#89 - Smosh Turns 15!

Podcast Summary

• Be careful when sharing personal info for online psychic readings: Sharing personal info for online psychic readings can lead to unwanted emails and potential security risks

  Giving out personal information online, even for something as seemingly harmless as a psychic reading, can lead to unwanted consequences. Andrew shares his experience of almost falling victim to a potential scam while trying to find out his astrological signs. He and his friends worked tirelessly for Smosh, but the unsustainable work hours took a toll on them. During a break, Andrew decided to look up his astrological signs online and was asked for his personal information, including his birth date, time, and location. He was unsure if he was dealing with a human psychic or a bot, but the experience left him feeling uneasy. Despite his skepticism, he had already given out some personal information before deciding not to complete the transaction. A few days later, he received lengthy, unsolicited emails that seemed personal but were likely generic responses. Although he had not given out his email address, he believes his information may have been logged through his keystrokes. The experience served as a reminder to be cautious with where and how personal information is shared online.

• Speakers share stories of discovering Smosh and favorite early videos: One of the most popular Try Not to Laugh episodes is '12 with Jujimufu,' which received 34 million views. Speakers also discussed their astrological signs and the significance of Black Moon Lilith.

  The speakers on the SmoshCast shared their experiences of discovering Smosh and their favorite early videos. One of the videos mentioned was "12 with Jujimufu," which features Jujimufu, a YouTuber with a large following due to his unique appearance and humor. The video received an impressive 34 million views, making it one of the most popular Try Not to Laugh episodes. The speakers also discussed their reactions to discovering their astrological signs and the significance of Black Moon Lilith in astrology. Additionally, they announced that the SmoshCast will be going on a hiatus for a while to focus on other projects.

• Factors influencing video success: algorithmic recommendations, audience interest, unexpected elements: Unexpected elements, like phallic food or Shane Dawson's interviewing style, can boost video views. Algorithmic recommendations and audience interest are also crucial factors.

  The success of a content creator's video can be influenced by various factors such as algorithmic recommendations, the audience's interest, and even unexpected elements like a phallic food item. For instance, Jujimufu's content resonated with his followers, leading to a surge in recommendations and views. Similarly, a food battle video featuring rock candy versus a pink donut became popular due to its eye-catching thumbnail. The size of a chili pepper discussed in another video led to an unexpected reaction, and Shane Dawson's interviewing style often encourages creators to reveal more than they intended. Additionally, the unexpected success of a Just Dance video led to the realization that monetization opportunities in the gaming industry have evolved over time. Finally, collaborations with brands, like Starbucks, can lead to new opportunities and experiences for creators, even if they are initially hesitant.

• Trying new things and collaborations boosted Smosh's popularity: Experimenting with various content, especially collaborations with popular brands and music, helped Smosh stand out and gain a large audience.

  Experimenting with different content, especially collaborations with popular brands and music, significantly increased Smosh's popularity and engagement. The Apple Store video and the Assassin's Creed 3 music video were particularly successful, leading to popular merchandise and a large number of views. Smosh was also among the first YouTube channels to adopt eye-catching thumbnails and merchandise, which helped them stand out and gain a large audience. Other successful videos, such as "mail time" and "stuck in the toilet," also contributed to their success. Overall, their willingness to try new things and adapt to trends played a crucial role in Smosh's success.

• Adapting to changing humor trends and audience preferences: Smosh successfully evolved from bikini photos to mature themes by adapting to new trends and staying responsive to their audience.

  Smosh, a popular YouTube channel, has successfully adapted to changing humor trends and audience preferences over the years. The speakers in this conversation reminisce about their experiences creating content for the channel, including specific videos that resonated with audiences. They discuss how Smosh has evolved from bikini photos to more mature themes, and how they've kept up with the times by adapting to new trends, such as death note parodies and reacting to popular shows like Grace and Frankie. They also acknowledge the importance of staying current and responsive to their audience, even if it means changing direction or addressing controversial topics. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of flexibility and adaptability in creating engaging and successful content on YouTube.

• Exploring unconventional storytelling in 'Part Timers' and Smosh Summer Games: Creators shared their unique approaches to storytelling, including killing off a character as a ghost and creating longer content for Smosh Summer Games.

  The discussion revolved around various experiences in creating content, specifically mentioning a limited series called "Part Timers," and the first Smosh Summer Games. The creators shared their unique approach to storytelling, such as killing off a character in an unconventional way and bringing her back as a ghost to take a virginity, which was met with surprise and intrigue. They also expressed their desire to create longer content and explore different settings, like a beach or a forest, for the Smosh Summer Games. The conversation also touched upon their early days of creating content, including an April Fools prank video where they walked for an hour without cuts, which gained significant attention. Overall, the conversation showcased the creators' innovative and humorous approach to content creation, even before the era of YouTube Red.

• Discovering Smosh's early success on YouTube: Being discovered on YouTube and securing early monetization are crucial for creators to grow their audience and build successful online businesses.

