It goes without saying that the YouTube scene has morphed and transformed significantly over the past decade. Becoming increasingly utilised by independent artists and with an intention, it would seem, to become the next go-to entertainment streaming portal, its no surprise that the terminology “Insta Celeb” now exists. Gone are the days of dorky 13-year olds, with poor lighting and their drugstore makeup, explaining the use of eyeshadow to the camera. To be in the game these days, you need circle LED lighting, editing chops, brand affiliations and to look like a teenager of the 2000s, not a teenager of the 1990s (While we’re on that, did the awkward teen phase just disappear?!).
Yet, back in 2014, the internet sensation Buzzfeed hired a bunch of young starters in their Video Department to get on the bandwagon of creating and sending out viral content to the masses. Amongst this group were four creatives living in California, all with polarized personalities and styles. Their names; Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfield and Eugene Yang.
The group had acting or content creation backgrounds and all seemed uniquely okay with presenting themselves at the centre of some pretty interesting endeavours for the sake of the camera and their audience. And thus ‘The Try Guys’ were born. A creation intended to do just that – try stuff! Situations, outfits, fitness regimes, body hygiene routines – you name it, they’ve tried it. What they created must have struck a cultural nerve because they became Buzzfeed’s first ‘brand’ of Personalities. To say they have had continued success is an understatement. In 2018, when their contracts with Buzzfeed wrapped up, they appeared at a crossroads. They were the brains, the brand and the editors behind their own videos. Could they take their Try Guys expertise and make their own independent YouTube Channel? Would it all exist without the big name of Buzzfeed behind them? For a few months, the try guys went quiet. The waves of the internet were a still pond. No content for the aforementioned awaiting masses.
Had they been forced to break up?
Had they fallen out?
Where they ever really friends in the first place?
It was during this seeming confusion that they were behind the scenes creating their own independent channel that would go on to be watched by 6 million viewers religiously within the 12 months that followed. Ironically, as Ned says, during this time they were “working closer than ever” amidts the circulation of rumours that they had disbanded.
Now in 2019, not only have they released a New York Times Best Selling Book ‘The Hidden Power of F*cking Up’ but they have headlined VidCon around the world. With tickets to attend some of their shows selling out on their Legends of the Internet Tour, the group have been flown around the world visiting fans in countries they surely couldn’t have anticipated having 5 years ago.
That’s how my partner, Evan, and I came to be lucky enough to meet the Guys last week during their time in Sydney, Australia. It was up to us to show them around our fair city and truth be told I was a little nervous. I can honestly say that I’ve seen all their most viral videos and followed their careers with very real interest. (My favourite is definitely their Labour Pain Simulation Video – turns out it’s a favourite of over 33 million other viewers as well. If you haven’t already watched it, head over to YouTube now!) They were a staple of my procrastinated internet watching during my University degrees and interestingly, Eugene tells me that I’m in good company. “Our most common demographic is university aged young women.”
As a fan, I too want to know, are they actually friends? Are they as nice as they seem? Do they come across as normal people after this catapult to internet fame? Well the answer is Yes, Yes and Yes.
We are set to meet them at the Lobby of the Shangri-La in Sydney’s Rocks area and on arrival, we are greeted by Ned and his wife, Ariel. But the real star of the entrance is their 18-month-old Wesley – cute as a button, vivacious and the apple of both his parents’ eyes. We introduce ourselves and I am struck by how instantly warm they are. Ned tells us that a few of the other Guys were out drinking the night before so they may stumble down to the Lobby a little late. Chatting about their Tour and time in Australia so far while we wait for the others, it’s a strange interaction to hear them so casually discuss something as unique as a ‘World Tour’ whilst chasing after a toddler in the Lobby like every other holidaying parent.
Not long after, Eugene and his partner Matt make their appearance. Maybe slightly hungover, they tell us they had a great night out in Sydney. With our lock out laws, we ask where they could possibly have been out till two in the morning? “Newtown. That’s a cool area,” Eugene tells us. He’s as chic as he makes out on camera but there is an affectionate side to him, shown with his partner, that is rarely seen on their uploads.
