Comedy Central
Summer television has become a much-maligned phrase in entertainment, usually associated with reruns and shows networks didn’t want to save for the fall or spring. But an hour block on Comedy Central on Tuesday nights proves must-see TV still exists when the weather gets warmer.
On July 1, Comedy Central premiered the sophomore seasons of two series: Drunk History and Nathan For You. Even as Comedy Central’s original programming continues to blossom, these shows are some of the network’s best offerings. Although the series are very different from each other conceptually, they both succeed at creating humor in exciting and out-of-the-box ways.
Drunk History is the brainchild of Jeremy Konner and Derek Waters (Hall Pass), a Baltimore native who, on the show, listens to narrators getting gradually more inebriated as they gab about specific historical events. Meanwhile, impeccably dubbed reenactments, complete with recognizable actors and comedians, intercut the booze-soaked history lessons. This season has featured the talents of Charlie Day (Horrible Bosses), Jack Black (Bernie) and Laura Dern (Enlightened), among others, reenacting moments in history and lip-syncing with the drunken narration. Part of the fun of the show, which originated as a Funny or Die web series, is anticipating and identifying the entertainers taking part in the episode.
However, the educational aspect of Drunk History should not be marginalized. Sure, the drunken retellings aren’t always perfectly accurate, but the show does successfully teach its audience about historical events that probably weren’t taught in the classroom (or perhaps were just ignored). It’s a relaxing show to watch because there are no stakes or drama — just the hilarity of individuals communicating in varying drunken states and imparting a bit of historical knowledge.
The second season’s Baltimore episode was a local highlight, as Charm City was featured in the fascinating stories of Francis Scott Key, Edgar Allen Poe and Allan Pinkerton — the latter hilariously played by an always-reliable Day with the narration of a game (and tipsy) Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds).
Adding to Tuesday night’s quality programming is Nathan For You, a brilliant spoof of business turnaround reality shows that highlights the comedic persona of Nathan Fielder (who got his start befuddling Canadians on This Hour Has 22 Minutes). The show, described as a “docu-reality series,” features Fielder acting as a consultant to struggling businesses and coming up with innovative and outlandish methods to improve business strategies, such as creating a 40-woman crew for the “world’s fastest maid service” and advertising for a pet store at a pet cemetery. Nathan For You is at its best when Fielder confronts unsuspecting individuals with his brand of overwhelming awkwardness, creating sidesplitting moments that push the boundaries of comedy on TV and make you cringe on your couch.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the show’s second season so far is the episode “Dumb Starbucks,” in which Fielder concocted a slightly modified version of Starbucks chains that was legal for its artistic value under parody law. Dumb Starbucks made headlines in February before it aired on TV, which made for an exciting buildup to the “Dumb Starbucks” episode that ultimately delivered in clearing up the mystery and capitalizing on the best of Fielder’s desert-dry humor.
Comedy Central renewed both shows for third seasons, which is an encouraging sign that the eccentric shows have support from the network. Drunk History and Nathan For You may be lesser-hyped shows in the lineup of Comedy Central series, but it doesn’t really matter because the programs can easily stand on their own merits. The shows not only remain consistent in providing laughs, but they also offer something incomparable to anything else on television.
The summer months can be rough for television: The best shows finish up by June, it’s easy to burn through Netflix’s quality original programming and Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert take intermittent breaks. But the Tuesday night comedy block of Drunk History and Nathan For You has been a godsend, giving audiences some dependable laughs and something to look forward to every week.
