The Kallys® 2024 – Best YouTube Channels
This is my final set of Kally® awards (my wholly subjective selections for the best-of-2024) with a focus on the gems to be found on YouTube (and Vimeo). Some of the most interesting and innovative creative work is happening on the world’s content platforms, and they’re completely free to watch! In a world where the democratisation of content creation is growing, there is still a lot of mediocrity (like most art forms) but there is also genuine brilliance too. So, here are my favourite content creators of 2024.
See also The Kallys® for: Best TV of 2024 \\ Best Podcasts of 2024 \\ Best Books of 2024 \\ Best Films of 2024
1 \ Bobby Fingers
It’s rare to find a new artist that is truly original, but, for me, Bobby Fingers is one of the most interesting creative people currently working in any medium, not just YouTube. I was a fan of his previous work in The Rubberbandits, but this is another level of invention altogether. So much so, that I signed up to his Patreon because I believe in his work. On the surface, his videos are little documentaries about him creating extraordinary miniature dioramas of scenes from popular culture (From Fabio getting hit by a seagull on a rollercoaster, to Steven Seagal getting into a headlock) and in parallel they are hilarious comedy stories, layered with lilting Limerick ASMR , and mad flights of fancy. They are in a category of their own and utterly compelling. Arty, oddball, hilarious works of art that you will either love completely or reject fully. That is the kind of art I love, because it has a real point of view and is a piece of creative expression that is uncompromising (one of the benefits of a place like YouTube). The video below of him building a rowing boat in the likeness of Jeff Bezos’ head is his masterpiece, with its hilarious central idea, coupled with a rip-roaring pirate story layered on top. If that sounds mad, that’s because it is. But it is also brilliant. If you enjoy the Bezos video, you will love the rest of his output (try the Fabio video which features other well known YouTubers like The Slow Mo Guys and Adam from Mythbusters). Give it a watch and fill your brain with creative fuel.
2 \ The McGloughlin Brothers
The McGloughlin Brothers hail from Sligo, but their artful videos have captured the attention of everyone around the world (their brother Pearse McGloughlin is one of my favourite musical artists too) Their kaleidoscopic short films are an absolute feast for the senses, blending mesmerising visuals and hypnotic storytelling that make you feel like you’re drifting through a dream. There is a deftness and precision to their visuals that is hard to capture in words, but make no mistake this is art in its purest form. Whether it’s the rhythmic pulse of urban life or the serene stillness of nature, their work has a special way of pulling you in and leaving you spellbound. This is creativity that simply demands your attention. As it happens, they are actually not very present on YouTube but rather the preferred choice of serious filmmakers, Vimeo. But that is irrelevant, they are worth watching wherever they find their digital home online.[McGloughlin Brothers on Vimeo]
3 \ Somewhere Near Nijmegen (Short Film)
This beautifully crafted short film by Mark & Kealan Ryan manages to pack more soul (and action) into its 25 minute running time than many feature length WW2 movies. Told from both perspectives of the conflict — American paratroopers and German infantrymen — it manages to capture something essential about the human side of war. While the budget is considerably less than a blockbuster, this is filled with gorgeous cinematography, super slick VFX and solid acting across the board (in both German and English). Its fascinating to see independent filmmakers like The Ryan Brothers (no relation) leveraging YouTube to share their work, and we are the lucky audience who gets to see it completely free of charge. The least we can do is give it our time. Set aside 25 minutes to watch it and you will be rewarded with some really great storytelling.
Hot Ones
When the first ever video was posted on YouTube, I imagine that they probably didn’t envision a future that involved eating spicy hot wings while interviewing celebrities on their platform. But that is indeed where my mouse clicks when I surf their sea of videos. And who knew watching people eat spicy wings could be so enlightening? Hot Ones (produced by the First We Feast YouTube Channel) takes your standard interview format and turns it into something funny and simultaneously profound. Host Sean Evans (how is he able to eat so many hot wings?!) and his producers clearly do meticulous preparation each time, as these are some of the most interesting, thoughtful questions I have heard asked of these interviewees. There’s something about the heat of the wings that strips away some of the celebrity pretence, and it’s in those moments of vulnerability that we see the real personalities of his guests shine through. For my money, Conan O’Brien’s episode is probably the pick of the bunch, as he turns his hot-wing-based-interview into a piece of frenzied performance art. But, overall, it’s not just about the laughs (athough there are plenty); it’s clever, it’s heartfelt, and it’s 🔥 every time.
Mark Rober
Mark Rober’s channel is a perfect example of how science and fun can go thoughtfully hand in hand, and it’s impossible not to be charmed by his boyish enthusiasm. Rober is a former NASA scientist and Apple engineer, and whether he’s building an elaborate squirrel obstacle course or using glitter bombs to thwart package thieves, his projects always come with a twist of humour and a lot of heart. But it’s not just the clever engineering that hooks you, it’s the way he takes complex concepts and distills them into something accessible and entertaining for all ages. His passion for learning and problem-solving is infectious, and you can’t help but feel lighter and smarter after watching his videos.
