Drunk History: Marilyn and Ella

The story of how Marilyn helped Ella Fitzgerald to secure a lucrative nightclub engagement is heart-warming (albeit much-mythologised.) In the latest episode of Comedy Central’s Drunk History the tale is retold, starring Juno Temple (who has described Marilyn as ‘a huge inspiration‘) and Gabourey Sidibe.  Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya has reviewed the segment for the AV Club website.

With Drunk History host Derek Waters

“But the best segment of the episode comes in the middle, with Tymberlee Hill retelling the story of Ella Fitzgerald’s friendship with Marilyn Monroe … Gabourey Sidibe and Juno Temple give heartfelt and truly compelling performances as Fitzgerald and Monroe, having fun with Hill’s drunken, quick dialogue but also bringing genuine emotion to their scenes. Both are hugely popular cultural icons, but by focusing on their friendship, the story humanizes and complicates these two legendary women. The story deals with broad ideas like racism in the music industry, but it does so through the very specific lens of these two women and their beautiful relationship. A famous white woman following through on true, selfless solidarity for a Black woman in her industry by using her own power to elevate a marginalized voice? That’s a story with a lot of present-day relevance—one that famous white women of today should listen to. ‘These two women, they literally need each other,’ Hill says, never once downplaying the intense emotions and complex relationship dynamics that make this an incredible story. She ends it by saying Fitzgerald ‘loved that lady,’ placing an emphasis on ‘loved’ that isn’t mere drunken exaggeration. It’s coming from her heart. And it looks like she says it through tears.”