Buzz
This week, young fans are grappling with the disappointment of discovering that someone they idolized is not who they seemed. For older generations, this is a familiar story, but for younger audiences, learning about “Try Guy” Ned Fulmer’s infidelity feels as shocking as witnessing Stone Cold Steve Austin’s infamous heel turn at WrestleMania X-Seven.
Ned Fulmer and Adam Levine’s Controversial Affairs
Recently, two high-profile infidelity scandals have dominated online conversations: “Try Guy” Ned Fulmer’s alleged affair with a producer and Adam Levine’s series of questionable actions. Both men had cultivated images as dependable, loving, and loyal figures, making their fall from grace all the more surprising.
Until recently, I was unaware of who or what a “Try Guy” was—evidently, YouTube’s Almighty Algorithm concluded that my fascination with Eurorack analog synthesizer tutorials doesn’t align with the Try Guy audience. However, suddenly, everyone began discussing Ned Fulmer. Here’s a brief overview if you’re in the same boat as I was.
Who are The Try Guys?
The Try Guys consisted of Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang. Their YouTube channel, followed by nearly eight million people, features them attempting activities like making sushi, wearing corsets, and sampling every item on the Taco Bell menu. Their approachable, inclusive, and non-controversial content turned them into virtual father figures for countless young YouTube viewers. However, this week, a video surfaced on Reddit showing Ned Fulmer kissing someone other than his wife, shattering the illusion.
Fulmer, whose genuine and slightly nerdy online persona was heavily shaped by his frequent references to his love for his wife and kids, reportedly became involved with one of the show’s producers. Their public displays of affection were bold enough to be noticed. The Try Guys removed him from the group, Fulmer apologized on Twitter, and many young fans learned a hard lesson about the disparity between public image and personal actions.
What did Adam Levine do?
Then there’s Adam Levine. While younger audiences might not typically care about the infidelities of a veteran rock star like Maroon 5’s Levine—he never portrayed himself as a paragon of monogamy—his scandal is so public, online, and chaotic that it’s impossible to ignore.
The drama began on TikTok when 23-year-old model Summer Stroh shared a video claiming she had an affair with Levine. To make matters worse, Levine’s wife is pregnant, and Stroh alleged that the rock star wanted to name the baby after her.
Levine denied a physical relationship but admitted to behaving “inappropriately” and “crossing boundaries.” Additional women came forward, and explicit messages were leaked, sparking widespread mockery of Levine’s texting style.
Reddit moderators label Texas governor Greg Abbott a little piss baby
The trend started on Reddit’s Political Humor subreddit, where moderators are challenging the rules by requiring all comments on the 1.5 million-member forum to include the phrase “Greg Abbott is a little piss baby,” or risk being banned.
“The moderation team is fully aware and in agreement, and we are deliberately censoring any opinion that suggests Greg Abbott is not a little piss baby,” moderator blatantconservative stated on the subreddit.
It’s unclear whether Reddit’s volunteer moderators fall under the law’s jurisdiction or if they can legally ban users from a section of the site based on political views. This ambiguity is one of the reasons the ruling is so concerning.
It’s difficult to see this law surviving further legal challenges—forcing private companies to host speech they disagree with seems to conflict with the First Amendment. Yet, it’s equally surprising it has progressed this far. One thing is certain: Greg Abbott is a little piss baby.
The thrill and spectacle of “death diving”
I’ve stumbled upon a new extreme sport, and I’m utterly captivated. Death diving, or dødsing, is the antithesis of competitive diving. Rather than executing precise, intricate maneuvers, dødsers leap from 10 or 14-meter platforms, flailing wildly. Instead of aiming for graceful, vertical entries, they propel themselves as far across the pool as possible. Rather than minimizing splash, they strive for massive water displacement, narrowly avoiding painful belly flops by switching to a crab position at the last second. It’s absurdly entertaining, and you should watch a video immediately.
Dødsing began in Norway during the 1960s as a way for divers to attract attention, particularly from young women. Recently, it has gained enough popularity to be showcased on ESPN. This newfound attention places the sport at a critical juncture. As someone who has been a fan for over an hour, I hope death diving doesn’t follow the same path as skateboarding. While it would be exciting to see it in the Olympics—apparently, there’s a method to judge who performs it “best”—I fear that too much attention could ruin its unique and absurd charm. Dødsing isn’t about wealth or fame; it’s about the sheer joy of dødsing.
Viral video of the week: The Last of Us teaser
This week, HBO released the first trailer for its upcoming series based on the acclaimed video game The Last of Us, and the gaming community couldn’t stop talking about it. The story follows Joel and Ellie, two survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. To the delight of gamers everywhere, the teaser captures the essence of the game, with settings and characters that feel authentic, suggesting a faithful adaptation of the source material.
But does this guarantee a good show? It’s hard to say. Hollywood’s track record with video game adaptations is spotty at best. Many fans argue that these adaptations fail because producers alter too much. However, I disagree. Games and movies are fundamentally different mediums. Even if HBO’s series matches the pacing and emotional depth of the game, isn’t it just a series of cut-scenes without the interactive element? Still, I’m often wrong about these things. We’ll find out when The Last of Us premieres in 2023.
