so the thing about smosh as a business entity on youtube is that they grew up in a culture where tricky decisions and hard conversations almost always got swept under the rug, outside of the knowledge of viewers. there's a reason why we didn't know how bad things were under defy until the entire company popped.
but even starting under mythical, it became clear to me that this is still the sort of culture that smosh continues to operate under. if you were following smoshblr around 2018-2020, you know that there were a lot of extremely relevant issues that fans cared about that smosh NEVER openly addressed or acknowledged. things like:
the original smosh games group saying they weren't given the same stake in the smosh company as others after mythical bought them
sohinki and boze pointing to matt raub as someone who treated them poorly within the company, while matt raub's presence in videos grew
hugely influential talent such as mari stepping away from smosh and feeling underappreciated because of how promptly and coldly things ended
zero transparency in handling sexual harrassment allegations against past talent
a lack of racial diversity in thumbnails and promotional content
smosh streaming on twitch, a platform for smaller, more indie creators/personalities, and keeping vods behind a paywall
i'm probably forgetting some other things but my point is that it would not surprise me at all if smosh either does nothing about noah or quietly lets him go as part-time talent, instead of releasing a statement that adequately addresses the reasonable concerns of fans who stand with palestine — because smosh has continually proven that they do not make public, company-wide statements on things that are just more than slightly inconvenient for them.
do i blame them? i mean, yeah. they're a youtube channel whose brand success hugely hinges on relatability, genuineness, and an intimate connection to the viewers. but in 2020 i personally had to reckon with the reality that smosh is indeed a business, and it's a large one at that. it makes tricky decisions quietly because for them, online discourse dies quickly enough and it's safer for the whole of their company and their employees to not fan those flames, especially if it means one of their own getting burned.
i do not watch the majority of smosh content nowadays. i tune into a few videos here and there. i understand that it's no longer personally relatable to me and that i now prefer watching content that feels more intimate and creatively passionate. i don't really get upset at smosh directly anymore because i've reformed my expectations of them as content creators.
i guess i'm saying all this because i know people want to love smosh and its content and its cast, and as a fellow obsessive fangirl of things, i want them to be able to love all of it wholeheartedly. but i feel bad that fans are anguished, waiting for something that i deeply suspect smosh will never give them. i hope i post this and i hop on instagram and i see i'm proven wrong lol. but really i just hope that me saying this will prevent some of the prolonged heartbreak that can come in caring about smosh as more than a content creation business. that's all
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Hey so I've had this in my drafts for well over a month, then that recent smosh mouth came out, rendering this near useless, but I'm still gonna post it cause why not.
Beginner's Guide to Smosh Seasonal Games
(For newer fans, even though no one asked. And yes I'm manifesting summer/winter games 2024, look away.) Mostly sourced from the Smosh Wiki.
1- Smosh Summer Games! (2015)
1st trailer aired: June 27, 2015 ~ Finale: July 31, 2015
This was the OG that started it all! No theme, unless you count it being entirely held at a beach house. Very classic smosh vibes, inappropriate jokes, and queerbaiting galore, with 12 episodes total across Pit (2nd channel at the time) and Games. (tbh I haven't seen this one).
This was held shortly after the 'main squad' was cast (Keith, N*ah, Olivia, and Courtney), and was Shayne's official introduction to the channel!
Teams/Cast:
Bananarama: Anthony (Captain), Lasercorn (David Moss), Courtney, N*ah, Mari Takahashi, Jovenshire (Joshua Evan Ovenshire).
Jiggle Physics: Ian (Captain), W*s J*hns*n, Sohinki (Matt Sohinki), Flitz (Amra Ricketts). Keith, Olivia.
Refs/Hosts:
Shayne, Joe Beretta
Winners: Bananarama
Special Awards:
MVP - N*ah, LVP - Lasercorn, Biggest Fail - Olivia.
2- Smosh Winter Games! (2016)
1st trailer aired: Jan 30, 2016 ~ Final Ep: Feb 29, 2016
The first Winter Games! Similar classic vibes to the first, except by this time the 'main squad' was much more settled in and comfortable with each other, and the overall cast. Strangely, Ian and Anthony didn't actually participate in the games, but commentated (not sure why).
Combo of actual competition eps and also videos for other shows aka specials (s-s-s-sleepover, put it in my mouth) that were winter games themed. 23 videos total across 2nd Channel (Pit) and Games.
Teams/Cast:
Snow Fleeks: Anthony (captain), Mari, W*s, Sohinki, Keith, Olivia, refs.
Blue Balls: Ian (captain), Lasercorn, Shayne, Courtney, Flitz, N*ah, Jovenshire.
