friendlyjordies

Jordan Shanks, known online as friendlyjordies, is an Australian political commentator, comedian and YouTuber.[1] His content often discusses contemporary Australian political issues, involving self-proclaimed "lowbrow humour".[2][3] Shanks popularised viral Twitter hashtags targeting Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian[4][5] and political commentator Joe Hildebrand.[6] Shanks' channel, created in late 2013, has more than 450,000 subscribers.[7] He has interviewed several politicians including Jodi McKay, Tanya Plibersek, Kristina Keneally, Helen Dalton and former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.[8][9]

Jordan Shanks
Personal information
BornJordan Shanks-Markovina
(1989-08-19) 19 August 1989
Australia
EducationUniversity of New South Wales
OccupationYouTuber
Websitefriendlyjordies.com
YouTube information
Also known asFriendlyjordies
Channel
Years active2013–present
GenreComedy, political commentary, Australian culture
Subscribers472,000 (January 2021)
Total views114 million (November 2020)
100,000 subscribers
Updated: 24 September 2020

Personal life

Shanks was born in Australia and lives in Sydney. He has Scottish and Croatian ancestry and studied International Politics at the University of New South Wales.[10] Prior to becoming a YouTuber, Shanks was a model, appearing in magazines and advertisements throughout Australia and Southeast Asia.[11][12]

YouTube career

In 2019, businessman and mining magnate Clive Palmer threatened legal action for defamation against Shanks after he published a video criticising and insulting him.[13][14][15][16][17]

On 10 June 2020, Shanks released an interview with New South Wales Opposition Leader Jodi McKay, discussing topics including the state and federal governments' response to the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, including widespread deaths of animals. Shanks and McKay were criticised for regarding Gladys Berejiklian as responsible for the death of koalas,[18][19] with Deputy Premier of New South Wales John Barilaro describing the comments as "desperate".[20]

Shanks has produced online reviews of Australian cask wine.[21][22] One video has included material sponsored by organisations such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions.[23] While acknowledging the commissioned material, Shanks denied that it influenced his political views. [24][25]

In a political commentary video uploaded by him on 29 June 2020, Shanks included an impersonation of Barilaro with an exaggerated Italian accent, which Barilaro later described as being "very offensive" and "full of racist undertones".[26] Shanks responded to the remarks by highlighting Barilaro's comments on political correctness and the change of his given name from Giovanni to John, and additionally portrayed Barilaro as the character Mario from the Super Mario video game series.[27] Shanks also filmed a subsequent video inside an Airbnb rental property owned by Barilaro,[28][29] accusing him of corruption and environmental vandalism.[8]

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has defended Shanks' comedy stylings, saying "He’s a funny bloke and pretty sharp too. He's also got an authenticity about him, and he’s genuinely trying to keep Australians informed. In a country like Australia, where the media is so concentrated in the hands of Uncle Rupert [Murdoch], there’s always a need for new media voices – especially voices that are young and progressive. Time will tell how effective he will be, but he is certainly attuned to the sentiments of many Australians."[30]

References
  1. "Chin Up, Stooge". Astor Theatre Perth. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  2. Manderson-Galvin, Tobias (25 September 2019). "John Howard was REALLY Bad review". Daily Review. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  3. Richards, Stephanie (28 February 2019). "Fringe review: Why John Howard REALLY sucked". InDaily. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  4. "YouTuber Friendlyjordies lashed for 'racist' depiction of Gladys Berejiklian". NewsComAu. 21 June 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  5. "YouTube Star Jordan Shanks Claims Nine Blocked Him From Monetising MAFS Reviews". Hit Network. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  6. Ozturk, Serkan (23 April 2020). "WHAT THE JOE?! News Corp loudmouth Joe Hildebrand finally left silent & speechless after Friendlyjordies video DESTROYS career". True Crime News Weekly. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  7. "friendlyjordies - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  8. Hunter, Lucy Cormack, Fergus (19 September 2020). "How to solve a problem like friendlyjordies? Politicians debate new-age commentator". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  9. Welby, Augustus (21 February 2020). "Friendlyjordies interviewed Kevin Rudd about media bias and Warhammer 40k". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  10. Shanks, Jordan (2 July 2020). "FRIENDLYJORDIES IS CANCELLED". YouTube. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  11. "Jordan Shanks". www.modelmayhem.com. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  12. "Life as a Male Model - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  13. Fearon, Thomas (27 September 2019). "Explainer: Five things to know about the Palmer v Shanks defamation suit". ANU College of Law. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  14. "Clive Palmer: Australia ex-MP threatens YouTuber over 'dense Humpty' video". BBC News. United Kingdom: British Broadcasting Corporation. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  15. "YouTuber threatened over 'dense Humpty' depiction". BBC News. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  16. Novak, Matt (25 September 2019). "Clive Palmer Threatens To Sue Friendlyjordies For Calling Him 'Fatty McFuckhead' And Photoshopping Him As Trump's Baby". Gizmodo Australia. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  17. Gilbert, Ben (25 September 2019). "Clive Palmer is demanding $500,000 from Aussie YouTube creator FriendlyJordies and threatening to sue for calling him a 'dense Humpty Dumpty'". Business Insider Australia. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  18. Wilson, Zanda (22 June 2020). "YouTuber FriendlyJordies accused of racism by NSW Deputy Premier". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  19. "'What were you thinking?': Ben Fordham calls out 'appalling' swipe at Gladys Berejiklian". 2GB. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  20. Simmons, Demi (2 July 2020). "Youtuber Exposes 'Glaring Hypocrisy' Of The Australian Media". mediareports24. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  21. Perrie, Stewart. "Aussie YouTuber Reviews The Best Goonsacks In The Country". LADBible. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  22. Lowther, Amber. "Some Bloke Just Reviewed The Best Goon Sacks In Australia". Triple M. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  23. Stefano, Mark Di (6 April 2016). "This Viral YouTube Star Has Been Employed For Political Advertising". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  24. Johnson, Kurt (28 June 2019). "Friendlyjordies, the comedian who wants to 'inoculate' Australia's youth". Crikey. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  25. Scanlan, Rick (19 April 2016). "Friendlyjordies: 'there's no real satire in Australia'". Honi Soit. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  26. "YouTuber Friendlyjordies lashed for 'racist' depiction of Gladys Berejiklian". NewsComAu. 21 June 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  27. "FRIENDLYJORDIES IS CANCELLED - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  28. "bruz". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  29. "YouTuber Friendlyjordies brags of sex acts in NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro's holiday house". news.com.au. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  30. Street, Andrew P. (21 September 2020). "Jordan Shanks' Friendly Game". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
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