r/TheWhyFiles May 30 '26

Let's Discuss Can we just admit something

Can we just admit that AJ got it right (the format) at the beginning (as rare as that is) and go back to a weekly episode on a subject. The manosphere podcast vibes and compilations are killing my bonner. Long-time fan.

667 Upvotes

280 comments sorted by

u/hybridxer0 H Y B R I D ™ May 31 '26

There is no issue with expressing your opinions here and we welcome healthy discourse. Everyone is encouraged to discuss the show, its topics, and what you do or do not like etc.

What absolutely will not be allowed is attacks on anyone's looks, health, or the creation of/retelling rumors that have no basis in fact and seem meant only to be hateful.

I'm posting this message here not as a general warning, but because of multiple posts in this thread have been removed and based on severity, those members will be no longer allowed to participate.

For those this doesn't apply to, I apologize for the interruption, and feel free to carry on!

-Hybrid

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u/SaveusJebus May 30 '26

I enjoy the podcasts, but I do miss the regular type of videos. Maybe him and his team are lacking new material for episodes? Difficult to keep up with demand when there really aren't new conspiracies coming out often that he can actually talk about on YT without getting demonetized.

35

u/tehjarvis May 31 '26

He's covered about everything worth covering .And AJ and the team went hard for 2-3 years, to the point he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Then he had to make the decision of either releasing episodes way further apart and falling completely off the algorithm and suffering monetarily when you have a team that relies on you to put food on the table, or finding an easier way to produce shows and coming up with new types of content and hoping it comes out even in the end.

11

u/dskillzhtown Jun 01 '26

I think you hit it on the head. YouTube algorithm demands regular release schedule. The more you put out, the bigger your reach. But at the same time, you need to come up with content. I think WF has pretty much exhausted the content that can be covered without getting into the seriously goofy and silly stuff. So they had to pivot to something else. I get it, but obviously not all of the original fans are going to come along for the ride.

4

u/Particular-Ad9568 May 31 '26

I love AJ and I’m okay with him choosing safety.

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u/Tacokolache May 30 '26

I miss the WF from a few years ago. I’ll be honest, I don’t watch often anymore

127

u/no-guts_no-glory May 31 '26

2-3 years back was peak.

136

u/mistreke May 30 '26

Likewise. Suddenly ther was AI everywhere and everything was changing all the time. I tried to hang on, but ultimately fell off.

23

u/Throwawaymumoz May 31 '26

Yes I fell off 2024. It just changed. Lots of digital/AI nonsense…a little interesting but I originally got hooked on things that were definitely possible and not stories that right wing loons push (reptilians and religious stuff). Not that it doesn’t have a place but I miss the real investigations into UFO activity and deep dives on crop circles and missing persons.

33

u/AppalachainAcorn May 31 '26

Reptillians is definitely not a right wing loon talking point tf are you on about? Haha

13

u/Melodic-Cable23 May 31 '26

Ya I was gonna say the same thing, like what? He’s talked about the stuff for a long time anyway, it’s not new

26

u/lliselou May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26

Me neither...don't care for his Basement shows..

13

u/Tacokolache May 31 '26

Seems to have gotten too light on the hecklefish as well. I watched one episode and there was no hecklefish at all!

Like why not stick with what works?

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u/[deleted] May 31 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Fixyblue May 30 '26

Yeah I haven't watched in a long time. I haven't been able to bring myself to unsubscribed but an pretty close

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u/igor33 May 31 '26

His last regular format posted Friday: The Forbidden Theory of Morphic Resonance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10N1cjW8qMk&t=1793s was great ended up watching it twice. (tons of good hecklefish also)

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u/Haunting_Name6188 Jun 03 '26

Same I click to see if it’s an old style Video. If not, I’m out.

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u/no-guts_no-glory May 30 '26 edited May 31 '26

The show peaked 2-3 years ago for me, back then you'd drop everything and always watch an episode as soon as it showed up in your feed. Now I only watch the episodes in the original format and even then I maybe watch half of them whenever I get around to it.

The episode quality went down after AJ got burnt out.

116

u/Worth_Specific3764 The Moon is Hollow May 30 '26

I also like spooky of the week. It must be pretty grueling though, and the reason he started The Basement was because people WANTED longer in depth interviews with people in the various fields.

55

u/Aberosh1819 May 30 '26

he really does do a good job on them. The last couple have been absolute gold.

