Dan & Phil Part 52: And They Were Roommates

[interruptfireworks]

I have no prediction for Phil's video, I will probably be happy with whatever he does, but since I'm bored and avoiding writing my thesis I thought I might ask something that's been on my mind for a couple of days.

Do you ever see a particular moment in Deppy history, something that the entire phandom loves and adores and you just..cringe thinking about it?

I've realized in the past couple of days that I physically cannot watch the "Can Phil express an opinion?" moment. Every time the video or gifs show up on my tumblr feed I physically cringe and have to scroll down. I know it's one of the moments the phandom love the most, and that the general consensus is that Dan was his trashiest self at the time, but I just CAN'T. It hurts me.
I think, as someone suffering from anxiety, the idea of being put in such a spot would've killed me right there, and maybe I project too much.

Is there anything similar for you?

i know many people don't like them so maybe it doesn't count but cat whiskers.... jesus christ. they're just so cringy i can't even begin to explain it. whenever i see merch with it or people with it on their faces, sometimes even dan and phil, i just i know pinof wouldn't be the same without them & they hold lots of memories i guess but god..... those scene kid wannabe sharpie prints, yuck.

[Light02]

I feel a bit bad, but like... almost everything to do with the tour/books makes me cringe at least a little bit. I haven't been able to get through tatinof and I don't think I ever will, I can't even watch clips of it. I can't really put my finger on why, it's a combination of the content itself, and the screaming audience. Idk.

I totally agree, I didn't want to say it, though because I was worried I might come across as too negative/offend someone. I did watch the whole of tatinof but it's just not good. If I didn't like them as people and their videos I probably would've hated it.

[DeadlyNova]

It took me a while to watch TATINOF. My cringe and secondhand embarrassment levels are insanely high for a LOT of the things deppy do, but the one thing the phandom loves(and I love the IDEA of it) that I still can't bring myself to watch is the BONCAS awards. I have tried so hard and failed every time. I want to watch it but physically can't.

[LtrllySusan]

*lurks uncomfortably in the corner*
Let's talk about something positive?

So, uh, what are your favourite DnP moments? What's a moment you could rewatch a million times and why?

Spontanously coming to my mind – "Phil Lester! You're a genius"

[gnostic]

*lurks uncomfortably in the corner*
Let's talk about something positive?

So, uh, what are your favourite DnP moments? What's a moment you could rewatch a million times and why?

Spontanously coming to my mind – "Phil Lester! You're a genius"

I am curious. You can start any discussion you want, of course, but this feels like changing the subject.

What's so bad about the current discussion that the subject merits changing? It's not overly critical, it's not hostile. It's not even criticism of any specific person, just of cringe factor which god knows can be high with DnP. And even then, it's not like people say "this is cringey", the entire discussion is built around "I, personally, find this uncomfortable."

Why attempt to terminate this?

[LtrllySusan]

*lurks uncomfortably in the corner*
Let's talk about something positive?

So, uh, what are your favourite DnP moments? What's a moment you could rewatch a million times and why?

Spontanously coming to my mind – "Phil Lester! You're a genius"

I am curious. You can start any discussion you want, of course, but this feels like changing the subject.

What's so bad about the current discussion that the subject merits changing? It's not overly critical, it's not hostile. It's not even criticism of any specific person, just of cringe factor which god knows can be high with DnP. And even then, it's not like people say "this is cringey", the entire discussion is built around "I, personally, find this uncomfortable."

Why attempt to terminate this?

I'm having a bad day and could need some happy things to think about. Guess that's pretty selfish, sorry. But there's nothing else to talk about and the other topic was already going on for a bit. I didn't mean to criticise the idea of sharing cringe moments!

[000dia000]

*lurks uncomfortably in the corner*
Let's talk about something positive?

So, uh, what are your favourite DnP moments? What's a moment you could rewatch a million times and why?

Spontanously coming to my mind – "Phil Lester! You're a genius"

I am curious. You can start any discussion you want, of course, but this feels like changing the subject.

