9.2 / 10 (based on 85 reviews)
Shane Madej takes his friend Ryan Bergara to visit weird and wonderful places.
Genre: Documentary, Comedy
Main Cast: Shane Madej, Ryan Bergara, Kiko Bailey, Erick Yaro Wessel
Creators: Shane Madej
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2 seasons, 9 episodes
Shows Most Like Weird (and/or) Wonderful World with Shane (and Ryan) (2020)
Too Many Spirits (2020)
9.2 / 10 (based on 341 reviews)
Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej review scary stories submitted by watchers while knocking back drinks prepared by Steven Lim.
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Main Cast: Shane Madej, Ryan Bergara, Steven Lim, Ricky Wang
Creators: Katie LeBlanc
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4 seasons, 18 episodes
Puppet History (2020)
9.4 / 10 (based on 413 reviews)
“The Professor,” an expert accredited by Puppet U, hosts a ruthless competition for the title of History Master, quizzing contestants on subjects from history.
Genre: Comedy, History, Musical
Main Cast: Shane Madej, Ryan Bergara, Kate Peterman, Jermaine Fowler
Creators: Shane Madej
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4 seasons, 26 episodes
Are You Scared? (2020)
8.7 / 10 (based on 202 reviews)
Ryan Bergara reads scary stories to friend Shane Madej, and they guess whether they’re “true” or not
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery
Main Cast: Shane Madej, Ryan Bergara, Anthony Frederick
Creators: Ryan Bergara
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4 seasons, 24 episodes
BuzzFeed Unsolved: Supernatural (2016)
8.7 / 10 (based on 1613 reviews)
Ryan, ever the believer, embarks on a quest to convince his skeptical friend Shane that the paranormal exists by investigating the evidence around the most notorious supernatural folklore.
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Horror, Mystery
Main Cast: Ryan Bergara, Shane Madej, Gary Thomas, Brent Bennett
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7 seasons, 55 episodes
BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime (2016)
8.8 / 10 (based on 1745 reviews)
Conspiracy theory enthusiast Ryan deep-dives into mysteries surrounding notorious unsolved crimes, in order to convince his dubious friend Shane that, sometimes, the evidence isn’t always as it seems.
Genre: Documentary, Comedy, Crime, Horror, Mystery
Main Cast: Ryan Bergara, Shane Madej, Brent Bennett, Daysha Edewi
Creators: Ryan Bergara, Shane Madej
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8 seasons, 66 episodes
Ruining History (2017)
8.2 / 10 (based on 364 reviews)
A rotating panel of BuzzFeed’s most inquisitive minds learn the ridiculously strange details of history’s most iconic and unbelievable stories.
Genre: Comedy, History
Main Cast: Ryan Bergara, Shane Madej, Sara Rubin, Kate Peterman
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1 season, 9 episodes
Spooky Small Talk (2020)
7.8 / 10 (based on 41 reviews)
Ryan interviews guests while taking them on a tour of a Knott’s Berry Farm haunted house.
Genre: Documentary
Main Cast: Ryan Bergara, Zach Kornfeld, Shane Madej, Saymyname
Creators: Ryan Bergara
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1 season, 4 episodes
The Hot Daga (2017)
7.9 / 10 (based on 69 reviews)
The Hot Daga is a fictional universe created and written by Shane Madej.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Mystery
Main Cast: Shane Madej, Ryan Bergara
Creators: Shane Madej
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2 seasons, 17 episodes
Worth It (2016)
8.5 / 10 (based on 323 reviews)
Food lovers Steven and Andrew, along with cameraman Adam, try delicious foods at three prices: affordable, middle tier, and luxury. At the end of the episode, they decide which is the most “worth it” at its given price.
