| “ | Were going to be showing you a series of videos, BUT [Insert Challenge] | ” |
―Intro for their "Try not to ___" challenges | ||
REACT, officially React Media and formerly FBE and TheFineBros, is an American media company founded by brothers Benny Fine (born: March 19, 1981) and Rafi Fine (born: June 9, 1983), who are best known for their successful React video series Kids React, Teens React, Elders React, YouTubers React and Adults React, their several timed spoiler series, narrative web series, as well as creating the first transmedia sitcom on YouTube, MyMusic.
REACT have been creating content online since 2004, and have found success on YouTube where their main channel, FBE. The Fine Brothers also have a secondary channel, under the name FBE (formerly FBE2 & TheFineBros2); which they launched on May 14, 2009. The secondary channel has accumulated over 1 million subscribers. They release behind the scenes content, as well as clips from their news podcast "All We Know" on the secondary channel. They performed in Annoying Orange.
On July 27, 2014, The Fine Bros released a third channel called REPLAY, which houses new diverse shows for the stars of the React videos (Kids, Teens, Adults and Elders) and FBE staff, including gaming, food, music, and game shows.
In 2016, the Fine Brothers were criticized for attempting to trademark/copyright the word "React", which meant no other YouTuber can make reaction videos. In one week, their subscriber count reduced from 14M to 13.5M. In mid-2020, they were again criticized for their discriminatory actions and toxic workplace allegations that ultimately resulted in them leaving after their company was acquired by Electric Monster in 2021.
Segments & Videos[]
- Kids, Teens, Elders, Adults and YouTubers React
- Book, Movie and etc. Spoilers, Vlogs
- Last Moments
- Interactive
- Fine Time
- MyMusic
- Emo Dad (Ended)
- Sing It (Ended)
ReactToThat[]
In January 2014, The Fine Bros teamed up with Nick Cannon to come up with a tv series based on the Kids & Teens reacts (with the actors from the shows appearing in it) on Nickelodeon. They filmed a pilot episode and are waiting on Nickelodeon to decide if they want to make it into an actual show. It was later announced that the show was picked up for a season started on December 15, 2014 and ended on January 1, 2015. It was announced on Fine Time that the show would not be renewed for a second season.
Everything[]
On January 22, 2015, it was announced that REACT would be teaming up with TruTV to produce Six Degrees of Everything. The show had Rafi and Benny hosting comedy segments to illustrate how anything in the world can be connected by six degrees. The show aired from August 18, 2015 to October 20, 2015. According to The Fine Brothers, the show wasn't picked up for a second season.
Reception[]
The two are often considered as pioneers or the "uncles", or "grandparents", of online video and YouTube.
Works of the Fine Brothers have been featured on the websites of The Wall Street Journal,[1] Time Magazine,[2] Variety,[3] and MSNBC.[4][5][6]
Controversy[]
React Around The World[]
On January 26, 2016, the REACT announced that they would license and trademark their existing React series and let creators create their own react series.[7] In particular, REACT attempted to trademark the term "react", which is used in the title of numerous other YouTube videos unrelated to the Fine Brothers' YouTube channel.[8] The announcement was met with backlash from their viewers and fellow YouTube content creators, many of whom believed REACT were attempting to prohibit the creation of reaction videos by people unaffiliated with their channel.[9][10][11] In response, the brothers promised that they will "not be trying to take revenue from other types of reaction videos, and will not be copyright-striking."[12][13] However, other YouTubers have reported multiple copyright related video takedowns. There have also been claims that another YouTube channel was producing Seniors React videos prior to the Fine Brothers Elders React series.[14] The backlash led to a dramatic drop in subscribers, with over 400,000 accounts unsubscribing from the channel in protest.[15][16][17]
On February 1, the REACT apologized and claimed to rescind all React trademarks and trademark applications, discontinued the React World program, and released all previous Content ID claims.[18][19] In addition, the Fine Brothers removed their original React World announcement video, as well as their update video which addressed initial backlash.[19] However, many other YouTubers reuploaded the 2 videos.
| Reupload of Original Videos | |
|---|---|
Fine Bros. Leaving[]
On June 10, 2020, former reactor Kennedy Zimet uploaded a video exposing the secrets of FBE, including allegations of blackface in one of the Fine Bros. series. Beginning onwards, several FBE staff (including members of the C-Team, and behind the scenes workers) shared their horror stories of working at FBE, eventually causing about half the cast to leave in solidarity with Kennedy. More stuff resurfaced, such as videos joking about sexual assault, videos alluding to pedophilia, and more, exposing the Fine Brothers to be awful people.
