Greg Benson
Before YouTube was a household name, a trailblazing comedian named Greg Benson was already redefining entertainment, carving out a niche with his quirky humor and groundbreaking web series. He transitioned from independent filmmaking to becoming a foundational figure in online comedy, influencing countless creators. His journey shows how innovation and a unique voice can captivate millions, turning a personal hobby into a cultural phenomenon. Greg Benson pioneered early YouTube comedy, successfully migrating his unique content from personal websites to a global audience. His creative output spanned viral comedic shorts and critically acclaimed web series like "Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show" and "The Guild." Benson's work, often in collaboration with his wife, Kim Evey, has been recognized with multiple awards, highlighting his significant impact on digital media.
AI Summary
Before YouTube was a household name, a trailblazing comedian named Greg Benson was already redefining entertainment, carving out a niche with his quirky humor and groundbreaking web series. He transitioned from independent filmmaking to becoming a foundational figure in online comedy, influencing countless creators. His journey shows how innovation and a unique voice can captivate millions, turning a personal hobby into a cultural phenomenon.
- Greg Benson pioneered early YouTube comedy, successfully migrating his unique content from personal websites to a global audience.
- His creative output spanned viral comedic shorts and critically acclaimed web series like "Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show" and "The Guild."
- Benson's work, often in collaboration with his wife, Kim Evey, has been recognized with multiple awards, highlighting his significant impact on digital media.
The Rise of a Digital Comedian
Meet Greg Benson, an American comedian, actor, Twitch streamer, and director born in the late 1960s. After growing up in Dallas, Texas, Benson moved to California, where his production company, Mediocre Films, would soon become a hub for comedic short films distributed primarily on YouTube.
Benson's early foray into video production began in 2005 on his own website. But the real shift happened when he moved his distribution to YouTube. Within a month, his short "Greg Hits Hollywood" was featured on the site's homepage, showcasing his daring comedic style where he'd comically tap strangers with his microphone to see "what people will put up with just because they want to be on TV, or even just YouTube."
From Viral Shorts to Sony Deals
One of his most iconic early successes was the truly unique "Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show." The very first episode, posted in February 2007, was a YouTube feature that soon garnered nearly two million viewers, quickly establishing Benson as a viral sensation.
The show's wild, uninhibited style caught the eye of Sony Pictures, which picked up the series for two more seasons as part of its "C Spot" lineup. One reviewer for The Times of London perfectly described it as "Pee-Wee Herman meets Monty Python via the hyperkinetic madness of Japanese television"—a truly unique blend of absurd humor!
Benson's wife, Kim Evey, was not only the creative force behind the "Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show" as its creator and performer but also a crucial collaborator on many of his projects. Their partnership proved instrumental in shaping his comedic vision.
Directing Award-Winning Web Series
Beyond his own shorts, Benson became a prominent director for other beloved web series. His most well-known directing credit is for "The Guild," an acclaimed show about a group of online gamers that became a landmark in early digital storytelling.
His work on the second half of "The Guild"'s first season contributed to its widespread recognition. The series swept numerous accolades, including the 2007 YouTube Award for Best Series, 2009 Streamy Awards for Best Series and Best Comedy Series, and 2012 IAWTV Awards for Best Comedy Web Series.
Early Recognition and Accolades
Even his very first video, a short called "Coming Home," earned early recognition. It was chosen by Amazon.com customers as one of the top five videos in the Amazon/Tribeca Film Festival’s short films division, a significant achievement for an emerging creator.
Another of his shorts, "Phone Call to God," also received critical acclaim, securing second place in the best comedy division at the 2006 Evil City Film Fest. These early awards underscored his talent for crafting engaging comedic narratives right from the start of his career.
The "Retarded Policeman" Series
Among his most talked-about creations is the web series "Retarded Policeman," which he wrote, directed, and edited. The concept, originating from his wife Kim Evey, sparked both immense popularity and considerable discussion.
The series centered on Officer Ponce, portrayed by Josh "The Ponceman" Perry, a learning-impaired police officer who comically pulls over unsuspecting members of the public. These videos were initially hosted on the MediocreFilms YouTube channel, garnering a dedicated following.
