History of the World, Part II

Last updated
History of the World, Part II
Genre Sketch comedy
Based on History of the World, Part I
by Mel Brooks
Starring
Narrated byMel Brooks
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Mel Brooks
  • Wanda Sykes
  • Nick Kroll
  • Ike Barinholtz
  • David Stassen
  • Kevin Salter
  • Christie Smith
Running time29−31 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Hulu
ReleaseMarch 6 (2023-03-06) –
March 9, 2023 (2023-03-09)

History of the World, Part II is an American sketch comedy limited series written and produced by Mel Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen. The series serves as a sequel to the 1981 film written and directed by Brooks, with sketches parodying events from different periods of human history and legend. [1] [2] It premiered on March 6, 2023, on Hulu. [3]

Contents

Cast

The cast features a large ensemble, including a core of several regulars who are also among the series writers: [4] [5]

Main

Recurring

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date  [6]
1"I" Alice Mathias, David Stassen, Nick Kroll, Lance Bangs Ike Barinholtz, Emmy Blotnick, Guy Branum, Mel Brooks, Owen Burke, Adam Countee, Lance Crouther, Ana Fabrega, Fran Gillespie, Janelle James, Jennifer Kim, Nick Kroll, Sergio Serna, David Stassen, Wanda Sykes March 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln instructs Ulysses S. Grant to look after his son, Robert, as the Civil War nears its end. The Romanovs are murdered and Princess Anastasia is kidnapped at the dawn of the Russian Revolution. A family of Jewish shtetl dwellers decides to leave for Moscow, and later Rasputin is murdered by the cast of Jackass .

In 400 BCE India, Vātsyāyana pitches the Kama Sutra as a cookbook. Three cavewomen discover fire while struggling to light a joint. A new hire struggles to fit into William Shakespeare's writers' room. Sports commentators react to Hitler on Ice.
2"II"Alice Mathias, David StassenIke Barinholtz, Emmy Blotnick, Guy Branum, Mel Brooks, Owen Burke, Adam Countee, Lance Crouther, Ana Fabrega, Fran Gillespie, Janelle James, Jennifer Kim, Nick Kroll, Sergio Serna, David Stassen, Wanda SykesMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)

A group of soldiers get seasick on D-Day. Kublai Khan and Marco Polo exchange gifts. In a parody of Curb Your Enthusiasm , Judas is hired to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He and Luke go to Peter's one-man show, where he delivers the Kiss of Judas.

