It’s spring break! No we’re not sunning in Cabo.
An Explanation
Perhaps a brief explanation would help answer your questions.
We usually put in anywhere from 6-10 hours of research, writing, filming, editing, and uploading for each show. You can see how that made it a little difficult back when we were doing daily episodes. Our audience never really took off despite our efforts. We’ve heard of people that managed to create internet shows and live off of t-shirt sales, but that just wasn’t in the cards for us. Right now we don’t have enough viewers to turn the show into a career.
So if you don’t make money on the show – and believe me we don’t – then what do you do for a living? you ask. We have a company that produces videos, websites, and print media. Most of our business clients are small to medium sized, and most of them are going under. With clients not able to pay us, we are having a hard time staying afloat. Finding new clients in this economy has been extremely challenging as well. We actually shut our office doors March 8th. (The end of the show video was filmed in advance and put off for as long as possible.)
It is not a question of not having enough to pay for the show or of hosting costs. It is an issue of not having a job to pay our normal bills and loosing our houses and living in tents. Kind of extreme but you get the idea. Putting the show together just takes time, not money. That time, right now, needs to be devoted to making money to survive. Without the day job to pay for this job, we’ve found ourselves in a difficult situation. But who knows what the future will hold. We’re still optimistic.
141 Comments
overlord
this is terrible news...but i have only started watching with the newer episodes after...but ill still do all i can to help....but something i would jst like to say is...PAAAANNNNNTTTSSbobbismal
Where's the link to Digg this?pheonix_blu{207}
Still here! Sadly_I did not recieve membership to [22] for my birthday, so I've taken the path of least resistance and joined {207}. Proving that they'll take anyone.henrynew
All the way from Singapore. Hoping that you will come back (After 3mths). Buy a shirt. Help the bros out!beastlyjenn
hey guys!! i am trying to find funding for these guys!! and i would love some help!! write to any big companie or person u can think of! lets try n help these guys out! :DDD pull together :)ALEXANDER
I MISS YOU GUYS SOOOOO MUCH !!! Please come back ! PS: started watching all 257 shows... the third time :Dmarc
Le sigh, 3 months later, and still on a break. The loyal fans miss you guys!Teagan [22]
We really do miss you and it would be nice to know that you still care about your fans. Your fans are what it's about.pheonix_blu
I'm with musicallylatin, just a short post to let us know your still there reading our commments. Please, we miss you guys!wolfman2525 [22]
WE miss you come back soon.musicallylatin
I'm still waiting for you guys to return. Do you read the comments? We all miss you! At least let us know you're still there and checking!mamaj
I have great faith in you to find a way to survive financially. However I was using your humor to survive emotionally when I was in need of a laugh. Lucky for me I can still get here and replay the old episodes.depplover316
Just checking in again, every week there are more comments and stuff. We all want to believe the show will come backNospinplease
I'm here to check in. It seems people are still here. I miss you guys a lot. I need the laughs. There isn't much to laugh about these days.ali-gator [22]
i'm stil here and miss the showpheonix_blu
Still here crossing my fingers. Hey I turn 22 this month, could I get into [22] for my birthady present?!grimhold
go to itunes and download the show it might help spread the word and get them more support, and sign the get wyotk on TV petition to help who how many fans they still haverepeatthelastword
I'm brand new, but I love your show. Perhaps now your fame will spread, and with that fame, T-shirt sales.depplover316
I hope they're happy, wherever they are, but someday the show WILL COME BACK. so I keep checkingJennifer McKenzie
I still miss you.Meandering {207}
Hey, just checking in every so often like I said I would. Still no show. I sure hope that the Bro.s Winn are doing well with whatever it is that they are doing with their time off from WYOTK. Peace out everyone.Snowmanincave [22]
incontestable: There are already at *least* 22 members in [22]. I've been keeping track, somewhat.Carolyn{207}
To clarify what i meant, The Brothers Winn don't use money to do the show. So, giving them money wont bring them back any sooner because, they need jobs and real money...which I highly doubt anyone will be willing to donate right now. Like they put above, they take a lot of time working on shows because they need to do research, write the show, film the show, edit the show and upload it to the web site. And instead of using all that time to do that, they could be working at their job, to make the money they ... lots moreJennifer McKenzie
I'm still hoping. Still hoping. Still hoping.depplover316
but....but.....but....... now all that's left is FRED x x ... morepheonix_blu
The candle is still burning, hope endures.Carolyn{207}
