Q&A Livestream w/ Co-writer Emily

Emily thoughts on 24 hrs to hell and back with Gordon Ramsey? it's like kitchen nightmares but only in 24hours and way weirder.Gordon wears disguises to visit the restaurants like a scooby doo villain

how’s learning japanese going? i’ve recently restarted my studies for the first time since high school on my own using the lingo deer app and i’m going to start a class next month!

I think there's a really good Sarah Z style video poasible on the history of the Mary Sue. How it went from a satire on fanfiction tropes to a crown of shame on certain female characters.

Any underrated video essayists that y'all would recommend to your audience?

So this "Emily" hologram is blowing the special effects budget for the entire season?

What is the best type of Palatschinken and why is it maple syrup and whipped cream? How good is your German? Also, what do you know about little ole Austria? I don't really see any Austrian people or with Austrian lineage on North American YT.

What do you guys think of Stephen King? He's my favorite author and his work has gotten me through so much but sometimes I have a hard time defending his story choices and descriptions of women.

Also wait i didn't actually hear if emily lives in canada now or is just visiting did i miss that or were you amused by my mistake your forgot to say

Hey, if you like horror TTRPGs, Alien RPG is the best horror experience I've ever had, by the same folks who made Tales from the Loop.

Have you ever seen Repo! The Genetic Opera or The Devil's Carnival?

I GENERALLY AUDIO LISTEN TO YOUR VIDEOS WHILE GAMING DON'T JUDGE ME

Oh, so Emily you are also an ENTP like Sarah

Wait is an immersion school a Lycée Français? I went to that from kindergarten to high school in Spain! Also since y'all dig horror and indie TTRPG systems, have y'all tried 10 candles? To this day it's the best horror experience i've had playing TTRPGs

Wait Emily, you're from Texas? Did you move to canada, or are you visiting right now, or is sarah visiting you?

Wow, I totally forgot I was a patron. Sweet. Sarah, what's your necklace? It looks like Varric's necklace from Dragon Age but I don't think you've ever mentioned that fandom. Either way, it's very pretty. Also, Emily, I love your hair/shirt combo for the strong strawberry shortcake vibes

I know in the past Q and A, I asked sarah about MBTI for the funsies, but Emily whats your Myers Briggs Personality Type?

emily is pronouncing it right

Pour Sarah : vous parlez français à quel niveau? A2, B1, B2, C1?

Wait sarah I heard something about you not being allowed to speak English in school, are you from Quebec? I thought you were from like Vancouver

Any non-D&D TTRPGs you recommend? If I could recommend one to you, I'd say 7th Sea, which is a complex and finicky but lovely game that plays NOTHING like D&D and is a really fun playing experience.

(I just joined the livestream so forgive me if you already had a similar question) Do you have any podcasts you like? If so, what's the most obscure podcast you listen to?

I'm writing an essay at the moment (that I'm procrastinating from by watching your live stream ✌️) about fandoms and fan-creator relationships and using your Homestuck video as a reference! So just wondering if you've ever heard of Henry Jenkin's concept of Affective Economics, cause I think it would be up your alley 👀

I can't remember if you discussed this in a video before, but were you ever part of, or aware of, any any spork/hatedom communities in the late 2000's. I remember there was a specific one around the Eragon books, and it toed the line between critique and hate.

spamton is pronounced with emphasis on the FIRST SYLLABLE you PHILISTINES

Would you ever consider doing an episode about Firefly? Currently hyperfixating on it and I would eat that shit up

I'm suprised you haven't stopped streaming lol- but what is your ideal breakfast? I feel it tells a lot about a person:)

For both: Any Favorite literary books? I’m an English major (I already know) and I neeeeed to know the level of pretentious y’all are at. If y’all don’t read pretentious trash, what teas are your favorites? Watching your videos has subliminally made me like tea no cap.

Are there any Drag Race contestants that didn't win that you really stan? How about runner-ups that you think deserved to win?

god DAMNIT why the fuck did i have to miss that EGREGIOUS mispronounciation of spamton because i was hiding in the bathroom from a tornado warning

Still on the heathers thing, what are your thoughts on the changes made from off broadway to west end?

Can I ask 3 questions? If I can, my 3rd one's this. What're some noncanon/fanon ships that you like? (They can be platonic. idc. I watched your fanon vid and I wanted to know since.)

What is considered typically Canadian you are not at all into? Or what is it you're into that isn't typically considered Canadian? Or American, in Emily's case.

What are your favorite WILTY stories (and lies)?

(Liddell rhymes with fiddle; you're the only one who's gotten it right first try) Can we hear you sing? If so, please pick a song and sing a line or two. And Nardwuar is *from* Vancouver! How do you not know! Also, check out "Documentary Now", a spoof mockumentary show including one where the cast is told the show is cancelled the night of their first show I believe.

