When fans of YouTube stars turn on their viral idols, something has gone terribly wrong. In this case, the internet mob, with lit torches and pitchforks high in the air, is chasing after Sam Pepper, who has more than 2 million YouTube subscribers and 1 million Twitter followers. In his most recent video, the blue-haired Pepper pretends to murder Colby Brock (who was in on the “prank”) in front of his crying, tied-up friend, Sam Golbach. (These people are all mega-famous on YouTube and social media, and if you have no idea who they are, you’re 600 years old. You’re your parents now.)
“KILLING BEST FRIEND PRANK” begins in a poorly-lit back alley, with Brock pretending that his car broke down. When Golbach helps his buddy look under the hood, a shadowy figure, dressed all in black, appears and throws a hood over Golbach’s head. The scene cuts to a rooftop, where Golbach is held hostage in a chair and Brock is on his knees, with a piece of tape over his mouth. Moments later, the shadowy figure shoots him in the head, dead.
Ha?
The response to the video — which ends with bro hugs — has not been kind.
https://twitter.com/hotdanisonfire/status/671295460011741184
https://twitter.com/cakevapor/status/671262378797875200
let me tell u, if my 'friends' pulled that gross 'prank' on me i would ditch them so fast. Sam pepper is a horrible excuse for a human.
— leona (@losinggteeth) November 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/LilFallOfReign/status/671375596086251520
Petition for Sam Pepper to get blocked off YouTube???
— Gee! 💫 (@plantpotxo) November 30, 2015
bloody hell the sam pepper video made me feel uncomfortable he needs to deactivate so fast
— Adam Waithe (@AdamWaithe) November 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/JakeBoys/status/671374440312217601
.@sampepper Disgusted + outraged by this video and it's concept. It's twisted anyway but in light of recent world events it's Just.So.Wrong.
— Carrie Hope Fletcher (@CarrieHFletcher) November 30, 2015
Murder isn't a joke
Rape isn't a joke
Sexual Assault isn't a jokeSam Pepper is a joke
— Eᴅᴅ (@eddbuckley) November 30, 2015
In 2014, Pepper was accused of sexual harassment by six women who claimed he inappropriately touched them. If he’s what a YouTube star is, I’m fine feeling ancient.