Refs/Hosts:
M*tt R**b, Joe Beretta, Sunny Peabody.
Winners: Blue Balls
Special Awards:
MVP- Olivia, LVP- Joven, Epic Moment- Lasercorn, Biggest Fail- W*s.
(Lasercorn got Epic Moment for dropping an actual fire rap during the *wrap* battle)
3- Smosh Summer Games: Camp (2016)
1st trailer aired: June 25, 2016 ~ Final Ep: July 30, 2016
The first one to have a theme, extremely iconic, the vibes were starting to peak around this time with the main squad being almost fully settled in by this point. For those of you who do not know, back in the day Smosh had separate casts for main/pit and for games, and the seasonal games were one of the only series where they would consistently appear together, and were originally intended to be a bonding activity. This one was the first to really let those dynamics *shine*, and really have them interact in memorable ways. Also best challenges up until this point cause of the theme. 13 specials and 9 competition episodes across games and 2nd channel, this time accompanied by a few vlogs on Courtney's personal channel.
Teams/Cast:
Kumbayaaas: Anthony (captain), Jovenshire, N*ah, Olivia, W*s, Courtney, Sohinki
Harshmallows: Ian (captain), Mari, Keith, Shayne, Lasercorn, Flitz, refs
Refs/Camp Counselors:
M*tt R**b, Joe Beretta, Sunny Peabody.
Winners: Harshmallows
Special Awards:
MVP- Olivia, LVP- Sohinki, Epic moment- Ian, Biggest Fail- W*s
(Sohinki had to leave early due to sickness and so automatically got LVP)
4- Smosh Winter Games: Again! (2017)
1st trailer aired: Jan 31, 2017 - Final Ep: Feb 28, 2017
Longest seasonal games by far, lot of iconic moments and fun specials, featured CFM's 2nd ever appearance, and was also Boze's debut as a games member! Not much else to say about this one, it's a blast with a lot of classic moments. Oh, and it was the last seasonal games to feature both Ian and Anthony as team captains :,). 19 specials (Game Bang, Board af, hot tub truth or dare, etc.) and 8 competition episodes across pit and games.
Teams/Cast:
Spaghetti Yetis: Anthony (captain), Boze, Sohinki, Lasercorn, Olivia, Flitz, Shayne
Dablizzards: Ian (captain), Keith, W*s, Mari, N*ah, Courtney, Jovenshire
Refs/Hosts:
M*tt R**b, Joe Beretta, Sunny Peabody, Sarah Whittle, Tanner Risner.
Winners: Spaghetti Yetis
Special Awards:
MVP - Anthony, LVP - Jovenshire, Epic Moment - Shayne, Biggest Fail - Boze
5- Smosh Summer Games: Wild West! (2017)
Trailer aired: June 26, 2017 - Final ep: July 31, 2017
WWIIIILLLLDDDD HWEST! Let me tell yall this one is ICONIC, for so many reasons, in so many ways. Filmed on an awesome location (a ranch in Nevada), great teams, the production quality was top-notch, and let's not forget the infamous bar-brawl fight choreography of the trailer. So many iconic moments its astounding. Damien's first seasonal games, and also the first to neither feature Anthony nor have team captains (instead of picking teams dodgeball style like they had done previously, this time the teams were picked via a lottery). 15 specials (maricraft, board af, etc.), and 8 competition episodes across pit and games. Fun fact, this season was filmed a week before the "Anthony is leaving smosh" video was released.
Teams/Cast:
Randy Bandits: Lasercorn, N*ah, Olivia, Damien, Mari, Ian, Flitz
Cowbaes: Jovenshire, Courtney, Shayne, Keith, W*s, Sohinki, Boze
Refs/Sheriffs:
M*tt R**b, Joe Beretta, Sunny Peabody
Winners: Randy Bandits
Special Awards:
MVP - Flitz, LVP - W*s, Epic Moment - Shayne, Biggest Fail - Jovenshire
Shayne told his Epic Moment story on the pod, but incase you missed it: during a hangman competition he managed to guess a 2-word answer, with no letters on the board, on his first try. The answer was Wyatt Earp.
Some out of context references: "MUNGE", "My name is Calamity Janet, and I am crazy.", "Sorry"×20, *wide shot of damien holding up his fist for like 3 minutes*, *Mama bird*, *shot in the chest* "Where's Anthony?"
