Paul American Wants You to Know the Paul Brothers Work Really, Really Hard

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On Good Morning America, Logan Paul expresses that he and his brother Jake Paul, who are content creators, podcasters, and boxers, tend to divide opinion. People either admire them for their drive and effort or dismiss them entirely. The Paul brothers understand that they’re often the subject of controversy, as seen in their new show, ‘Paul American.’ Throughout each episode, viewers may switch allegiances between the two brothers multiple times. What sets the Paul brothers apart isn’t sensitivity, but their unwavering commitment to their work. After all, is it possible to dislike individuals who demonstrate a strong work ethic?

The initial moments of the series debut show Jake stepping out from a large vehicle, offering an apology for being late by displaying his phone and stating “I’m trading crypto” as his explanation. As the Paul family emerges from the car in a manner reminiscent of circus clowns, Logic and Marshmello’s song “Everyday” begins to play, with its fitting opening line “I work hard every motherfuckin’ day.” One might wonder what their daily tasks entail for these two personalities, who were once prominent on Vine, transitioned to YouTube, engaged in professional fighting and feuding, moved on to podcasting, and eventually became reality-TV stars. Essentially, they are generating “content” – we observe them training, arguing, joking, and posting. Greg, their father, reflects on their move to Los Angeles, stating that there were fears they would resort to doing porn due to the lack of success in other areas, but fortunately, they’ve just been working hard.

The purpose of the show “Paul American” seems a bit elusive, even for long-term fans of the Paul brothers who eagerly await more interaction beyond their social media content or fights and product sales. However, there’s a certain artistic quality to the series, offering a subtle glimpse into the last decade of internet culture, which suggests it aims to win over skeptics by highlighting the brothers’ struggles and triumphs. Jake Paul, when prompted to praise his brother Logan during promotional activities, describes him as a “genius creator with one of the best work ethics in the world.” The show attempts to present itself as a culmination of their tireless efforts as a means of establishing credibility – these are two individuals who have worked so hard that they even had an audience with the president! However, the most intriguing moments on screen are those that challenge this notion. For instance, Jake Paul discussing a fight with Mike Tyson due to an ayahuasca journey revealing such an event – now that’s more in line with engaging television. The show shines brightest when it embraces its own mythology as an American fairy tale.

The show often implies that the Pauls have deserved their achievements, and hating them would ignore the work, planning, and internet savvy they’ve demonstrated. According to Logan, having content viewed by many represents success. Although they claim to have evolved from their past actions like filming a dead body or dealing with an FBI raid, what truly matters is the view count. The view count is not just a measure of success; it’s the success itself. Earning views and money symbolizes everything this country values: the idea that your profession can be anything you desire, provided you persuade others to believe in it.

As Jake’s girlfriend, Jutta Leerdam, and I sit at our kitchen table, she expresses his deep commitment, creating a brief pause that seems to underscore the value of his hard work. However, a group of casual chatterboxes in the adjacent kitchen can’t help but voice their disapproval with a series of boos. One even shouts, “Boring!” I can’t deny there’s some truth in that remark. The constant emphasis on their work ethic in the documentary “Paul American” feels overdone and tiresome. It’s not their dedication to their online lives that’s the problem, but rather the repetitive praise from their family, friends, and associates makes for a dull narrative. They’ll need to put in more effort to create something truly engaging.

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2025-03-28 21:56