I’m a huge fan of Smosh. After entering the fandom following the demise of Defy, I quickly grew to love the eclectic energy the cast, content, and channels oozed.  

All eras of Smosh immediately appealed to me for different reasons. Old Smosh defined the early YouTube scene, creating edgy, outlandish content that reeked of two teens having fun with a camera. Smosh’s content under Defy was underlined by an ever-expanding cast and bold budgeting (and Anthony’s eventual departure). The YouTube royalty then got snatched up by Rhett and Link’s production company, making way for a new era that put sketch comedy on the backburner to focus on fresh niches. Today, following Anthony’s return, watching Smosh is like hanging out with your friends – it feels inclusive, addictive, and parasocial in a good way.  

Hence, here’s my honest rating of every Smosh era, from bad to best.  

• Defy Era sans Anthony:this is obviously the worst. No explanation needed.  

• Defy Era with Anthony: this is only slightly better. Also no explanation needed.  

• Mythical Era:this era signalled the beginning of Smosh’s transformation into the channel we know and love today. We saw the independent casts of Games, Pit, and the main channel merge into one group that felt more like friends than co-workers. I can’t rank this higher because it feels like Smosh at 99% – IYKYK – but it’s a step in the right direction.  

• Old Smosh Era: it’s just two boys, a camera, and a dream. What’s not to like?  

• The ‘We Bought Smosh’ Era: in my opinion, the golden age of Smosh is just beginning. From Anthony’s unexpected return, to the cruelest April Fools not-prank, to ‘GAME’, this period of Smosh has already produced some historic moments and videos; and it’s far from ending. Indeed, the current cast has my whole heart.  

In the end, Smosh has mastered the ability to reinvent itself in the face of unavoidable change, all while keeping the spirit of chaos and friendship at it’s core – and that’s why I’ll keep watching.