6- Smosh Summer Games: We Blew It! (2018)
Trailer aired: August 17, 2018 - Final ep: August 24, 2018
Folks, what can I say, they blew it. They had 10 dollars and a dream for this one, and they tried their best, but it is admittedly still the weakest of the Summer Games. Between airing later than any other, taking place within only a week as opposed to a month, having the least amount of competitions (5) and the least amount of specials (1 Smosh and Order), this one really is a last-ditch effort sort of ordeal. But make no mistake, it's no one's fault but Defy Fuckhead Media Inc.; in case you missed the Smosh mouth ep, the story goes that Defy simply didn't want summer games to happen that year, and gave M*tt R**b an eighth of the usual budget. Despite all this, I'm sure if you go back and watch it, the videos are actually really enjoyable with some fun goofs and special moments. The first games to not feature Sohinki or Flitz, and this time there were team captains, chosen according to the personal awards given the prior year.
Teams/Cast:
Inflatabulls: Jovenshire (Captain, previous winner of Biggest Fail), Mari, Damien, Courtney, Keith, Boze
Balloonatics: Shayne (Captain, previous winner of Most Epic Moment), Lasercorn, N*ah, Ian, W*s, Olivia
Refs: M*tt R**b, Sarah Whittle
Guest Refs/Guest Judges: ��Garrett Palm, Joe Bereta, Spencer Agnew, Tanner Risner and Tim Baker
Winners: Balloonatics
Special Awards:
MVP - Mari, LVP - Damien, Epic Moment/Biggest Win - Lasercorn, Biggest Fail - W*s
7- Smosh Summer Games: Apocalypse! (2019)
Trailer aired: July 15, 2019 - Final ep: August 16, 2019
APPOOOCALYPSSE!! This one ROCKS! Not quite as iconic as Wild West, but it's honestly up there in my opinion. The first and only summer games post-mythical, and a return to normalcy from We Blew It in terms of length, airing schedule, etc., probably because they'd managed to find a sponsor to help with the budget. This one had some greeaat specials, including Spelling Bee-kini Wax, Maricraft, Try Not To Laugh: Gauntlet (so many iconic bits from these tntls, and if I'm not mistaken one of Tommy's earliest appearances), and a lot of Smoshcast. Fun fact, Sohinki was actually invited to participate but was in Italy at the time, so Kimmy was cast as a guest participant instead to even out the teams. The first to have no team selection process or opening ceremony, instead the teams were pre-picked at random and revealed during the trailer. 18 specials and 8 competition episodes across Pit, Games, and Smoshcast.
Teams/Cast:
ToxiciTea: Jovenshire, Ian, Olivia, Mari, Shayne, W*s
Mushroom Clout: N*ah, Lasercorn, Damien, Keith, Courtney, Kimmy
Refs: M*tt R**b, Sarah Whittle
Guest Refs/Guest Judges: Joe Bereta
Winners: ToxiciTea
Special Awards:
MVP - Joven, LVP - Shayne, Epic Win/Moment - Courtney, Epic Fail - Ian
Fun little end note, Lasercorn, up until this point, had never lost a single season, and had been described for a while as having a 'Winning Streak'. That became a big running gag this season in particular, with Lasercorn describing his team as being 'Blessed by the power of the streak', while ToxiciTea claimed that was the year the streak would be broken. In the end, it was. On Twitter and other socials, the hashtags "#Breakthestreak" and "#Thestreakisreal" were used by the fandom to support either team. Overall super fun season with a lot of fandom involvement.
This took me way too long. Enjoy!
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Matt Raub was very divisive. While I really dig his humour and never treated his roasts too literally, I can understand why it might rub some wrong way. There were a lot of crazy allegations circling around him. Some of them were totally fabricated and blew out of proportion by speculating fans (him being bad with Sarah while they were meeting even after she left or that he was the reason for OG Smosh Games to leave, which was cleared by Joven who admited it was due to bad Mythical contracts). But he wasn't remembered so fondly by couple of people that were basically fired (Boze, Sunny and Sohinki I believe?), so there was probably some truth to it.
But core Smosh always felt good around him. Ian, Courtney, Shayne, Damien never minded him and I even remember an instance, when during Twitch stream he was being smeared by chat and Courtney was visibly upset and started to defend him. Like others said, he was around for too long, to be even remotely as bad as some fans took for granted.
When it comes to Boze, it was years ago, so I may not remember it well but I believe she was very salty at Smosh in general and not Matt alone. She mentioned, that she had no support from Squad either and that they were never inviting her to their things. Additionally she totally unnecassarily dragged Sarah, accusing her of being "over 30 yet producing material for kids" which is pretty weird, given Boze just was a part of same company. For me Boze burned too many bridges and we will never see her at Smosh again. Even if she might have said some nice words about I+A reuniting. Mari, Lazer, Joven why not but I wouldn't expect her (nor Wes, Flitz, Sohinki either) return.
Damn that was a long one. Thanks anon for explanation!
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