Stuart Ashen Explained

Stuart Ashen
Birth Name:Stuart Clive Ashen
Birth Date:16 December 1976
Birth Place:Norwich, England
Education:Doctorate in psychology[1] [2] [3]
Years Active:2006–present
Channel Name:ashens
Subscribers:1.62 million (ashens)
318 thousand (extraashens)
99.9 thousand(Barshens)
Views:554 million (ashens)
61 million (extraashens)
19 million (Barshens)
Silver Button:Yes
Silver Year:2010
Gold Button:Yes
Gold Year:2015
Diamond Button:No
Ruby Button:No
Stats Update:28 March 2024

Stuart Clive Ashen (born 16 December 1976), better known online as Ashens, is a British comedian, filmmaker, critic and YouTuber best known for reviewing counterfeit consumer goods. Since 2006, his YouTube videos have centered around examinations and reviews of various, often low-quality, products including toys, video games and food. His main channel has over 1.6 million subscribers.

Early life and education

Stuart Clive Ashen grew up on the Heartsease Estate, Norwich and attended Heartsease High School.[4] He previously worked for PC World and Norwich Union.[4] His mother, Pauline, died of cancer when he was eight years old.[5]

YouTube

Ashen has been reviewing food and various products in a distinctive style on YouTube since 2006. The items he reviews are often low quality and procured from various variety stores (notably UK's Poundland), or are poor knockoffs of well-received or well-known products, which he refers to as "". Featured products are typically personally sourced by Ashen in the UK or during holidays abroad or submitted by viewers.

He frequently collaborated with his friend and fellow YouTube vlogger Barry Lewis, and in the mid-2010s, had a podcast and YouTube channel with him, both called Barshens.

, Ashen has produced 920 videos on his primary YouTube channel, which has 1.6 million subscribers and over 545 million video views.[6] His secondary channel, used mainly for DVD extra-style clips, along with an annual look with Daniel Hardcastle at a series of Advent calendars throughout December, has over 318,000 subscribers and over 59 million video views.[7] In addition to his own channels he has also produced videos for other YouTube channels, which included "The Multiverse", a geek-themed channel controlled by ChannelFlip.[8]

In 2013, Ashen, along with Emma Blackery, Daniel Howell (danisnotonfire) and Phil Lester (AmazingPhil), starred as a contestant in a remake of the 1980s TV show Knightmare during the YouTube Geek Week event.[9] [10]

Television

Ashen made his first television appearance on a 2008 episode of Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe, where he played a cameo role as Mr. Noseybonk, a character from the 80s BBC children's show Jigsaw.[11]

Ashen guest starred on The Armstrong & Miller Show for their "The Node" segment in October 2009.[12] In early 2009, Ashen also released a very limited edition DVD anthology dubbed Ashenthology, containing a selection of his early videos as well as some unseen videos and animations, some of these videos were later released on his second YouTube Account; extraashens.

In 2010, Ashen created the series Ashen's Tech Dump for BBC Online Comedy.[13] In 2011, Ashen co-starred alongside Karen Hayley in another BBC Online Comedy series Back Space.[14] The next year, he starred as himself in The Proxy, a sci-fi webseries produced by ChannelFlip in partnership with Dell Alienware.[15] The series took eight days to film, consists of 10 episodes and won a Marketing Week "Engage Award" in the "Gaming and Entertainment" section.[16]

Film

Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild

Ashen wrote and starred in Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild, a feature film released in August 2013, for YouTube's "Geek Week".[8] [17] The film also stars Warwick Davis and Robert Llewellyn, and was produced by the multi-channel network ChannelFlip,[8] in association with The Multiverse. The film was partially paid for through crowdfunding website Indiegogo with contributions totalling at the end of the month, which comprised 41% of the budget.[8] [18] [19] [20] it has been viewed over a million times on YouTube. A remastered and slightly extended edition of the movie was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 14 July 2014. On 2 July 2018, the full film was released on his YouTube channel.

Ashens and the Polybius Heist

In 2016, Ashen confirmed a sequel to Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild at a fan screening.[21] In July 2018 Ashen created another Indiegogo campaign for the sequel titled, Ashens and the Polybius Heist. By the time funding was closed, the project earned over from over 4,000 backers. On 9 May 2019, Ashen announced the principal photography was wrapped.[22] On 5 May 2020 it was announced on the official Twitter account for the film, that The Gaming Muso; a fellow YouTuber, and musician would be performing the opening theme tune for the film.[23] On 9 October 2020 Ashen announced on Twitter that the film is available for preorder, and was released on 19 November 2020 on iTunes, YouTube Movies, Amazon and Vimeo.[24] The reveal trailer/teaser was uploaded on his YouTube channel on 14 October 2020.[25]

Turn Back

In October 2023, Ashen announced that a currently ongoing Kickstarter campaign had been launched for a new Horror film about the demonic hound, Black Shuck, who features in English folklore.[26]

Published works

In November 2015, Ashen released the book Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of, a collection of textual reviews of poor retro games, released through the Unbound crowdfunding platform.[27] [28] The book reached its funding target in 12 hours.

