Announcing the NewTeeVee Top 10 Breakout Video Stars of 2008
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Michael Buckley
When watching Michael Buckley as Buck, the turbo-charged, giddily tart-tongued star of the What the Buck show, it’s tempting to dismiss him as just a funny guy amusing himself and hoping everyone comes along for the ride. But beneath all the madcap schadenfreude-y goodness of his no-holds-barred celebrity commentary hides a savvy mind with mad promotional skillz. You don’t get nearly a quarter of a million YouTube subscribers on charm alone. Of course, Buckley’s hardly new to Internet fame. So what makes him a breakout star of 2008?
Well, we’d say that it’s a fair bet that when HBO comes calling, you’ve officially broken out. And in Buckley’s case, HBOlab came calling twice this year — once with a development deal for web and TV content, and once with a part in the new web-star-studded web series Hooking Up.
Buckley’s unique delivery — a flirting-with-manic energy level combined with a dash of shock value and a lot of snark — is what put him on the map, but he’s never relied on his schtick to keep his star rising. Last year, he teamed with other YouTube stars for the juggernaut video The Top (& Bottom) Gays of YouTube, and scored regular gossiping gigs on Fox News. And this year, he rolled out twice-weekly live video chats at BlogTV.
(Jill Weinberger)
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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