Pork and Beans

In the book YouTube: Online Video and Participatory Culture Burgess and Green discuss the emergence of YouTube’s “internal system of celebrity based on and reflecting values that don’t necessarily match up neatly with those of the ‘dominant’ media” (p. 24). They discuss, using Chris Crocker as an example, that a YouTube “star” must maintain that status by continuing to participate in YouTube. Burgess and Green say that this is different than the attention received by a winner of a reality TV program or someone who creates a viral video. What I immediately thought of was Weezer’s “Pork and Beans” video that contains several YouTube “stars”. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, director Mathew Cullen, called the video “a viral made of virals”. Cullen goes on to say that “the non-conformist message of ‘Pork & Beans’ felt like a very natural anthem for the self expression going on on YouTube” and the video was about celebrating what made each one of these YouTube “stars” special. The director also called the video “a redemption for these people. In the case of Afro Ninja, he gets to show off his skills. In the case of Miss Teen South Carolina, she gets put the questions they asked her in the blender and wield a light saber. Chris Crocker gets a hug from Rivers”. It appears being a YouTube “star” may have some fringe benefits.