This article includes material from HuffPost’s weekly culture and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catchall. Click here to subscribe.
When I think of problematic internet influencers from the early ages of social media, the sibling duo Logan and Jake Paul immediately come to mind.
The Paul brothers have thrived on controversy ever since their mid-2010s prankster start on Vine (RIP) and YouTube, parlaying their attention-grabbing stunts into now-lucrative sports careers. Since then, they have faced lawsuits, been involved in business scandals, used racial slurs, insulted the LGBTQ community, supported divisive President Donald Trump, and one was even hit with sexual misconduct allegations. The brothers’ behavior has understandably rubbed a lot of folks the wrong way over the years. Yet, they’ve been rewarded for it. Now, they’re bringing their outrage to reality TV, much to many social media users’ chagrin.
This week, Max unveiled the first look at its newest unscripted series, “Paul American.” The show’s logline promises to “peel back the curtain on the most raw, honest, and intimate moments in the [Paul] brothers’ over-the-top, high-octane lives.”
“Everyone thinks they know Jake and Logan Paul — they’re the original superstars of influencer culture and built their brand on being unfiltered,” Nina Rosenstein, EVP, HBO Programming, Late Night and Specials, said in a statement, adding that the show is “a raw and unexpected look into their world.”
Really?
This coming after years of justified scrutiny, “Paul American” seems more like an opportunity for the brothers to use another powerful platform to their advantage, to either refute or perhaps prove why they’re so controversial. Either way, it’s not necessary.
At the top of the show’s trailer, Jake Paul unflinchingly proclaims, “I don’t give a fuck. Be mad at me. I’m uncancellable.” To this, his brother Logan responds, “And we’ll put that to the test, brother!”
I’m almost scared to ask how.
Per a statement from the siblings, their new family show will explore the “good, the bad, and the ugly” moments that both define them and make them “unstoppable.” Not sure that’s something to be excited about.
Some social media users seem to agree, as they quickly pushed back against Max’s willingness to hoist controversy up on a pedestal with their latest offering.
Others pointed out recent cancellations from the streamer that have seemingly made room for the Paul brothers’ reality TV debut.
This is a real head-scratching move for Max compared to its other praised programming. Many folks have been trying to make sense of the streamer’s moves to abruptly axe their favorite series over the past year, now seemingly in favor of whatever “Paul American” is supposed to be.
Shows that consciously center troublesome figures for entertainment’s sake always make you wonder who they’re made for and who even asked for them. But I guess when in doubt, just throw some chaos into the mix and watch the ratings roll.
Because controversy sells, right?
Subscribe to The Culture Catchall to stay up to date on all things entertainment.