Obviously @samreich has loads of people dogpiling him RN but I would be remiss not to join in! On Dropout copaganda, from someone who’s just cancelled her years-long membership:
Lots of people saying “well this might seem weird to us but it’s important for them to grow”. Well it’s a stupid move from a business perspective, because you’re risking alienating your diehard fan base who got you to this level of popularity, just to appear on a show and be seen by people who MAY go on to watch some of your clips on social media, if they even realize Dropout is a real thing outside of the episode. Seems like their previous strategy was working great, tbh! A million subscribers! Celebrity talent coming onto your shows! Recognition from traditional media - including Time magazine! But clearly they wanted to reach a new audience keep broadening their appeal. And, bafflingly, they don’t seem to have considered that in doing so, they’re removing the parts of themselves that made them appealing and unique in today’s crowded media landscape.
And it’s an asshole move from a personal/moral perspective. Say what you will about parasocial fans, but Dropout has Intentionally, intensively cultivated a brand identity of being your progressive pals, they’re different, they literally DROPPING OUT of traditional media so they can make stuff the way they want, the stuff WE want, without compromising. And now. Turns out it’s more important to get to cosplay Network Television Show than to maintain your studio’s whole identity and supposed values. Can’t imagine being an employee right now living in LA, seeing firsthand the harm done every day by one of the most bloated, over-militarized, notoriously corrupt police forces in history… and then going in to work where your boss announces they’ll be helping launder the reputation of the people who spend their time harassing homeless people, murdering protestors and assisting ICE. Even if this WAS a genius financial move… would it be worth it? Do your principles only exist when they’re convenient? Do you care how this might feel for Black and brown fans? How it might feel for anyone who’s been targeted by the actual police force that you’re doing PR for? Have you considered that there are REASONS people don’t like cops, that it’s not just a quirky funny joke to sell on a t-shirt?
Absolutely insane choice to make. Hope Sam had a lot of fun feeling like a Real Hollywood Actor! Glad to know how much contempt he has for where his career is at, that he so badly wanted to get to the ‘next level’. Very reminiscent of Watcher’s desperation to be a Production Company, not just a silly YouTube channel. Well people like silly YouTube channels, and they liked what dropout did!!!! “Brands don’t care about you” is very true. But this brand is created and run by people who have intentionally used their likability to garner support for their projects. If they’re not likable… then why should we support them?
Just insane. A gerbil with a concussion could’ve told you that this was a bad move.








