I've been a fan of them for YEARS! Honestly...I don't like the "better quality". I DO agree it is better quality, more produced, just a higher production value overall. But that's not why I watched them. That's not why their old base watched them. I actually prefer some of their older stuff, when it was just 2 dudes in a room, spliced with yellow text on a black background. They claim they're giving fans what they want...but I'm wondering who asked for it? Or did they just assume oh as time goes we have to get "better". I can't for the life of me understand why Steven joined, honestly. I love him as an entertainer, he's fun to watch, but I don't see what he adds to Watcher (no hate, just genuine confusion). He's known for going around and eating expensive things. I have NO idea why they thought he would be the person who should be asking us for money. Bro's out here eating food I could never DREAM of affording while talking about we need your money. My theory is Steven really pushed for this. Ryan probably said sure let's try. If Shane agreed to this from the beginning...I would be surprised. It's one thing to know the KZfaqrs you like are rich, even if they act relatable. When they start ACTING rich...that's another game entirely. I'll stick around their KZfaq to see what happens, but man, as a long time fan, this ain't the Ghoul Boys I used to love.

My genuine question is- aren't they having to pay for the website and the storage to upload said videos to the website? So now they have an added expense on top of their other stuff. Wouldn't it be better to just use patreon the way they are using the streaming service and not have the extra cost of a streaming website?

It sucks because they broke our trust. Their streamer is only for desktop, and came out of left field. I also think it sucks their Patreon members only get a free 3 month trial. And Shane's wife, Sara Rubin didn't do them any favors with her tweet whilst having 3 wedding dresses and putting down $55k on their wedding venue. I, personally, enjoyed their content better while they were on BuzzFeed. They do not put out enough videos for the streamer, their staff is bloated, and they have a studio in Hollywood. Hollywood sucks and is overly expensive.

Just found your channel. You're pretty good at commentary and laying out what's going on without needing to add padding or over explanation. Keep up the good work and I hope to see you grow🤘

I love the Watcher❤. I'm glad they recognized that they have loyal fans who don't have money to throw away

IMO, Watcher's awesome content is WHY subscribers freaked out the way they did -- at least it's why I freaked out. I thought I'd had a nice parasocial relationship with Shane & Ryan ever since KZfaq recommended Puppet History to me several seasons back because of all the history videos I watch. I love some of their lower tech productions like Are You Scared & Too Many Spirits, but if they want to experiment with fancy expensive production, they can knock themselves out as far as I'm concerned. HOWEVER, if they can't AFFORD to experiment with the higher production values, even though they have a well-patronized Patreon, sell pricey merchandise, do long ad skits for their sponsors on most of their long-form highly viewed videos AND go on ticketed live tours, it seems tone deaf for them to expect their fans to shell out even more money rather than trying to figure out how to do most of what's really important to them within the rather large budget they already have. I'm glad they walked most of their initial plan back & apologized for some of it, but I'm still feeling icky about it. I haven't unsubscribed, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll stay subscribed -- I think they'll have to earn back my trust.

I watch The Watcher even back then, like I know them as Buzzfeed unsolved. I feel old

Was it a good apology 🤔 I think so... As a long time fan...it hit every mark it needed to... but... After the dog and pony show they put on to fire me as a fan ... I don't really trust them anymore, damage done.

Also, no ukelele?

It's good enough for now. But if they try some stuff again.... Steven! This isn't a Ryan and Shane thing. You can tell by the body language in the first video.