What's so bad about the current discussion that the subject merits changing? It's not overly critical, it's not hostile. It's not even criticism of any specific person, just of cringe factor which god knows can be high with DnP. And even then, it's not like people say "this is cringey", the entire discussion is built around "I, personally, find this uncomfortable."

Why attempt to terminate this?

Jesus. This forum can at times be critical of those who make a negative post. This complaint about someone purposively
proposing something positive for once is just bizarre. Also, I think it's a valid reiteration of the discussion from another view point. For one, there are many things I might criticize about Dan and Phil but every one thing I dislike there are probably a hundred more things that I love. Duality and several running discussions shouldn't be a problem. It's not bad to keep things grounded, and likewise some of the best sequence of posts I find are based around positive discussion.

And to answer LtrllySusan's question: my favourite moment is the BONCAS moment where Phil called Dan on stage. It was so reaffirming to know just how thoughtful Phil is for acknowledged Dan. This moment was brilliant just more so from watching it live (and also Evan Edinger was streaming it on his phone and his running (albeit cringey) commentary was for some reason some of the most dramatic parts, him gasping made it feel like I was watching a movie. One thing I have to thank him for). I honestly can't name anything wrong about that moment at the BONCA's, and I'm not even sure any old cynic (like me) could deny how wholesome it was.

[squishydanny]

Oh god, the entirety of TATINOF is so cringe-y to me it took me about 3 months to even get through watching the whole thing. Dan's stage presence specifically is so uncomfortable to watch- his arms are always in the most unnatural position and his voice is like 5 octaves above his normal projecting voice while he shouts "ALRIGHTTTT" for the entire duration of the show.

Also, any video of Dan and Phil meeting fans. Like seriously, I cringe so hard I legitimately start tearing up . It is so painfully awkward for me to watch them interact with fans that it has honestly put me off of ever wanting to meet them...it is such a strange dynamic. Anyone else relate?

[somethingsketchy]

Re: cringe moments: I agree on the whiskers. The PINOF videos I can stomach because they are obviously supposed to be silly, but everything past that just makes me second-hand embarrassed.

Re: favourite moments: I am oddly fascinated by D&P's bit in YouTube Rewind 2016 and I rewatch it quite often. There's something about the way they move and how they look that gets me. Also, the whole whirlwind thingy after they press the button is cool. There's nothing natural about the moment but it's just mesmerising to me for some reason.

I've also found myself rewatching the hair curling video a lot lately. It's admittedly blatant fanservice, but there are so many funny moments in the video that it never fails to brighten up my mood, and I just love it for that.

[flarequake]

I can't think of much cringeworthy, but I don't like when Phil makes that face and Dan was overdoing it during some of Tatinof, but it's a sweet show, it's just not serious or aimed at anyone who doesn't know and love their videos.

I love the whiskers and their singing, though, especially the song and dance routine for The Internet is Here. I was so proud of them doing a song and dance number, and I could listen to it a few times in a row still. I hope they don't drop the whiskers any time soon, they're iconic and so cute.

[annabanana]

Oh god, the entirety of TATINOF is so cringe-y to me it took me about 3 months to even get through watching the whole thing. Dan's stage presence specifically is so uncomfortable to watch- his arms are always in the most unnatural position and his voice is like 5 octaves above his normal projecting voice while he shouts "ALRIGHTTTT" for the entire duration of the show.

Also, any video of Dan and Phil meeting fans. Like seriously, I cringe so hard I legitimately start tearing up . It is so painfully awkward for me to watch them interact with fans that it has honestly put me off of ever wanting to meet them...it is such a strange dynamic. Anyone else relate?

This is 100% me, but with any youtuber (or other celebrity for that matter) having any interaction with fans/audience. If it is included in a video I will have to mute the whole interaction. Also I get so much secondhand embarrassment specifically from panels where audience members are allowed to ask questions. Thank god most panels these days just take questions from twitter.
---

My fave dnp moment has to be the whole praying mantis video. It's just so soft and domestic. I could watch it a hundred times. (occasionally i find my self reciting it in my head)

[liola]

Just to be clear, my question wasn't really about negativity, I just realized something about myself and wanted to know opinions I hope no one took it in a bad way!