Eventually, FBE made a statement, but by then, lost so many of their members, and the Fine Brothers also decided to leave. By the end of it all, FBE was forced to change their name to REACT, and was no longer uploading frequently.
HeyItsMilly[]
During the Shane controversy, it was revealed that REACT owned a channel back in 2010-2012 called "HeyItsMilly" which was a crude and toilet humoured puppet that would make constantly make sexual innuendos and inappropriate references. The character milly was an 8 year old girl who seems innocent, but would say and do inappropriate things (saying she was "wet") and would be mean to Rafi. The series would consistently make references to extremely sexually explicit content that primarily children were watching. The series was also seen as misogynistic, sexual and alluding to peadophilia. It was essentially seem as sexualizing children, some examples being such as Selena Gomez (18-19) and Carly from ICarly 16-17). They also owned a vlog channel with the puppet milly that they made with Shane.
Filmography[]
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2008–2010 | LOST: What Will Happen Next? |
| 2008–present | Spoiler Alert! |
| 2009 | The Overthinker |
| 2009 | 3-Way |
| 2010–present | Last Moments of Relationships |
| 2010–present | Kids React |
| 2010–2011 | Harry Potter Deleted Scenes |
| 2010–2011 | Lindsay Lohan Needs Real Friends |
| 2011–present | Teens React |
| 2012–2014 | MyMusic |
| 2012–present | Elders React |
| 2012–present | YouTubers React |
| 2013, 2016 | Emo Dad |
| 2013–present | Fine Time (originally Update Vlog) |
| 2014–present | React: Gaming |
| 2014–present | People vs. Food |
| 2014–present | React: Advice |
| 2014–present | React: Lyric Breakdown |
| 2014–present | React: Opinions |
| 2014–present | React Remix |
| 2014–present | Inappropriate Parents |
| 2014–present | Underwater Movie Scenes |
| 2014–2015 | React to That |
| 2015–present | Adults React |
| 2015 | Six Degrees of Everything |
Accolades[]
This is a list of awards, nominations, recognition and achievements received by the Fine Brothers during their career.
| Year | Nominated Work | Category | Award-Giving Body | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Kids React | Best Viral Video Series | 39th Daytime Emmy Awards | Won | [20] |
| Best Variety Web Series | Inaugural IAWTV Awards | Won | [21] | ||
| 2013 | Kids React | Best Variety Series | 2013 IAWTV Awards | Nominated | [22] |
| MyMusic | Best Interactive/Social Media Experience | Nominated | [22] | ||
| Best Supplemental Content | Nominated | [22] | |||
| Kids React | Best Non-Fiction or Reality Series | 3rd Streamy Awards | Won | [23] | |
| Themselves | Audience Choice for Personality of the Year | Nominated | [24] | ||
| MyMusic | Audience Choice for Series of the Year | Nominated | [24] | ||
| Best Direction | Nominated | [24] | |||
| Best Comedy Series | Nominated | [24] | |||
| Best Writing: Comedy | Nominated | [24] | |||
| Best Editing | Nominated | [24] | |||
| 2014 | Kids React | Best Directing (Non-Fiction) | 2014 IAWTV Awards | Nominated | [25] |
| Best Variety Web Series | Won | [25] | |||
| MyMusic | Best Supplemental Content | Nominated | [25] | ||
| 2016 | Elders Gaming | Online Film and Video - Gaming (Channel) | 2016 Webby Awards | Won | [26] |
| Kids React | Online Film and Video - Reality | Won | [27] | ||
| Fine Brothers Entertainment | Online Film and Video - Entertainment (Channel) | Nominated | [28] | ||
| Do They Know It? | Non-Fiction | Streamy Awards | Nominated | ||
| Kids React (Daniel Seibert, Jordan Towles, Alyssa Salter, Cara Bomar, Luke Braun, Benny Fine, Rafi Fine) | Editing | Nominated | |||
| Emo Dad | Animated | Nominated |
References[]
- ↑ WSJ Staff (September 20, 2009). 100 TV Spoilers: Emmy Awards Edition. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on October 1, 2012.
