The Try Guys have an announcement to make, but don't worry, they're already anticipating your thoughts. The last time the former BuzzFeed employees, now YouTube moguls Keith Habersberger and Zach Kornfeld, were in the spotlight, it was due to a significant online scandal. It all started when one of their co-hosts, Ned Fulmer, entered into a relationship with a subordinate, leading to his departure from the group. This incident sparked weeks of online speculation and even inspired a 5-minute SNL parody. However, nearly two years after the drama shook the YouTuber community (and introduced many to the Try Guys), the group is revealing another change, this time with the departure of another host—Eugene Lee Yang.
Exclusively sharing with Rolling Stone, the group announces that the upcoming season of Try Guys content will mark Yang's final appearance, as he departs to pursue other creative ventures. Nonetheless, the group will continue its journey, expanding into 2ndTry TV, a subscription-based model aimed at providing fans with more content options while granting the Try Guys greater freedom in their creative pursuits.
"It's bittersweet. We'll miss working with Eugene. He's been a true collaborator in both of our lives. But we've had time to process this," Kornfeld remarks, feigning tears. "So we're excited for him, for us, and feeling energized by this moment."
"Eugene's departure is a necessary step for us to keep moving forward," adds Habersberger. "Things change. The original Try Guys cast came to an end once before. Now, it's evolving into a better-defined conclusion."
The Try Guys, along with 2ndTry, their production company behind the popular YouTube channel, originated as a video series by BuzzFeed. Yang, Kornfeld, Habersberger, and Fulmer embarked on a series of adventurous experiences, from drag to labor simulations to UFC fighting, which propelled them into the limelight as beloved YouTube personalities. Departing from BuzzFeed in 2018 to establish their own production company, 2ndTry, they embarked on a decade-long journey creating comedy videos tailored to each member's unique interests, such as stand-up comedy, cooking, and fashion. Throughout their journey, the group remained transparent with viewers about their personal lives and relationships, even as they evolved into a bona fide company. However, in 2022, Fulmer's removal from the group due to a relationship with a subordinate marked a significant shift in their dynamics. Now, Yang's departure signals another transformation, reducing the original hosts from a quartet to a duo. Yet, Habersberger and Kornfeld are determined not to be underestimated. Through their new subscription-based model, they aim to set a precedent for creatives in the digital landscape, striving to create a world where success doesn't hinge on adhering to algorithms but on following one's creative instincts.