As for my favorite moment, I think the BONCAS take the cake. It's what made me engage with the phandom for the first time, like looking for fanfictions and eventually led me to find IDB - up to that point, I had been a huge fan of Deppy, but never into the fandom. My heart just melts thinking of beautiful Phil, so reserved and private, not only winning an award for himself, making a speech in front of people, but acknowledging the place Dan has in his life as a partner - in the business way, but quietly in his personal life as well. It's just

[citizen_erased]

Cringe moments: there are a lot, but my mind is really, REALLY good at completely ignoring them. But I agree with some of the people here: the cat whiskers (why guys, why), the overacting (I already got mildly annoyed at their acting & their body language in that video where they tell of the airplane to LA drama and there is no way I'm watching tatinof), and personally I really cringe at all the senpai/kawaii/vague japanese anime stuff but I guess that might be just me?

Favourite moments: yay a positive thing! This place can sure use some more positivity tbh.

There are so, so many things I love about D&P (what a surprise eh). But something that immediately comes to mind (probably because someone mentioned it) is the hair curling video. It's really cute and surprisingly soothing to me? I really like the "I totally failed at this", "hey, you didn't burn my face off", "oh my god I didn't!" convo like yes, guys, support each other

And I'm a big, big fan of the baking videos. I rewatch them regularly. I've tried the brownie recipe and highly recommend it. It's actually genuinely a really good recipe and now I find myself going 'meh' at most brownies in cafes etc - and that's not just because I'm biased, because whenever I make it people ask me for the recipe. I just hope we're still getting new baking videos this year (and that this year they'll finally remember to get a bigger bowl for the a bain-marie)

[thephandommenace]

There's something very endearing to me about two grown boy-men drawing cat whiskers in each other and having a soft time

honestly, I've been trying to think of a moment that makes me cringe that everybody else loves but I can't think of one (unless, as someone's pointed out, it's a joke that got misconstrued as a Phan moment, in which case I cringe more at people's misconception than the moment itself). Cringey moments definitely exist but I've probably repressed them from my immediate memory. There are, however, whole videos I used to love that I can't watch anymore, like the Photobooth challenge, Would you Rather...?, etc.

When I switched sides from non-believer to believer (or even caj fan to hard-core fan), I found that some of the things I looked for and enjoyed the most had changed. I rarely watch videos from 2012/13 anymore, for instance. Anything too persona-heavy or really pushing the 'just friends and nothing else' agenda that wouldn't have annoyed me as a caj non-believer feels different for me now. Softer, quieter, less energetic videos with fond smiles™ (hey fondsmiles) that wouldn't have interested me back then DO interest and entertain me now, as a demon phannie lmao.
Anyone else feel the same way?

[twix]

It's not even just D&P though, it's awkward laughter and averted eyes all around. The cringe is too real.

It was seven/eight months after the big leak of the vday video, all their peers definitely knew about the video and that it circulated, probably all had seen it, if they were gossip hounds probably had all seen Dan's meltdowns on tumblr. That drama didn't happen in a vacuum, and the British youtuber circle isn't that big. Even for people who don't think they're a couple, I can't fathom how that reads as anything but awkward. In fact, I'd think people who don't think they're a couple would understand even more why it would be uncomfortable to be actively trying not to come across as together and have one of your friends "joke" about your wedding in a professional setting.

Srsly. Charlie looks like he wants to crawl under the table.

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This was surprising to me. I don't know of any real person fandoms where the majority of active members read fanfic at least occasionally. Does anyone know of other fandoms that are like this?

[ArtyJim]

It's not even just D&P though, it's awkward laughter and averted eyes all around. The cringe is too real.

