Making History
I've never been much of a history buff. I usually only read historical fiction when I am forced to for work, and have little appreciation for period movies. Most of my knowledge of history comes from episodes of "Doctor Who" that involve time travel to the past.
But this may all change thanks to the television show "Drunk History."
I know all the cool kids have been watching Drunk History for a while, before it even became a Comedy Central series. I'm late to the party, having just binged-watched the first season while we were on vacation in Florida. I'm late, but very enthusiastic.
"Drunk History" speaks to me on many levels, but particularly as someone who likes to drink and act. If you're not familiar with "Drunk History," it features comedians who study and learn a historical story of their choice, and then retell it when they are drunk. Their storytelling is filmed, and then actors re-enact their story, mouthing their drunken dialogue. I'm fascinated by how the comedians are so drunk, yet not too drunk to remain conscious and speak, and by how the stories are "dramatized." I want to be one of the drunk storytellers and one of the actors.
I've been thinking about what story I would want to tell if I was on "Drunk History." Usually the stories are tied to the place where the comedian lives or is from, so I should probably have something with a Twin Cities tie. Maybe I could tell the story of Winona Burdette, the gangster moll that I played a couple of years ago in a trial reenactment based on the trial of Doc Barker. Not much is known about Winona, though, so it would be a pretty short story. Or, based on my Wisconsin heritage, perhaps I should tell the story of Ed Gein? Of course, that would be pretty gruesome, but I may owe it to the ages to make sure Ed's story is not forgotten. After all, I was pretty shocked to learn that our friends Mike and Delaine (younger than us and NOT from Wisconsin) didn't know who Ed Gein was.
I would want to do a story where the main character was at least slightly sympathetic, though, so Ed Gein might not be the best choice. Not only is "Drunk History" hilarious (especially watching it when you and your friends are "slightly" drunk) but it can also be surprisingly affecting. I was actually a little moved by the stories of Claudette Colvin (whose biography I have put on a million book lists but never actually read) and the what's-her name-colonist-played-by-Winona-Ryder-who-was-hung-and-doesn't-have-a-grave-but-Jim-Morrison-does. I think the alcohol-fueled storytelling humanizes the characters (who can't related to someone more when he or she drops the f-bomb) and increases the passion of the storyteller. Alcohol may not keep it accurate, but it keeps it real.
Maybe we could do Drunk Luedtke Family History? I can picture my brother narrating some petty awesome stories, and then perhaps me and the rest of the family could act them out and bring them to life? But since most Luedtke history was created while the participants were actually drunk, perhaps that is too meta? Or sub-meta? Or something....
It's fascinating, and a little disturbing and dangerous, watching people who are so drunk, especially when you are drunk yourself. It's interesting to see that I'm not the only person who likes to lie on the floor when I'm really drunk (don't worry, this hasn't happened in quite a while). It's also a little dangerous, because binge-watching Drunk History led to my late night inner voice being really drunk, even though I actually wasn't. (If you don't have an inner-voice that constantly narrates and critiques your life, than I'm not sure I can describe this to you). Or maybe that was actually pretty cool, because I got to feel really drunk (if really confused) without a hangover.
Another key question is what would I drink if I was on "Drunk History"? Obviously, red wine is my usual go-to elixir, but if the point is to get drunk, I think I would go for Scotch or bourbon. Hmm, I may need to start doing some research...
But this may all change thanks to the television show "Drunk History."
I know all the cool kids have been watching Drunk History for a while, before it even became a Comedy Central series. I'm late to the party, having just binged-watched the first season while we were on vacation in Florida. I'm late, but very enthusiastic.
"Drunk History" speaks to me on many levels, but particularly as someone who likes to drink and act. If you're not familiar with "Drunk History," it features comedians who study and learn a historical story of their choice, and then retell it when they are drunk. Their storytelling is filmed, and then actors re-enact their story, mouthing their drunken dialogue. I'm fascinated by how the comedians are so drunk, yet not too drunk to remain conscious and speak, and by how the stories are "dramatized." I want to be one of the drunk storytellers and one of the actors.
 | ||||
| Me as Winona Burdette, even though I look like Mary Poppins | . |
I would want to do a story where the main character was at least slightly sympathetic, though, so Ed Gein might not be the best choice. Not only is "Drunk History" hilarious (especially watching it when you and your friends are "slightly" drunk) but it can also be surprisingly affecting. I was actually a little moved by the stories of Claudette Colvin (whose biography I have put on a million book lists but never actually read) and the what's-her name-colonist-played-by-Winona-Ryder-who-was-hung-and-doesn't-have-a-grave-but-Jim-Morrison-does. I think the alcohol-fueled storytelling humanizes the characters (who can't related to someone more when he or she drops the f-bomb) and increases the passion of the storyteller. Alcohol may not keep it accurate, but it keeps it real.
Maybe we could do Drunk Luedtke Family History? I can picture my brother narrating some petty awesome stories, and then perhaps me and the rest of the family could act them out and bring them to life? But since most Luedtke history was created while the participants were actually drunk, perhaps that is too meta? Or sub-meta? Or something....
It's fascinating, and a little disturbing and dangerous, watching people who are so drunk, especially when you are drunk yourself. It's interesting to see that I'm not the only person who likes to lie on the floor when I'm really drunk (don't worry, this hasn't happened in quite a while). It's also a little dangerous, because binge-watching Drunk History led to my late night inner voice being really drunk, even though I actually wasn't. (If you don't have an inner-voice that constantly narrates and critiques your life, than I'm not sure I can describe this to you). Or maybe that was actually pretty cool, because I got to feel really drunk (if really confused) without a hangover.
Another key question is what would I drink if I was on "Drunk History"? Obviously, red wine is my usual go-to elixir, but if the point is to get drunk, I think I would go for Scotch or bourbon. Hmm, I may need to start doing some research...
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