On 24 February 2017 Ashen announced a sequel to Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of, titled Attack of the Flickering Skeletons: More Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of, again through Unbound, was released on 2 November 2017.[29]

Ashen released the book Fifty-Thousand Shades of Grey on 23 September 2012; it parodies the popular erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey.[30] The title is literal, as the book simply consists of the phrase "Shades of Grey" repeated 50,000 times.

Personal life

, Ashen lives in his hometown of Norwich.[31] [32] He has a doctorate in psychology,[33] but claims to have never professionally worked in the field.[34]

Bibliography

YearTitleNotes
2012Fifty-Thousand Shades of GreyParody of Fifty Shades of Grey
2015Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of
2017Attack of the Flickering Skeletons: More Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Ofsequel to Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of
2019Fuck Yeah, Video Games: The Life & Extra Lives of a Professional Nerd by Daniel HardcastleContributor
2020Things I Learned from Mario's Butt by Laura Kate DaleContributor[35]

Filmography

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010Ashen's Tech DumpHimself, lead roleFour episodes over two series
2011Back SpaceHimselfSix episodes
2012The Proxy Himself, lead role Ten episodes
2013–2014Ideas Men HimselfNine episodes over two series plus Series One and Two Bloopers
2013Knightmare Himself, dungeoneerSpecial online one-off episode
2013Geek Week SpecialHimselfSingle episode, panelist
2018Digitiser: The Show Himself, Insincere Dave

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe Mr NoseybonkCameo appearance, one episode
2009The Armstrong & Miller Show HimselfGuest star, one episode
2015Newsnight HimselfInterviewee, one episode
2024The Golden CobraDr. Goode, Alan Yentob, Newsreader, NarratorVoice actor, six episodes

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild Himself, lead roleCo-writer
2016The Darkest DawnBob
2020Ashens and the Polybius Heist Himself, lead roleCo-writer, sequel to Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild
SarielFather Adrian Servo
Turn BackCo-writer