In 1972, New York Representative Shirley Chisholm becomes the first black woman contender for the Democratic Party nomination for the US Presidency; she makes a sitcom about her life. She invites her boss, Richard Nixon, over for dinner and gets inspired to run for president. Grant and Robert Todd Lincoln head to Rock Ridge (no, not that Rock Ridge), West Virginia in search of liquor but end up held at gunpoint in a saloon.
3"III"Alice Mathias, David StassenIke Barinholtz, Emmy Blotnick, Guy Branum, Mel Brooks, Owen Burke, Adam Countee, Lance Crouther, Ana Fabrega, Fran Gillespie, Janelle James, Jennifer Kim, Nick Kroll, Sergio Serna, David Stassen, Wanda SykesMarch 7, 2023 (2023-03-07)
After inventing the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell gets the first crank call. Noah fills his ark with only dogs. Sigmund Freud gives a MasterClass on psychoanalysis. Three Union soldiers get lost while attempting to rescue Grant from West Virginia. They stumble upon the Underground Railroad where Harriet Tubman points them in the right direction. In Moscow, Schmuck Mudman gets a job serving lunch to Vladimir Lenin’s politburo, where a bullied Joseph Stalin dreams of taking charge. Schmuck’s wife, Fanny, plots Lenin’s assassination. Their son, Joshy, finds Princess Anastasia in hiding and the two fall in love.
4"IV"Alice Mathias, David Stassen, Nick Kroll, Lance BangsIke Barinholtz, Emmy Blotnick, Guy Branum, Mel Brooks, Owen Burke, Adam Countee, Lance Crouther, Ana Fabrega, Fran Gillespie, Janelle James, Jennifer Kim, Nick Kroll, Sergio Serna, David Stassen, Wanda SykesMarch 7, 2023 (2023-03-07)
In Mesoamerica, a sacrificial virgin tries to claim she's had sex. In Russia, Fanny uses her husband's food cart to sneak into the politburo chambers and shoot Lenin, with Stalin secretly helping him die. Joshy and Anastasia announce their engagement, and the family decides to emigrate to America. In ancient Judea, Jesus and Mary Magdalene have their first date. In ancient Egypt, a scam artist entices a couple with a pyramid pyramid scheme.
5"V"Alice Mathias, Lance BangsIke Barinholtz, Emmy Blotnick, Guy Branum, Mel Brooks, Owen Burke, Adam Countee, Lance Crouther, Ana Fabrega, Fran Gillespie, Janelle James, Jennifer Kim, Nick Kroll, Sergio Serna, David Stassen, Wanda SykesMarch 8, 2023 (2023-03-08)
Galileo appears on Cameo and TikTok. General Grant and Robert Todd Lincoln are rescued by Harriet Tubman. Shirley Chisholm visits George Wallace in the hospital. The photographers at the Yalta Conference try to make things fun.
6"VI"Alice Mathias, David StassenIke Barinholtz, Emmy Blotnick, Guy Branum, Mel Brooks, Owen Burke, Adam Countee, Lance Crouther, Ana Fabrega, Fran Gillespie, Janelle James, Jennifer Kim, Nick Kroll, Sergio Serna, David Stassen, Wanda SykesMarch 8, 2023 (2023-03-08)
Jesus and the Apostles have their last jam session. Generals Grant and Lee attempt to sign the treaty at Appomattox Courthouse, but an officious notary wants to do everything by the book. Kublai Khan explains how he's probably your ancestor. A businessman touts his business of removing and reselling controversial statues. Amelia Earhart and Bessie Coleman advertise their "pilot bar" in the Bermuda Triangle.
7"VII"Alice MathiasIke Barinholtz, Emmy Blotnick, Guy Branum, Mel Brooks, Owen Burke, Adam Countee, Lance Crouther, Ana Fabrega, Fran Gillespie, Janelle James, Jennifer Kim, Nick Kroll, Sergio Serna, David Stassen, Wanda SykesMarch 9, 2023 (2023-03-09)
At the Oslo Peace Accords, the factions argue over which people first created hummus. Shirley Chisholm and her husband relax at the Watergate Hotel, as Shirley tries to impress Jesse Jackson and Gloria Steinem, whose caucuses are also meeting there. Typhoid Mary livestreams her cooking show. Jesus and the Apostles give their rooftop sermon. The Real Concubines of Kublai Khan argue over the great Khan's affections.
8"VIII"Alice Mathias, David Stassen, Nick KrollIke Barinholtz, Emmy Blotnick, Guy Branum, Mel Brooks, Owen Burke, Adam Countee, Lance Crouther, Ana Fabrega, Fran Gillespie, Janelle James, Jennifer Kim, Nick Kroll, Sergio Serna, David Stassen, Wanda SykesMarch 9, 2023 (2023-03-09)
Two East Berliners accidentally tunnel into a man's bathroom. The First Council of Nicaea decides to retroactively make Jesus white, eventually turning him into an action movie star. Teddy Roosevelt shills for his bodybuilding course. The Chisholms travel to the 1972 Democratic National Convention. A "preview" of what's to come for next season, including The Great Fascist Bake Off, the Dust Bowl (grainy footage of a football game), and Jews in Space!

Production

Despite the numeration History of the World, Part I , there were initially no plans for a sequel to the 1981 film. [7] The title was a play on The History of the World by Sir Walter Raleigh, which was intended to be published in several volumes but only the first was completed. [8] [9]

However, in October 2021, Hulu and Searchlight Television announced the Part II sequel series was in the works, with production beginning in spring 2022. Mel Brooks would produce and write the series along with Wanda Sykes, Ike Barinholtz, and Nick Kroll, who would also appear. [10]

Release

The first two episodes premiered on Hulu on March 6, 2023, with the remaining episodes released over the following three days. [11] It was released internationally on the same day as an original series on Disney+, under the dedicated streaming hub Star, on Disney+ Hotstar, and on Star+ in Latin America. [12]

Reception

Audience viewership

According to Hulu, History of the World, Part II was the most-watched Hulu Original scripted original series of 2023 in its first week of launch. [13] [14]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 73% of 51 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.3/10.The website's consensus reads: "Nick Kroll takes up the torch from Mel Brooks and does him proud with an all-star sketch series that's just as uproariously funny — and as hit-and-miss — as the original motion picture." [15] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 64 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews." [16]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2023 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming Angel Gamboa Bryant, Stephanie Filo, Daniel Flesher and George Mandl (Episode: "III")Nominated [17]
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance Mel Brooks (Episode: "VIII")Nominated [18]
2024 Art Directors Guild Awards Excellence in Production Design for a Variety, Reality, or Competition SeriesMonica Sotto (for "VIII")Pending [19]