It was seven/eight months after the big leak of the vday video, all their peers definitely knew about the video and that it circulated, probably all had seen it, if they were gossip hounds probably had all seen Dan's meltdowns on tumblr. That drama didn't happen in a vacuum, and the British youtuber circle isn't that big. Even for people who don't think they're a couple, I can't fathom how that reads as anything but awkward. In fact, I'd think people who don't think they're a couple would understand even more why it would be uncomfortable to be actively trying not to come across as together and have one of your friends "joke" about your wedding in a professional setting.

Srsly. Charlie looks like he wants to crawl under the table.

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This was surprising to me. I don't know of any real person fandoms where the majority of active members read fanfic at least occasionally. Does anyone know of other fandoms that are like this?

the supernatural fandom has a huge rpf involving the two lead actors.

[liola]

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This was surprising to me. I don't know of any real person fandoms where the majority of active members read fanfic at least occasionally. Does anyone know of other fandoms that are like this?

I will always come up with them cause they're my other major fandom, but the Scomiche/Superfruit/Pentatonix one! Most of the fandom people (so no casual fans) read fanfictions, there a lof of stories going around. Even Scott and Mitch themselves acknowledge them from time to time which makes me die inside because if they ever find my stories I will crawl into a hole

I think it isn't that surprising, most people that engage in fandoms end up writing/reading fanfictions to compensate the lack of shipping content! Back in the 2012/2013 era, there were a lot of fanfictions about other youtubers, particularly Troyler/Zalfie/etc

[pastelspectre]

for cringe moments of deppy: honestly there are plenty but i try to shove them to the back of my mind

for favorite moments of deppy: all of the pinof videos (oops), the college dropout video where dan basically has an existential crisis and phil comforts dan when they're by the stove, and just any cute heart eyes they give each other i feel bad bc im sure a lot of people dont like these moments

[socksparadox]

In terms of cringe moments: I can't get past more than like two videos of the interactive Christmas adventure from 2009. The concept of an interactive choose-your-own-adventure style thing on youtube is really cute & creative, and I know it's one of the few glimpses of 09 phan that they haven't taken down, but it's just so...weird and awkward.
As for my fave moments, pinof 1 will always be near and dear to my heart. I do also love the 'can Phil express an opinion' (ofc its my signature) because it's pretty much a prime example of Dan 'Phil Trash #1' Howell. Though I do feel like it would be a lot more awkward and uncomfortable if it seemed like Dan didn't ask Phil before doing it.

[pilotlight]

Cringe: As much as I enjoyed the video of tatinof, The Internet is Here makes me squirm. I don't really like musicals in general though, so it's not just a dip and pip thing.

Favourites: I love the blindfolded cat-face game, it's so cute. I've also rewatched the baking videos a lot and their Just Dance game too.

[realeyesrealize]

It's not even just D&P though, it's awkward laughter and averted eyes all around. The cringe is too real.

It was seven/eight months after the big leak of the vday video, all their peers definitely knew about the video and that it circulated, probably all had seen it, if they were gossip hounds probably had all seen Dan's meltdowns on tumblr. That drama didn't happen in a vacuum, and the British youtuber circle isn't that big. Even for people who don't think they're a couple, I can't fathom how that reads as anything but awkward. In fact, I'd think people who don't think they're a couple would understand even more why it would be uncomfortable to be actively trying not to come across as together and have one of your friends "joke" about your wedding in a professional setting.

Srsly. Charlie looks like he wants to crawl under the table.

[tumblr] <div class="tumblr-post" data-href="https://embed.tumblr.com/embed/post/rOO ... 4045950968" data-did="da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709">[/tumblr]
This was surprising to me. I don't know of any real person fandoms where the majority of active members read fanfic at least occasionally. Does anyone know of other fandoms that are like this?

The Larry fandom is very active in terms of fanfiction. There are some fantastic fics over there and it's almost like a rite of passage to read the most famous ones. (Or at least it was during my long-ass time in the fandom )

[kalli]

I feel like people already have the cringeworthy moments covered, it's a toss up between their hug at Vidcon and the 2022 wedding joke in my opinion. I think it's the look on Phil's face in both of those moments that makes them awkward for me, he seems so uncomfortable. I find nearly all their on stage/in front a live audience things cringeworthy to some extent tbh.