Genre: Reality-TV
Main Cast: Steven Lim, Andrew Ilnyckyj, Adam Bianchi, Rie McClenny
Creators:
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8 seasons, 69 episodes
The Try Guys (2014)
6.6 / 10 (based on 714 reviews)
A group of motley friends try to accomplish not-so-everyday tasks from stepdancing to drag performing.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, Eugene Lee Yang, Ned Fulmer
Creators:
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9 seasons, 110 episodes
In the realm of television, few shows manage to strike the perfect balance between the bizarre and the beautiful quite like “Weird (and/or) Wonderful World with Shane (and Ryan)” does. Launched in 2020, the series is a testament to the curiosity and adventurous spirit of its hosts, Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara. Best known for their work on BuzzFeed Unsolved, Shane and Ryan have carved a niche for themselves, exploring the unexplained and the extraordinary. Let’s explore what makes this show a must-watch for anyone with a taste for the peculiar and the awe-inspiring.
The Premise
At its core, “Weird (and/or) Wonderful World with Shane (and Ryan)” is an exploration series. Each episode sees the duo embarking on a journey to uncover stories that sit at the crossroads of eerie and enchanting. From investigating haunted locations to experiencing cultural festivals that celebrate the odd, the show doesn’t shy away from diving deep into what makes these phenomena tick.
The Hosts
Shane Madej
Shane, with his towering height and a penchant for skepticism, brings a grounded perspective to the show. His humor, often dry and delivered with a straight face, provides a delightful contrast to the sometimes grim or bewildering subjects the duo encounters. Shane’s approach is one of curiosity mixed with a healthy dose of doubt, making him the perfect foil to Ryan’s more credulous nature.
Ryan Bergara
Ryan, on the other hand, wears his heart on his sleeve. A believer in the paranormal and the unexplained, he approaches each adventure with an open mind and often, a palpable sense of awe. His enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s hard not to get drawn into the mysteries alongside him. Ryan’s willingness to believe, paired with his filmmaking skills, adds a layer of earnestness to the show that’s genuinely captivating.
The Dynamic
The chemistry between Shane and Ryan is the heart of the show. Their friendship, built on years of working together, allows for an easy banter that’s both entertaining and endearing. This dynamic is crucial, as it transforms what could be a standard investigative series into something far more engaging. Their differing perspectives on the supernatural create a balanced viewpoint, ensuring the show appeals to skeptics and believers alike.
Memorable Episodes
To give you a taste of what “Weird (and/or) Wonderful World with Shane (and Ryan)” has to offer, here are a few standout episodes:
The Haunted Halls of Waverly Hills Sanatorium: Shane and Ryan spend the night in one of the most haunted locations in America, armed with nothing but their cameras and a healthy dose of skepticism (in Shane’s case). The episode is a perfect blend of history, horror, and humor.
The Enigmatic Nazca Lines: The duo flies to Peru to explore the mysterious Nazca Lines. The episode delves into the theories surrounding these ancient geoglyphs, from alien landings to astronomical calendars, showcasing the show’s ability to intertwine mystery with education.
The Vibrant World of Harajuku: A lighter episode that explores the colorful and often whimsical fashion scene in Tokyo’s Harajuku district. It’s a celebration of individuality and creativity, highlighting the “wonderful” aspect of the show’s title.
Why It Works
So, what sets “Weird (and/or) Wonderful World with Shane (and Ryan)” apart from other shows in the genre? It’s a combination of factors:
The Hosts’ Dynamic: As mentioned, the interplay between Shane and Ryan is the show’s backbone. Their genuine friendship and differing viewpoints make for compelling viewing.
The Balance: The series does an excellent job of balancing light-hearted moments with more serious investigations, ensuring it never feels too frivolous or too heavy.
The Diversity of Topics: From ghosts to cultural phenomena, the show covers a wide range of topics, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
The Educational Element: Despite its focus on entertainment, the show doesn’t skimp on research. Viewers come away with new knowledge, whether it’s historical context for a haunted location or insights into cultural practices.
Conclusion
“Weird (and/or) Wonderful World with Shane (and Ryan)” is a gem of a show that deserves a spot on your watchlist. It’s a series that reminds us of the beauty in the bizarre, the extraordinary in the everyday, and the power of friendship to make even the most daunting of adventures enjoyable. Whether you’re a skeptic like Shane or a believer like Ryan, there’s no denying the charm and appeal of their explorations into the weird and wonderful aspects of our world.