Future

David Stassen has said that he would be on board for a Part III and would love to feature more historical figures and eras. Pamela Adlon also said she would love to be involved in a second season. Jay Ellis, who plays Jesus Christ, said he'd like to play Mayor Eric Adams, while Zazie Beetz, who plays Mary Magdalene, said she would be interested in playing Josephine Baker. Josh Gad, who plays William Shakespeare, said if he were given another go at it that he would like to play a young Seth Rogen. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mel Brooks</span> American actor, comedian and filmmaker (born 1926)

Melvin James Brooks is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, songwriter, and playwright. With a career spanning over seven decades, he is known as a writer and director of a variety of successful broad farces and parodies. A recipient of numerous accolades, he is one of 19 entertainers to win the EGOT, which includes an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2009, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2010, the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2013, a British Film Institute Fellowship in 2015, a National Medal of Arts in 2016, a BAFTA Fellowship in 2017, and the Honorary Academy Award in 2024.

<i>The Passion of the Christ</i> 2004 film by Mel Gibson

The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 American epic biblical drama film produced, directed, and co-written by Mel Gibson. It stars Jim Caviezel as Jesus of Nazareth, Maia Morgenstern as Mary, mother of Jesus, and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. It depicts the Passion of Jesus largely according to the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It also draws on pious accounts such as the Friday of Sorrows, along with other devotional writings, such as the reputed visions attributed to Anne Catherine Emmerich.

Searchlight Pictures is an American film production and distribution arm of Walt Disney Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company's Disney Entertainment division. Founded in 1994 as Fox Searchlight Pictures for 20th Century Fox, the studio focuses primarily on producing, distributing, and acquiring specialty films.

<i>History of the World, Part I</i> 1981 film by Mel Brooks

History of the World, Part I is a 1981 American comedy film written, produced, and directed by Mel Brooks. Brooks also stars in the film, playing five roles: Moses, Comicus the stand-up philosopher, Tomás de Torquemada, King Louis XVI, and Jacques, le garçon de pisse. The large ensemble cast also features Sid Caesar, Shecky Greene, Gregory Hines, Charlie Callas; and Brooks regulars Ron Carey, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, Andreas Voutsinas, and Spike Milligan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wanda Sykes</span> American comedian and actress (born 1964)

Wanda Yvette Sykes is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. She was first recognized for her work as a writer on The Chris Rock Show, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1999. In 2004, Entertainment Weekly named Sykes as one of the 25 funniest people in America. She is also known for her recurring roles on CBS' The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006–10), and HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm (2001–). She received Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series nominations for her roles in ABC's Black-ish (2015–2022), and Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2020). She currently stars in the Netflix original series The Upshaws (2021–), the HBO Max comedy series The Other Two (2019–2023), and The Good Fight (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Stahl</span> American actor (born 1979)

Nicolas Kent Stahl is an American actor. Starting out as a child actor, he gained recognition for his performance in the 1993 film The Man Without a Face, directed by and co-starring Mel Gibson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ike Barinholtz</span> American actor and comedian

Ike Barinholtz is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his starring roles in the comedy series MADtv (2002–2007), Eastbound & Down (2012), The Mindy Project (2012–2017), Bless the Harts (2019–2021), The Afterparty (2022), and History of the World, Part II (2023). In February 2023 he won the inaugural primetime season of Celebrity Jeopardy!, winning US$1,000,000 for charity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Kroll</span> American actor and comedian (born 1978)

Nicholas Kroll is an American actor, voice actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is known for creating and starring in the Comedy Central series Kroll Show, The Oh, Hello Show, the FX comedy series The League, the Hulu sketch comedy series History of the World, Part II, and starring in and co-creating the animated Netflix series Big Mouth and Human Resources.

<i>Kroll Show</i> American sketch comedy television series

Kroll Show is an American sketch comedy television series created by and starring comedian Nick Kroll. John Levenstein and Jonathan Krisel served as the show's executive producers. The series aired on the American cable television network Comedy Central from January 16, 2013, to March 24, 2015.

<i>Central Intelligence</i> 2016 film directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber

Central Intelligence is a 2016 American buddy action comedy film directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and written by Thurber, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen. The film stars Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart as two old high school classmates who go on the run after one of them joins the CIA to save the world from a terrorist who intends to sell satellite codes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garth Davis</span> Australian film and television director

Garth Davis is an Australian television, advertising and film director, best known for directing the film Lion (2016), and the film Mary Magdalene, written by Helen Edmundson. He earlier directed episodes of the series Top of the Lake (2013).

