The Try Guys: Background and What the Group Is Known For
The Try Guys are an American digital media group and YouTube brand best known for comedy, challenge, and lifestyle content created by and starring its core members. The group originated from BuzzFeed’s Tasty franchise before launching an independent brand around experiments, cultural exploration, and personal storytelling. Their early breakout videos combined lighthearted stunts with more candid, personal narratives, helping them build a large, multi-platform audience. Over time, the team expanded its formats to include series, podcasts, live experiences, and behind-the-scenes content, while also navigating significant changes in membership and business structure.
The Original Lineup and How the Group Formed
The Try Guys were founded by a small group of friends who met while working at BuzzFeed. Their first major series, often cited as the catalyst for their breakout success, involved consuming extreme amounts of food and sharing the experience in a candid, humorous format. This early focus on accessible, experiment-driven content helped establish their voice and approach. The founding core consisted of several BuzzFeed employees who chose to leave the traditional media environment to build a direct relationship with their audience. Their branding emphasized authenticity and relatability, which resonated strongly with younger viewers and contributed to rapid early growth.
Notable Series and Content Formats That Defined Their Early Years
In their first several years, The Try Guys released a wide range of series that became signature content for the channel. These formats leaned into curiosity, friendly competition, and personal revelation, often turning everyday experiences into large-scale experiments. Their catalog includes recurring series and limited runs that each served a distinct purpose in the channel’s storytelling strategy.
| Notable Series / Format | What It Was | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|
| Eat the World / Big Food Experiments | Consuming extremely large or culturally specific meals and documenting reactions. | Established their high-energy, challenge-based format and broad appeal. |
| Try Not to Laugh / Challenge Series | Games and dares designed to test composure and generate comedy. | Highlighted group chemistry and improvised humor, boosting shareability. |
| Culture and Tradition Episodes | Exploring cultural rituals, fashion, and expectations outside their own experiences. | Expanded their brand beyond comedy into education and perspective-taking. |
| Personal Vulnerability Episodes | Discussing relationships, mental health, and life milestones on camera. | Deepened audience connection and differentiated them from purely stunt-based creators. |
Key Milestones and Timeline of Important Events
Channel growth brought new opportunities and, eventually, significant internal changes. As the team scaled, they moved from bedroom shoots to larger productions, brand deals, and eventually their own network and merchandise lines. Important moments reshaped their structure and public narrative, particularly around ownership, leadership, and member roles.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2014–2018 (approx.) | Rapid growth from BuzzFood origins to independent brand. | Established a distinct identity separate from BuzzFeed and built a direct audience. |
| 2018 | Launch of The Try Guys podcast and expansion into long-form storytelling. | Extended the brand beyond short-form video and diversified revenue formats. |
| 2020 | Series and Specials on streaming platforms and increased live event activity. | |
| 2022 | Departure of founding member Keith Habersberger and related ownership discussions. | A pivotal transition affecting the group’s lineup, content direction, and business structure. |
| 2023–2024 | Continued output with the remaining founding members, new hires, and shifted content priorities. |
The 2022 Departure and Its Impact on the Group
In 2022, founding member Keith Habersberger announced his departure from The Try Guys. This change represented more than a personnel shift; it accelerated conversations about ownership, creative control, and the group’s evolving business model. The move followed a period of significant transformation, including restructuring, new hires, and a pivot in content tone and format. While the remaining founders continued producing under the Try Guys name, the exit prompted questions about legacy, brand continuity, and how the channel would define itself moving forward.
What the Try Guys Are Doing Now and Current Status
Today, The Try Guys operate as a smaller, re-focused team built around the remaining founding members and a refreshed content strategy. The channel continues to release regular series, long-form episodes, and podcast content, though with a more deliberate editorial approach. Public commentary from the group emphasizes rebuilding trust, clarifying ownership, and experimenting with new formats. They have also invested in community engagement and transparency around business decisions, acknowledging past missteps and outlining a path toward sustainable growth.
FAQ
Reader questions
Are the Try Guys still friends?
Yes, the members continue to be friends and collaborators, though their working relationship and content approach have evolved since the early BuzzFeed days and the changes of 2022.
Why did Keith leave the Try Guys?
Keith Habersberger’s departure was framed as a personal and professional decision, with both parties citing a desire for new creative paths and clearer alignment in ownership and vision.
Who owns The Try Guys now?
Ownership and business structure were renegotiated during 2022 and 2023, with greater emphasis on clarity around equity and management among the remaining founders and key partners.
Is the Try Guys podcast still releasing episodes?
Yes, the podcast remains active and continues to feature the current lineup in conversations about experiments, personal topics, and behind-the-scenes insights.
What defines The Try Guys’ content today compared to earlier years?
Current content focuses on more structured storytelling, clearer ownership communication, and a balance between humor and meaningful personal exploration, with reduced emphasis on shock-value stunts.