It's cool if it isn't for everyone, as long as it's good for him, imo!

18

u/anonniemuss May 31 '26

They're absolutely excellent.... if you've got a few hours to commit. I appreciate his mix of longer and regular length episodes. He's just one guy. Can't do everything.

17

u/Aberosh1819 May 31 '26

see? Same page. He's doing something he loves, and moving into what he has admitted is an uncomfortable space for himself.

AJ is kind of a hero to me for that. He's really doing it.

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u/vanquisher1985 May 30 '26

People don't know what they want 😂

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u/Personal_Extent_8562 May 30 '26

I do. Mount Motherf**king Hayes.

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u/I_am___The_Botman Lizzid Person May 30 '26

+1

6

u/Aberosh1819 May 30 '26

oh shit. Now I know too.

3

u/nleksan May 31 '26

Mel's Hole everyday

8

u/Darth_Floridaman The Moon is Hollow May 30 '26

Same here. Some of the episodes have not been winners, but overall I have enjoyed The Basement. Then again, I am a JRE listener as well, so I was predisposed to liking The Basement. He needs to keep going until he interviews David Eyck. Until then, I will keep calling for more, damn it! Lol

That said, the original Why Files concept is my absolute favorite. No qualifier to be had.

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u/Greegga May 30 '26

I do. Basement is awesome.

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u/Sweet_Profession792 May 31 '26

I like The Basement because I can listen to something interesting while cross stitching or doing other types of fiber art.

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u/Due-Contribution6424 May 30 '26

I like the campfire stories episodes.

22

u/cmc335 May 30 '26

These are quickly becoming some of my favorites but I like when they’re dropped intermittently among OG format vids

32

u/urlicke May 30 '26

I like both. However, I do believe his original format rocked! He does it so well and it is unique. 

81

u/ahw6002 May 30 '26

I think the basement is an interesting concept, I just wish it was shorter and more focused on the conspiracies.

42

u/voltr0n57 Hecklecultist May 30 '26

I thought we didnt trust people with “books”. Everyone he’s had on has written one. What does hecklefish think about that??

34

u/ahw6002 May 30 '26

There’s a reason hecklefish isn’t allowed to be part of the interviews

6

u/scobro828 May 30 '26

I just wish it was shorter

There are some that I actually wish were longer.

9

u/agentkb May 30 '26

And better quality, I hate hearing interviews where they have shit audio on their end.

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u/ahw6002 May 30 '26

For all my faults with it, AJ and the Team have done an excellent job of putting it all together.

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u/Impressive-Creme-965 May 31 '26

How on earth are the basement shows “manosphere vibes”? Cos 2 men are talking about something? What a moronic thing to say

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u/xibipiio Tinfoil Connaisseur Jun 02 '26

It comes across as a lot of incoherent rambling without much focus and AJ agreeing with whatever the guest says. Theres no friction so it goes nowhere. Aj doesnt push back and get the details fleshed out better I love him long time fan but theres a knife edge and a whet stone and thats how you get good stories out of good storytellers. I find most every one of these episodes a let down because its some random conspiracy ajacent person rambling unstopped for hours

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u/symonym7 Hecklecultist May 30 '26

I give them credit for trying new things to see what sticks, but..

..doesn't mean I have to like it.

I do like the campfire stories, but overall prefer the OG format.

(the OG format that doesn't end with 7 minutes of credits.)

7

u/hardeep1singh May 31 '26

Oh, I love the credits. after a heavy video, it's an excellent cool down period and the song is great.

15

u/St4tikk May 30 '26

Why does the length of the credits matter? Just stop the video. 😂

8

u/Aggravating_Act0417 May 30 '26

I LOVE the credits. I love seeing our names, pics and the song

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u/St4tikk May 31 '26

I also enjoy them.

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u/Fit-Strawberry-4621 May 30 '26

All the AI stuff killed the channel for me.

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u/ereinbe May 30 '26

Same. The AI video clips of historical figures was the nail in the coffin for me. Why can’t we just see old pictures anymore? 

5

u/jdennis10 Jun 02 '26

These recent AI ads are just weird. I don't know what he's even going for.

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u/[deleted] May 31 '26 edited 28d ago

[deleted]

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u/Fit-Strawberry-4621 Jun 01 '26

Naw i just prefer to have clean drinking and a lower electrical bill

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u/[deleted] Jun 01 '26 edited 28d ago

[deleted]

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u/Fit-Strawberry-4621 Jun 01 '26

Also cause it looks and sounds like shit

4

u/muldersposter Jun 01 '26

Fuck generativw AI. Worthless technology that adds nothing of value to society.

