History is important and a lot of fun too. But for many, it’s too vast and therefore confusing, and often boring. History Channel seems to have realised that this attitude just won’t do. Television audiences are done with lazy and dated formats, and are looking for inventive and clutter-breaking content. History Channel’s series Night Class is a result of this stance. The show includes short-form original sketches from Dan Harmon from Community.
Harmon’s series is called Great Minds with Dan Harmon and features conversations with distinguished personalities from the past. Starring Harmon as himself and Spencer Crittenden as his assistant and time- travel guy, each short starts with a historical icon materialising out of thin air in their studio. The personalities (played by actors) have six hours on earth after which they disintegrate, turning into a gooey mush or a pile of dust.So Harmon starts as he must when interacting with a legend from the past – confirming facts and editing Wikipedia entries. He meets Ludwig Van Beethoven (Jack Black) who reveals the shocking and sticky lyrics of the iconic Beethoven’s Fifth. Harmon uses Buddha (Danny Pudi) to endorse a bunch of products for the show sponsors. William Shakespeare clearly hates Harmon’s TV series Community. Harmon goes fishing with Ernest Hemingway (Scott Adsit) and realises, a little too late, that Thomas Edison (Jason Sudeikis) may not like being driven around in a Tesla.
The shorts are available on History’s YouTube Channel. They offer a fresh introduction to the great minds who have helped shape our world. The series is well made and written and will take less than an afternoon of a binge-watching.