Known for its distinct humor, the series featured an eight-second theme song that became instantly recognizable to fans. While the original MediocreFilms channel containing these videos was later made private, their impact on early web comedy remains a notable part of YouTube's history.
Across its two seasons, "Retarded Policeman" featured a rotating cast of guest stars. Season 1 saw appearances from figures like Scott Perry, Kim Evey, Cozmo Johnson, Wil Wheaton, Felicia Day, and popular YouTubers Phil DeFranco and Charles Trippy.
Season 2 continued this trend with even more prominent online personalities. Guests included Kassem G, Shay Carl, Toby Turner, and Brittani Louise Taylor, all joining Officer Ponce's comedic antics and further cementing the series' place in early internet culture.
Life Beyond the Screen
Outside of his prolific creative work, Greg Benson is also a family man. He and his wife, Kim, adopted a baby boy named Charlie in January 2016, adding another beautiful dimension to his life.
Benson has also appeared as an actor in various television commercials and even in the docudrama "The Flight that Fought Back." His improvisational roots trace back to the ACME Comedy Theatre in Hollywood, where he honed his skills and first collaborated with friends and future co-stars like Wil Wheaton.
Article
Greg Benson
Gregory Benson (born January 23, 1967/68) is an American comedian, actor, Twitch streamer and director. His production company, Mediocre Films, creates comedic short films, generally for YouTube. He is a frequent director for The Guild.
History
Greg Benson
Benson grew up in Dallas, Texas. He moved to California, where he has since appeared in several television commercials. Benson is a sometime member of the ACME Comedy Theatre improv troupe in Hollywood, where he first worked with writer/actor Wil Wheaton, who has since appeared in a variety of Benson's projects.
He started making videos in 2005, initially hosting them on his own Mediocre Films website. Eventually he moved his distribution from his own site to YouTube, where within one month, "Greg Hits Hollywood", one of his shorts, was featured on the site's home page. The video and its sequels feature Benson interviewing strangers as a pretext for hitting them with his microphone to see "what people will put up with just because they want to be on TV, or even just YouTube." Since then, he has become a popular YouTube comedian, number 47 on the list of most subscribed comedians on YouTube. His most popular video as of early 2009 was episode 1 of the Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show, which was selected to be featured on YouTube shortly after being posted February 25, 2007, and subsequently drew nearly 2 million viewers. The series later was picked up by Sony Pictures, who continued the show through two seasons on YouTube as part of its "C Spot" lineup; one reviewer for The Times of London described it as "Pee-Wee Herman meets Monty Python via the hyperkinetic madness of Japanese television."
Benson's most prominent directing credit is his work on the Internet series The Guild, on which he worked again with his wife, Kim Evey, producer of The Guild, as well as creator and performer of the Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show. He also portrayed one of the passengers on the short Docudrama "The Flight that Fought Back". He and his wife, Kim, adopted a baby boy named Charlie in January 2016.
Awards
Greg Benson
His first video, "Coming Home", was chosen by Amazon.com customers as one of the top five videos of the Amazon/Tribeca Film Festival's short films division.
His short "Phone Call to God" was chosen for second place in the best comedy division at the 2006 Evil City Film Fest.
"The Guild", which Benson Directed the second half of season 1, has won several awards including 2007 YouTube Awards (Best Series), 2009 Streamy Awards (Best Series, Best Comedy Series), 2012 IAWTV Awards (Best Comedy Web Series).
Retarded Policeman
Greg Benson
Retarded Policeman is an American YouTube comedy web series written, directed, and edited by Benson, and based on an idea by his wife, producer and performer, Kim Evey. Scott Perry, Josh "The Ponceman" Perry's brother, has worked on the series.
The videos were uploaded on YouTube under the channel MediocreFilms, later made private at an unknown date.
Synopsis
The fictional series follows learning impaired Officer Ponce (Josh "The Ponceman" Perry) as he pulls over members of the public.