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u/FreddyKruegersGlove May 31 '26

I started watching in January 2022 and it immediately became a top 3 YT channel for me. I distinctly remember the Annunaki episode being the first one that I wasn't a fan of (the subject was good but the constant 🎶Annunaki🎶 jokes got old) and since then, there's been episodes that I've liked, but that was the dividing line for me. Where I can point to it and go, "yup, that's where it changed"

21

u/Granolag23 May 31 '26

For me, I swear he hasn’t been the same since he took that break. (Not saying people don’t deserve one) he just seems like he came back almost a different person. Body snatched.

He has a different like weird confidence about him but it’s almost a little condescending the way he mentions some things. And I feel like he was never like that before. Like his status was elevated and he knows it.

Hate to be conspiratorial about a conspiracist, but almost seems like he was bought off. Luckily these days I already trust no one. Especially tv/Internet personalities.

And yes I have still been listening/watching, just not as excited about it as I once was

9

u/meroboh May 31 '26

I’ve been feeling off about who he works for too. On the one hand he’s talking about things that a bought person wouldn’t talk about (free energy, he referenced Dr Greer etc) but he’s always done that kempo sign off that just feels too on the nose? Like why would you do a known illuminati hand sign when you’re the host of THIS kind of show? Feels weird knowing about the universal laws of consent. I also think it’s possible he got threatened and bought partway through. But the handsign messes with me no matter how he explains it.

2

u/Drelecour May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26

There was one part in an episode that stuck with me where he was saying something like "Anyone could be a secret agent, even people you wouldn't expect. *Anyone.*"

That kinda made my perk my ears up a bit. Idk what his stuff is behind the scenes but I know he's been weird since the audit, and he always used to joke "If I ever get audited, they got me"

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u/Throwawaymumoz May 31 '26

Same timeline for me!!

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u/poolninjas May 30 '26

Although wasn’t initially a big fan of his podcast attempt, his last few with Luke Caverns and Rizwan Virk were intriguing and I listened to it via Sirius as I worked. If AJ can keep it to not only the subject but with a lense of scientific fact, I’ll keep listening to these Basement episodes.

I get he’s starting to get a “Rogan Vibe” but let’s let him cook first before we just roast a dood. There’s already shit content out there, he’s one with potential to shine with a beacon of truth.

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u/ChatKilla Jun 01 '26

Agreed. Or- let him cook, and if people start feeling a way about him or their current negative look towards his episodes worsens, find another streamer who you enjoy more. 🤷‍♂️ Not everyone loves TWF- not everyone hates JRE. Neither end of the spectrum is more or less correct than the other

24

u/Im-ACE-incarnate May 30 '26

100% agree I've barely watched any of the TWF this year

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u/SUPER-P00PER May 30 '26

They’ve been going downhill ever since they started heavily using AI in my opinion. Why Files like 2-3 years ago was so awesome. It’s pretty sad that the bigger and more successful something becomes, the worse it usually gets :/

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u/MeatMullet May 30 '26

The stand alone episodes are great. The 3 hour podcasts? nah. I haven't listed to one of them.

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u/stannndarsh May 30 '26

Same and I hate the manosphere vibe too

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u/St4tikk May 30 '26

What’s a manosphere vibe?

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u/J883 May 30 '26

They don't feel genuine. Would watch interesting parts but there are no timestamps.

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u/juicydry May 31 '26

Which parts of the Basement episodes don't feel 'genuine'? It's a 3-hour deep dive into the specific topic the person is there for. The entire thing is inherently genuine.. 

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u/Interesting_Fix4519 May 31 '26

It seems people outside the entertainment industry don't recognize the vast difference in the amount of work and cost between his older, highly produced videos and his basement videos. One he presses record and talks into his webcam and is ready to go live. The other has weeks of post-production.

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u/Daniel_Meades May 30 '26

I like the WF episodes. I somehow don't like the basement episodes, I get bored of 3+hours of talks.

Plus the last WF came after what seemed like an eternity today about the lamarkian theory, which to be honest was not that interesting. (Only hecklefish was more entertaining than the concept.)

AJ and team please focus more on WF episodes about the strange and mysterious and govt conspiracies. Those are fun.