How do you take self care after an emotionally charged video release?

Oh, how did you get involved with Standard? I'm a small creator and would love to know how and what the other benefits are to joining a network like that.

Emily, based on the prelude to the avgn video , how's your joker arc going?

please play chapter 2 of deltarune it is SO GOOD there's tons of adorable ship fuel with susie and noelle and also spamton is a very You character

How far into Heathers 2018 did you make it before noping out?

If you could direct any play, what would you direct and what would you do with it?

Are either of you She-Ra and the Princesses of Power fans? How about Revolutionary Girl Utena? (These questions are related. If you know, you know.)

do either of yall have any advice for people just starting college, and specifically about finding a major?

Sarah, have you done any theater? If so, what's your favorite show you've been in or song you've performed on stage? I did "Dead Gay Son" in Heathers and honestly it was my peak, all downhill from there /s. If not, would you ever take to the stage?

Have you seen Hellsing ultimate abridged? Speaking of abridged series that aged poorly in places.

How does Columbo always know! Does he watch the start of the show?

I have ADHD and really struggle finishing projects, but recently really got into video essays and want to try one for myself. How do you keep yourself motivated to finish projects?

Both: which greek god did you overidentify with in middle school?

Favorite Into the Woods song? Mine is Agony's Reprise. I was gutted when it was cut in the movie.

I might as well throw in a joke question so.... After Sarah Z, will we get Sarah GT or skip to Sarah Super?

Have either of you played Undertale or Deltarune?

Thoughts on Min/Maxing in D&D? I'm personally okay with it, because it's busted, but wanted to ask

*columbo voice* Nice trans pride flag pin. My co-writer Emily would love it.

How many eyes does Columbo have?

For Emily, how did you end up getting into Berserk? Also, what is your favorite Jojo part? Really loved the Berserk vid btw and the other ones along with Sarah's in general :)

Oh, also, I've been told recommend Achewood as an online comic, even if it's on long-term hiatus

For good podcasts...with slides...and a transwoman, there's the "Well There's Your Problem", about Engineering Disasters, with slides. You can watch on YouTube and see slides or get the podcast just as audio. Very left-leaning and they are not always specific engineering disasters, and lots of times they give lots of context (and Alice Caldwell-Kelly is from Kill James Bond). Eurovision 2022 from Italy is coming up and there are Spotify playlists and all the songs are on YouTube which is highly recommended ... It's not this "version", it's this *persian*. The real question is - do you like Nardwuar?

If Save to Win was rebooted and Pat Neely requested you play, would you?

Who are the cringier Faygo drinkers? Juggalos or Homestuck fans?

Both of you: if you had to assign yourself a dnd race/class based on your personality, what would you be and why?

both of you: favorite wlw character/couple in media?

do you think coolsville sucks?

Have you ever been into webcomics? any favs?

I lied THIS is the last question, SARAH! DID THE SQUIRREL EVER COME BACK

What is your favourite version of JC Superstar? For me, it will always be the 1970's film version and I listen to the soundtrack all the time. (Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson are the GOAT for Jesus and Judas). None of the other versions really hit me the same way (though I do respect the original album)

Signed up now just so I can ask a question. (Not really, because that'd be kinda absurd.) Dunno if this has been asked yet but what kind of music are you into, if at all? Some people don't really get as much into music so I was just wondering about that.

Either of you excited for the next Paramore album?

So how do you balance your creative ideas with fan expectations? Has this ever caused issues for you?

Are you looking for online story recommendations (both extraordinarily well-written, one original and one a fanfic of "Ranma 1/2"). "Ranma's Daughter" begins with Ranma finding out something that seems impossible about who he really is: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7603977/1/Genmas_Daughter (spoiler: he finds out he was born female) The other one is called "The Saga of Tuck" by Ellen Hayes (http://barkingduck.net/ehayes/) that features a slight boy towards the end of high school whose domineering girlfriend makes him dress as a girl for a Halloween costume contest and his girlfriend dresses as him. What he begrudgingly agrees to do opens up a whole new world for him as he realises how seamless the transition is, but then what's superficial fun turns darker as it starts to make him question who he really is inside. All chapter names are puns on the name Tuck except for the really serious chapters, which are named after Pink Floyd songs. Both pull at the heart but are also really funny at the same time.

IDK if you guys have talked about this before, but how do you guys balance friendship and work? Have you had any issues or tension regarding this issue, and how did you resolve it?

Ok my final question I’m sorry for asking so much, who are your top 3 for DR14 and your pick for congeniality

Hello hello hello! Love your twos's content :D My question is thus- what's your advice for creating content about uh, divisive/traditionally right wing/aggressive fandoms? Yalls vid on the Pro/Anti """""""""""conflict"""""""""" comes to mind. Im just curious because i have this essay about reactionary elements Fallout's worldbuilding i desperately want to record and publish but the fallout fandom scawee D:

Question for you both: As someone with Autism, Depression and possible ADHD I often find that I want to do things, but getting over that first hump is extremely difficult for me. (Choice Paralysis). Do either of you have issues with executive functioning, and if so, how do you make yourself start things?