- ↑ Christy Choi (May 10, 2011). Children React to Osama bin Laden’s Death. Time Magazine. Retrieved on July 6, 2012.
- ↑ Michael Sullivan (October 20, 2011). Benny & Rafi Fine: Brothers let 'Kids React' online. Variety. Retrieved on September 10, 2012.
- ↑ Athima Chansanchai (Sep 20, 2011). Kids react to planking: 'Why???'. MSNBC. Retrieved on July 6, 2012.
- ↑ Athima Chansanchai (February 21, 2012). Teens react to 'Toddlers & Tiaras': 'This may ruin your child's life'. MSNBC. Retrieved on July 5, 2012.
- ↑ Helen A.S. Popkin. Fine Bros. help change YouTube, spoil the world!. MSNBC. Retrieved on July 6, 2012.
- ↑ YouTube creators can now make their own 'React' videos, thanks to Fine Brothers Entertainment. Mashable (January 26, 2016). Retrieved on January 30, 2016.
- ↑ Fine Brothers spark fury with YouTube trademark attempt. BBC (February 1, 2016). Retrieved on February 1, 2016.
- ↑ A popular YouTube channel is losing followers by the second after going to war with Redditors. Retrieved on February 1, 2016.
- ↑ React Channel Gets Angry Reactions Due To Their Licensing Plan. The Bitbag (January 28, 2016). Retrieved on January 30, 2016.
- ↑ Fine Brothers react when backlash over 'React' videos licensing gets heated. Mashable (January 28, 2016). Retrieved on January 30, 2016.
- ↑ React Channel Gets Angry Reactions Due To Their Licensing Plan. The Bitbag (January 28, 2016). Retrieved on January 30, 2016.
- ↑ Fine Brothers react when backlash over 'React' videos licensing gets heated. Mashable (January 28, 2016). Retrieved on January 30, 2016.
- ↑ YouTube network's plan to trademark 'react' sparks backlash. The Guardian (February 1, 2016). Retrieved on February 2, 2016.
- ↑ Mooney, Paula (January 31, 2016). 'Fine Bros' YouTube Stars Lose 65,000 Subs — But Gain 23 Million Views Over 'React' Videos Trademark Buzz [Video]. The Inquistr. Retrieved on January 31, 2016.
- ↑ Fine Brothers Entertainment. Socialblade. Retrieved on February 4, 2016.
- ↑ "A popular YouTube channel is losing followers by the second after going to war with Redditors", Tech Insider. Retrieved on 4 February 2016.
- ↑ Fine Brothers (February 1, 2016). A message from the Fine Brothers. Medium. Retrieved on February 2, 2016.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Yin-Poole, Wesley (February 1, 2016). The internet reacts to The Fine Brothers' "react" trademark - and it's not happy. Eurogamer. Retrieved on February 2, 2016.
- ↑ Arlene Paredes (June 28, 2012). ‘Kids React To’ Viral Videos: Fine Bros. and Kids who Spoke on NSW Bullying Get an Emmy [VIDEO]. International Business Times AU. Retrieved on July 6, 2012.
- ↑ Daisey Whitney (January 23, 2012). Fine Bros Win IAWTV Award, Prep for Launch of New YouTube Show. Beet.tv. Retrieved on June 25, 2013.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Break Out The Award Polish And Kleenex: The IAWTV Award Nominees Are In. New Media Rockstars (November 12, 2012). Retrieved on March 23, 2014.
- ↑ PRE-LIVE STREAMY WINNERS ANNOUNCED. Streamys (February 2013). Retrieved on February 15, 2013.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 3RD ANNUAL NOMINEES & WINNERS. Streamys. Retrieved on June 25, 2013.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 2014 IAWTV Awards Nominees & Winners (with links). International Academy of Web Television. Retrieved on March 23, 2014.
- ↑ Webby Award winners (with links). The Webby Awards. Retrieved on July 11, 2016.
- ↑ Webby Award winners (with links). The Webby Awards. Retrieved on July 11, 2016.
- ↑ Webby Award winners (with links). The Webby Awards. Retrieved on July 11, 2016.
