The Jerma Dollhouse is a Theatrical Masterpiece

[@BrendonSmall456]

I believe Jerma has a place in history as an innovator of something that hasn't quite come yet.

[@MackenzieDavenport]

I think you're exactly right. The closest label I can think of is theatre, but in many ways it's a lot more than that.

[@skipjackdoesstuff7110]

i genuinely think this won’t even be his magnum opus and that he is going to redefine how we view mainstream entertainment as a whole one day

[@ApoLk_]

​@The Jerma985 HOLY SH*T it's not only Jerma985... but THE Jerma985

[@Longknife]

Interactive improv

[@catastrophicyt]

Shows where we order slaves what do

[@Dabednego]

The fact that this likely won’t be eligible for a Tony is bullshit

[@noobiu1072]

Create a new reward system, one that is mostly for virtual actors.

[@ajrayo]

If they stream in a Broadway theater they might

[@BrB0424]

@@noobiu1072 Dream won that one. :(

[@toidIllorTAmI]

@@noobiu1072 We need to be rich for that lol

[@apothecurio]

He definitely broke character way too many times for the Tony’s most likely.

[@HarmonyParuko]

"Chat learned they got a better performance by keeping Jerma Healthy" well, I wouldn't say healthy, but rather alive.

[@ganii1804]

RIP jerma's zesticles which were sacrificed in the making of this masterpiece

[@swindlesween]

Jerma is truly a genius of entertainment, a Charlie Chaplin of our era, and it all started with some simple tf2 videos 10 years ago. It's amazing how far he's come and I suspect he'll make some big breakthroughs within his lifetime.

[@ieattrash6589]

it’s all thanks to tf2, and Jeremy scout

[@ryanhernandez8324]

Well, you _could_ say he made some breakthroughs with a shovel in the early 80s, but... well, I'm hesitant to say more.

[@mythcat1273]

Comparing him to Charlie Chaplin is perfect

[@Tulip_bip]

the thing I love about Jerma is that he's always trying to push the boundaries of what he's doing. so many streamers just play videogames and talk a little, but Jerma experiments so much with what he's doing, to the point where even ordinary streams feel special cuz of the stuff he tries pulling off. things like the green screen clips, the carnival stream, the dollhouse stream and tons of other things he's tried are just so creative and out there, i love it so much. i remember watching his tf2 stuff all the time in 2012, and its so awesome seeing how far he's come since then. honestly i think he's the best creator on twitch by far

[@HoppingSkipper]

I know, right? Especially peep the horror. I feel like this is gonna make him mainstream man, mark my words

[@Tulip_bip]

@@HoppingSkipper yeah absolutely. the first time he let us peep the horror i couldnt stop laughing for ages. i showed it to my mother but for some reason she just fell over and stopped moving. maybe it was a little too funny...

[@HoppingSkipper]

@@Tulip_bip I keep showing all my friends screenshots I take of the horror but almost none of them reply anymore, maybe they started watching jerma to get it straight from the source

[@ganii1804]

what's even funnier is that jerma's ideas are so batshit insane and requires so much dedication that no other streamer would even dare to copy it

[@Tulip_bip]

@@ganii1804 Most streamers wouldn't care enough honestly

[@FakeGorange]

I almost choked on my food when you said "compact character"

[@doughboywhine]

I mean... that's not what I'd have called him but go off I guess

[@TJlolbagger]

@@doughboywhine the joke is that Jerma is short.

[@doughboywhine]

@@TJlolbagger That is what I would have called him

[@Foogi9000]

@@doughboywhine He's is a part of the Short Kings group along with Tyler1.

[@MirrorHall_Clay]

@@doughboywhine it's what Jerma would've called himself

[@Julian-jj1wc]

Jermas gonna be considered like an early innovator in some form of future media isn't he.

