantzoukas, Ken Marino, Jack McBrayer, Zahn McClarnon, Charles Melton, Kumail Nanjiani, Brock O'Hurn, Andrew Rannells, Emily Ratajkowski, Sam Richardson, Nick Robinson, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman, Timothy Simons, J.B. Smoove, David Wain, Taika Waititi, Reggie Watts, Tyler James Williams, Jack Black, James Adomian, Jason Alexander, Fred Armisen, Tim Bagley, Dan Bakkedahl, Travis Bennett, Sarayu Blue, Craig Cackowski, Arturo Castro, Parvesh Cheena, Margaret Cho, Andy Cohen, Andy Daly, Colton Dunn, Ayo Edebiri , Ana Fabrega, Marla Gibbs, Blake Griffin, Mitra Jouhari, Preston Lacy, Robby Hoffman, Anna Maria Horsford, Brian Huskey, Mousa Hussein Kraish, Bobby Lee, Mena Massoud, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Crystal Kung Minkoff, Finesse Mitchell, Natalie Morales, Pam Oliver, Ana Ortiz, Adam Pally, Lennon Parham, Chris Pontius, Rob Riggle, Matt Rogers, Paul Rust, Paul Scheer, Andrew Secunda, Jessica St. Clair, Carl Tart, Drew Tarver, Christopher Thornton, James Urbaniak, George Wallace, Michaela Watkins, Wee Man, Kym Whitley, and Casey Wilson.
Where To Watch: Premieres Monday, March 6 on Hulu

RAVING REVIEW: Mel Brooks, the comedic genius behind some of Hollywood's most iconic parodies, has finally gifted us with the long-awaited follow-up to his classic film, HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART I. The eight-episode series combines “educational” and comedic sketches, each providing a unique twist on humanity's most iconic moments. The show's sketches are expertly crafted and vary in length, with some spanning multiple episodes.

The show features an impressive cast of some of the funniest comedians working today (see above,) each bringing their unique style and comedic timing. The writing is well done, especially for a series that comes in around 4 hours total, and the show's team has done an excellent job updating existing ideas and gags to keep the show fresh and relevant. For instance, Anastasia's storyline during the Russian Revolution has her becoming a modern-day vlogger (a repeated joke throughout the series.)

One of the show's strengths is its ability to make history fun and educational. Brooks becomes the “all-seeing” figure that takes us on tour through time. While the accuracy may sometimes be questioned, the sketches tackle hot-button issues such as the Civil War. I would probably be a better student if this were how history was taught at my school.

The show's cast is undoubtedly its greatest asset, and their performances add another layer to the skits that strengthen a strong script. While not perfect, the series does pick up from the original film and puts it in a position to let modern viewers get the same experience in a different format.

In conclusion, HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART II, is a must-watch for anyone who loves to laugh and learn. The show's talented cast, impeccable writing, and educational twist make for a wild and entertaining journey through some of the most iconic moments in history. So grab the popcorn, buckle up, and prepare to learn with HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART II.

For more reviews and my YouTube channel, please visit linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews

Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of GREG GAYNE/HULU]