Johnhategee, it not like that at all. They need the time they use to do research and filming to find a job that will make money, and not money itself. I think that everyone should stop trying to make them come back, because no one can except themselves. I'm not ... moreincontestable
Seems to me that many people have a great deal of hope and lots of suggestions... anyone considered that this "hiatus" is intentional? Maybe the boys intend for us to learn something... think about it. If you take in what they say, then act on it, perhaps you will come up with some ideas for yourself. And as far as joining the 22 club goes, I expect that there are already 22 members! Unless someone dies, heaven forbid, I can't see any new members being included. Also that is a special group and I don't see how or why there ... lots morejohnhategee
Just film the videos at home and post them to youtube. It is basically free and it is what I do. If you need research, perhaps you can depend on viewers like myself to help you learn to use words such as "losing" in lieu of "loosing." ... moreCurtis [22]
Candle burning bright!musicallylatin
I miss you guys so much. I've seen every epsiode. When you were still posting, you were my homepage so I'd never miss an episode. Uhg. Heidi (Duct tape)Izzybell85
The very first episode of WYOTK I ever saw was this one, Forced Break. Curious, I slowly began working my way up from the beginning, and now, I have finally seen every episode. I am sad that it seems you guys are on an indefinite hiatus, but I ... moreSnowmanincave [22]
I still quote these videos on a daily basis. They'll be back, eventually. I just hope that eventually means tomorrow. =PGorilla Thumbs
its been a month and a half...i really think they are gone for good, its sad really, ive checked back every few weeks since april first...just more sad comments, Farewell What you ought to know...farewell...wolfman2525 [22]
Perhaps those that are in the same area as the brothers can assist them in getting new business. If they can have revenue stream we just might get a return of the brothers.depplover316
Another Tuesday come and gone, but I'll check until the end of the internet. They were right, too.... nothing else ever happens on Tuesdays. The candle's still burninggrimhold
Still waiting!!!!AtOnYcK
Oh man, that stinks. I've enjoyed your show for months and now, when I finally joined (you guys are already on my To Do - LifeList: find a way to join 22) you have to quit. How can the show not be populair enouph? I live in The Netherlands for f*ck's sake, and everybody to who I show your clips LOVE IT (when they understand it). The memories... "think of the most disgusting thing you can, somewhere, people eat that", the Romantic Comedies, your lovely foil hats, "Hold uncomfortable poses forever", your flashlights dance... and I actually learned something about Talk ... lots morepheonix_blu
"Crossing my fingers," I still check in every week like clock-work. Plus the old episodes never get boring, no matter how many times I watch themCurtis [22]
The candle is still burning.InsaneAI
Keepin the faith.. I think once the economy picks back up, they'll be back. We've just got to keep showing them the love. Buy their t-shirts! It can only help.. Why is it every time I find a cool website like this, that something goes wrong with it?incontestable
I have posted a parody or spoof at http://adhesion.multiply.com/journal/item/22/What_You_Ought_To_Know..._about_body_language Perhaps it will spur "the boyZ on" It is not intended to insult but merely in good, clean honest fun. I hope you find it amusing...CFTW
I'm very sad to see that you are having difficulties with the show... I have had the same experience. (some of you might remember me back when I was supposed to make the {207} site) I wish the best of luck to you all.Jennifer McKenzie
I miss you guys so much.TakeBkAmerica
I m slow but I found the site and I want more! All I can think to do is buy a lot of T-shirts at what you ought to wear! Let's help them get back on the air by buying their T-shirts! If they need cash don't ya ... moreIngrid [22]
Today it was one month ago that this show ended. Let us mourn in peace.incontestable
Given the current economic climate and the undeniable... that these guys are targets of many fanatics out there, it's no wonder they have gone under(ground); it was just a matter of time. I am a fan of their stuff, I have even spoofed a couple of their articles, and I hope ... moreinspyril
The simple answer, one of you guys (not me) should plug this on one of the news sights like DIGG or something.Kel [22]
Okay, I only got a WEEK for Spring Break. Can we get an episode a month, maybe? I feel my intellect slowly diminishing without regular WYOTK inuput :(steph {207}
Sam53: look at Meandering {207}'s past post, that will explain it. Just coming back every day to check on any news and read the comments. I still have hope!depplover316
HHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYY!!! All you WYOTK lovers!!! Would all you super devoted fans watch it if it was a radio show? cuz that might be the answer!grimhold
ok how about a monthly show it things pick upgrimhold
I still believeSam53
