World Twistories (2024) TV Review
We are defined by our history. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing (as it depends on which side of history you’re currently standing on), one of humanity’s long-term goals should be the preservation of the events, personalities, and objects that are still relevant. Yes, it’s a subjective matter, of course. But there are universal matters that should be in everyone’s priorities.
Well, that and the delicate, life-determining, and collective act of serving coffee.
World Twistories is a new TV show brought to you by Fancy Movies and Oakmead Productions, in which the history of the world is reexplored and possibly rewritten by those bold enough to twist around your perception of the events you think happened in a certain way. Hosted by TikTok personality Paul Longley, the show will find a way through to the history books and locations to try and make some sense of the absurd events that eventually made up our today. In the pilot, Longley goes down a historic venue and enters one of the most off-the-wall concepts to ever be pitched as a business venture: a coffee shop in which you had to order your coffee a certain way.
Using scholar testimony and dramatic (and very funny( reenactments), the pilot for World Twistories accomplishes an exciting proof of concept that makes you eager to see more. Who knows what the future holds for director Matt Mitchell, who takes on the gig to rewrite history using a satirical premise. If you’re not familiar with history, you will still have fun, as the comedy tone is fresh enough to provide a few laughs. It’s hilarious to see an optimistic dude in a Victorian outfit trying to convince another one that a coffee shop where guests are forced to know their Latin is actually a good idea.
The secret is balance, and while the reenactment makes for a good segment, Longley’s presence as host is excellent. He convinces viewers to take a look back to the past, but at the same time, he doesn’t need to confirm if the events he’s talking about are real, or depicted in a realistic fashion. He actually goes to the place and interviews the people, and adds a pinch of authenticity to a show that doesn’t really need it.
Questioning the truth has no place in World Twistories. The facts are so absurd, you will find yourself laughing instead of researching, and for a TV show that claims to be factual, that’s a pretty good achievement.
The pilot for World Twistories premiered today at Dances with Films, Los Angeles’ largest indie film festival. The event takes place on TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.