Notes and References

  1. 236059437046042624 . Ashens . I failed all 3 A-Levels in 1995 but now I have a PhD, my very own stepladder and a total inability to experience positive human emotions. . 29 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181025055807/https://twitter.com/ashens/status/236059437046042624 . 25 October 2018 . live .
  2. Web site: r/Ashens - Is ashens a doctor?. 2017. Reddit. en. 2018-12-23.
  3. Web site: r/IAmA - I am Stuart Ashen AKA "Ashens", YouTube comedian. AMA. reddit. 15 May 2012 . en. 2018-11-14.
  4. Web site: Briscoe. Kim. YouTube success helped Stuart to realise his film-making dream. Norwich Evening News. Archant. 12 November 2014. 12 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141112195837/http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/youtube_success_helped_stuart_to_realise_his_film_making_dream_1_3844067. 12 November 2014. live. dmy-all.
  5. Web site: Ashen. Stuart. Sorry to hear that man. My mother died of cancer when I was 8, one of the reasons I'm supporting the charity now.. Twitter. 9 July 2018. 18 December 2013.
  6. Web site: Ashens about page . YouTube . 23 February 2006 . 11 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150619060724/https://www.youtube.com/user/ashens/about . 19 June 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  7. Web site: ExtraAshens about page . YouTube . 15 September 2011 . 1 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140718224405/http://www.youtube.com/user/extraashens/about . 18 July 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  8. Web site: YouTube Geek Week movie premiere online . . 8 August 2013 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121629/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/08/08/watch-here-youtube-geek-week-movie-premiere-online/ . 17 May 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  9. Web site: Edwards . Luke . 10 amazing YouTube Geek Week videos you can't afford to miss . . 9 August 2013 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140320202734/http://www.stuff.tv/youtube/10-amazing-youtube-geek-week-videos-you-cant-afford-miss/feature/ . 20 March 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  10. Web site: Stuart . Dredge . Knightmare remake launches for YouTube Geek Week – watch it here . . 5 August 2013 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140322030531/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/aug/05/knightmare-youtube-geek-week-doctor-who . 22 March 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  11. Web site: Nick Akerman . Stuart Ashen Interview – feature at Thunderbolt . Thunderboltgames.com . 31 May 2009 . 30 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141112235202/http://www.thunderboltgames.com/feature/stuart-ashen-interview . 12 November 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  12. Web site: BBC One - The Armstrong and Miller Show, Series 2, Episode 2, The Node: Gadgets (featuring Ashens). BBC. en-GB. 2019-01-08.
  13. Web site: David . Thair . Comedy Blog: Ashens returns to the Tech Dump . BBC . 17 September 2010 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924154502/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/comedy/2010/09/ashens-returns-to-the-tech-dump.shtml . 24 September 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  14. Web site: BBC – Back Space . 16 May 2014 . 15 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151028064122/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00f7vdp . 28 October 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  15. Web site: ChannelFlip makes 10-part sci-fi series with IT giant Dell . Televisual.com . 6 March 2012 . 21 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114213/http://www.televisual.com/news-detail/ChannelFlip-makes-10-part-sci-fi-series-with-IT-giant-Dell-_nid-1309.html . 24 September 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  16. Web site: Engage Awards: The magnificent winners . . 22 May 2013 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131220103011/http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/trends/marketing-week-engage-awards-the-magnificent-winners/4006657.article . 20 December 2013 . live . dmy-all .
  17. Collins . Katie . In depth: 90s gameshow Knightmare reborn for YouTube, may spawn new TV series (Wired UK) . . 25 July 2013 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140517122217/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-07/25/knightmare-resurrected-for-geek-week . 17 May 2014 . dead . dmy-all .
  18. Web site: Interview with Robert Llewellyn . WUWO Magazine . 30 March 2012 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130607034721/http://www.whatsupwhatson.com/robert-llewellyn/ . 7 June 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
  19. Web site: Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild . Sci-fi London . 9 August 2013 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140517153328/http://www.sci-fi-london.com/news/cinema/2013/08/ashens-and-quest-gamechild . 17 May 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  20. Web site: Ashens and the Quest for the GameChild . Indiegogo . 7 April 2013 . 19 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140517220739/https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ashens-and-the-quest-for-the-game-child . 17 May 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  21. Web site: Stuart Ashen Announces GameChild 2 at Fan Screening. 30 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160519120344/http://teneightymagazine.com/2016/01/21/stuart-ashen-announces-gamechild-2-at-fan-screening/. 19 May 2016. live. dmy-all.
  22. Web site: Ashens and the Polybius Heist. Ashen. Stuart. Indiegogo. en-US. July 9, 2018.
  23. Web site: HUGE NEWS!! Been waiting to announce this for a while I am singing the opening theme tune for @PolybiusHeist I am extremely grateful for @ashens and @riyad_director for giving me this awesome opportunity! Can't wait for you all to hear it when you see the movie! #news #rt. Muso. The Gaming. 2020-05-05. @gamingmuso. en. 2020-05-09.
  24. Web site: Ashen . Stuart . ENGAGE ANNOUNCE-O-TRON! Ashens and the Polybius Heist is coming out On Demand November 19th! Coming to iTunes, YouTube Movies, Amazon and Vimeo. You can pre-order today on Vimeo for a DRM free download. . Twitter . 12 October 2020.
  25. 2020-10-14 . Ashens and the Polybius Heist: Teaser . 2021-01-16 .
  26. Web site: Stuart Ashen on X . Twitter.com . 2 November 2023.
  27. Web site: Perryman . Francesca . YouTuber Stuart Ashen comes to Waterstones in Reading PLUS win a signed copy of his new book . . 2015-11-30 . 2015-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151212132002/http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/youtuber-stuart-ashen-comes-waterstones-10520387 . 12 December 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  28. Web site: YouTube star Stuart Ashen to sign copies of debut book in Nottingham . . 2015-12-01 . 2015-12-09 . Jemma . Page . https://web.archive.org/web/20151210015140/http://www.nottinghampost.com/YouTube-star-Stuart-Ashen-sign-copies-debut-book/story-28276489-detail/story.html . 10 December 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
  29. Book: Ashen. Stuart. Attack of the Flickering Skeletons More Terrible Old Games You've Probably Never Heard Of by Stuart Ashen. Unbound. Unbound.com. 25 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170224181848/https://unbound.com/books/moreashens. 24 February 2017. live. dmy-all. 9781783524150. 2017.
  30. Web site: Fifty-Thousand Shades of Grey by SC Ashen . Fifty Shades of Grey Parodies . 14 January 2013 . 20 March 2014 . https://archive.today/20140818071715/http://www.fiftyshadesofgreyparodies.com/fifty-thousand-shades-of-grey-by-sc-ashen . 18 August 2014 . dead . dmy-all .
  31. Web site: Kate . Laura . Interview with Stuart Ashens . MCM Buzz . 19 May 2012 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150912195505/http://www.mcmbuzz.com/2012/05/19/interview-with-stuart-ashens/ . 12 September 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  32. Web site: Ross . McGuinness . The Knightmare begins again as YouTube launches its own Geek Week . . 2 August 2013 . 20 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140321015449/http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/02/youtube-geek-week-3908084/ . 21 March 2014 . live . dmy-all .
  33. Web site: r/Ashens - Is ashens a doctor?. 2017. Reddit. en. 2018-12-23.
  34. Web site: r/IAmA - I am Stuart Ashen AKA "Ashens", YouTube comedian. AMA. reddit. 15 May 2012 . en. 2019-06-25.
  35. Book: Dale . Laura Kate . Things I Learned from Mario's Butt . February 2021 . Unbound . 9781783528905.

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