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOK HERE whoever knows their regular mail address PLEASE post it here so we can all send them some cold hard cash to get things going.............And what is {207}?Ingrid [22]
I will second that CurtisCurtis [22]
I think there are probably several of us still hoping for a spectacular return. I keep logging in while holding a candle. I made it through the denial and anger stages of grief. Now I'm up to bargaining. If you bring the show back, I'll buy more shirts than I ... moreMeandering {207}
Hey, the-pants_eater [22], just so you know {207} is another secret club for all those who did not want to do anything necessary to be part of the [22]. It happened during the 207th show hence {207}. Everything needs its opposite, right? I guess it doesn't matter ... moreNospinplease
its called what you ought to know fan club incase anyone is wonderingNospinplease
i found it nevermind lol. cute family pick!Nospinplease
do you guys happen to have a facebook club thing? if not i can make one =D. PLEASE COME BACK. ILL DO ANYTHING TO HELPSpace_Cadet
Noooooooooooooooo! Like everyone else is saying "But how am I gonna know what I ought to know if I don't have what I ought to know?!" You guys have done such a great job at educating all of us, and you have put A LOT of time into it. What can ... moreDrorharush [22]
Please don't disappear, there are few (if any) shows this informative and this funny.the pants eater [22]
not to sound like a noob... but what is {207}?bobbismal
Noooooooooooooooo. I just found this site, It can't be over already. I didn't even know there was so much I didn't know. Oh wait. I got it, just tell the government you're going out of business and they'll send you a big bag of money, no ... moredesignertoxophilite [22]
Sorry about that Meandering {207} sometimes i type too quickly for my own good, and although i hate to admit it, while the Winn brothers are immense, and I would love to see their show back. Well its down to the unfortunate beast that currently rules everyones lives..... Money.Meandering {207}
designertoxophilite [22] I wanted to let you know thatthe name of the club is {207} not {307}. However, I feel if the [22]'s and the {207}'s work together that the Bro.'s Winn will come back!thorondor {207}
Diddn't Jedd say in The Camera Guy that there were some videos that he wrote that would probably never get aired, because they were so horrible? You could post some of those . . . you know, like the one that involves dancing . . .designertoxophilite [22]
I wonder how many members, not just [22]'s or {307}s there are altogether?SSGCoxie
I Agree with Nospinplease. I was brought to this show by a link on the Glenn Beck website last year right after the 22 was setup. If you could do one more segment about how Congress should work or how the stimulus bills and large governments and socialism DON'T work ... morenick
Ingrid [22], your right, in the episode Mad Genius we did see his pants... but I do remember him saying we never would. I guess I got confused.groove02
there has to be a way to bring back the show... don't give up on us guys, we're not giving up on you...Sam53
i dido gettoman put up a link for doughnations. PPPPPPPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't dieCarolyn{207}
Im sooooooo sad!!!!! man i wish it was just a prank. i guess u guys were serious.kulika
It's a little late to say something like this but, this show was posted the day after my birthday =(, I guess Ive been to shocked to say it earlier, but good luck Brothers WinnSam53
This is Sam's mom (he's in middle school). We posted you on our blog, we could post you on our facebook if that will help. You just can't leave, my son LOVES this show! He doesn't watch a lot of TV but he never misses your ... moreNospinplease
hey guys, im gonna ask Glenn Beck if you guys can be on his show. Maybe if some of you loyal supportors of WYOTK send him something too, he might actually read them. He may still remember the Global Warming video. Maybe you guys can be the What You Ought ... moreKel [22]
I still have a glimmer of hope... maybe it's a two-week-long April Fool's joke. I can accept that, if you come back... Do you guys have enough time to produce a video once a month?TheChuckthatisNorris
So, I would say that this is like a knife in my heart but the only thing that can cut Chuck Norris is Chuck Norris. I will miss you guys. Alot.Nospinplease
o ya and I'll pray that it is an april fools joke, but when you guys have a long explaination like that, your serious. Well don't forget to check in and see all the comments everyone is writing you =).Nospinplease
I miss you guys =(. this was like when you guys didnt have a video for like a whole month. We are your loyal supportors and I don't think we are taking this very well. Tell us what we can do to help. If you want us to advertise and get more viewers, we will do that. Until you guys come back I guess I will reminice and watch your very amazing global warming video and your very funny sterapen video. haha those were the good flame responsibly days weren't they. remember WYOTK UG? hehehe. Equals D! God our government screws ... lots moreCarolyn{207}
