‘PSYCHO FAMILY,’ A COMPLEX NETWORKS ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY SERIES, EXPLORES THE PHENOMENON BEHIND ONE OF YOUTUBE’S BIGGEST STARS, JESSE RIDGWAY AND HIS VIRAL SERIES THAT TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN

‘PSYCHO FAMILY,’ A COMPLEX NETWORKS ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY SERIES, EXPLORES THE PHENOMENON BEHIND ONE OF YOUTUBE’S BIGGEST STARS, JESSE RIDGWAY AND HIS VIRAL SERIES THAT TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN

SERIES FEATURING THE FIRST EVER SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW WITH ‘MCJUGGERNUGGETS’ LAUNCHES IN 11 BINGE-WORTHY SEGMENTS APRIL 3^RD, 2017 ON GO90™

View the documentary’s trailer HERE

[NEW YORK]—March 28, 2017 — Complex Networks’ Rated Red today announced its new original documentary series “Psycho Family” will premiere Monday, April 3, 2017, on go90. Produced by Studio71, the global media company for creators, and Evan Weiss, the film chronicles the fallout after it was revealed that an escalating conflict between YouTube personality McJuggerNuggets (real name: Jesse Ridgway) and his father, was actually faked for the viewing audience. Over the course of four years, the McJuggerNuggets channel on YouTube generated more than 1.2 BILLION views of its 684 episodes, releasing two videos daily becoming an internet sensation while also bringing into question whether the “Psycho Series” was real or fake. Now, never-before-seen footage, and a first-ever interview with fellow YouTuber and documentarian, Brian Spitz, reveals the family conflicts and consequences that arose from faking their lives every day for one of the most massively popular reality series online. 

“Psycho Series” fans are invited to attend the “Psycho Family” premiere event with appearances by McJuggerNuggets and the entire family on April 3 in New York City. Enter HERE to RSVP for this exclusive event to meet the “Psycho Family,” watch the full documentary and join a Q&A where the family will answer fans’ burning questions.

Jesse along with his father, Jeffrey Ridgway Sr., and other family members, including his brother, Jeffrey Ridgway Jr., mother, Theresa Ridgway, and Uncle Larry, created their YouTube series based on numerous outlandish stunts. Jesse’s conflict with his father began with his gaming addiction, later led to Jesse going “psychotic,” even ultimately “murdering” him on camera, and fleeing to Switzerland. Jesse’s fans and YouTube subscribers – know as Juggies - were left in the dark on whether what they were watching was actually true or all a ploy. The startling scenes resulted in 1,000 calls to the police to report the incidents and 20 cases of swatting where Jesse’s family was held at gunpoint in real life as consequence of the series. In June of 2016, Jesse revealed to his fans that the Psycho Series was fake.

Jesse Ridgway comments, “I wanted to be the next dramatic show on the internet.  YouTube famous or Internet famous, as we started getting more into it… [people would say ‘hey you’re McJuggerNuggets!]’

“I never lied. I was playing a character. It was not myself. It was acting. It was not a lie. I never lied. Never once… I don’t think there was anything wrong with it….I am done with the series. The videos were fake.  It’s finished,” Jesse adds.

“Psycho Family” is executive produced by Studio71’s Dan Weinstein and John Fitzpatrick. Evan Weiss serves as producer for Red Sun Entertainment. Watch for free only on go90.com or the go90 app, available for iOS or Android.  “Psycho Family” fans can join the conversation via social media on Facebook and Twitter.

About Complex Networks

Complex Networks, formed from the joint acquisition of Complex by Verizon and Hearst, is a global lifestyle brand and media company and one of the most influential voices in popular culture today. The media company generates over 500 million video views a month across its digital channels and is a top ten publisher in the U.S. when it comes to social engagement on channels like Facebook and YouTube. 

Complex Networks recently launched Rated Red and Seriously.TV to distribute a growing slate of original programming on Verizon’s go90. Through its vertical brands including Complex, Collider, First We Feast, Pigeons and Planes, Ride and more, Complex Networks is at the center of music, art, street style, action sports, and entertainment reaching the coveted 18-24-year-old male audience. Earlier this year, the company hosted the successful ComplexCon in Long Beach, attracting top brands and over 20,000 attendees to the two-day cultural festival.

About go90

go90 is a free, mobile-first social entertainment platform that makes it easy to discover, view and share content from the most beloved networks, distributors, creators, audiences and brands in digital entertainment. Available on the web, iOS and Android, go90 brings together and delivers premiere entertainment experiences across every screen. go90 is part of the Verizon Communications family of companies. Start watching now on go90.com.

About Studio71

Studio71 is the global media company for top creators across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat and Twitter. Featuring Lilly Singh a.k.a IISuperwomanII, Rhett & Link, Logan Paul, Shay Mitchell, Matthew Santoro, Flula Borg, Epic Meal Time, Roman Atwood, Family Fun Pack and global superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Studio71’s 1200 channels drive six billion monthly views and offer four times the average channel engagement. The company is a leader in results-driven branded content offering full-service strategy, creative, research, media and cross-platform activations for its clients. As a best-in-class production company, Studio71 develops, produces and distributes original programming across social media, television and film. It is part of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group and is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Berlin, New York, Toronto and London.