Announcing the NewTeeVee Top 10 Breakout Video Stars of 2008
Jake and Amir
Jake and Amir evolved organically since May 2007, with more than 100 short episodes released. Amir Blumenfeld plays Amir, the slow kid who overcompensates and has a huge mancrush on Jake (played by Jake Hurwitz), the guy who sits across from him at work. Somehow simultaneously outrageous and deadpan, Jake and Amir emerged this year as an example of a web-native show that’s effortlessly good.
Besides its excellent comic timing, the show benefits from being so close to reality; Blumenfeld and Hurwitz are actual coworkers at the popular web site CollegeHumor, where they work on original video content. And recurring bits reward repeat fans — check the Wikipedia page for a list of motifs. One recent episode kills despite zero dialogue — it’s simply an IM conversation between Jake and Amir while sitting at their desks.
You’re not small fry when rumors of an MTV pilot based on your show get treated as credible. (We shall see what actually happens!) Recently Jake and Amir broke into user participation: fans made trailers for a hypothetical Jake and Amir movie, and when a phone number was mentioned in one of the shows as Jake’s actual cell phone, some fans were ecstatic to get through; others got a very full voicemail box.
(Liz Gannes)
Comments (16)
Linkbacks (11)
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[...] Lee Rose, Jessica Rose, LG15, lonelygirl15, NewTeeVee, sorority forever, The Guild, Wine Library TV NewTeeVee has announced their top 10 breakout web stars for 2008. The list includes Jessica Rose of “Sorority [...]
NewTeeVee’s breakout web stars «…
— 9:00 AM on November 11, 2008
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[...] Jake and I were named one of NewTeeVee.com’s Top 10 Video Breakout Stars of 2008! [...]
BeingFamous.com | Amir’s Online Home…
— 9:34 AM on November 11, 2008
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[...] for online video (because of the economy.)And in-between these weighty deliberations we will meet the Top 10 Breakout Video Stars, most of whom will make live [...]
Meet 10 Breakout VideoStars of 2008 at NewTeeVee…
— 8:06 PM on November 11, 2008
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[...] Here’s The Burg’s from last year, and there’s also ones from Break a Leg and our breakout video stars Jake and Amir and Fred. Or try [...]
A Video Handbook for the Holidays «…
— 12:02 AM on December 25, 2008
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[...] for online video (because of the economy.)And in-between these weighty deliberations we will meet the Top 10 Breakout Video Stars, most of whom will make live [...]
Meet 10 Breakout VideoStars of 2008 at NewTeeVee…
— 2:10 PM on January 13, 2009
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[...] Hooking Up With William Morris? [NewTeeVee] YouTube has already spawned its fair share of web video stars, but the video-sharing giant is now reportedly going after real celebrities. According [...]
FanTrust » Blog Archive » YouTube…
— 9:47 AM on January 30, 2009
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[...] even the promise of free wine, Wine Library TV’s Gary Vaynerchuk (an NTV Breakout Video Star and old favorite) packed an auditorium here at South by Southwest Sunday evening with the [...]
The Wit and Wisdom of Gary Vaynerchuk «…
— 4:34 PM on March 16, 2009
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[...] Watching Vaynerchuk is like a master class in brand building (a very hyperactive master class). The guy sticks to his message, engages with his community and constantly works to promote himself across every new platform available. He even squeezed in a video show during a recent flight on Southwest Airlines. No wonder we named him one of our 2008 Breakout Video Stars. [...]
Vaynerchuk Thunders Into Book Deal
— 1:24 PM on April 2, 2009
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[...] a team, Self and Escola have an easy rapport that bears a resemblance to the dynamic between College Humor’s Jake and Amir (Escola being the Amir of the two), and the deliberately amateur production only showcases how [...]
Jeffery and Cole Casserole Deserves To Escape…
— 12:52 PM on August 3, 2009
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[...] a team, Self and Escola have an easy rapport that bears a resemblance to the dynamic between College Humor’s Jake and Amir (Escola being the Amir of the two), and the deliberately amateur production only showcases how [...]
Jeffery and Cole Casserole Deserves to Escape…
— 12:52 PM on August 3, 2009
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[...] I’m proud we were chosen in the top Link: Here [...]
An over-the-top gossip snarker.
— 7:19 PM on September 29, 2009
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Yay!
Thanks guys!
I can’t believe this is the video you posted! Yikes!
I think I may have to give the award back based on this!
HAHAHHAHAHHAHA
See you soon!
Buck
Hey Liz, great choices! Of these breakout video stars, any insights into their business success (e.g. advertising, e-commerce)? Thanks.
Very cool selection – and a few I have yet to see. Quickly going to rectify that!
Have a great day!
Hey Jeff, I think/hope we’ll be hearing a lot more about their business success at the conference on Thursday.
felicia day is amazing but i have to ask– what does buck DOOOOOOOO???!?!?!?!
Felicia Day = Awesome. I can’t wait for the second season of The Guild.
I’m going to check out a few of those that I haven’t heard about before.
Congrats to all!
@Jeff: Actually, Felicia Day and I are gonna talk about our hair, mostly. Styling products, blow driers vs. straighteners, that sort of thing.
I love that Conan towers over Gary. If Conan gets too annoyed, he can just squish Gary under his heel like an angry giant.
Good list, but the real question is…who is most likely to be 2009’s breakout video star?
great list. It seems like the stuff that is taking off is highly focused and concept driven. can’t wait to see who makes the list next year!
“Those seeking to use web video to further their careers could do much worse than to emulate her example — but the most important thing they should take note of is her friendly and open interaction with fans.”
Took the words right outta my mouth…
I watched one of the funniest shows today and this guy will be on the list next year for sure.
Statix.tv
GamerGuru
Cheers,
Steve
thats haken awsome!!!!!
He’s funny. I wsh I had his e-mail.
Watching Vaynerchuk is like a master class in brand building (a very hyperactive master class). The guy sticks to his message, engages with his community and constantly works to promote himself across every new platform available. He even squeezed in a video show during a recent flight on Southwest Airlines. No wonder we named him one of our 2008 Breakout Video Stars.
Nice post, I always make a point of checking your blog, keep up the good work. Barbabra