The third of eight shows in Ten's Pilot Week initiative - DeciderTV.com's Steve Molk reviews DRUNK HISTORY.

HOW DID TEN PITCH IT?

Rhys Darby and Stephen Curry pour themselves a drink in the international hit comedy format that takes Australia’s rich, and often surprising history and re-tells it through the words of our most loved comedians and entertainers.

 

WHAT IS IT REALLY?

An ANZAC version of the format from which we've already received US and UK versions. Famous(-ish) people get half-cut and recount stories from that country's history, while other actually famous people act it out in all it's stupidity and incorrectness.

 

WHO IS IN IT AND WHO RESPONSIBLE FOR IT?

Story tellers: Stephen Curry and Rhys Darby.

Ensemble cast for re-enactments includes: Becky Lucas, Ryan Fitzgerald, Roy Billing, Greta Lee Jackson, Phil Lloyd, Lehmo, Rob Mills, Paul Fenech, and Toby Truslove.

The show is produced by Eureka Media.

 

WAS IT ANY GOOD?

I find Rhys Darby so entertaining I'd watch him read the phone book. Stephen Curry has his fair share of being interesting too, so watching these gents telling a story from memory while drunk is very easy entertainment (though given Darby's performance skill I have questions as to how much was acting and how much was actually drunk).

The horse mask for the person playing Phar Lap (and all the other horses) freaked me out - though somehow it all kinda worked in the context of the show. Gyton Grantley as a mildly-depressed Ned Kelly was inspired casting, and the list of others involved in the re-enactments add significant weight to what was an enjoyable half-hour ep.

This show will do nothing to alter the troublesome relationship we have as a nation with alcohol.

 

SHOULD IT GO TO SERIES?

How could it not? It's an already established and successful format in other markets - it would have been hard to muck it up, and they certainly didn't do that. Certainly in the top three for the week and surely one Ten have already inked a deal for. Future storytellers (and stories told) will deliver valuable local drama points Ten sorely need. It's smart, it's fun, and it doesn't take itself too seriously.