It’s fun to look at the early videos of some of the best-known YouTube personalities of today (and previous years). Unfortunately many have groomed their channel to eliminate some early embarrassments. Still, I’ve done my best to find some old and awkward videos from some of the top creators/channels. Please feel free to add some in the comments, because I’m too exhausted from digging these up (I haven’t figured out an easier way than scrolling page after page). Anyone want to dig up a vintage clip from their favorite creator? Find that first Shaycarl video or LisaNova?
- Annoying Orange’s creator, Daneboe, “Annoying Bird: Are You Ready to Rock?”
- Greg Benson pops people with microphone in “Greg Hits Hollywood” (circa 1970)
- Fred with his cousins on JKL Production doing the intentionally bad 100th video
- Zipster08’s first video replying to Renetto (and here’s an early Renetto)
- Nigahiga on how to be a Ninja (three years ago)
- Ray William Johnson is relatively new to YouTube, but here’s the first I found.
- Smosh’s Power Rangers shows a somewhat less refined comedy duo in its unforgettable CD-covered room.
- Sxephil shows us how to get out of an argument back in 2006
- May not be CharlesTrippy’s first video, but the one I remember (mustache safari)
- BarelyPolitical’s early “Box in a Box” (satire of SNL’s “Dick in a Box”)
Here’s a video I did in October 2007 where I asked some of my favorite YouTubers to send their childhood photos. It’s funny how some have vanished, and some have gone on to great heights.