[@MackenzieDavenport]

i cannot wait for the museum exhibition on him

[@ziwuri]

@@MackenzieDavenport this but unironically

[@RankoSama0]

"Digital theatre" sounds so accurate in terms of the Jerma Dollhouse streams. "Theatre" feels professional and very closely connected to art: after watching this video, I'm completely convinced Jerma's project genuinely deserves to be categorized as such. Thank you for this, this was a really nice analysis on my beloved phenomenon of 2021

[@catboywizard]

A part of me hopes for a Jerma Dollhouse 2, but in my heart I know that this stream was one of a kind and that's what made it so special. I feel so lucky to have gotten to watch it live and influence the story. I've seen some fantastic theatre in my life, but I never would've thought the most fun I'd have with it would be just sitting on my couch at home!

[@Jeramiahstool]

you know hes too creative to not think of something new

[@ShilohJanowick]

as someone studying experimental theatre: I'VE BEEN FUCKING SAYING THIS!! FINALLY SOMEONE ELSE AGREES! in my humble opinion jerma's streams (ESPECIALLY the dollhouse streams) are 100% within the bound(lesnes)s of experimental new media theatre. my friends are tired of hearing me talk abt this lol but genuinely i think jerma's streams are the greatest example of GOOD covid virtual theatre- that is to say, i think the dollhouse streams (along with some of his other projects) have genuinely had a similar (if not greater) effect as in-person theatre, something seasoned theatre artists have aspired towards during covid but something very few have succeeded in doing, either because of a stubborn reliance on old techniques or a lack of technological savvy. i could ramble about this for ages but tl;dr i'm really happy this is conversation that's actually happening

[@MackenzieDavenport]

shiloh, we understand each other on a molecular level. I'd love to hear more about what you're studying and working on.

[@uzundeprem5743]

You know that hes the sus guy right

[@Extreme11]

@@MackenzieDavenport I’m stealing that phrase

[@MackenzieDavenport]

Next video essay is a deep dive into the intellectual nuances of Rat Movie: Mystery of the Mayan Treasure? Just kidding I (probably) won't do that.

[@JoanDarc1984]

Of course, we all know that the sequel far outshines the first one

[@-Danny]

Just = Unfairly kidding = serious I = we (probably) = absolutely won't = will do = invoke that = this

[@joseppi1121]

the sentence "if there is such thing as an avant-garde twitch streamer, it is jerma" has me cackling

[@jeremiahbennett3004]

My favorite part is when chat was given the choice to end it, they refused for like 20 minutes

[@RemnantCult]

Thank you for making this. The dollhouse streams show what's really possible with livestreaming and live comedic acting.

[@kaigrote8630]

Shout out to Criken for innovating the viewer interactions on twitch, lending his software, and helping on the stream.

[@giancarloortiz9236]

No wonder the Dollhouse felt like such a fever dream. With Jerma at the helm things were guaranteed to be weird, but with Criken helping? That's two gods of absurdist streamer humor working together, things are bound to get wild.

[@MrSkerpentine]

and yet somehow Dream won Best Content Creator and this wonderful man wasn’t even nominated. This is why I don’t watch major awards shows, they don’t know what they’re talking about

[@kassandra_sae4563]

I have no fucking clue how someone can win LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, but not best creator

[@ziwuri]

The Streamer Awards made by QTCinderella is miles better

[@blakes8901]

This video unironically put tears in my eyes. Hearing the perspective of someone who is passionate about theatre brought me so much joy, and even though I was already a huge jerma fan, this video still left me starstruck. It makes me so happy to see him doing well, is that weird?

[@rictuserectus6686]

If anyone deserves it, it’s Jerma. He does it for entertainment and entertainment alone. Very selfless goblin.

[@doughboywhine]

To make it even better, the entire stream was conceived because of one guy in chat and it blossomed from there. It truly was groundbreaking and I think that its success should be an example of the possibilities of live streaming.

