Dr Disrespect’s Alter Ego Was Just as Important to Streaming
Dr. Disrespect is known for a lot of things, not least of all his wig, glasses, and handlebar mustache. He is known to be arrogant, claiming that he was the face of Twitch, the two-time champion, and many more nicknames. He is known for playing battle royale games and for being over the top when it comes to all things dramatic. He is known for his Lamborghini, his controversies, and his uprising and shortcomings, but most of all, Doc is known for his community, his fanbase, and the way he connects with his viewers. In short, Dr. Disrespect is a force and it's hard to imagine the streaming world without him.
Recently, he broke his silence on his Twitch ban, revealing he was potentially seeking legal action against Twitch, as well as considering streaming elsewhere. Whether this is on Facebook Gaming, YouTube, or his own site (Champions.gg) all remains to be seen, but the fallout of Dr. Disrespect always falls on the character's alter ego and the man's real identity: Guy Beahm.
In the competitive world and streaming in particular, Dr. Disrespect fills a certain niche. He feels like a character taken straight from the 80s and plopped into modern gaming. His outfit is based on his character, he has catchphrases like "I'm on top of the mountain, and I'm only halfway up!" and "violence speed momentum." He even nicknamed his mustache the "Slick Daddy." Streaming is entertainment, and even when it went too far like streaming in a bathroom, Dr. Disrespect is entertaining. This is partially why his Twitch ban is so surprising; he's a top earner on the site, leading many to initially believe there's some criminal element to the Twitch Ban.
And that's the crux of the issue—as a result, a lot of rumors have painted Dr. Disrespect in a bad light. The over-the-top character recently shared a strange music video, and because it seemingly hints at his return somewhere and somehow, the rumors about crimes and far more are less substantive than ever. However, it's not on Dr. Disrespect or his fanbase to explain the events. The burden of proof falls directly on Twitch, which has been even quieter than the Doc. And in the wake of this latest mystery, it's Guy Beahm left to clean up the mess.
Technically speaking, Dr. Disrespect is the alter ego of Guy Beahm, as in the day to day and in the entertainment world, it's Dr. Disrespect who fans want to see. This way makes it clear to see that Guy Beahm, insofar as his connection with his fans go, serves as an alter-ego to Dr. Disrespect. Beahm, somewhat unlike Dr. Disrespect, is described friendly and approachable.
The strange part is so many are quick to ask "who?" or bash the man over this latest Twitch ban, but the man behind the shades and wig has a history far more extensive than many initial viewers may guess. Prior to his streaming career, Dr. Disrespect was featured playing Call of Duty on Machinima for several years. He then became a community manager for Sledgehammer Games before eventually becoming a level designer who helped make many of the Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare multiplayer maps.
What this means is that Dr. Disrespect's criticisms of Modern Warfare, Warzone, or any game for that matter game stem from a development side that's indubitably still a part of Beahm. His comments on how Warzone could be a better game, how revives works, and far more are often swiped aside because he's a streamer, but in truth, they're typically genuinely insightful. They're a part of Guy Beahm who leaks out of the Dr. Disrespect character.
If there's one thing that Dr. Disrespect doesn't do every day, it's break character. Yet that's a whole other element of why Guy Beahm is such a force in the streaming industry. When Dr. Disrespect cheated on his wife, it wasn't Disrespect addressing fans, it was Beahm. Clear mistakes and transgressions aside, it takes a real, involved, and genuine character to reveal one of his biggest mistakes on the world stage and own up to it. When he was kicked out of E3 for filming in the bathroom (while Dr. Disrespect did poke fun at the situation), it was Beahm who owned up to it and acknowledged the joke went too far. Personal responsibility, especially on a platform such as Twitch, is a trait to be admired and applauded.
However, Beahm did not stop there. When he didn't break character for himself, he broke it for fans. It's hard not to think of when a fan, on stream, reached out to Beahm regarding feeling suicidal and how Beahm swiftly broke character to speak directly to the fan. He doesn't call them Champions Club as part of a gag, but because he likely feels responsible and involved with this community. And when it has needed him, Beahm would seriously be there. His persona knew where to draw the lines, and the parts of Beahm that come out of Dr. Disrespect's entertainment are much needed in the streaming world.
The day of his ban and the days after, many fans all kept asking "why" regarding his Twitch ban. The big reason is what everyone wants, but as each day passes, it has moved from something likely serious on his part to a big question mark on Twitch's part. His breaking silence removes almost any element of a criminal nature and it somehow likely boils down to a contract dispute. But as Dr. Disrespect considers his options in the future and what platform to turn to, it's his fans that will be the driving force behind its success.
In short, it seems as if Dr. Disrespect/Guy Beahm has always been there for his community, and the subreddit alone is a good source to say that the man's following eagerly awaits his return. What should have been a death knell is just an opportunity for Dr. Disrespect to come back as bombastic as before, but fans and perhaps Disrespect himself should not leave Beahm behind. He's a vital part of the persona's success, and the hard times he's endured are surely lightened knowing the Champions Club awaits his triumphant return.
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