Ep 4. Sex

Drunk History is a show on Comedy Central that follows a unique format - historical events are retold by comedians who are inebriated. As they stumble and slur through their narration, the scenes are acted out by famous actors, making for a hilarious yet educational experience. In season 5, episode 4, titled "Sex," the series explores the intersection of love, lust, and history.

The first story of the episode centers around the trial of Anthony Comstock, a self-appointed defender of public morality who was responsible for enforcing federal obscenity laws in the late 1800s. He was particularly focused on banning anything related to sex, including contraceptives and sex education. In the episode, we see a drunken storyteller explain how Comstock's crusade ran headlong into the feminist activists Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Claflin, who became the first women to run for president in the United States. The Comstock Act, which prohibited the distribution of obscene material through the U.S. Postal Service, was used as a weapon against Woodhull and Claflin, who ran a newspaper that advocated for women's suffrage and featured articles on sex education. The storyteller's slurred words are accompanied by hilarious reenactments of the trial, with actor Busy Philipps playing Woodhull and Evan Rachel Wood taking on the role of Claflin.

The second segment focuses on the love affair between Margaret Sanger and her husband, William. Sanger is known as one of the most important figures in the fight for reproductive rights, having been instrumental in the development of the birth control pill. However, her efforts were met with intense criticism and legal opposition. In the episode, we see a drunken narrator recount how Sanger was sent to jail for disseminating information about birth control, and how her husband attempted to help by smuggling forbidden materials into her prison cell. The segment is a mix of humor and history, with the inebriated storyteller riffing on Sanger's tenacity and the couple's romantic escapades.

The final story of the episode is about the long and arduous campaign for marriage equality in the United States, which culminated in the 2015 landmark decision by the Supreme Court. Here, a drunk storyteller outlines the crucial role played by Edie Windsor, a lesbian widow who successfully sued the federal government after being denied tax benefits that were given to heterosexual couples. The Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, was unconstitutional. Windsor's life and activism are brought to life by actress Catherine O'Hara, in a hilarious and touching performance.

Overall, "Sex" is a standout episode of Drunk History, blending humor and history to explore some of the most important moments in the fight for sexual liberation and the right to love who we choose. Through its unique format, the show manages to convey complicated and often serious subject matter in a way that is both entertaining and informative. It proves that even the most drunken storyteller can teach us something new about the past.