[@Kajlj5000woawaw]

Best joke that took 2 years

[@AbsoluteTravisT]

Great piece on Jerma and his approach to streaming. I would put forth a more precise thesis that Jerma has both consciously and unconsciously adapted Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty, in which theatre is considered a practice which "wakes us up, heart and nerves" and spurs feelings of "immediate violent action". As an audience of thousands, so many memes and in-jokes come from mocking, belittling, and mutating him as a performer and a person, but it's done in a bizarre devotion. The act and results of Jerma's work becomes increasingly inscrutible to a passive outside audience, we must actively engage Jerma in order to find some understanding. It's really something that Jerma could've changed all of this over the years by ignoring or even punishing the early waves of insults or jokes, but instead he fostered them and incorporated it into his unique style of streaming.

[@chuckbatmangaming]

I always compare the way he interacts with chat to how a stand up comedian interacts with their audience, hecklers or fans. It's so unique and no one else on the platform is able to foster that kind of dynamic without having a completely toxic community

[@luxill0s]

If I had a nickel for every time a piece of content I enjoyed was compared to the Theatre of Cruelty, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice. (For note, the other one is Pathologic)

[@Cattyclysm]

PSYCHO streamer redefines and REVOLUTIONIZES streaming and live content by putting the story in the hands of his PSYCHO viewers

[@CaramelsDen]

The Jerma Dollhouse was just a longform improv performance, really. It's fantastic improv.

[@wawa6711]

This dude's voice sounds like jerma's otto voice

[@xXnintendorkXx]

Jerma's Dollhouse is fucking art.

[@REALwoombath]

This single man is literally the best thing that happened to present day streaming. Guy is pushing the boundaries of what can be done through streaming media every year.

[@Cup_70]

This is a fantastic breakdown and I'll show it to people to explain why Jerma is the best entertainer period.

[@nightshadetq2453]

thank you so much for making this! at some point during the second dollhouse stream (i missed the first) it really dawned on me that this was just an abstracted theatre experiment that featured the funny sus guy. the fluid fourth wall was one of the most interesting points for me, i'm glad you brought it up!

[@MackenzieDavenport]

Exactly! I love the phrase 'an abstracted theatre experiment that featured the funny sus guy' because it captures how Jerma is somehow simultaneously a ridiculous meme man, and a remarkable artist. And we wouldn't want him any other way.

[@nightshadetq2453]

@@MackenzieDavenport totally, the way the series plays between "wow, this is an interesting exploration of the impacts of an audience, both the real chat making decisions and jerma as a fictional streamer doing in universe streams" and "oh my god ludwig's a maid." i think this video pairs really well with nezumiva's dollhouse video, i'd reccomend it if you haven't seen it!

[@Berstain_]

I knew Jerma from all the amongus meme. But never would i guess this guy would create the best form of digital theatre I've ever seen. I used to be in a lot of theatrical productions myself, and believe me when i say we are struggling to improve this form of art. Even before all of this pandemic, audience towards theatre were already very low (especially in my country). I even said that theatre is done for ; it's just an old way of entertainment now. But Jerma truly prove me wrong. Not only he pulls so many audience, he also inserted audience INTO the show which is impossible in my opinion. I really hope there would be a lot more of this type of stream in the future. I fucking love it.

[@lamergamer8211]

Its crazy that this is a real thing that some came up with and someone said it was a good idea(they were right)

[@v99ra]

jerma should be the official content creator of the year imo

[@californiansniper2133]

Year, you mean century right?

[@narwhal1724]

xqcL MY JUICER THO

[@Foogi9000]

​@@narwhal1724 "Why does it sound like your about to record a minecraft parody" Xqc: Wait is that bad? *Proceeds to blow out and peak his microphone while raging at Overwatch*

[@Eifion]

The Dollhouse and Carnival streams are genuinely some of the most innovative moments in online entertainment that I've ever seen and it's unreal to know it's coming from a guy that I used to watch swearing while playing TF2. I genuinely can't wait to see Jerma's next big idea and how he'll make it work, especially once restrictions are gone.

[@ChompDude]

I've been following Jerma since his TF2 days and while I don't really watch his streams live I've watched some of the VODs and most of 2ndJerma. I'm genuinely happy for him and his success and hopefully his health issues don't become too overwhelming for him to continue doing what he's doing. Didn't Jerma mention that he's taken some courses on theatre and acting?

