On Sunday, May 18, YouTube hosted its FYC event in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center Theatre, spotlighting its Emmy contenders and celebrating the impact of its creator-led programming.
The evening featured a clips and conversation evening with Sean Evans (Hot Ones), Rhett & Link (Good Mythical Morning), and Michelle Khare (Challenge Accepted), with each series recognized in top Primetime Emmy categories:
Outstanding Talk Series – Hot Ones
Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series – Good Mythical Morning
Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special – Challenge Accepted
The event emphasized YouTube’s emergence as a TV powerhouse, with reporting that YouTube is the #1 streamer for over two years in a row. Each panelist offered a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of their shows, from production scale to genre reinvention. Highlighting how creator-led content is now competing at the level of traditional television studios.
Rhett spoke about the difference their show has from the legacy studio show, “I think a big advantage is that we are essentially the studio, network, talent, all in one. The level of feedback you get from fans, and how you can shape your show is feedback you can’t get anywhere else. We have access to how our show is connecting with every demo in the world, and we can take that data and shape the show how we want and how it fits with the data, and no one will make those decisions other than us.” Link concluded on why they feel now is their time to be recognized by the Academy, “We’ve had to adapt to an ecosystem that is constantly changing. I’m not saying we have this visionary thought and are pushing the future of entertainment, but rather we are changing in the ways that our audience is changing, and because we have that tight connection and close engagement with our audience, our show is changing WITH the culture and therefore IS the future of entertainment.”
Michelle Khare on the craft and production of Challenge Accepted, “I don’t know if this is a show or an episode that a network would have greenlit because it’s a 3-month shoot, with 45 days worth of editing. We really take our time with these episodes to make sure the story is king. We’re not beholden to a strict posting schedule because of the intensity of our shoots and editing, and our audience understands that and is okay with that because of the quality of the stories we put out. We have the luxury to sit in an interview with the subject for as long as they need and get to know our subject, which is why the content feels more polished.”
Sean Evans on creating Hot Ones, “It’s always been a dream of mine to create a long-standing talk show. It was from watching Letterman and seeing the way that my Dad responded to that show that allowed me to understand what that kind of escapism television could do for people.”
Sean on why he thinks he’s the new face of the talk show format, “I think the late-night label has been thrust on us because media writers love that headline, but I accept it. When you look at the views and the ratings, we fare favorably compared to the shows that have dominated the genre.”
“When you look at Hot Ones and the way we’ve been dominating views and cultural relevance for the last 10 years, I absolutely think we deserve the title of Late Night and respect of late night, and if we don’t get the recognition this year or next year, we will the next. That recognition is coming.”
Following the panel, guests moved to the iconic PDC plaza for a reception featuring immersive activations including the iconic Hot Ones and Good Mythical Morning sets and a Tae Kwon Dao inspired by Challenge Accepted’s “90 Day Black Belt” episode. Guests enjoyed an array of themed food from local LA food trucks including ‘Hot Ones’ Heat Seekers Hot Chicken (Wings ‘N Waffles), Challenge Accepted Fuel Bowls (Gochu Gang), Good Mythical Burgers (Manna From Heaven), YouTube Streamer’s Slicehouse (Angelino’s Pizza), and Hokey Pokey ice cream for dessert. Guests were treated to themed bites such as “Careful Around the Syrup” waffle, Black Belt Bulgogi, “Will it Smashburger?” burger, and the Play Button Pepperoni pizza while imbibing on YouTube’s themed Red Blossom Margarita.