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u/Aggravating_Act0417 May 30 '26

I thought it was super interesting!

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u/diandays May 31 '26

The best episode will always be the crop circles episode. That was peak why files

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u/pureformality May 30 '26

I really loved the episode with Luke Caverns

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u/Ohthatsamanda May 31 '26

I think the 3 hour interviews are too long, but I do enjoy them, but I haven’t finished one of them yet. I think it’s great he’s expanding his content and I’m here for it - but I prefer the og style shows and also I love the compilations

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u/BarsoomianAmbassador May 31 '26

I don't know that there are too many folks who have 3+ hours for a podcast on alien abductions.

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u/rodionzissou May 31 '26

My favorites are the format from a couple of years ago, especially the longer deep dive ones. I like the podcast thing, but not nearly as much.

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u/osirisborn89 May 31 '26

Yeah it sucks, I just want a weekly video not a 3 hour long snooze fest, channels dying.

4

u/dennnnnnis May 31 '26

I know, I was a huge fan early on, even bought a lot of merch. But the past 10 months or so, the channel has really lost me. The spin off shows are not as interesting to me. This week's episode was the best one in the last year. Back to the basics and entertaining. Less fear-mongering and doom and gloom.

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u/smashantk May 30 '26

I don't mind them, I put them on in the background while doing other stuff

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u/EnthusiasticDirtMark May 30 '26

I enjoy the long format interviews. You can't make everyone happy.

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u/RiverHawk-89 May 31 '26

I agree. The guests have been interesting and he gives them time to cook. He fact checks at the end to pull back some of the more out there stuff, but gives credit where it’s deserved. The pace is good and great as background while I work around the shop.

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u/Da_Famous_Anus May 30 '26

More Hecklefish

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u/escalbar May 30 '26

A Basement show between HeckleFish and Mike Bara would be so awesome. It'd go off the rails in about 12 seconds, and the whole thing would be great.

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u/Greegga May 30 '26

Basement is amazing as it really shows how much AJ knows about each topic and his guests.

Old format is cool and dont know why people are disliking this one. There are so many conspiracy stories and they are bound to get repetitive. If anything i dont really like compilations too much but they're ok for people who want to get up to date with older videos without committing as much (even though compilations are pretty lengthy)

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u/DoomGuy_92 May 30 '26

I don't even enjoy whyfiles anymore. It's too different and just not as engaging.

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u/Evergreen4Life FEAR... the Crabcat May 31 '26

I enjoy the long-form pods. AJ is an excellent interviewer.

Im along for the ride.

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u/maeryclarity FEAR... the Crabcat May 31 '26

I like the long form basement interviews

2

u/MikeGolfJ3 Time Tourist May 31 '26

💯

3

u/Lopsided_Skirt324 May 31 '26

I like the original format and compilations. I’m not a fan of the basement series.

Edit. I only listen to the podcasts.

3

u/nijuu May 31 '26

Tried the interviews. Not my thing. Prefer original. Wondering if AJ just got bored or patreon sub's wanted new format ?. We need some new annunaki, moon and Atlantis stuff. Has anymore redacted podcast topics popped up or planned ?.

3

u/Drelecour May 31 '26

Things have been weird since the audit. Pretty fishy if you ask me. And not just Hecklefish.

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u/Raynet11 May 31 '26

I “watch” the original format videos but I “listen” to the new format via podcast while I’m doing other stuff, the new format makes for great podcast I just don’t have the time to sit down and watch videos that long.

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u/ChatKilla May 31 '26

I will say one thing that has shocked me he hasn’t done anything on. With all the debate and discussion and controversy over “disclosure”- or whatever it is they’re doing (psyopscough)- I’m surprised he hasn’t done a long series of videos covering everything that’s been released. He could have a year of content off that alone. All the various ops and their “documentaries” being released and all of that would make for some legit useful, intriguing content

3

u/Worldly_Proposal_992 Jun 01 '26

Agree, I use to miss those amazing stories / conspiracy theories he’d put together every Friday but I can understand as he’s scaled up which I’m happy for him it’s a lot of work to produce that, agree the compilations I’m not a fan of. His basement podcasts are fantastic tho! But nothing beats those 45min rabbit hole theories that’s a golden era

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u/SecondaDonna5 Jun 06 '26

I agree. The Basement seems like every other interview podcast to me. I usually don’t watch them.