[@MackenzieDavenport]

I've had a very similar journey as far as watching Jerma! And I haven't seen that, but it definitely wouldn't surprise me! Hopefully I can track down where he says that.

[@wsmith7918]

He did a little voice acting back in the day, i know that for sure

[@floppaquest4916]

What health issues is he facing?

[@nmlss-r9]

@@floppaquest4916 He fucked his spine during the break dance green screen, he actually took a break from streaming to recover. But I think he later said he was much better now.

[@joshuadowning8172]

@@floppaquest4916 I believe he said he suffers from costochondritis which is to do with inflammation of the cartilage around your ribs, although as another commenter said I think he has said it is getting much better after some treatment :)

[@stormaggeden]

Jerma is so special. No one does it like him, and I think its possible no one ever will either. We are so lucky to be alive to see what he creates.

[@infinitetime-space66]

Tuned into every stream, and it wasnt a mistake! Super fun and while i didnt really notice while i was playing with everyone else, i was happy to be a part of this internet history

[@infinitetime-space66]

i was also live for the carnival and the entire archeology stream. if youre in the comments and dont tune in for streams.... just do it.

[@skipjackdoesstuff7110]

a jerma video essay was something i never knew i needed

[@H4DESROSE]

COMPACT character

[@wowsuchhandle]

This is like the video essays in a nutshell videos but its longer.

[@quarternipp]

ive never seen kitbogas eyes before

[@benajahtbaskin]

MacKenzie I am BEGGING for more video essays. These four are the highlight of theater KZbin.

[@MackenzieDavenport]

benajah! i am on it- promise!

[@xyznihall]

hope the algorithm picks this up, great to hear from someone with experience with theatre!

[@doughy_]

Why does this dude sound like hes circling his microphone. I sounds like the dude put a blue yeti in a microwave and talked into it while it spun

[@MackenzieDavenport]

This is legitimately one of the funniest comments I’ve read. I edited this audio on speakers instead of in headphones so I had no idea about this until it was way too late. Also pop filter

[@Robbuffet]

The last shot of the show proper: Jerma moving into the house on the first day, framed as it was, was probably the most impactful part for me. This was a game, you start at the beginning and move onto the end. Restarting becomes a nostalgia-inducing action. It's like restarting a DS pokemon game that you put hundreds of hours into over 15 years ago. The difference is that the span of time between the start and the end was not much more than a three-day weekend to the viewers. Still, with the muted playback and the blurring effects, it feels like an old memory after how much had just happened in our previous playthrough. Jerma becomes a character that, once again, has no idea what he's getting into, just as much as we were. It's like an old home movie. As someone who wishes they could return to the past, and go at it again knowing everything I know now, it hits me hard in a soft spot. I don't know if a Dollhouse-2 is in order. Although it's very possible now with Jerma's business dealings allowing him the funding he needs. Whether it's that, or Baseball, or something entirely different, I'm extremely happy that I get to be a part of it through viewership, and looking forward to it. Honestly, I'd love to participate on set, even if it's just carrying heavy things around. Let's see what happens next.

[@decm8]

I’m so glad I got to witness these streams live. Was a relatively surreal experience.

[@k3salieri]

It really was. I wonder what Sus Guy has in store for us next.

[@orionbarnes1733]

Still pissed we never got to see Jeremy and Amelia get married, I will never forgive chat for this

[@dummyproductions4281]

Jerma is literally the main character of real life

[@nickkennedy9034]

Jerma really is an Andy Kaufman type character

[@theatregeek3856]

thank you, mack

[@theatregeek3856]

no but actually, great observations, never thought i’d get an educational video about one of my favorite steamers, very entertaining video, and yes, jerma is definitely underrated.

[@Sunsorb]

this video deserves 5m views tbh, QUALITY 💯

[@crusadr_4966]

The gigachad Jerma is the modern Renaissance man of art

[@raspymorten]

What a GOD of an actor

[@altoclef857]

Can't believe this video talks about Jerma 985 but doesn't even mention the 984 people he had to kill to get there.