As for cute moments, there's something about this video that I love. They both seem so content

(I was just about to hit submit, pilotlight, you beat me to it! lol)

[hello9217]

I don't know why but I cringed so hard with pinof 8. I hate saying it because I know that this was a lot of people's fave but when I first saw it I cringed and I can't go back to re-watch. Also the face swap challenge video is one I can never go back to.
As for fave moments them announcing their moving out was so iconic. It was like everyone knew what was coming but we were all still so emotional. Also I love the part in the Mark of Oxin vid where Phil points to the sky and says that's our house and Dan says "Aww" it just hit me so hard.

[droopy]

for cringe moments: It's easy for me to take things that are pretty much objectively cringe (such as tatinof) in stride, so even if I find something they do cringey, my reaction is to laugh it off and enjoy it for what it is (although I think my problem with tatinof is less about the cringe factor and more about how there's no plot or character arcs, but that's just me being grumpy and wanting a proper stage play).

I don't know if this is necessarily cringe, but something I'm not on the same page as a lot of the phandom is all the adoration for The Urge. The story itself is nbd; what grinds my gears is the high praise it receives. It's just... not that great of writing. And that's fine, it doesn't need to be, I still found it fun to read, but for some reason whenever I see a post lauding Dan as a "talented writer" just because he overused flowery adjectives and included some angst, I get unnecessarily bent out of shape. The dialogue's stilted, a lot of the sentence structure is awkward, and the subject matter is cliche. And now I feel bad for criticizing it, because it doesn't need to be criticized, it's Just For Fun, but if I see one more post unironically calling The Urge a "work of art," I will break out my red editor's pen and do a sentence-by-sentence markup of the whole thing, because I'm petty and extra.

...Anyway, my favorite deppy moment in the whole entire universe is this:

tied for a close second: Phil's contact crisis in the Dumb Ways to Die video, and the one time they had a softly-voiced discussion about whether or not they should have spaghetti for dinner in a Sims video.

[tyhane]

Since people have already said the BONCAS, blindfolded cat game, etc., I think I'll mention some smaller/more subjective moments.

When I watched all of the old liveshows, I remember them having surprisingly a lot of good moments. I know that time period is supposed to be like... ~the dark days~, and yeah some of the stuff I found really hard to watch, but there was a lot of stuff I liked too. One really random thing that has stuck in my head was when Phil told a story of complaining to a pizza(?) restaurant because of a reason I can't remember, the manager or someone emailing him about it, and Phil had Dan call the guy for him. I seriously don't know why that moment has always stuck with me, but it did. I guess because at the time, I didn't really pay much attention to Deppy's personalities beside their personas in their main channel videos. I wasn't in very "deep" with Dan and Phil or the fandom. So that moment kind of humanized/added a bit of depth to Phil for me.

Also: Bubble Bobble. Okay, I don't know how to describe it, but this video still feels different than every other dnpg video to me. Mark of Oxin might be the closest I can think of. I know people use this adjective for like everything when it comes to them, but it just felt so... soft. I legitimately forgot it was supposed to be a Dan vs Phil video, it didn't have that feel at all. I don't think I actually laughed during it like I do with most of their videos, but it was so relaxing. I know we'll never truly see what they're like off-camera, and this could totally just be my imagination, but it felt kind of like that to me, at least more so than other gaming videos. Almost intimate? I'm weird, I don't know.

Speaking of dnpg, I actually think 2014 might have been my favorite era beside now. The first Bishi Bashi, the minecart level of Donkey Kong, Portal 2 blindfolded, Halo 3 (legit one of my favorite Deppy videos period and I never see anyone mention it) are all videos I regularly re-watch.

And I really don't think I need to mention it seeing as it's my icon, but ya'll. Phil's "this week's twitter question is" bloopers video. Cured my acne, paid off my debt, brought my goldfish back to life, etc. etc.