Lastly Keith and his wife Becky meet us in the Lobby. Keith informs everyone that “a non-mandatory tour related meeting any time before 10am is quite frankly rude, if you ask me” but his Tennessee twang and exaggerated hand movements, as well as his 6ft+ statue are instantly likeable. Anyone who has watched their videos knows that he and his wife met at College and have shared their second anniversary while here in Sydney. They let us know that Zach won’t be joining us for the day and so off we go.
The day is spent visiting Sydney’s iconic spots. Wendy’s Secret Garden, Nielson Park for coffees, Tim Tams and a taste of the intense flavours of Vegemite and lunch with drinks at the Bucket List on Bondi Beach. We stop for pictures at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and drive through Potts Point and Kings Cross, talking all things cultural, political and whimsical. Conversation flows easily, laughs are had and key comparisons are made about life in the States and life in Aus. The hours pass in a blink and I certainly find myself truly understanding why these guys have become stars. They are wickedly funny and incredibly astute, for all that they ham up their aloofness on camera. Ned’s love of his family is incredibly obvious, it becomes clear that Eugene’s partner Matt is beloved by the whole gang and Keith’s comedic chops are only ever a moment away. It almost just starts to feel like you’re hanging out with tourists you’re making friends with on a backpacking holiday. It isn’t until Keith is sent a meme of himself looking like a sneaker by a “fan” and they throw around puns with which to repost it that you remember, they aren’t all just your ‘guys next door’ – they have legitimate, hard-core fans and their wit and humour in the spit-balling process is like being in a creative juicy comedic think tank. And yet they don’t take themselves too seriously. Ned and Ariel refer to the group as Wesley’s aunties and uncles. They take photos together that they don’t post – photos for their own private collection of a time of their holiday.
Another thing you notice is, for people whose livelihood is the internet, they aren’t glued to their phones. It’s an impressive and notable trait and it makes for a really present day.
Over lunch, we chat about intellectual and policy based issues like gun violence in America and voting. They seem to adore the concept of a ‘democracy sausage’ but can’t fathom how you make everyone turn up to vote in a compulsory system. When asking what has been the biggest surprise about coming to Australia, they talk of its familiarity and the ease with which they’ve been able to navigate the cities. They chuckle about how we say “How’re ya going?” as a greeting to anyone and everyone. Naturally, they also have a bunch of questions about sharks.
The conversation that really sticks with me after the day is over is Eugene and Ariel’s interest in the stance of Australians with regards to the Police. I explain that while Australians may be somewhat anti-authoritarian in their attitudes, calling the police when you’re in trouble is something we can calmly and confidently teach our children. “So, calling the police would always be seen as a positive thing?” Eugene queries. “In America, the police now have to wear camera’s for proof of incidents because the situation is so tense, particularly with the African American community,” he continues. He is somewhat surprised by how much Australians appear to know about the political and cultural climate of the US and we are all relieved to find our opinions of our respective countries’ political leaders is aligned.
For a bunch of Guys whose most viewed videos are titled “The Try Guys Try Drag”, “The Try Guys Get Photoshopped with Men’s Ideal Body Types”, “The Try guys Wear Womens’ Underwear” and “The Try Guys try UFC Fighting”, it may be easy to assume there is a certain flippantness or fluke to their success.
What is clear from spending the day with them is the exact opposite. They are a clever troop of artists who have obviously made some shrewd career decisions and timed their brand exceptionally well. More than that, they also are genuinely all very different personalities but they are most certainly friends. Possibly more like family after all these years. And they aren’t scared to challenge what it means to be masculine, what it means to be creative and what it means to just give things a try. That is something I have always admired about their videos. Their affection for one another. Their ability to buck the trend of ‘the masculine’ in front of the camera and replace it with ‘the real’. Their eagerness to embrace something new and be learners again.
On dropping them back at their hotel, we’ve gone from handshakes hello to hugs goodbye, with an offer from Eugene that if we’re ever in L.A. to get in touch. We swap a few contact details and wish them luck for their next tour stop in Singapore.
That night in bed, we flick over to YouTube to catch their latest video released entitled “The Try Guys Spray Tan Each Other” and my fanhood is solidified. What’s undoubtable is that they love their job, they love a laugh and they love each other. And we can safely say, we love them too!
LD
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Visit:
Their YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpi8TJfiA4lKGkaXs__YdBA
Real Sydney Tours: http://realsydneytours.com.au/