  The early success of Smosh, a popular YouTube channel, can be traced back to two key moments: getting their videos on the front page of YouTube and becoming one of the first ten channels to be monetized. These achievements allowed them to gain a larger audience and eventually move out of their parents' house into their own creator house. These moments were significant because getting discovered on YouTube was the primary way creators grew their audience at the time, and monetization provided the financial stability to invest in their content and careers. These experiences demonstrate the importance of being discovered on popular platforms and securing early financial support for creators looking to build successful online businesses.

• Smosh's Early YouTube Journey: Sharing, Growing, and Experimenting: Smosh started in a small apartment, gained popularity, expanded with new content and channels, and experimented with various formats to keep up with their audience's evolving preferences

  The early days of Smosh's YouTube journey were filled with unique experiences and adaptations. The team started with humble beginnings, sharing a small apartment and creating content together. They gained popularity, leading to larger gatherings, such as VidCon, where they met their fans for the first time. As their audience grew, so did their content, with the launch of Smoshpit (formerly E and H) and the creation of secondary channels. They experimented with various formats, like Ian is Bored and Mail Time, and even collaborated on projects like the Legend of Zelda rap. Through it all, Smosh remained innovative and responsive to their audience's changing preferences.

• Creating Memorable Experiences through Content Production: Investing time and resources into creative projects can lead to unique, memorable experiences and successful outcomes.

  Creating content, especially when it involves a significant investment, can lead to unique and memorable experiences. The discussion revolves around a music video they made with references to The Legend of Zelda and Lil Wayne, which required a substantial budget and effort. Despite some controversy regarding the Lil Wayne references, they were excited about the experience, from the elaborate makeup and costumes to the beautiful locations and high-quality production. They even suggested creating a remix of the song for the new Breath of the Wild game. The process of putting so much time and resources into the project paid off, leading to a successful outcome. Overall, this experience highlighted the excitement and rewards that come with taking risks and investing in creative projects.

• Collaborations and Partnerships: Smosh's Growth Engine: Smosh's partnership with Awesomeness led to memorable moments, movie premieres, and expansion into gaming through acquisitions and mergers.

  The collaboration between Smosh and Awesomeness led to some memorable moments in the history of the channel, including the premiere of their movie at the Fox Theater in Westwood, which was a huge deal with a red carpet, sponsors, and a filled theater. This partnership also helped Smosh grow and become more sustainable, allowing them to expand into new areas like gaming and hiring new talent. The launch of Smosh Games was a result of the acquisition by Alloy and the merging of Clevver's Clever Games team. Smosh Summer Games was another initiative to bring Smosh Games and regular Smosh talent together, addressing the lack of collaboration between the two teams after hiring new people. Overall, these collaborations and partnerships were essential in helping Smosh evolve and grow into what it is today.

• Smosh's defining moments: Summer Games, Anthony's departure, and acquisition: Collaboration, growth, and resilience were key to Smosh's success. Casual video collaborations evolved into significant events, Anthony's departure opened new opportunities, and acquisition by Mythical led to partnership and growth.

  The Smosh team's bonding exercises, such as their annual Smosh Summer Games, started as simple video collaborations but grew into significant events that boosted their content and brand. These moments, including Anthony's departure and Smosh's acquisition by Mythical, became defining milestones for the team and their fans. The Smosh Summer Games began as casual collaborations where team members appeared in each other's videos without ever meeting in person. These interactions fostered a strong bond between team members and led to memorable moments, such as a hammock incident where the hammock broke, leaving team members in an awkward position. Anthony's departure was a significant moment for the team, as it forced them to evolve and make changes. Although it was a sad moment, it opened doors for new opportunities and allowed the team to grow. The acquisition of Smosh by Mythical was another defining moment. The uncertainty surrounding the acquisition caused anxiety among team members and fans, but it ultimately led to a successful partnership and new opportunities for the team. These moments demonstrate the importance of collaboration, growth, and resilience in the face of change. Despite the challenges, the Smosh team continued to create content that resonated with their fans and solidified their place in YouTube history.

• Unexpected opportunities lead to meaningful experiences: Discovering unexpected opportunities can lead to significant changes in life and career, bringing excitement and personal growth.

  Unexpected opportunities can lead to significant changes in one's life and career. The speaker in this conversation shares how he discovered Good Mythical Morning during a time when he was trying to find a source of revenue by streaming. He became so engrossed in their content that he watched them daily for months. Fast forward to the present, and the speaker is now streaming on Twitch with the support of Good Mythical Morning. This unexpected turn of events brought excitement and enjoyment to his life, demonstrating how unexpected opportunities can lead to meaningful experiences and personal growth. Additionally, the conversation highlights the power of creativity and humor in building a strong fanbase and community.

• Milestones in Smosh's Evolution: From a viral Pokemon song to a comedy brand with a diverse roster of creators, Smosh's evolution showcases growth and resilience.

