Ep 3. New Orleans

Drunk History season 3 episode 3 takes viewers on a wild ride through the history of New Orleans, from the city's founding by the French in the 18th century to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. As always, the stories are told by drunken comedians who narrate historical events -- some of which they may not fully understand -- while actors lip sync or reenact the scenes.

The episode kicks off with a retelling of the founding of New Orleans by Bienville, a French explorer and the city's first governor. The storyteller, comedian Tom Lennon, slurs his words as he explains how Bienville tried in vain to convince the local Native American tribes to help him build the settlement. Eventually, Bienville is forced to resort to desperate measures -- namely, drinking himself into a stupor and pretending to be possessed by the spirit of a buffalo. The tactic works, and the locals agree to help him build the city.

Next, viewers get a raunchy and hilarious lesson in the city's most iconic food: the po' boy sandwich. Comedian Kyle Kinane explains how two brothers, Benny and Clovis Martin, opened a sandwich shop in the early 20th century and started serving up massive sandwiches stuffed with fried shrimp and roast beef. The sandwiches were so big that men working in the nearby shipyards would bring one to work and split it with a buddy, earning them the nickname "poor boys." Kinane's drunk ramblings add just the right amount of humor to the story, making it a standout moment in the episode.

The next retelling is a bit more serious, delving into the history of New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras celebration. Comedian Alia Shawkat explains how the festival, which dates back to the city's earliest days, was actually banned by the Spanish authorities in the 18th century for being too rowdy and subversive. However, locals found ways to continue the tradition in secret, using disguises and masks to avoid being caught by the authorities. Shawkat's drunken slurred speech only adds to the intrigue of the story, evoking the sense of a forbidden tradition passed down through generations.

The episode takes a darker turn with the next story, which recounts the 1811 slave revolt that took place just outside of New Orleans. Comedian David Wain tells the tale of Charles Deslondes, a slave who organized a rebellion involving hundreds of enslaved people from nearby plantations. The revolt was brutally suppressed by white militia, but the courage and determination of the slaves who participated in it paved the way for future abolitionists. While the story is a sobering reminder of the city's troubled past, Wain's drunken narration is oddly fitting for the charged subject matter.

The final story of the episode is a more recent event: Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005. Comedian Paget Brewster takes viewers through the chaos and confusion of the storm, including the botched response from FEMA and the heroic efforts of the Coast Guard. Brewster's drunken musings add a touch of gallows humor to the tragic events, highlighting the resilience of the city and its people in the face of disaster.

All in all, Drunk History season 3 episode 3 provides a fun and informative tour through the unique history of New Orleans. The mix of comedy and tragedy, lightheartedness and darkness, makes for a compelling and memorable viewing experience.