I would always refer to myself as an old fashioned in terms of the internet since I use this technology but not in the same way as young people. So for this blog I began snooping around the internet to find the reasons on how and why some Youtube personalities become famous. Using this table I found I began reading articles and watching some videos.
(Except for Movies because I don't think that is a person and Rihanna because she's Rihanna)
Smosh
Smosh is a comedy channel in Youtube currently ranked number one. It is starred by Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla. It's consists of creative skits and antics about popular culture, antiques include a annual food battle show where Ian and Anthony fights on which is the better food like in the 2012 Food battle it was a competition of Donut and Eggroll to be used as wings, bandages, wedding ring etc. Basically, anything goes. The show ended when a body switcher and a death of Ian in Anthony's body.
Skits are popular forms of entertainment and Smosh manages to entertain its subscriber. It is similar to skit shows like MadTv or Nickelodeon's All That. Except they're a duo and not a full cast. It also shows skits dedicated to poking fun on popular culture such as Pokemon, Titanic, and Google Glasses.
(clip looks psychedelic but it's really clear)
First time watching this videos all I can say is that its a funny and creative video. This video carries with it comedy clichés such as a gay German, innuendos such as "eating wieners", and stereotype that some guys could never get a girl. If this was not a comedy video people might have called it racist, perverse, and sexist but Ian and Anthony (Smosh guys) manages to keep the video light and funny.
PewDiePie
PewDiePie or Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg is best known for his video game walkthroughs with camera profile on horror games (but includes action and adventure games). Lets Play documents him playing the game along with his reactions and commentaries. He did walkthroughs on Amnesia the Dark Descent and Slenderman. Viewer can join in the fun and thrill of being scared. His fans are commonly known as the "Bro Army." The reason why he is popular is because of his personality which is outgoing and loud. Fans could communicate with him and he talks about his day in Vlogs such as Friday's with PewDiePie. He is someone who gamers and people can relate to. Some fans can be obsessive with him. His fans are known to hate comments on people who criticize him.
(am not watching this)
(The Thrillz)
His videos are catered to people who have the time and resources to play video games. Not really, since there really are people who are satisfied with the walkthrough. It's playing a horror video game without playing it (basically, you're just watching.) Probably like how a horror movie works (except with more commentaries.)
Jenna Marbles
Jenna Marbles first video on Drunk Make-up tutorial became a viral, and so Jenna Marbles or Jenna Mourney became popular due to her appeal on teenage American girls. She is like the crazy aunt who is still a teenager at heart. She curses a lot and is quite frank but actually she advises young teens about the problems teenagers face such as make-up and dates. She gives videos about "How to"s dealing with people. She is like a teenagers Seventeen magazine except she gives it straight to the point. no euphemisms.
She attracts a specific group of people who are probably in the American teenage phase of really caring what other people think because of adolescence where peers opinion seems to matter a lot. Their is also a end goal of becoming pretty and to sexually attract guys or stand out from their peers. It is the American teenage life of going-out to party and look good partying. But its not all about the party some of her advice is about dealing with people who you want to please and dealing with people who you want to avoid. ("How to Trick People You look Good" and "How To Avoid Talking To People You Don't Want To Talk To" )
RayWilliamJohnson
In a span of a year,from September 2009 - October 2010 RayWilliamJohnson's or RWJ's subscribers rose from 145,938 to 2,115,547. His platform consist of him showing 3 viral videos that he finds and pokes fun or criticizes the video. He became famous for following this formula which is looking for Videos then blogging about it. As many fans that he has, he also has a lot of hater who argue that he steals viral videos than trolls about it. In addition he constantly makes jokes about squirrel AIDS. His video is likened to the show America's funniest home videos. Their are other stand-up comedians who are funnier than him but he does get the credit for being consistent and persistent in coming up new videos that have laugh out loud moments. He has a large market target that would appeal to a lot of internet users looking for something funny.
He appeals to a large market of Youtube users because his videos is really something a Youtube searcher is looking for which is a viral videos for laughter. Base from the chart above Youtube people are looking for either specific movies or series, music, or just something funny on the internet and RWJ delivers. So instead of having to look over the internet for something funny or viral you can just checkout his channel for updates.
NigaHiga
NigaHiga is produced by Ryan Higa, Sean Fujiyoshi, Tim Enos, and Tarynn Nago. They started making videos on lip-syncing on other songs but son expanded to other comedy skits. Ryan Higa never makes dirty jokes. His videos while they are funny also gives an intelligent meaning which could be pondered upon. His comedy is spontaneous easily switching from funny to serious and vice-versa. He even starred in a few films like Ninja Melk, Agent of Secret Stuff, and Ryan and Sean's Not So Excellent Adventure. Each rating 8/10, 7/10, and 4/10 on IMDB. His other comedy's focuses on the stereotypes in todays culture such as his video on How to be Emo and How to be Gangster. His shows are appealing due to his quick wits and fast talking lines.
NigaHiga is basically like Nickelodeon because his show is filled with antics about popular culture. He never relies on innuendos but on the creativity of presenting something the way they are except in a cheesy way of manner.
Conclusion
Digital Media caters to a variety of people. It has handed the power, knowledge, and discourse from Cable networks or publishing companies to independent internet users who became popular because of the materials they presented. Before comedy was produced in bureaucratic systems such as Nickelodeon, Seventeen, and etc. But in an age where media is much more accessible creative people took it too themselves to post videos about themselves on what being a teenager, gamer, and a comedian is all about.
Most discussion about race, class, gender, and sexuality are present but they are not really main reason to watch this videos. This videos use markers of real life to poke fun on popular culture and perceptions of reality. On how the relaxed class of gamer turn a leisure activity for the leisure class to a means of earning fame and fortune. On how all of us are actually fuddy-daddies (old fashioned) in our views comedy. We try to grasp what is fun the same way our grandparents sees it.(Except we are probably more inebriated.) It pokes fun on racial stereotypes on how NigaHiga is a ninja because his asian or how RWJ is a hairy troll because of his smart aleck comment or Jenna and her puberty. Basically its all for fun. It never seeks to become a controversy. They just point on the views of our generation regarding our view on society. It is a comedy that seeks to inform but not change.
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