Also, I just wanted to thank you for making your most recent vid. I felt extremely seen by it and to hear someone I respect so much say the quiet part out loud, was genuinely moving to me.

Sarah, in your video about J.K. Rowling being a TERF and what that means for the Harry Potter fandom, you concluded it with "stan Percy Jackson." Have you actually read the Percy Jackson books?

Emily, when are you going to add a patreon goal for Twin Peaks 2, and what is your pitch/casting for it?

Hi Sarah love your content. You seem to have read your fair share of fan fiction; have you ever attempted your own hand in fan fiction?

^the aforementioned Wicked essay has the greatest line written in an academic paper I’ve ever read. [Regarding as long as you’re mine] “The Heterosexual couple is placed on the floor to diminish their importance”

Hi! I’ll be teaching an online course this summer and will be recording asynchronous lectures. Considering a recorded lecture (probably?) isn't terribly different from a video essay, do you have any generally applicable advice re: recording and editing to communicate ideas for someone who has only given lectures in person?

Emily, what makes the initial sword fight between Guts and Griffith so perfect?

On the poli-sci/debate note....any hope of seeing some debate style moderated content? I'd love to see some creators really dive in on a policy question.

I feel like both you might have expertise in this, recently went mildly viral and getting a lot of hate, how do you stop yourself from “responding” or digging yourself deeper into the criticism?

Sarah, What's the craziest OC you saw in the Onceler fandom?

(Credit me as Riina K please, though Liddell rhymes with fiddle) You should do a video on "Clue", the game, the movie, and opinions on casting a revamp movie now that Madeline Kahn and Eileen Brennan have died. Also I have two recommendations for online stories but I will save those for another question to separate the two.

I'll ask the most boring basic question (so feel 100% free to ignore!) but what is one tip that nobody told you when starting youtube that you'd have loved to know? Asking for a friend who is me, i'm the friend.

Have you ever read the essay “"Defying Gravity": Queer Conventions in the Musical "Wicked"” by Stacy Wolf

What would either of you be doing right now if you weren't YouTubers?

Emily, Faygo flavors ranking when

OK actually I do have a question! How familiar are you with Twitch, and how do you find the difference in feel/vibes/how you think about streaming on YouTube vs Twitch? Feel like creators on either platform approach this differently. (For context you just mentioned not wanting streams to be access because you don't want your stream of consciousness recorded and available forever, and that's just so interesting to hear because as a Twitch creator, that's like exactly what I do and keep/have clipped forever.)

What is your favorite episode of What We Do in the Shadows? Jackie Daytona lives in my head rent free.

One of my favorite videos of you is the Crime Scene Kitchen one, will you ever do another video about a show like that one or was it a “perfect storm” moment

Here's another one! Sarah and Emily, if The Batman (2022) had come out a decade earlier, could you see Paul Dano's Riddler having a massive Tumblr following in the same vein as other media villains from that time period?

Hi, love your videos, are there any new musicals that you're excited about seeing one day?

Do you consider your content more “longform” now that videos seem to take more time to finish

:thinking_face: worst board game?

Also! are horror tabletop role playing games anything you're interested in, like VTM/10 candles?

Can you archive this stream for people to go back to?

Hi Emily/Sarah! Huge fan, just wondering, what are the greatest pieces of media that you'll never watch/read again?

Oh, quick trope question: we've gotten some (not-so) guilty pleasure tropes from you both, is there anything in media that isn't like, objectionable on the face, but just kills you personally? I can't do "transported to another world"/isekai stuff, even when it's surrounded by stuff I like.

Piggybacking off of the Trials and Trebuchets question to ask: You both and DnD youtube in general were a huge inspiration for me starting my channel. Have you ever considered making a video about DnD, TTRPGs, and the entire space/game? I think the internet community around TTRPGs and its evolution is fascinating.

Oh and also is it ok to tag y’all in fanart

Have any of you guys bought the cute little reversible octopi they’re so cute for no reason

Speaking of the trope of a character not hearing everything but the bad things in a conversation, thoughts on Arcane?

Keep it up, fam. Love both of your vids. Have either of you joined a fandom that you regret being a part of? (If you don't wanna get into this, it's fine. Also sorry for asking so many questions in chat before now.)

Joantegrity forever Y/Y?

What’s both your histories with Lord of the Rings? Books or movies

Emily what did you play in band? What are your band and chorus history?

Emily and Sarah, big fan of both of you! In Emily's video on Cinemassacre, she mentions a few topics she doesn't want to cover, such as Spoony Experiment. What are some of the subjects that each of you won't ever make a video about, and why?

