Dan Howell & Phil Lester Interview: Terrible Influence

It can be hard to believe that it’s been 15 years of Dan Howell and Phil Lester on YouTube. After all, in that time, much of their original viewers have grown up, and even gotten jobs at BuzzFeed.

As the duo continue their international Terrible Influence Tour, BuzzFeed caught up with them virtually 30 minutes before their designated checkout time from a hotel in Durham, North Carolina. Here’s what we learned:

1.

First, unfortunately, you’ve been in the US during the election. What has that been like for you?

2.

You obviously spend a lot of time together. You work together, you’re now on tour together. It’s been 15 years. How are you able to make it work?

3.

What’s been your favorite moment of your tour so far?

4.

What’s the most random thing that somebody’s given you?

5.

I know that the tour deals with some long-standing rumors that have surrounded you both. Is there one that you can share and debunk right now?

6.

This is the first tour you’ve been on together since both coming out as gay. What were some of the challenges in being a closeted content creator for so long?

7.

I know you’ve said that you weren’t necessarily planning for a big comeback for your gaming channel — what’s the biggest difference between how you approach YouTube now versus back in the day?

8.

What’s the biggest difference, if any, between Dan and Phil on screen and Dan and Phil in real life?

9.

Phil, you were credited as Dan’s “remote crisis manager” on his last tour. What sort of crises did you have to remotely manage?

10.

What’s the most starstruck you’ve ever been?

11.

Who’s the rudest celebrity or YouTuber you’ve ever met?

12.

What’s the weirdest sponsorship offer you’ve received?

13.

What’s something that you hope to have ticked off the bucket list in five years?

14.

Is there a video idea that one of you has had where the other has thought, “absolutely not”?

15.

And finally, how would you describe your friendship in three words?

Thanks for talking to us, Dan and Phil! You can find out more information about their Terrible Influence Tour here.