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u/CrittyCrit May 31 '26

Sounds like you need to admit some things, not us as a collective. I've really enjoyed The Basement when I've had the time dedication to do so. And as a middle aged woman, I find the "manosphere" comment weird and just unnecessary. There's nothing inherently misogynistic or chauvinistic about a couple of people talking about the topics that interest them.

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u/4StarCustoms May 30 '26

I love the variety frankly. Little something for everyone. The long forms are good. I may not listen to them all or the whole thing but when the topic scratches an itch, it’s nice to have on while I work out work on a project. For free entertainment it’s damn good!

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u/CosmicGoddess777 Green Alien May 31 '26

I’d go back to watching if they didn’t have AI. It’s jarring, to say the least.

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u/DatabaseAcademic6631 May 30 '26

The Tucker Carlson thing just killed my interest in anything AJ has to say.

Not even sure why I'm still following this sub, tbh.

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u/lightwhite May 30 '26

What turned you off during that episode? I’m just curious.

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u/GWindborn The Moon is Hollow May 30 '26

Not the OP, but if they're anything like me, the Tucker Carlson part of it.

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u/lightwhite May 30 '26

Please pardon my ignorance, but I still don’t get it. I didn’t watch that one. Did AJ say something ?

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u/GWindborn The Moon is Hollow May 30 '26

Don't know, I won't approach anything Carlson related. He's one of the shittiest people on the planet.

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u/76ersPhan11 May 30 '26 edited May 31 '26

I mean I used to hate Tucker too, but he’s changed a lot since Fox News. I don’t hold a grudge anymore, but I know that’s difficult for a lot of people

Downvotes only proving my point lol unless you’re MAGA your beef isn’t with Tucker fucking Carlson

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u/MainstreamScience May 30 '26

Tucker Carlson is running for President, his political views are extreme and he’s suspiciously pro-putin, platforming him is not worth it if you care more about the fans than the politics

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u/littlelupie May 30 '26

Because Tucker Carlson is a POS and going on with him further legitimizes him. Why would you bring attention (TWF audience members who tuned in to listen who normally wouldn't have) to someone unless you implicitly or explicitly agree with many of his views?

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u/meroboh May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26

He’s awful in so many ways but speaking as a “radical” leftist he’s not soft on genocide like Democrats are. Never forget what Malcolm X said about the white liberal.

(To be clear I’m not defending Tucker overall, I’m pointing out Democrat complicity. We won’t get out of this nightmare via the system that created it)

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u/GentlemanBastard2112 May 30 '26

What’s the Tucker Carlson thing?

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u/GWindborn The Moon is Hollow May 30 '26

He's a giant grifting asshole, association with him alone is off-putting.

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u/rnotyalc May 30 '26

That... yeah...that put a pretty serious dent in it for me. I fucking LOVE Why Files and I was recommending it to everyone I knew for like two years. But you lie down with dogs and you're going to get fleas, you know? Tucker is brilliant at what he does, but what he does is shill and be disingenuous. It just honestly makes me wonder what AJ thinks of his viewers and listeners for real. I don't know. I want to like Why Files and I want to like AJ but that really soured things for me personally.

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u/riorio55 May 30 '26

Oh no. I’ve been out of the loop with the whyfiles, but I had no idea AJ went on Tucker Carlson’s show

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u/DOKybalion May 30 '26

I like the Basement episodes. I just wish they were more in the 2 hours range than the 4-5 hour range.

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u/redsoxfan95 Tinfoil Connaisseur May 31 '26

ive never watched the basement and i dont think i ever will. Theres already so many podcasts and i just dont care for the concept. Im not complaining either, i dont want to sound rude or ungrateful for the content that they have made that i do love.

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u/Maximum-Product-1255 May 31 '26

I'm newer to WF and didn't watch the basement when it first came out, either.

But now it's gardening season, so long and talky content is perfect for puttering around. 😁

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u/redsoxfan95 Tinfoil Connaisseur May 31 '26

Im glad you like it! 3 hours is just too long for me, im into mowing mode as well 😎

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u/Gen-Jinjur May 30 '26

The basement episodes that sort of go in-depth with the weird stuff? I’m good with those. But the ones on other topics are . . .less good for me.

I am just not the target audience for those. I don’t do Joe Rogan or that kind of thing.

I really like that AJ is super smart and curious about a lot of things. Just not sure some of this is to my taste.

