I’m a huge YouTube video addict. I rarely watch the streaming services I pay for, like Netflix or Hulu, and opt for random content made by “influencers” across the internet instead. You’ll find whatever you want to watch, no matter how weird or depraved it is. Want to discover one of many Lego’s failed properties or listen to Japanese trap music? You can do it all for the price of having to sit through painful 30-second advertisements for toilet paper or iced tea.
Being an expert in online curation, I’ve picked my two favorite YouTube channels, one under the radar and one everyone should know. I have a love for YouTube’s counter culture, the channels that take mock the ridiculousness and vanity of a platform fueled by teenage girls drooling over Instagram models. If you’re looking for stuff like Pewdiepie or Markiplier, there’s nothing for you here.
Nerd City - Commentary channels are the most common on YouTube. It’s easy to slap yourself in front of a webcam, buy a Blue Yeti mic and complain about whatever’s on your mind. Channels like h3h3 productions have exploded in recent years, with many of YouTube’s audience desperate to watch others find the flaws behind the site’s most popular content.
Nerd CIty is a commentary channel I discovered after a long night of Filthy Frank induced drug abuse and I was immediately hooked. Dr. Downvote, a man dressed like a Party City Doc Brown, has gone after Prince Ea, Tasha Mama and most infamously, Daddyofive.
When news vlogger Philip Defranco first started making videos about child abuse in Daddyofive videos, it seemed like he was the first YouTuber to dive deep into that craziness. Nerd City had already been planning a video for months, full of direct evidence that’s still pretty hard to watch.
Though Nerd City only posts once a month, their videos are always of the highest quality, with great editing and stories with actual fact checking. Their newest video talks about the culture behind Daddyofive’s fans that is worth watching if you have been following the heartbreaking case at all.
Idubbbz TV- Without a doubt, idubbbztv is my favorite channel on Youtube. Ian is a weird, twisted dude who stands directly in front of the PC culture hype machine and gives it the finger. He deconstructs popular YouTube channels and trends, with wit so dry it’s almost impossible to tell when he’s sarcastic or serious. Following in the footsteps of other “weird” channels like Filthy Frank and howtobasic, he’s cemented his own little corner of YouTube with some weird shit.
From Bad Unboxings to Kickstarter Crap, each one of idubbz’s series are hallmarks of greatness. Poking fun at the ridiculousness of unboxing videos, he opens packages sent by his fans full of anything from campaign shirts from George Bush’s 1988 to campaign to coyote urine. He’s broken, smashed, lit on fire and even ate some of the gifts his fans send, always making sure that he’s always the butt of the joke.
Content Cops can destroy a YouTubers channel — Leafyishere and Dramaalert never reached their same level of popularity after idubbbz’s videos. I’m not saying that Ian took down them both by himself, but I have no doubt that his influence helped shape community perception. He’s a playmaker on YouTube that seems approachable to the average fan. He’s a normal guy who just happens to be a massive internet celebrity with fans who call him terrible names endearingly.
Who’s your favorite YouTuber? Tell us in the comments.
