16 of my top favourite Youtube channels

How much of our lives are spent on Youtube? I have no idea, but it's best to spend it on channels that are worth your time. These are my personal top 16 favourite channels:

1. Ryan Sylvia

Is it any surprise that this thigh-slapping-humorous local Youtube production team appears on this list? Obviously not. Led by the iconic purple-haired maiden Sylvia and 'Watermelon King', Ryan Sylvia produces consistently lists that typify the different types of Singaporeans or uniquely Singaporean behaviours. They demonstrate immense understanding of what constitutes to be Singaporean, it evokes more patriotism than most National Day parades.

2. TMD Shanghai

Another persistently good production team on Youtube is China-based TMD Shanghai that has gotten me chasing all their videos back-to-back within a few hours. My attention span is short but yes, they've captured it all. Their videos surround cultural differences between the mainland China people and foreigners in China, or variants. Although TMD Shanghai began with doing pranks, their shift towards more hilarious acting skits is a welcomed change. They are based in Youku, but I guess they managed to leap over the great firewall and are beginning to amass a sizeable Youtube audience.

3. Screen Junkies (Honest Trailers)

Screen Junkies, or more specifically, their sub-channel Honest Trailers, will definitely appeal to movie buffs. Their acutely sarcastic reveals of brutal truths when it comes to every movie that you hate or love will ignite a range of reactions you've never experienced on Youtube. From a snigger to an unexpected whoop of laughter to indignant disagreement, Honest Trailers is definitely a steady entertainer. If you aren't particularly interested in American drama series like Breaking Bad and Hollywood movies, you can skip this straightaway.

4. clothesencounters

My favourite fashion Instagrammer-Youtuber has got to be Jenn Im. She's so beautiful and fun-loving that even women can't be jealous of her. In stills or videos, she's such an eyecandy to look at with a natural flair for the camera. What I love most about her is how relatable her street-style is - it's not too flamboyant and very applicable to everyday wear.

5. nigahiga

Ryan's channel is the first Youtube channel I've ever subscribed and possibly because he is one of the pioneers to introduce the idea of acting-videos. He has transcended simple computer program video-editing and acting to amazing, painstaking professional video-making in studios. What I really like about his videos is how they are often circular, nonsensical arguments that draws me in like a vacuum. I know this description doesn't make sense to you, but well, you've really got to see it to understand what I mean. His random parkour stunts and personality also add a lot of vibrancy to the content.

6. Joyce Chu

A Johor-Bahru girl who is also affectionately known as Malaysian chabor or 四叶草 (four-leaf clover), Joyce Chu has a super cute voice and is really funny to watch. Joyce may look nothing more than a 'pretty vase' or a Korean-wannabe, but you'd be surprised how adventurous, easygoing and multi-talented she is. She does makeup tutorials, music covers and Youtube challenges in an assortment of three languages, English, Bahasa Melayu and Mandarin Chinese... accompanied by a characteristic Malaysian accent.

7. Ministry of Funny TV

Coming back to Singapore, we have Ministry of Funny TV with no-holds barred social experiments (albeit rigged with a lot of bias) that would have you riveted to the screen for a good three minutes. The success of the channel hinges on the comedic host, Haresh Tilani, that is not afraid of attracting attention to himself. That's probably an understatement given how he gamely swam in Ngee Ann City's fountain fully clad in swimming gear. 

8. TED-ED

Too much humour might cause the brain to fester involuntarily. TED-ED is my favourite go-to channel for the modern-day encyclopedia through invigorating speeches and/or animated videos. I like how the information condensed under 20 minutes is easy to absorb and makes for a good accompaniment during lonely meal-times.

Favourite video from TED-ED goes to: Inside OKCupid - the math of online dating 

9. Reactions

Reactions is similar to TED-ED, except that it is designed to be even less taxing to watch while you get to learn something from these videos. Dealing with the curious questions that revolves around chemistry and physics, this Youtube channel will appeal to minds that thrive on new information.

Favourite video from Reactions goes to: The Science of Caffeine - The World's Most Popular Drug

10/11. TreePotatoes/ wah!banana

With some overlaps in personalities from Ryan Sylvia, Tree Potatoes and wah! banana feels like the less-elaborate, more homely version of Ryan Sylvia. Tree Potatoes's recent short film, The Chase, is the most impressive of the lot, proving that they have a talent at more sophisticated and emotional productions than funny ones. wah!banana's videos are generally more tightly-themed throughout each production.

Favourite video from TreePotatoes goes to: The Chase
Favourite video from wah!banana goes to: Things Not To Do on First Dates

12/13. BuzzFeedVideo/ BuzzFeedBlue

This is probably my most-viewed Youtube channel because of their frequent uploads and my ferocious clicks on them whenever they do. The comfortable narration and sense of humour is on-point, making it a true enjoyment to watch for all their videos. I haven't seen a single one which I didn't like. They have themes to their videos, which include "Americans try...", "Try Guys..." and the usual lists that are as clickbaits as they are really relatable. 

Favourite video from BuzzFeed goes to: The Try Guys Test The Legal Alcohol Limit

14. Eden Ang

An up-and-coming actor, singer, (break)dancer, Eden is one of my favourite members in the popular local production crews of Ryan Sylvia/ Wahbanana/ Tree Potatoes. He has a natural X factor whenever he appears, especially when imitating accents. While overacting may sometimes be jarring, he somehow balances the fine line between overacting and humour. His own video channel is not updated very frequently, but when it does, it's really entertaining in terms of content.

Favourite video from Eden Ang goes to: #SiaoLiaoSiaoLiao

15. cheokboard productions

Helmed by Jonathan Cheok, one of the guys from the local production teams, cheokboard productions does not mind veering towards more crude topics or exaggerated playful acting with tasteful presentation. His latest short film, Stay, also reveals a more sensitive side that the production team is capable of.

Favourite video from cheokboard productions goes to: Advertisements vs Reality

16. Michelle Phan

Michelle Phan is the name you'd refer to for the goddess of makeup tutorials. I love those because they are so easy to follow and she made so many videos.. you'll bound to find something you need in there. From basics like shaping brows, contouring, eyeshadows to elaborately themed makeup like Angeline Jolie or painting skulls on faces for Halloween, Michelle Phan never fails to impress with her skills.

Favourite video from Michelle Phan: The Beautiful Death

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I share interesting episodes in life revolving around food, lifestyle, travel and inspirational ideas. If you would like to stay in touch, follow me on my Instagram on @spherepiece and Facebook page!