u/QueenieLivier

I really like Kurtis’s content a lot, but the lolcow-style commentary is my least favorite part. Personally, I’m not as into that style and I wish the podcast leaned more into straight comedy. I tune in to laugh and have a good time, not for the “talking shit” parts with no intellectual payoff. Though I still watch because the funny moments always make it worth it.

However, I would watch it for the commentary (and be even more excited) if it felt stronger overall. The videos often feel a bit messy and under-organized to me, without a really clear central point. That makes them land a little weaker compared to someone like Drew Gooden, whose videos feel research-heavy and tightly structured. Kurtis seems to pick targets that are pretty easy to poke fun at and get a lot of mileage out of. I think his content could be even stronger if he poured more heart into it and focused on research, authenticity, skill, and craft over the algorithm. Now don't get me wrong, KURTIS, MY BOY, YOU'RE CHARMING AS HECK AND SO IS YOUR LIL PODCAST! But some of us do care about substance. I'm not saying, "fuck you, Kurtis! You're trash!" Christ, no, I find Kurtis incredibly well-informed and competent.

His best videos, in my opinion, are the comedy-heavy ones with his friends (like Watertok), the highly researched ones (the Soulja Boy glasses), or the long-form ones with an emotional payoff (the video gear command center). If he focuses more on quick, emotionally based opinions, I’d personally love to see more of him reacting to our comments and sharing his real thoughts on our stupidity or genius rather than riffing on videos he finds stupid or politically incorrect without much substance behind it, and that is saying something. His reactions to our BS tend to be more visceral than his reactions to idiots on the internet and that payoff seems more rewarding as a consumer than weak opinion-based content.

For example, in the recent Pattie Gonia vs. Patagonia segment, he mostly just reacted by agreeing with points Pattie already made herself. He literally said, and I'm paraphrasing, “exactly! That’s exactly what I thought (or said),” without adding a fleshed-out take of his own.

Since Kurtis is a leftist and most of his fans are too, it can feel like we’re all just nodding along to takes we already agree with instead of getting fresh insight.

I don’t know if that’s what he’s going for, but it sometimes feels like the safer, easier route instead of pushing into deeper, more substantive territory, even if that might get a bit of pushback. I’m not saying he should go full controversial or anything like that. He’s mentioned before (jokingly or not) that he wants to be liked, and I totally get that. But I feel like he has the potential to do so much more with commentary.

The creators I respect most, like Hasan Piker, are willing to speak honestly even when it’s not the easiest path. Again, I'm not saying he should go full Hasan, that's... a lot. But if he’s going to keep doing this style, I’d love for it to feel like it’s coming from a really authentic, thoughtful place, not just internalized agreement, but one where he can add to the conversation and teach.

Some of his fans are young and may not fully understand why some behaviors or takes that Kurtis critisizes are getting that reaction from Kurtis or his fanbase. They could really benefit from hearing the who, what, where, when, and why behind the topics Kurtis analyzes. And Kurtis is in a great position to provide that if he focuses on intellectual payoff over virality or numbers. Commentary YouTubers ARE Essayist YouTubers and Commentary YouTubers tend to forget that part or think we won't notice when their Commentary analysis is weak.

This might even be part of why people have been calling some of his commentary “slop” lately. He brought it up in his latest Very Really Good podcast, and I think this is exactly the kind of thing they might be pointing at.

Kurtis is clearly very smart. He’s a great writer, his raps are lyrically clever, and his well-researched videos show how capable he is. He went to college for comedy writing, he reads a lot, his wife and his mutuals (and now really good friends) are capable and educated, and he’s an intellectual with real skill and potential. I don’t know if he’s choosing not to fully use those skills right now because he has so much going on, multiple projects and income streams, and limited time and energy. That would be totally understandable. This is just my opinion and assessment on why some people (and sometimes even me) view it this way. I respect whatever his reasons are.

Just my personal take. I’m still a big fan and root for him either way. I will still continue to support, just as I've always done the past decade as a Kurtizen.

When Kurt has a guest, he listens to listen, not to respond. The guest answers his question or responds to a statement he made and Kurtis will sit with his guest's response for a beat and then he'll ask another or a follow up question, sometimes improvising the question on the spot. And it doesn't feel performative. You can see the wheels turning behind his eyes. I find that incredibly endearing.

This may sound weird, too, but he does the same for himself. He sits with his thoughts. He says something and then gives himself a moment, because even if he's creating a bit, it's often mindful. Even when the jokes don't quite land, his wheels keep on turnin'.

Or maybe he isn't consciously thinking about it at all. I could be overthinking it and it’s really not that deep. Regardless, his pod is unique, especially for being a solo hosted pod. I wonder if that's why so many people feel safe when watching him. When he's in the mood to be, he's a very thoughtful person on camera.

His podcast is a slow burn pod, which is why I think it doesn't vibe with some people. It isn't a quick back and forth like The Basement Yard but both TBY and VRG work in their own ways.

The speed that normally happens on his podcast works with his style of interviewing. He's careful. He's contemplative. He's empathetic. The only time he's not kind to his guests is when they're joshing around and picking on eachother and even then, Kurtis tends to be the one taking the punches rather than delivering his own.

Canadians are so nice.

Met Jacob Sharpe the other day and he was also very personable. I never met a friendlier comedian or content creator like Jacob, other than Danny's friend, Geoff Dow. It's refreshing, sometimes insightful, and sometimes meaningful to have real or relatable experiences with entertainers. There's nothing quite like that feeling.

It's humanizing.