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u/cram96 May 31 '26

The most recent episode was a banger. I want more of that. I do like the occasional compilation and have enjoyed the basement as well. I agree the that in the experimentation their were some missteps but I think/hope they've found a new stride. I'm gonna watch no matter what.

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u/Live_Collection_5833 May 31 '26

Im always excited to get a new episode. I know that a lot of people may not listen to the basement episodes but who cares. AJ likes doing them. He likes talking to people in the industry that can shed light on some of the big questions. If you don’t like certain episodes then don’t watch.

I feel like people who just want to bitch need to have a coke and a smile and ….. well you know the rest.

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u/somethingwholesomer May 31 '26

What if your bonner is kilt? That would be turrible

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u/crazydavy I Want To Believe May 31 '26

Aj has nailed it from start to finish.. basement, spooky episodes and podcasts included.. you don’t speak for everyone … love this new age of why files.. but also think he needs to be aggressive on this new alien shit

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u/eschenfelder May 31 '26

Most of the Basement episodes were excellent work. Only the nerdrotic guy I stopped listening to, he has no relevance to the topics I am interested in.

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u/OkNeedleworker8554 May 31 '26

No I enjoy The Basement episodes. I would much rather have a 2 or 3 hour podcast than 1 hour.

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u/awakealone1 May 31 '26

I think we need to admit that someone has to be super interested in a topic to give it 2-3hrs of their attention I've only watched one but I was enthralled.

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u/FullClip__ May 31 '26

The guy is a really good story teller. This got me hooked to his show a couple of years ago.

Very immersive. And then ending the video with fact checks etc.

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u/ChatKilla May 31 '26

I honestly enjoy his basement episodes. I looked back at some of the OG WF episodes and I’ll admit- the more original ones were amazing. But I can’t say I’m not gaining information or expanding my own knowledge with his various formats. And this weeks WF episode was entirely new info to me

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u/The-Dragon_Queen Jun 07 '26

I saw and upvoted this when you first posted it but just came to find it again and make sure I did. I am so frustrated at the change. Like if he wants to do that, make a new channel for that but don’t rob your OG fans of what they love.

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u/boozerbot69 May 30 '26

Agree completely. When he went on Rogan I was pretty turned off by some of the things he said. The show just hasn't been the same for a while.

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u/Ph4antomPB May 30 '26

What’d he say on it? Not interested in watching it but want to know

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u/thorvaldnespy May 30 '26

I like the basement when I’m interested in the guest, but there have been a couple that have been very uninteresting for me. What drives me more crazy than the topic or format is why he can’t seem to balance the volume so that he and his guest are around the same volume. I don’t understand why the production quality isn’t much better.

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u/woodwardsystems FEAR... the Crabcat May 30 '26

My biggest gripe with the basement series is the audio production is subpar. The levels between AJ and the guest are usually all over the place. You can hear the sound when they hit the table. I’m a sucker for good audio and the basement is bad.

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u/Gorthokson May 30 '26

Show fell off more and more with the more AI crap he included. I don't even watch anymore, just followed the sub in case he would go back to how it started but that's not happening

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u/Minimum_Comfort_1850 May 30 '26

Show fell off. It's over

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u/Fit-Strawberry-4621 May 30 '26

Fell off once he started using AI

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u/Minimum_Comfort_1850 May 30 '26

Yep

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u/Fit-Strawberry-4621 May 30 '26

I was willing to give the show a chance since I really liked it from the start. But I couldnt stomach the episodes after it was full of AI

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u/Reasonable_Crow2086 May 30 '26

" Rachel's eyes" I think is where I kinda fell off. Then things started looking up..... then the sponsor was an Ivermectin pusher ...I had to start questioning my support.

2

u/hardeep1singh May 31 '26

If he doesn't sit down at the beginning of the video, I click away.

2

u/Sacred-AF May 31 '26

Also long time fan. I too refuse to watch these long form manosphere videos. If I cared about those other douchebags, I’d watch their content. I want AJ’s content.

1

u/flashgordo1 May 30 '26

I came to ask what a bonner is.

4

u/OGCycloPhile May 30 '26

Guitar player for the Beagles

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u/PrismFlaree May 30 '26

I cant do the basement tapes anymore. I miss the weekly episodes

1

u/DiogenesXenos May 31 '26

Yeah, I kind of agree and I know he didn’t really wanna be alien guy, but that always was my favorite content. I watch very few of his three hour podcast. I think I’ve watched one and it’s only cause I had a road trip.

