Comedian and TV host Craig Ferguson will show off his history buff credentials in Join Or Die With Craig Ferguson, which has received a 16-episode order by History. The half-hour series hails from Comedy Dynamics and Ferguson’s Green Mountain West as well as Lionsgate TV where Ferguson has a deal. It will feature the Scottish-born comedian debating provocative and timely topics, in his unorthodox and iconoclastic manner, with a panel of guests which will include celebrities and history experts, as well as the American public through social media. Topics will range from: what was the biggest presidential campaign flop; who was the greatest founding father; or which invention was history’s greatest game-changer. In addition to the debate on the show, Join Or Die also will produce extensive digital pieces.

“Craig is incredibly knowledgeable, but also has a fun way of getting people engaged in history,” said History head of programming Paul Cabana. “It’s clear this is his passion project and we’re looking forward to having him join the network.”

The name of the show comes from “Join or Die,” the famous 1754 Benjamin Franklin political cartoon that served as a rallying cry to the divided colonists. Ferguson had the cartoon tattooed on his forearm to celebrate becoming an American citizen.

“I’m a huge fan of History and what they do,” said Ferguson. “I’m delighted to be on their schedule and promise that we will have a lot of fun but we will also stick to the truth.”

Join Or Die With Craig Ferguson is executive produced by Ferguson, Phil Cottone, Brian Volk-Weiss and Jim Biederman. Tim Healy and Matt Ginsburg are executive producers for History.

Ferguson, who hosted CBS’ Late Late Show for a decade, currently hosts the syndicated game show Celebrity Name Game. He is repped by WME.