  The evolution of Smosh, an influential comedy brand, can be traced through significant moments such as the viral Pokemon song, addition of new cast members, the every blank ever format, and the Defy shutdown. These events introduced new perspectives, expanded the brand, and allowed for creative exploration. For one participant, these defining moments began with discovering Smosh through the Pokemon song as a teenager, continued with the addition of new cast members, and culminated in the Smosh West Coast tour, an experience that brought live content to a larger audience. These milestones showcase the growth and resilience of Smosh as it transformed from a duo to a comedy brand with a diverse roster of creators.

• Learning and joy from valuable experiences: Individuals gained invaluable knowledge and joy from experiences like tours, conventions, and international travels, despite facing challenges.

  The experiences discussed, including tours, conventions, and international travels, have been invaluable learning opportunities and sources of joy for the individuals involved, despite the challenges they faced. These experiences ranged from mastering self-care routines on tour to performing in front of large crowds and even predicting global events like the pandemic. The sense of accomplishment and excitement from being dispatched internationally to entertain fans was a clear sign of making it in their respective careers. Some notable experiences mentioned include participating in summer and winter games, dealing with hive rashes, and bouncing on trampolines. Despite the tough moments, these experiences were remembered fondly as week-long parties and sources of fun.

• Cherished memories from challenging projects: Challenging projects bring people together, create unforgettable memories, and provide a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie despite hardships.

  The experiences of working on challenging projects, such as live shows and intense competitions, bring people together and create unforgettable memories. These moments, despite the hardships, are cherished for the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie they provide. For instance, during a grueling competition where many participants suffered from asthma attacks, the team still found joy in the shared experience. Similarly, the production of Smosh Live, which required immense preparation and effort, resulted in a sense of triumph and excitement when it was successfully executed. These experiences, though demanding, are what make the job rewarding and memorable for the team.

• The importance of recognizing the value of our endeavors and team: Recognize the importance of your dreams and the value of your team, even during challenges or setbacks.

  Sometimes it takes years to achieve our dreams, and we may take them for granted until they are taken away from us. Shane and Damien shared stories about their experiences with Smosh, including the dream of hosting their own show and the unexpected shutdown that made them realize how special their job was. They discussed how these moments served as reminders of the importance of their work and the value of their team. One forgotten moment they mentioned was when the entire Smosh cast came together in Sacramento, which although it didn't do well with viewers, was a special experience for the team. These experiences highlight the importance of recognizing the value of our endeavors and the people involved in them, even when faced with challenges or setbacks.

• Moments of fun and camaraderie: The most successful moments for Smosh stem from spontaneous and unplanned experiences, allowing the team to connect and showcase their friendship and camaraderie.

  The most successful moments for Smosh, both old and new, often stem from spontaneous and unplanned experiences where the team could just have fun together. These moments, like jumping on an air mattress, were genuine and authentic, allowing the team to connect on a deeper level. Unlike the carefully planned and produced content, these moments were a window into the camaraderie and friendship that exists behind the scenes. The Smosh team may not always be able to recreate these moments, given the demands of their operation, but they serve as a reminder of the importance of having fun and enjoying the process. The team's top 5 moments, including Smoshtrella and the Super Nova trip, were not only personally significant but also progressive for the Smosh brand, showcasing their ability to adapt and evolve.

• First time hosting a show and meeting a collaborator: The value of new experiences, skills, and collaboration in personal and professional growth.

  The speaker values experiences where they can learn new skills and bring people together. The "Sleepover" project was a significant moment for her as it allowed her to host a show for the first time, create content independently, and meet a friend who later became a collaborator on Smosh. Additionally, the creation of the female-centric music video "Girls Are Gross" was a proud moment for her as it marked a new direction for Smosh and allowed her to contribute in a meaningful way. These experiences not only provided opportunities for growth but also taught her valuable lessons about perseverance and collaboration.

• Collaboration and exploring new experiences lead to successful content creation: Creating engaging content requires authenticity, collaboration, and a willingness to explore new experiences

  The creative process behind making a song involves collaboration and the involvement of various hands, but it can still result in a great final product. The experience of creating something new, whether it's a song or a video, is enjoyable and successful when the team is able to experience something new together in a unique environment. For example, their Renaissance Fair vlog was unexpectedly popular, and the spontaneity and fun captured on camera resonated with their audience. The team values the opportunity to explore new places and experiences, and they look forward to being able to do so again when it's safe. The key to creating engaging content is to be authentic and true to their personalities, whether that means dressing up for a vlog or spontaneously proposing at Disneyland.

• SmoshCast Takes a Hiatus, Listeners Encouraged to Check Twitch: SmoshCast podcast is on a break due to focus on other projects and pandemic challenges. Listeners can engage with Shane and Ian on Twitch for weekly live chats.

  Shane and Ian from Smosh announced a hiatus for their podcast, SmoshCast, due to their focus on other projects and the challenges brought about by the pandemic. They encouraged their listeners to check out their Twitch channel for weekly live chats and interactions. The podcast, which has been running for almost two years, will not be gone forever but is taking a break for the time being. Ian shared a memorable moment from the podcast, which involved eating a scotch egg without chewing, and expressed gratitude for the support from their listeners. Ian also made an unexpected announcement about a personal change in his routine.