YouTube really wants you to watch this stop-motion film featuring a stranger's butt
YouTube has 67.3 million followers on Twitter -- and I'm one of them.
For years, I've followed the account to get updates on featured videos, YouTube Red originals and news items.
But on Wednesday, I was shocked to find YouTube's Twitter account promoting the butt of a "perfect stranger."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
On social media, YouTube described the animated figure as "pale and weird, but oddly ... comforting?"
My first thought: "WTF?" But alas, I couldn't ~not~ click.
Turns out, the video is three minutes long. It features a creepy (yet strangely endearing) stop-motion animated figure lying naked on its stomach, whispering sweet nothings to me -- and you, if you're so inclined.
"It's ok, you can look at my butt," the figure, voiced by Garrett Davis, says. "I feel like I can really be vulnerable around you."
The figure urges us to look at the sunset with him. It talks lovingly about my "shapes" (wonder if it's listened to Ed Sheeran's "Shape Of You?") and calls me beautiful.
It DRAWS me, as if I were in Titanic, staring intently at me -- perhaps into my very soul.
Do I feel violated? Flattered? Creeped out? Definitely all three, but mostly, I'm captivated. I can't look away.
It reminds me a bit of the the internet of yesteryear, in which shorts like "Salad Fingers" and Homestar Runner became kooky viral sensations with no context or justification.
I decided to Google this odd animated stranger to learn more. Turns out, other people had already come across the short on Vimeo -- and even written about it (notably, CNET and AV Club).
The video, which has amassed almost 300,000 views on YouTube, was created by animator Kirsten Lepore.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Congrats, Kristen -- you've successfully confused, amused and disturbed the internet.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Topics YouTube
Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
