The idea for the series originated from a drunken conversation Derek Waters had with actor Jake Johnson, who recounted the story of R&B singer Otis Redding's death in a plane crash while intoxicated.

Waters thought it would be funny to film an intoxicated person stumbling through a historical story while actors reenacted it, leading him to create the format.

Waters told his friend actor Michael Cera about the idea, and Cera not only encouraged him to make it but volunteered to appear in the first video.

The first Drunk History video premiered on Funny or Die on August 6, 2007, starring Jake Johnson, Derek Waters, Michael Cera, and Ashley Johnson.

Storytellers read up on the historical events while sober and rehearse in front of a producer before actually getting drunk for filming.

Derek Waters drinks alongside the storytellers during filming to let them know they're doing it together, so the process doesn't feel exploitative.

According to Derek Waters, all dates and story elements recounted are factually true, even though the dialogue performed by the historical figures is not accurate; he makes sure storytellers get names and dates right.

Independent newspapers have verified that the historical information presented in the series is accurate, despite the invented dialogue.