[@molybdenumrose]

Another Twitch user who has been performing (dance) theatre with deep chat integration is the user DandiDoesIt. She not only has a complex and constantly evolving player-driven lore but has driven technological innovation by writing custom programs for managing her digital green-screened stage.

[@MackenzieDavenport]

Thank you for telling me, I'm gonna check her out!

[@ApoLk_]

I like to see how his community gives back with recognition to his work and a massive support overhaul, helps even more that he already loves what he does, it's like winning the "job lottery", your boss knowns you potential and gives you freedom, and because you love you job, you use every single inch of it and make billions of dollars (that's how much he makes in 1 week he confirmed that fact today) Jerma changes the life of everyone who watches what he does, even if very quickly, his advice about basically "making people happy makes you happy" stuck to me and comes to mind each night of sleep when dark thoughts come, he will be one of those good memories of my teens when i'm old "Jerma? Ooooh Jerma.... Good times... the sus guy, the AI every sociopath in one picture guy... now let me go sleep in my golden bed with my extremly rich husband inside my huge colossal giant mansion".

[@ApoLk_]

good lord i write a lot

[@noahlee4598]

this is going to be in future theatre history books

[@homfri111]

weird neighborhood guy that likes to sniff sleeping dogs accidently creates a prime example of digital theatre

[@craigularr]

I am so glad I discovered Jerma! Been enjoying his content since 2017.

[@Arizona_Dreamer]

it is crazy what jerma has done. i found him through the carnival and stuck with him since then and only now am i realizing how much he revolutionized streaming. he is such a creative spirit and it boggles my mind how he has made as big of an impact as he did. he just outdoes himself almost every time he does a big event. banger video though, a great breakdown of what the doll house streams where because i couldn't even explain them myself even if i tried.

[@mythcat1273]

My favorite kind of video about my favorite man. I need more jerma video essays

[@louisbowels6858]

I know a lot of people will agree that Jerma has been transformative in the digital media industry and is a pretty phenomenal person. This vid did a great job introducing people to him a really enjoyable watch

[@ah-xt2uc]

God Tier improv work

[@beta3510]

Awesome

[@ForgetfulHatter]

Jerma is a true blessing to streaming and video making.

[@ultef4]

ive felt the same way ever since the streams happened man, phenomenal video.

[@badger6882]

This really was so innovative. The dollhouse reminds me of the Chase Brody stream by Jacksepticeye two months ago in the ISIS project, in which the interactions by chat impact the story and are supposed to bring about deeper meaning for the plot. Extreme long-form and extreme short-form are very popular these days, with Jerma utilising the best of both. There's just so much potential in these new art mediums springing up with a demand for new media. The 19th century was an era of nationalism, the 20th century a battle of ideology, the 21st century a time of aesthetics.

[@toidIllorTAmI]

I'm so glad to be apart of this time where Jerma is known for his greatness / creativeness.

[@darkranger116]

To late to explore the seas To early to explore the stars Right on time for Jerma Dollhouse :)

[@xanderguyer7512]

YES! I've always thought it was postmodern theatre, literally. It shouldn't be brushed off just because it's comedy.

[@cassidywelch333]

I must say I absolutely adore your channel! As an actress it’s a delight to find content like yours on KZbin. I don’t know if you are accepting suggestions but, if you are, would you consider doing a video on Simon Stone? I love his work and I would like to get your take on it. Keep up the good work!

[@MackenzieDavenport]

I am accepting suggestions :) I’d love to look into him! I’ve loved what I’ve seen so far. Thank you for the kind comment!

[@m74xz]

ngl i genuinely cried at the ending i dont fucking know why

[@vontaxe]

"this performance art, you guys don't undestand, this is a living painting that you seeing!"

[@McGriddle69]

Jermas dollhouse is basically a live game of the sims and I thought that was really cool to see.

[@limerslimer]

Fantastic video, you did a great job capturing what made thr Dollhouse so legendary. It's legitimately one of those rare and special things that *consistently* fills me with excitement and wonder for the future of theatre and livestreaming.

