Streaming Television Review: "History of The World, Part 2"

Mel Brooks is a true comedic legend within the world of film and television. Known for a variety of titles,  History of the World: Part 1 was not one of his most popular.  History of The World Part II attempts a modern spin on the material as an eight-episode Hulu series. The series' core cast includes Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, and Brooks himself as the narrator.  Including a cavalcade of guest stars, this new version attempts to skewer history in a very comedic way. The results offer an entertaining and very muddled four hours of entertainment. 

Like the original History of the World film, some sketches simply work better than others. The recurring sketches in “Part II '' work better as ideas than executed finished products. Some of these sketches involve real-life figures like Ulysses S. Grant and Shirley Chisholm. Ike Barinholtz as Grant and Wanda Sykes as Chisholm is absolutely hysterical. The problem is that the stories around them simply run out of steam.  The same could be said for a skit involving Jewish mud pie sellers (Nick Kroll, Pamela Adlon, Charles Melton) during the Russian revolution.  Moments in these skits are quite funny, but they run out of steam in an alarming fashion. It is the shorter vignettes in Part II that make a lasting impression.

One of the funniest recurring segments is the story of Judas, told as a parody similar to Curb Your Enthusiasm.  Nick Kroll and J.B. Smoove simply steal every single moment they are on screen together. To say any more would spoil the fun, and surprises that this segment has in store. The same could be said for shorter segments, which succeed with quick and breezy laughs. Add in an array of fun supporting cameos and there is plenty of joy to be had while watching.  History of The World Part II’s biggest success is the entirely entertaining and well-rounded cast. 

Barinholtz, Kroll, and Sykes deliver very entertaining and surprising supporting performances. Each actor fits seamlessly into the world of Mel Brooks and his comedic styling. Even the skits that do not entirely work (the history of Shirley Chisholm being in a sitcom) find moments that do shine. The problem is in the series' frenetic, and occasionally very confusing editing. Certain vignettes have such strong laughs (particularly in the season’s latter half), that they do not get enough time to make an impression.  It is the great performances that make this eight-episode series worth your time.

Saying that “it seems like everyone in the cast had a fun time making this” is a cliche. In this case, that is a very true statement that makes the series consistently entertaining. This cast’s comradery is rather infectious. Everyone is so likable and enjoying the series' meta humor,  that you simply cannot help but laugh along. Moments are particularly strong in the series' second half, which includes references to the original.  Those loving touches are done with such sincerity that it's hard to ignore the ambition.  Fans and non-fans of the original are guaranteed some laughs, even if they are not as many as they’d hope. 

History of The World Part II will give audiences plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Not every skit lands, but the entertainment value is relentless. Every cast member is game for the series' sillier moments, which made me forgive the lesser material.  As eight half an hour episodes, this material works much better than its cinematic equivalent.  It is the series' frenetic pacing that will leave some to desire more. The joyous cast makes this history lesson one that is well worth your time.