i hope that you guys are joking and you put the video up tomorrowWEGGLES
...damnit no "Ha ha! April fools!" video today... maybe they are serious? :[Gorilla Thumbs
Ouch...I think that this video bruised my soul. I love this webshow. It was one of my favorite online activities...and now its being taken away. This would be the the most insensitive aprila fools joke ever by the way..aurelius [22]
Brothers Winn, thank you for the effort you have put into this show. I can completely understand and respect your need to stop doing this and put those 6-10 hours a week into things that will make you money. I work in a marketing agency and agree--it's an unbelievably tough time to get clients. Ours are dropping like flies. It's a wise decision you've made when paying your normal bills is at stake. I wish I had a viable business model where you could make millions off this site. Nothing comes to mind. I wish the best to you guys ... lots moregettoman
Guys, please, if you can't keep the hosting up, put up a YouTube Channel and get the videos up for archive. Then if you do get the itch to come back and put up a new video you can do so on YouTube and not worry about the hosting cost ... moreDrecon [22]
*plinks away a tear*Caesar
Godspeed, gentlemen. Truly, we all brain you.steph {207}
I just watched some old shows and it brings back so many memories. I'm going to miss you guys. It's been great to be a part of {207} and almost a part of 22 (by the way you can still use my bumper sticker idea, seriously I'm not going to). I watched SteriPen, Antidisestablishmentarianism (no clue if i slept that right), Global Warming (my all time favorite!) and even Hot Gas. I watched quite a few and I realized it was just a year ago that I became a member. You guys have tought me so many things and really ... lots moreLookBehindYou [22]
soooo not equaling D right now...Ingrid [22]
I wasn't talking about the whatyououghttoknow.com site ;)designertoxophilite [22]
I think I might be able to shed a little light on why the site is still open.... for the time being. You pay for the domain name (www.whatyououghttoknow.com) for between a year and two years in advance, as you do with the hosting rather than paying it monthly. So depending on ... moreIngrid [22]
don't know exactly. Don't remember the episodes that well. Maybe somebody else knows.nick
Ingrid [22], what episode(s)?Ingrid [22]
nick, we did see his pants before. I believe even several times! I hope it's an april fools joke. I am just afraid it isn't. Just one little thing, if you close down the doors of your company on march 8, than why keep your website up and running without ... morenick
I hope it's just April fools but i doubt it is, also you said we would never see your pants, and on the last episode (hopefully not) we did.Carolyn{207}
the more i think about it the more i think its for april fool's day but idkkd
it couldn't possibly be an April fools joke b/c most people believe they are done for good, which means a lot of people won't come back to check....meaning they really will go under b/c they lost all their viewers! just my 2 cents!Ingrid [22]
Well, if it is an april fools prank, there is a way to find out... of course... (A)waterpolo guy
Hey im Carolyn's brother. Hi other me.Carolyn{207}
Hey Curtis {22}, my brother who agrees with you is named CurtisCurtis [22]
Finally....someone else said it besides me! I truly believe this is an April Fool's joke. Your April 1st video last year said you wanted to pull a prank. It was the first thing I thought of when I watched this. I also have noticed that certain ... moreCarolyn{207}
My brother thinks you guys are faking because april fool's day is coming up...but i still believe you.Kel [22]
I agree with Teagen-- bring on the banner ads! Or make us watch ads before the videos instead of after. Or something. We'll put up with anything...groove02
This is a super bad news... SUPER!Johnb300m
wow...guys i'm so sorry.....this is terrible. you have a really great production here. very entertaining. i have a suggestion......maybe you guys can go underground, budget free via Youtube....probably like you started out. If you guys find this "fun" then why stop? If it makes you [anyone] feel better, one of ... moretomasisimo
I like the DVD idea. I would totally buy a DVD of all the fun, random things I have been telling all of my friends about. Think about it!RandomGuy
Legally, can we mandate the return of your show if we could acquire government funds that are being handed out left and right elsewhere, especially back to the politicians? I mean this seriously seriously, you know... And right now, I don't Equal D... :(Ingrid [22]
this is horrible, absolutely 100% horrible. So, the site will keep existing right? I'd hate to not be able to look back on all the fantastic shows. Or is there a way to download them all. ***** I think I need to go lie down in my bed now. Crawl ... morejeffinputnam
Well, there's no doubt you boys worked really hard at bringing intelligence to the online world and we have to thank you for it. Hey, at least we paid!Curtis [22]
