RECENTLY VIEWED: HISTORY OF THE WORLD - PART 2

At 96, I did not think I would see a new production out of Mel Brooks. I mean he was an original writer on Sid Caesar's Your Show Of Shows, and Brooks' comedic movies like Young Frankenstein (1974) and Blazing Saddles (1975) caused a lot of my laughter growing up. However, Mel is back with History Of The World Part II! History of the World, Part II is an American sketch comedy limited series, which debuted on March 6, 2023 on Hulu. 

The series is a sequel to Mel Brooks's 1981 feature film History of the World, Part I, and is written and produced by Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen. Like the earlier film, it features sketches parodying events from different periods of human history and legend.

After 40 years, there is finally a sequel to the seminal Mel Brooks film, History of the World, Part I, with each episode featuring a variety of sketches that take us through different periods of human history. The cast features a large ensemble, including a core of several regulars who are also among the series writers: 

- Mel Brooks as Narrator
- Wanda Sykes as various characters
- Nick Kroll as various characters
- Ike Barinholtz as various characters

Despite the title History of the World, Part I, there were initially no plans for a sequel to the film. 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. However, in October 2021, Hulu and Searchlight Television announced that a sequel series titled History of the World, Part II, 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 in it.

I have seen four of the episodes now, and I think it is a good follow up to Mel's 1981 movie. Like the older movie, some of the skits fall flat, but as a whole I know what I am in for when I watch a Mel Brooks production. The 30 minute episodes is a way for me to escape and have a few cheap laughs along the way. Yes there are fart jokes, but they humor is also geered for 2023 audiences. 

If you are not a Mel Brooks fan, don't see this Hulu production. However, if you grew up on Mel, then I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure if this show warrants a part III, but it's a good reminder that Mel Brooks remains one of the most talented and funny men on the planet...

MY RATING: 7 OUT OF 10