It might not be the most politically correct humour -- in fact, it's pretty much the exact opposite, since it involves frequent swearing and conspicuous alcohol over-consumption -- but the series of YouTube sketches known as "Drunk History" are surprisingly funny. Not only that, but they do a pretty good job of educating viewers about historical events such as the death of U.S. presidential hopeful Alexander Hamilton in a duel, and the drama involving the escape of George Washington's slave Oney Judge. The videos appear on YouTube -- where the first one has more than 1.5 million views -- and also on the comedy site Funny or Die.

The clips are the brainchild of comedian and actor Derek Waters, who got his start with Second City and later did a sketch comedy show with friend Simon Helberg, produced by comedian Bob Odenkirk (Waters also plays a recurring character on the the TV show Married to the Kellys). The first clip opens with a description saying "On August 6th, 2007 Mark Gagliardi drank a bottle of scotch and then discussed a famous historical event." At that point, a clearly inebriated Gagliardi - an actor and Second City alumnus who also appears in How I Met Your Mother -- appears in his apartment and starts reciting the tale of Alexander Hamilton.

A visibly drunk Gagliardi does the voiceover while lying on the couch (at one point telling a friend to bring a bucket), and we see flashbacks involving actors such as Arrested Development star Michael Cera in full costume, but mouthing the impromptu dialogue described by Gagliardi, including numerous expletives. In a later clip, comedian Jen Kirkman (who has reportedly drunk a bottle and a half of wine) hiccups throughout the voiceover, and repeatedly uses the F word. A third clip is narrated by Eric Falconer -- who has reportedly had eight vodka cranberries -- and is about Benjamin Franklin, who is played by comic actor Jack Black.

While it may not be the kind of historical education our teachers and parents might wish for, the juxtaposition is nevertheless hilarious, and the history is (apart from the dialogue) surprisingly accurate -- not to mention interesting. Will it ever appear as part of the official history curriculum? Unlikely.