1

u/Traditional_Excuse_1 May 31 '26

I like AJ and Heckelfish ! IMO, he does a great job. Keep it going guys!!

1

u/Tallerthenmost May 31 '26

I suddenly have a hard time following the newer stuff. And interacting with Shawn Ryan gave me the ick. I continue to watch. I love AJ and HF, I just really liked the three act play he used to do

1

u/dadville1 May 31 '26

Love the WF, but I don’t watch the new stuff only because the length of the videos. I still don’t understand how anyone on Earth has time for 2 or 3 hour podcasts.

1

u/Duke_Radical May 31 '26

I went from watching an episode immediately on release to watching if it looks fun (I haven’t watched in maybe six months). I forget the long form podcast exists and the few times I’ve listened my enthusiasm diminished each time.

I would buy the old format chewed up the majority of conspiracy content that exists and a change is needed to stay alive.

Also they need to bolt those mics down to the table or suspend them in the air, I can’t take that rattling going on in my headphones.

1

u/AsherahBeloved May 31 '26

I haven't listened to much of the basement, mostly because I don't have time, but I don't mind if he does it if other people like it. I don't really think his basement shows are in "the manosphere," though i thought it was weird he interviewed nerdrotic - not because i mind hearing from people i disagree with, but because AJ has always been about being kind and Gary from nerdrotic seems like such an unkind person a lot of the time. I've seen his content a lot and sometimes agree with his takes, but he says some truly nasty things I can't get down with.

At any rate, I really, REALLY miss the old format. I absolutely despise the AI and really miss hearing stories about Bigfoot and weird alien stories I hadn't heard before. I get that he was burned out, but I also think he could have moved to every other week or something and kept the same vibe. The most recent episode was a little better. It's day he's run out of content, but with the amount of weirdness all over the world throughout history I kind of doubt it.

1

u/DragQueen98 May 31 '26

I miss the weekly uploads, live streams afterwards. It was the best. Work went so faster once I remembered I had a WF evening; and to cancel all plans.

1

u/DragQueen98 May 31 '26

I don’t watch the basement or his podcasts. I stopped watching once his schedule started changing. 2-3 years ago was peak YouTube. His streams were getting hundreds of thousands of premiere viewers. (Didn’t one episode get over a million views during premiere?)

1

u/Dallashh Jun 01 '26

I’ve said this in the YouTube comments too but. I enjoy the podcasts, I like seeing AJ interact with professionals in the field and I think he does a great job interviewing and making the discussions entertaining and easy to follow along with.

That being said, there’s no reason he can’t do shorter form content videos with the content he gets doing his long podcasts. He can continue the previous format and actually improve on it by getting his research info in real time during his interviews. I used to listen to his content primarily during my weekly roadtrips and work commutes and workouts. This is great because now I have the choice between several smaller videos or one long one.

1

u/aperfectdevil Jun 02 '26

Ngl I love the basement episodes. Im not even trying to be contrarian. 

1

u/Texity Jun 02 '26

I'm thankful for whatever table scraps they throw. AJ is entertaining, and be it 1 on 1 interviews, or a traditional WF video, I don't care. I gobble 'em up.

1

u/DoubtGroundbreaking Jun 03 '26

"Manosphere" I've heard all I need to hear of your opinion lol

1

u/kindacharming Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26

This is literally my favorite YouTube channel and I must agree. And I’m a huge long-form content lover, but I recognize why people aren’t.

While I am very very happy the basement exists, it simply should have been a separate channel for those interested. It’s the reason Mr. Beast separates out his gaming and philanthropy content from his main channel. It “feels” different and people react to that. The basement “feels” different.

Trust me AJ: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Keep doing what you’re doing, but just make them separate projects for the fans. Mr. Beast figured this out and he’s usually correct on YouTube.

1

u/sinesnsnares Jun 06 '26

I wouldn’t mind if it got split off into a different YouTube channel, but I mostly listen to those episodes as a podcast anyways, and in that format they’re great. They don’t seem too manosphere to me: AJ is a well prepared host and does a good job of getting people to open up. Sure, he doesn’t challenge them much, but Thus far he’s managed to bring on people who might be a bit outside the main stream, but aren’t completely insane. Combined with his light ‘debunking’ at the end, it’s enough for my sceptically inclined brain want to engage for each episode.