Like and Subscribe

Like and Subscribe is a tongue-in-cheek comedy series from Funny or Die, released in 2018, that takes a satirical dig at the world of social media influencers and the larger-than-life digital celebrity culture that has sprouted with platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. The premise of the show revolves around one of Hollywood's hottest talent managers and his efforts to represent and manage an eccentric, idiosyncratic ensemble of internet megastars.

The protagonist of the story is Jack, played by Dillon Francis, a successful traditional talent manager who keeps hitting the headlines of the LA's celebrity gossip industry, not for the right reasons. After a public fallout with his star, the pressure forces him to venture into the vast realm of social media stars. Enters Skyy Goldwynne, ever quirky and highly popular on social media scene, has been living in his own exclusive, indulgent world with his unruly troupe of influencers. Jack is hired to wrangle and manage this eclectic group.

Right off the bat, Like and Subscribe explores and articulates the clash of two entirely different worlds that are ironically part of the same industry – Hollywood and the digital celebrity sphere. Both are steeped in stardom and public attention, yet could not be more different in their approach, values, and dynamics. The show brilliantly pokes fun at the divide, highlighting the dramatic differences and stereotypes attached to both.

Through the course of the show, Jack navigates through his job, one hilarious misadventure at a time, further driving the narrative of screaming fangirls, viral videos, and infamous tweetstorms. The series takes an insightful look into the stratospheric rise of influencer culture, casting an ironic light on how fame is perceived and achieved in today's digital age.

The show is masterfully written, vividly portraying the fascinating, ever-changing, and surreal world of internet fame, with sharp satirical undertones. The characters are vividly unique, yet they manage to embody the archetypical characters we've grown familiar with in the online space. From the conventionally attractive Instagram model to the highly-energetic YouTuber, to the trend-setting fashion vlogger, the series presents a rustic and entertaining portrait of the diverse landscape of content creators.

The performance by Dillon Francis adds weight to the core premise of the series. His portrayal of Jack offers a unique character study, giving the audiences an outsider or rather traditionalist’s commentary on the unique, frantic energy of the digital age. His interactions with the motley crew of internet celebrities, all lampooned in eccentric, exaggerated personas, bring about a perfect blend of humor, satire, and social commentary.

The series is complemented by impressive supporting performances, including Courtney Parchman uniquely portraying a clueless influencer, and Cody Ko brilliantly bringing to life a vain, self-consumed internet celebrity. These characters provide the anchor for the show’s running commentary on the influencer culture while also providing a bulk of its comedy.

The series overall presents a hilariously sarcastic take on the burgeoning world of digital superstars – a world fraught with vanity metrics, trend-chasing, and fleeting internet fame. More than just a laugh-out-loud comedy, Like and Subscribe also serves as a social commentary on how modern internet culture has redefined the notions of stardom and celebrity, with all its attendant quirks, idiosyncrasies, and paradoxes. The humor lies not only in the ludicrous situations that come about, but also in the underlying truth about our increasingly internet-obsessed society.

Like and Subscribe serves as a must-watch for anyone who has ever pondered over the bizarre fascination of millions of followers that some people command just by posing for pictures and making videos on the internet. Whether you're a casual viewer or deeply embedded in the social influencer culture, there's plenty to laugh at and relate to in this madcap exploration of the new age of fame. Beyond the laughs, the series poses thoughtful questions about the nature of celebrity, success, and what it means to 'make it' in the age of social media.