October 7, 2008....Viewer Insurrection....I can now state unequivocally that this was the worst show EVER. I guess it did fulfill WYOTK's purpose of informing us about what we ought to know, although it is truly something we didn't want to know, ya' know? I really didn't think you would end until 12/21/2012, like the rest of us. How long will the website still be up for us to enjoy reruns? I guarantee I will still come here every tuesday hoping for a surprise......or......could it be that your next show is going to be next week wednesday? ... lots moreRandomGuy
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! But then all my random logic and knowledge from your show may cease to remind me of inspiration and then I would cease to be to logical, knowledgable, and inspired... And who knows, I may never make it out of this black hole I might have benn sucked into ... moreRendlin
Hey, Mr. Winn said not to be sad, and not to be scared. So stop whining, get some chocolate, ready up a good line of movies from Netflix, and whip out your SteriPen. We'll just have to sit here, in our chairs at our computers, and wait. For a while. ... moremano_shimano
noooooo don't gooooooo!!!!:(:(Meandering {207}
Sorry guys, that is the worst news I heard all day. I have enjoyed all 257 episodes and I'm glad I was a part of not being a part of 22 by being part of {207}. You take care and come back and visit sometime. We'll be here. ... moregraceofbass [22]
That...that's terrible. Curse you, economic downfall! Would more advertising on the site work? I wouldn't mind banner ads if it meant more WYOTK... and Teagan, I feel ya. This is a major bummer.pkw
There's a Donations spot in the "What we ought to show" section on the right.gettoman
Out of money!? On this site!? The coolest one on the Internets! Sooooooooo, PUT UP A LINK TO TAKE DONATIONS! I'LL TOSS IN A FEW BUCKS TO KEEP YOU GOIN!designertoxophilite [22]
That sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do. We finally got to see the inside of the studio.... woot, just a shame its the last (possibly) episode. Good luck you guys in chasing clients and earning money! We'll all be here when you (maybe) get back.AnnVan
While we're waiting to see if this is indeed goodbye (*sob*):... THANK YOU SO MUCH dear Brothers Winn!!! Thank you for all your incredible edu-entertainment! It's been fun, it's been thought-provoking.PleasecomebackWYOTK
NO! COME BACK! I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE! IT'S HILARIOUS! WTF! HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT TO THINK NOW? ANSWER ME DAMN YOUwolfman2525 [22]
Hope you get to come back soon.AngInAmerica
Wow - that comment I tried to post didn't work at all, did it? I guess I'm already losing everything I ought to know... :(AngInAmerica
ยก?ou? o? ???no ? ??? ?u?so? ?o ???dso?d ??q???o? ??? ?q u?op ?p?sdn p?u?n? u??q s?? p??o? ??marc
cry! :-( I wish I wasn't a poor starving grad student, or else I would donate!Teagan [22]
What does this mean for [22]?! I NEED TO FEEL INVOLVED, PEOPLE! I NEED THIS SOCIETY OF SECRETS!Marineinftry
You guys need to ask Obama for a bail out. he's giving it to everyone else,Snowmanincave [22]
Might I point out that you vowed to never let us know what you wore for pants? =P Anyway, we'll still be here when you come back. Even if it's in 22 years. We'll be here. Unless 2012 *does* happen. Which it won't. But it might. So, chocolate. And Netflix.depplover316
Would donating to you guys help, because I got 500 dollars for my birthday, and some of it could go to you guys. You are worth it.DecoyFlyer
I found your site yesterday, and no I have not watched all of the episodes yet, but now you are leaving already... Was it something I didn't say? Seriously, was it? No, really I just hope you make it back. Where else can we learn and be entertained to such a high level?the pants eater [22]
nooooooooooonick
please don't go awaysteph {207}
You guys can't stop. It'll be the end of the world -cries-. Please don't go away!Nospinplease
NOOOOOOOOOOOOo!!!!! What if I send you a video of me crying!? would that change you mind? DONT GO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEEEEEE. I am crying right now. pleaseee dont go. this show is the only thing I can count on. I wish I had money to ... moreScott
50 cents a show would do it if all the regular viewers would pony up. But people don't pay for Internet content so that isn't likely to happen. . How about DVD sales? Would you pay $12 - $15 for a WYOTK DVD? You could show your ... moreJonah [22]
EVERYONE GIVE AT LEAST 10 BUCKS THAT MIGHT WORK!!!! cry cry sob sob :(:(:(:(:(:(:(Caesar
I'M GOING TO BE SAD ANYWAY K THX...... Bawwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Time to pass around the ascii candles.Carolyn{207}
ypu guys better not be discontinued or else ill will be dumb againpheonix_blu
In the words of the great Winston churchill "This is Americas darkest hour" :-(SSGCoxie
You are one of the very few people who understand mirroring your actions while in front of the camera. IE: your actions for the electrocardiogram. IF, as you say, "We may have flatlined" is true, your show will have left a huge hole in the english speaking population. I will ... moreali-gator [22]
but ... i'm not done yet ... i wanna know more of what i ought to knowWEGGLES
But... but.... but.... how will I know what I ought to know?! ;_;