Theme song
The following is the lyrics to the 8 second long theme song played at the start of the video. Episode 15 had a rock remix of the theme song performed by Dave Days.
Season 1
<table><thead><tr><th># Episode no.</th><th>Episode name</th><th>Guest starring</th><th>Air date</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Hi</td><td>Scott Perry and Stacey Perry</td><td>September 19, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Officer Monkey</td><td>Kim Evey</td><td>September 27, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Coked Up</td><td>Greg Benson</td><td>October 4, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Racial Profiling</td><td>Cozmo Johnson</td><td>November 20, 2007</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Writers Strike</td><td>Wil Wheaton</td><td>January 22, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Sobriety Test</td><td>David Hussey</td><td>February 4, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>MILF</td><td>Cory Williams and Jody Hoells</td><td>March 20, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>7.5</td><td>Fish (April Fools)</td><td>Felicia Day</td><td>March 31, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Tazer</td><td>Mark McCracken and Laura House</td><td>April 1, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Boobies!</td><td>Heather Provost, Valerie Querns, Alan Heitz and Scott Perry</td><td>April 23, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Mexicans</td><td>Connie Perry and Al Perry</td><td>June 10, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>GILF</td><td>Peggy Grigsby</td><td>June 25, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Casual Friday</td><td>Shelby Malone</td><td>July 2, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Mime</td><td>Doug Jones</td><td>July 10, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Bribes</td><td>Phil DeFranco</td><td>July 25, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Assburgers Syndrome</td><td>Charles Trippy and Dave Days</td><td>August 8, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Stalker</td><td>Michael Buckley</td><td>August 15, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>Nalts</td><td>Kevin Nalty</td><td>August 29, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>Underage Girls</td><td>Rain Echo Scott, Rina Beyda, TJ Sonnier</td><td>September 5, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>19</td><td>Chad Vader</td><td>Matt Sloan and Aaron Yonda</td><td>October 17, 2008</td></tr><tr><td>20</td><td>Lesbian Bikini Wrestling</td><td>Michelle Beyda Scott, Veronika Olah, Amber Smyser</td><td>November 24, 2010</td></tr><tr><td>21</td><td>Lt. Ballsack</td><td>Greg Benson</td><td>November 14, 2008</td></tr></tbody></table>
1.^ Initially a DVD-exclusive.
Season 2
<table><thead><tr><th># Episode no.</th><th>Episode name</th><th>Guest starring</th><th>Air date</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>22</td><td>Bitches</td><td>Kathleen Victoria Elliott and Tonilyn Hornung</td><td>January 5, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>23</td><td>Pepper Spray</td><td>Bob Bendick</td><td>January 12, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>24</td><td>Foursquare</td><td>Kassem G</td><td>January 19, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>25</td><td>Sexual Harassment</td><td>Abigail Grace Tallman</td><td>February 1, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>26</td><td>Invisible Driver</td><td>Lindsey Koens</td><td>February 9, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>27</td><td>Panty Inspector</td><td>Allison Scagliotti and J.P. Manoux</td><td>February 16, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>28</td><td>Donuts</td><td>Sandeep Parikh</td><td>Unknown</td></tr><tr><td>29</td><td>Gun Fight</td><td>Shay Carl</td><td>March 8, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>30</td><td>New Friend</td><td>Jesse Mackey</td><td>March 15, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>31</td><td>Framed for Murder</td><td>DeStorm Power</td><td>April 5, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>32</td><td>Child Driver</td><td>Mackenzie Hillhouse</td><td>April 12, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>33</td><td>Blonde in a Convertible</td><td>Teal Sherer</td><td>April 19, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>34</td><td>FART</td><td>Toby Turner</td><td>May 10, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>35</td><td>Politically Correct Episode</td><td>Brittani Louise Taylor</td><td>May 25, 2012</td></tr><tr><td>36</td><td>Oh Look! A Foreigner!</td><td>Miles Grose</td><td>June 7, 2012</td></tr></tbody></table>
2.^ Reuploaded on September 20, 2012.