Planking: A Bizarre Guerilla Stunt Gone Viral

As you guys have probably heard, there is a new phenomenon going viral worldwide; just don’t expect any spontaneous dance sequences that leave bystanders dazed, confused, and yet ready to dance... Nope, it just leaves people dazed and confused!

Just like every other viral outbreak, "planking" started as a plain old quest for easy amusement, and it all began across the big pond in England, around 1997. Eventually traveling to Australia, Asia, other parts of Europe, it inevitably hit the shores of the U.S., where countless numbers of people are trying to top each other by finding the most bizarre places to get photo-ready, lying face down with both arms to their side. Depending on the country, you could be playing the "lying down game", the "on one's belly game", "playing dead", or doing the "face downs". It might sound funny just saying it, but you’ve honestly got to see it to believe it. The game first gained media attention after several doctors and nurses in England were suspended for "planking on the job" in 2009. But, honestly, who could resist? I have never seen people have so much fun while lying still!

As you might expect, the game has reached a certain level of outrageous one-upmanship. Players are planking atop camels, road signs, and railings at great heights. Sadly, there have been some mishaps, but planking can be safe fun if you exercise caution, and I have a feeling that, in a few more years, just about everyone will have planked at least once... with online proof!

More Than Just a Chance for Greyson

CNN recently reported that 12 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube every minute. Occupying 3 minutes and 38 seconds of that YouTube time earlier this year was a talented teen from Oklahoma, Greyson Chance. What's even more exciting is what happened just two weeks after performing at a sixth grade talent show and posting it online -- a phone call from Ellen DeGeneres. After viewing the video of Greyson covering Lady Gaga’s hit “Paparazzi”, he took his first airplane flight to Los Angeles the very next day to appear on the "Ellen DeGeneres Show". Shortly thereafter, we all became obsessed, and she signed him to her label.

We recently hung out with Greyson at the Four Season’s ballroom here in L.A. It's difficult to remember that you're watching a 13-year-old; he is so mature and well-spoken, which is also evident through his natural voice and songwriting abilities, that there is no doubt in my mind that he is going to blow up and have a long and successful career. As someone who grew up in Hollywood myself, I can attest to the difficulties that these kids can encounter, but honestly, I think Greyson is up to the challenge and will be just fine. Check out our exclusive interview with the whiz-kid below:

His single, “Waiting Outside the Lines”, is now available, and Greyson is currently touring and capturing hearts everywhere. Be sure to check out his Website.

YH Gets a Shout-Out from Tubefilter!

Hey guys! Right on the heels of our awesome live streaming event with YouTube on Monday comes this really great write-up about YH on web TV blog Tubefilter! Thanks so much to Julie Wolfson for her kind words, which you can read below!

Inside the Suite Life of "Young Hollywood"

RJ Williams is on a mission to conquer Hollywood, one fun celebrity interview at a time. From face time with some of the biggest names in Hollywood to championing up and coming talent that will be the next big thing, the Young Hollywood team works around the clock.

In order to create a celeb friendly environment—and actually get those celebs to show up—Young Hollywood has set up their studio in a suite at the Four Seasons Los Angeles in Beverly Hills. Williams is so dedicated to the success of Young Hollywood, he has moved into the hotel to keep his focus zeroed in on the day to day workload it takes to make the Young Hollywood world happen. He does takes a few breaks to head downstairs to modern Italian restaurant Culina. A man’s got to eat.

With more than 3 million unique visitors last month Young Hollywood is well on its way to establishing this mark on the entertainment landscape. Their co-branded programming with Yahoo, Hulu, TV Guide, MySpace and now even live streaming content on YouTube as part of the site’s live alpha product test this week. Their YouTube channel already boasts over 48 million views.

Yesterday Tubefilter visited the Young Hollywood set, to see this TV studio in a hotel suite for ourselves. We sat down with Williams just after he had interviewed the cast of The Jersey Shore a segment with Snookie, The Situation and the gang that was live streamed to YouTube. The cast then celebrated their good work by ordering chicken fingers and fries from room service.

We sat down on the white leather sofa to learn more about the place where everyone from Lady Gaga to Justin Bieber have stopped by for a chat. We asked Williams if if all of the investment in Young Hollywood was to one day aiming to develop the format for network or cable TV. Williams is clear that the company will continue to focus their efforts on the digital world. Their recent live streams on YouTube included interviews with Tony Hawk, Dane Cook, Steve O and the orangest cast on TV those loveable GTL kids from The Jersey Shore.

Williams and his team are learning quickly that producing live streaming shows are challenging. On Monday Tony Hawk got caught in traffic and was surprised that when he knocked on the door of Young Hollywood’s hotel suite that were already live. Viewers got to see Williams tell Hawk they were live and prep his with his mic and mark all in plain view. With each live broadcast the team learns strategies for improving every aspect of working live.

So what constitutes young for Young Hollywood? Are 28 year olds over-the-hill? Williams says that it’s not about age it’s about attitude and that he would love to interview Betty White. And who is the next big thing? According to Williams, get ready for the all boy singing dancing phenoms, Mindless Behavior. Also on the horizon Young Hollywood will experience their first awards show season. With their set up at the Four Seasons they will be at the apex of all the action during the awards show hoopla. For RJ Williams that is just where he wants to be.

You can check out the full article with pics and videos on Tubefilter's website. Thanks again, guys!

Groundbreaking YouTube Event For Young Hollywood!

 

Amazing news, guys!!!

Young Hollywood is participating in the launch of a new and unprecedented platform that represents YouTube’s mission to drive the media into the next chapter of video evolution: self-service live streaming.

Starting today (September 13), we will be the first ever entertainment outlet to host LIVE celebrity interviews on Young Hollywood's YouTube Channel. The YH broadcast will be promoted on YouTube's Home Page all day long!

As you already know, we recently launched our first ever broadcast studio at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, conducting celebrity interviews on a daily basis.  This initiative with YouTube will mark our first ever live video stream from the broadcast facility, kicking off with Tony Hawk at 10:30am PST/1:30pm EST today and then following up with YouTube favorite, actor/comedian Dane Cook at 3pm PST/6pm EST. We will also will also feature several surprise celebrity guests throughout the live stream, including "Jackass" star Steve-O, so be sure to keep tuning in!

We are so excited to be partnering with YouTube and leverage their live streaming platform to expand on this content and make it readily available to the YouTube audience like you!