The Try Guys is a digital media group that emerged from BuzzFeed and later built a distinct brand by testing cultural trends, food challenges, and lifestyle experiments. Their content often blurs comedy with authentic personal stories, which has helped them maintain relevance across platforms.
As the group evolved, they moved from short-form BuzzFeed collaborations to long-form YouTube series and branded content that explores masculinity, relationships, and self-discovery. Below is a structured overview of their key characteristics, growth milestones, and creative focus areas.
| Name | Primary Role | Notable Content Focus | Key Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Habersberger | Co-founder & Producer | Food challenges, personal essays | YouTube, TikTok |
| Meytal Kohan | Co-founder & Producer | Creative direction, long-form series | YouTube, Brand Partnerships |
| Eugene Lee Yang | Co-founder & Storyteller | Emotional storytelling, social issues | YouTube, Podcasts |
| Joey Graceffa | Co-founder & On-Camera Personality | Experimental formats, lifestyle | YouTube, Vlogging |
BuzzFeed Origins and Early Experimentation
Early in their careers, members contributed to BuzzFeed’s viral video ecosystem, producing content that thrived on shareability and humor. They tested ideas like taste tests, cultural reactions, and choreographed pranks to understand what resonated online.
This phase established their collaborative style and commitment on camera authenticity. They treated each challenge as a narrative experiment rather than pure entertainment, which differentiated them within the crowded digital landscape.
Transition to Long-Form YouTube Storytelling
As the group matured, they shifted toward longer YouTube formats that allowed deeper emotional arcs and structured storytelling. Series such as "The Try Pod" and "The Try Outs" explored relationships, career doubts, and personal growth in a more sustained way.
Longer runtimes gave them space to document failures, vulnerabilities, and breakthroughs, creating a parasocial bond with viewers who followed their journey over multiple seasons and episodes.
Expanding Brand Partnerships and Merchandise
The Try Guys expanded their revenue streams by collaborating with brands on co-created campaigns that aligned with their playful yet relatable tone. These partnerships often integrated product testing, behind-the-scenes access, and limited edition merchandise.
By designing products that reflected their personality-driven narrative, they transformed their audience engagement into a sustainable business model beyond advertising and platform revenue.
Cultural Impact and Representation in Digital Media
Their willingness to discuss mental health, sexuality, and evolving definitions of masculinity positioned them as influential voices in digital media. They frequently centered diverse experiences and challenged traditional norms around male behavior.
This focus on inclusive storytelling attracted a broad, loyal following and encouraged other creator collectives to incorporate similar authenticity and social awareness into their formats.
Future Direction and Sustained Relevance
Looking ahead, The Try Guys continue to refine their blend of humor, introspection, and cultural commentary while exploring new platforms and formats. Their emphasis on authenticity, inclusive narratives, and experimental formats positions them to remain influential in the evolving creator economy.
- Embrace long-form storytelling to build deeper audience connections.
- Integrate brand partnerships naturally without compromising narrative integrity.
- Prioritize inclusive topics that reflect diverse identities and experiences.
- Maintain a balance between entertainment and meaningful personal disclosure.
- Continuously test new formats while staying true to core collaborative values.
FAQ
Reader questions
How did The Try Guys initially connect with BuzzFeed?
They joined BuzzFeed as part of its in-house video team, creating experimental content that tested cultural norms, food trends, and personal challenges within the platform’s production ecosystem.
What types of long-form series did they develop after leaving traditional BuzzFeed formats?
They launched narrative-driven series such as The Try Pod and The Try Outs, which combined personal essays, structured challenges, and documentary-style storytelling over multiple episodes.
How do they balance brand partnerships with creative authenticity?
They prioritize collaborations that align with their values and storytelling style, integrating products into narratives rather than inserting ads, which helps preserve viewer trust.
What role does vulnerability play in their content strategy?
They regularly share emotional struggles, relationship dynamics, and career uncertainties, using vulnerability to deepen audience connection and differentiate from purely comedic creators.