<i>Bright</i> (film) 2017 American film by David Ayer

Bright is a 2017 American urban fantasy action film directed by David Ayer and written by Max Landis. The film is set in an alternate present in which humans and mythical creatures co-exist and details an LAPD police officer and his orc partner confronting racism and police corruption while protecting a magic wand and the elf girl who wields it. Noomi Rapace, Édgar Ramírez, and Ike Barinholtz also star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Searchlight Television</span> American television production company

Searchlight Television is an American television production company that is a division of Searchlight Pictures, part of The Walt Disney Company. Founded in April 2018, broadening the variety of projects produced under the namesake Searchlight Pictures film banner. It is headed by David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield.

Mapleworth Murders is an American comedy-mystery series created and written by Paula Pell and John Lutz, who also star alongside J. B. Smoove and Hayley Magnus. It was directed by Claire Scanlon. Lorne Michaels and Seth Meyers serve as executive producers. It premiered on August 10, 2020, on Quibi. In 2023, the 12 episodes began streaming on The Roku Channel.

Chicago Party Aunt is an American animated sitcom created by Chris Witaske, Jon Barinholtz, and Katie Rich for Netflix, inspired by Witaske's Twitter account. The first eight episodes premiered September 17, 2021. The second part premiered on December 30, 2022.

<i>The Croods: Family Tree</i> American animated TV series

The Croods: Family Tree is an American animated television series that is produced from DreamWorks Animation under DreamWorks Animation Television. The series is based on the 2013 animated film The Croods, taking place after the events of the Golden Globe nominated film, The Croods: A New Age (2020). The series was released on September 23, 2021, with a second season premiered April 5, 2022, and a third season premiered on June 2, 2022. A fourth season premiered on August 31, 2022. A fifth season premiered on November 25, 2022. A sixth season premiered on March 30, 2023. A seventh season premiered on July 27, 2023, while the eighth and final season premiered on November 9, 2023.

Alice Mathias is an American television director and producer. She is known for her directing work on History of the World, Part II, Schmigadoon! and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. As a producer, Mathias has been nominated for Emmy Awards for I Think You Should Leave, Documentary Now! and Portlandia.

References

  1. ↑ Clark, Mickel (February 24, 2023). "Everything you need to know about History of the World II". TheStreamBible.com.
  2. ↑ Rice, Lynette (January 13, 2023). "'History Of The World, Part II': Hulu Drops Official Trailer For Mel Brooks Sequel Series". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ Sheehan, Sofia (March 5, 2023). "Where to Watch 'History of the World, Part II': Stream Mel Brooks' Highly-Anticipated Sequel". Collider . Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  4. ↑ Huff, Lauren (February 6, 2023). "'History of the World Part II' reveals massive starry guest cast and (some) character names". EW.com . Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  5. ↑ Flam, Charna (February 7, 2023). "'History of the World, Part II': Hulu Releases First Trailer For Mel Brooks' Sequel Series (TV News Roundup)". Variety . Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ "History of the World, Part II Episode Listings". The Futon Critic . Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  7. ↑ Berkowitz, Joe (January 3, 2013). "How I Got My EGOT: 12 Lessons Mel Brooks Learned Making TV, Albums, Movies, and Theater". Fast Company . Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  8. ↑ Raleigh, Sir Walter. "The History of the World" (PDF). University of Washington .
  9. ↑ Motamayor, Rafael (January 18, 2023). "One Of History Of The World, Part I's Most Memorable Jokes Was A Last-Minute Addition From Mel Brooks". /Film . Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ Otterson, Joe (October 18, 2021). "'History of the World Part II' Variety Series Ordered at Hulu, Mel Brooks to Write and Executive Produce (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  11. ↑ Kelley, Aidan (2023-01-21). "'History of the World: Part II': Release Date, Cast, Trailer, and Everything We Know so Far". Collider . Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  12. ↑ "History of the World, Part II". Disney+ . Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  13. ↑ Seitz, Loree (March 21, 2023). "'History of the World, Part II' Becomes Hulu's Most Watched Scripted Original of 2023 (Exclusive)". TheWrap . Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  14. ↑ Bart, Lily (April 27, 2023). "Record-Breaking Viewership for History of the World Part 2: Becomes a Must-Watch". ScreenBinge.com. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  15. ↑ "History of the World: Part II". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  16. ↑ History of the World, Part II, Metacritic , retrieved 2023-06-23
  17. ↑ Rice, Lynette; Hipes, Patrick (July 12, 2023). "Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  18. ↑ Czachor, Emily Mae (July 12, 2023). "2023 Emmy Awards: "Succession" leads nominees as HBO ties record - CBS News". CBS News . Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  19. ↑ Tangcay, Jazz (January 9, 2024). "Saltburn, Oppenheimer, Killers of the Flower Moon Lead Art Directors Guild 2024 Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  20. ↑ Burton, James. "Will 'History of the World Part 2' Get Another Season? Cast Talk Show's Fate". Newsweek. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.