Smosh
Encyclopedia
Smosh is a web-based comedy duo consisting of Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla. Padilla first began posting flash movies on Newgrounds
in early 2003, under the name Smosh. He was later joined by his friend Ian Hecox. Soon afterward they began to post videos on YouTube
in the autumn of 2005 and became one of the most popular channels on that site, with more than 3.7 million subscribers as of November 2011.
Four Smosh-related channels exist on YouTube. The base "Smosh" channel, where both Ian and Anthony post their skits and other videos, has new videos every Friday. From "IanH" (used at first for vlogs and other non-scripted videos), the pair upload their side series "Ian is Bored" on Mondays and "Lunchtime with Smosh" on Thursdays, while their associate performer Mari does "Smosh Pit Weekly" videos on Saturday. A third channel, called "AskCharlie", is based on the popular Smosh character Charlie the Drunk Guinea Pig. It uploaded videos every Wednesday since May the 7th, in November the 30th, smosh uploaded the final video for the show, whereas Charlie is seen at the hospital remembering memories and dying of prostate cancer.
Their final channel, "AnthonyPadilla", has been inactive since February 2011; it was formerly where Anthony made vlog-like videos on his own.
, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
. At first, these videos were not intended to be posted online, but after they sent them to their friends, they started a YouTube
channel.
One of Smosh's earliest videos, "Pokémon Theme Music Video," was released in November 2005. It followed the same style as their other earlier videos, featuring the duo lip-synching the original English theme song for the Pokémon anime. However, the video instantly became much more popular than any of their other videos; over the course of its lifetime, it gained 24.7 million views, becoming the most-viewed video on all of YouTube at that time. It held that title for about six months, but was removed by YouTube after the website received a notice from Shogakukan Productions Co., Ltd., claiming copyright infringement.
The success of their Pokémon video and other videos led Smosh to be featured in the "Person of the Year: You" issue of Time Magazine, published December 13, 2006. It also inspired them to expand their style beyond basic lip-synching videos, and eventually to start creating videos of various genres, such as mini-skits and sketch comedies.. In March 2007, a user named Andii2000 re-uploaded the original Pokémon video. It has over 12.9 million views as of November 2011.
; "Ask Charlie" (which is an interactive series where people ask Charlie, from their January 2010 "Charlie the Drunk Guinea Pig" video, random questions); and "Lunchtime with Smosh," a Comedy series featuring Smosh getting and eating food from various places.
Also in early 2010, Smosh created the "iShut Up App" for Android phones as part of a Google
sponsorship; it eventually made its way to the iTunes
app store. As of November 19 2011, Smosh is the third most-subscribed channel on YouTube.
Newgrounds
Newgrounds is an American entertainment and social media website. Founded on July 6, 1995 by Tom Fulp, the site primarily hosts Adobe Flash animations and games, but also features a music-oriented page, along with an art portal...
in early 2003, under the name Smosh. He was later joined by his friend Ian Hecox. Soon afterward they began to post videos on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
in the autumn of 2005 and became one of the most popular channels on that site, with more than 3.7 million subscribers as of November 2011.
Four Smosh-related channels exist on YouTube. The base "Smosh" channel, where both Ian and Anthony post their skits and other videos, has new videos every Friday. From "IanH" (used at first for vlogs and other non-scripted videos), the pair upload their side series "Ian is Bored" on Mondays and "Lunchtime with Smosh" on Thursdays, while their associate performer Mari does "Smosh Pit Weekly" videos on Saturday. A third channel, called "AskCharlie", is based on the popular Smosh character Charlie the Drunk Guinea Pig. It uploaded videos every Wednesday since May the 7th, in November the 30th, smosh uploaded the final video for the show, whereas Charlie is seen at the hospital remembering memories and dying of prostate cancer.
Their final channel, "AnthonyPadilla", has been inactive since February 2011; it was formerly where Anthony made vlog-like videos on his own.
Formation and Pokémon Theme Music Video: 2005–2009
Smosh began when Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla made several videos together, lip syncing to theme songs such as Mortal Kombat, Power RangersPower Rangers
Power Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes...
, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, who were trained by their anthropomorphic rat sensei in the art of ninjutsu and named after four Renaissance artists...
. At first, these videos were not intended to be posted online, but after they sent them to their friends, they started a YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel.
One of Smosh's earliest videos, "Pokémon Theme Music Video," was released in November 2005. It followed the same style as their other earlier videos, featuring the duo lip-synching the original English theme song for the Pokémon anime. However, the video instantly became much more popular than any of their other videos; over the course of its lifetime, it gained 24.7 million views, becoming the most-viewed video on all of YouTube at that time. It held that title for about six months, but was removed by YouTube after the website received a notice from Shogakukan Productions Co., Ltd., claiming copyright infringement.
The success of their Pokémon video and other videos led Smosh to be featured in the "Person of the Year: You" issue of Time Magazine, published December 13, 2006. It also inspired them to expand their style beyond basic lip-synching videos, and eventually to start creating videos of various genres, such as mini-skits and sketch comedies.. In March 2007, a user named Andii2000 re-uploaded the original Pokémon video. It has over 12.9 million views as of November 2011.
2010 era
In January 2010, Smosh launched the "Smosh Pit" feature, a blog that consists of various pieces of pop-culture trivia. In addition, 2010 saw the channel launch 3 different Smosh-based web series: "Ian is Bored," which started as a collection of comedic videos by Hecox, but then turned into primarily Smosh opening fan mailFan mail
Fan mail is mail sent to a public figure, especially a celebrity, by their admirers or "fans".In return celebrities may send a poster or picture and usually a return letter.-Overview:...
; "Ask Charlie" (which is an interactive series where people ask Charlie, from their January 2010 "Charlie the Drunk Guinea Pig" video, random questions); and "Lunchtime with Smosh," a Comedy series featuring Smosh getting and eating food from various places.
Also in early 2010, Smosh created the "iShut Up App" for Android phones as part of a Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
sponsorship; it eventually made its way to the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
app store. As of November 19 2011, Smosh is the third most-subscribed channel on YouTube.