The report I read suggested he was trying to make a point (a fairly shit one) that you can pay anyone to do anything on the internet. I don't know that he specifically set out to use Indian people as part of it. Might be a bit specious to suggest he set out to use Indians as props.
A dude who somehow gets paid $8 million a year by posting videos of him playing video games and providing commentary. I hate the world haha
On Disney: Disney's Maker Studios has confirmed that it has cut ties with YouTube star, PewDiePie. Maker - the YouTube creator network bought by the Walt Disney Company in 2014 - has severed its relationship with Felix “PewDiePie” Kjellberg and removed all references to him from its website following the release of a series of videos - some since deleted - containing antisemitic messages. Also: Tumblr post, stating: "I make videos for my audience. I think of the content that I create as entertainment, and not a place for any serious political commentary. I know my audience understand that and that is why they come to my channel. Though this was not my intention, I understand that these jokes were ultimately offensive." "As laughable as it is to believe that I might actually endorse these people, to anyone unsure on my standpoint regarding hate-based groups: No, I don’t support these people in any way." Ah, so blaming your fans and repeating yourself to get your point across. Clears it all up!
I mean, at a stand-up comedy show, you are in an area where jokes are expected. I think it's a bit different than a YouTube video or whatever.
I'm all for "make jokes about what you want" but only in actual comedy settings and if you make a joke about something shitty, you should definitely pay the price for it.
I am of the mind that nothing is off limits but realize your audience and don't cry "free speech" when the outcome is bad for you for saying it. I am reminded recently of SNL writer Katie Rich who made a blue joke about Barren Trump being a "homeschool shooter." I personally hate Trump and his kids, and I could care less about his age; but it was a blue joke, one that wasn't even funny. She is also a comedy writer, it's her job to write jokes whether they hit or not. I look at what PewDiePie said and think, wow, this was not necessary and knowing you are with Disney you knew you had to tread carefully. Rich, while jokes about school shootings are probably not a wise choice to begin with, was ridiculed and pushed away for writing a joke as a comedy writer. That's not right. She apologized (which Anthony Jeselnik has a great piece about apologizing for jokes), move on. PewDiePie whether you like it or not has sway with a very young audience, Rich was a comedy writer for an adult program. Know the difference. Know your audience. I don't feel bad for Pew one bit.
I mean he clearly isn't actually anti-semitic if you watch the vids, but the jokes are definitely in poor taste, though. I forget what podcast I was listening to but it made the point that no one gets offended by someone quoting Genghis Khan even though he also killed millions and that in a thousand years or so Hitler will be on the same level as Genghis Khan. Not defending his jokes, but I just think it's an interesting point.
antisemitism should not be a meme. millions of people weren't eradicated so some fuck on youtube could make jokes about it
I'm really glad I missed out on the YouTube star generation...At 31, I have zero idea who this guy is, and I couldn't be more happy. Hearing younger family members discuss people who are "Facebook famous" or "Insta stars" makes me sick.
probably way more. I know he made tons from a book he did and he has an app that probably makes a ton from in-app purchases. but when you think about it more people watch his vids and the ads on them than most cable tv shows.
Ugh, this guy is a piece of work. I used to work in the YouTube MCN industry and it usually seemed like Maker would overlook things like this (or throw money at people) to meet their growth requirements to earn the full sum that Disney offered when they bought them (since like $500m in funding or so was contingent on meeting growth targets). It's great that they did the right thing here.