Hey, love your work! I particularly like the kind of internet historian stuff, it's fascinating to see your take on events I just know about tangentially, or feel like I've lived through. The co-writer/presenter partnership seems super common in your field, have you thought about swapping partners with a similar creator team to see what emerges? I feel like that's a sort of collaboration we haven't yet seen much of in the video essayist space.

Both: Considering the number of times you two have made a video about topics I genuinely couldn't care less/know less about super interesting to me, I have long held the suspiscion that you could make a video of something that doesn't exist. Like straight up make up a topic and then cover it as you would normally. Have you guys ever considered something like this as an april fools type video?

Hey Sarah, I really enjoyed your last video on West Elm Caleb. However, I tried to congratulate you on Twitter but it turns out that you blocked me? I've never said anything negative about you so I hope that you can unblock me @MToph91. I am very heartbroken over this. Anyways, here's a question: What are the most damaging effects that crypto and NFTs are gonna have on modern pop culture? Nowadays whenever companies like Shounen Jump would announce something, they'd have to preface by saying that it's not an NFT. It does send chill down my spine whenever someone announces something on social media because there's a 50% chance it will involve Crypto and NFTs. It's pretty depressing ain't it?

Sarah: I know you were reading Worm a while back, have you read any of Wildbow's newest work, Pale?

Okay serious question Do you think people have had enough of silly love songs? I look around and see it isn’t so. Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs What’s wrong with that I’d like to know So here I goooo agaaaain.

when will Emily make you play the little mermaid world from kh2 👀 (also just wanted to let you know the patreon link in the description doesnt work bc it added the ! to the link :p)

Ah i'm probably late but what was the most useful piece of critique you've receive during you Online Video Essayist career?

November Rain or I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)?

Another question: what's your favorite Tumblr story/controversy that doesn't however have enough material for a video?

What’re some things you found while researching that you wanted to include in a video but couldn’t make it fit?

Favorites things about the places where you live? Since you've been working together for a while now, what is something that you have learned from each other that has shaped your solo work as well?

First of all, happy spring equinox! Keep up the amazing work, you two! As for the question: recommend something to the other that you've never recommended them before but you are sure the other will like (I know, not exactly a question, but...)!

Love you guys! What are your favorite things to do when you visit the U.S.? Sarah, what are you and your partner's go-to activities?

Hi Sarah and Emily! Love both of your work and hope y'all are doing well! :) What has been the most surreal, exciting, or surprising thing to happen since becoming YouTubers? The kind of thing that you never would have expected before entering this scene?

What do you like about each others video essay style the most? What is the most obscure thing you would like to write about? What is the correct way to drink hot chocolate?

Emily & Sarah: What your first fandom?

Have you two ever had to abandon a subject for a video because you realized it wasn’t gonna work for you? Also to Emily: Favorite horror movie(s)?🧐

What subject are you most proud of your coverage on in a video.

What is your favorite of your video essays that you’ve done?

Hii Sarah and Emily, Every Dynamic duo has an origin story. Holmes and Watson, Batman and Robin, Theater Kids and Dennys. How did you two become friends and decide to work on youtube video essays together.

Hi Sarah and Emily! I love your work, especially how much detail you put in your videos. I was wondering if you would ever do a video on Glee/the Glee fandom. It was such a huge fandom and had a tremendous following, which practically disappeared overnight. I reckon it would be a fascinating story.

To you and Emily, what does the future of internet personalities and parasocial relationships look like? Like, YouTube as it is probably isn't going to go forever and long running channels seem to either incorporate like Roosterteeth did or burn out. What do you think will be the next change to that general model of online media consumption?

What types of story/character tropes would you consider favourites/least favourites?

What new kinds of media formats and social media do you expect to appear in the future? (for example, so far this century has given us livestreaming, long form video essays, web comics and setials, forums, chat rooms, blogs...)

what's the longest video essay you've watched? would you ever want to make a multi hour marathon length video?

Favorite silly gif (preferably with a cute animal)?

What's your favourite story/anecdote from a D&D campaign?

Does Emily have a Sarah toque for when she needs to get into character?

So, um....did you guys get sued by Homestuck? Are you allowed to comment on that whole debacle?

What countries have you been to, and which were the best/worst experiences?

Does Emily actually pronounce it Dragon Ball Zed or was this a bit she put on because she got Sarah to say it that way?

theoretical texts that are most foundational to your analysis?

What's something you want to cover but haven't? Either because it's outside the normal scope, it's too niche, or too big an undertaking

What are your favorite movies from the 1970s?

If you went on holiday together outside North America, where would you go?

Top/most interesting anime/manga?

How do you decide what to write about? Do you find yourselves with too many ideas or too few?

Favourite dinosaur?