[@shaeisgae8952]

His family dinner stream is so underrated also

[@Cryinginthecloudssss]

jerma deserves everything good in the world

[@zambonibob2026]

Jerma belongs somewhere in like, a hall of fame or something, he really is an influential figure in entertainment and I dont we realize this yet.

[@SpoonChase]

Who knew that such a little man could make such big innovations in digital entertainment? Good video, needs more attention.

[@mariaenriquez880]

Jerma please don't ever die

[@teletextpear2525]

Jerma is a gift to us.

[@micathegr8]

I can't wait to see what Jerma comes up with next. This was an awesome piece, thank you for sharing.

[@RedDeadRussian]

And now we wait for the Baseball stream

[@Penultimeat]

1:29 I’m not even sure if Elbertson is his last name. It’s either that or Harrington and nobody knows. Jeremy is an enigma

[@MackenzieDavenport]

Elbertson did always sound kinda fake to me

[@thepizzaguy8477]

Honestly I think his last name is like Smith or something, He just straight out hasn't told us

[@boxcarTV]

it’s sad that i know this but it’s harrington on his voice acting page

[@j.r.huffnstuff3549]

My favourite description of Jerma is from the Official Podcast (Jackson I think) when they called him the Willy Wonka of Twitch.

[@Adamski-]

I've watched jerma for like.. So many many many years at this point.. And the dollhouse was so much fun, because this is legit the first time my friends and people i know actually watched him.. It was so fuck after every stream we would talk about it and the stuff that happend and seeing them really really enjoy Jerma and his personality was so fun for me

[@Shotzeethegamer]

video essay andy

[@MurcuryEntertainment]

My man could be the actual genius behind something like the Truman show, but y'know, real.

[@ben-zp4py]

Great to see someone else seeing the theatricalities of jerma. Think there needs to be more stuff like this for twitch not just joke streams like the doll house. It’s something that’s always interested me. You should check out Critical Role too cus they have large productions both in studios and in theatres.

[@lucyhtml]

This is a really great video, it really helps to take a step back and look at this from not just a "funny livestream" view. To be honest, I didn't even notice many of the little details such as Sims references, overreactions, the different story lines possible!

[@alfiegordon9013]

Dayum how are you only on 300 sub's? This shits great!

[@MackenzieDavenport]

i look in the mirror and ask myself the same thing every day

[@Geekwithapencil2048]

Coming back to this after Generation loss-dude, this is INCREDIBLE to watch!

[@zarrowthehorse]

ahhhh the plosives

[@jratnerd]

It's the most innovative theatrical event in decades

[@ABHY16]

Jerma is so underrated

[@Hckyfam26]

Hey, this as really well done! Good Job!”

[@cookieface80]

"I may have gone too far in a few places" - Jerimiah nine hundred and eighty five.

[@phoebeaurum7113]

I really liked the baseball stream.

[@vocalthrower448]

While watching this I was stunlocked seeing that you only had 700 subs, this truly felt like I was watching a channel with over a million

[@MackenzieDavenport]

One day :) thanks for the nice comment

[@apothecurio]

I very rarely manage to watch Jerma live. But I tell you. I was there for every. Single. Playhouse. Stream

[@fallintree8806]

how was this so long ago already? what the fuck

[@pinklemonegg]

It's so nice that you were able to get Carol Channing to narrate this before she passed

[@MackenzieDavenport]

we were really lucky to get in touch with her team, such an amazing talent, perfect to voice this video

[@nerdwiththehat]

The Jerma Dollhouse is Twitch's answer to Geoff Sobelle's "HOME". While it's basically impossible to describe HOME without both sounding like a lunatic and ruining a future viewing experience, the blurring of the line between audience and actor (as happened to me the first time I attended) is a remarkable parallel between the two shows. I'd been thinking about this ever since seeing the original Dollhouse streams, but never had been able to so succinctly described it as it was represented in this video. Phenomenal work.