Watch Fred Online

Lucas Cruikshank has described the channel as "programming for kids by kids". The Fred channel was established on October 1, 2005 but was launched officially May 1, 2008 and is the fastest-growing channel in YouTube's history. It now has over one million subscribers, with the millionth on April 7, 2009 at around 3:45 pm. The series is intended as a parody of people who, in Cruikshank's words, "think that everyone is so interested in them." Cruikshank believes that viewers either "automatically love Fred or automatically hate Fred, there is no in between". The character posts his videos to his YouTube channel, even though he is not supposed to be using his mother's video camera, or posting videos, or even having a YouTube account. Fred has a high-pitched "chipmunk" voice — making him sound more like a 6 year old and less like a 16 year old. According to Cruikshank, this effect and the hyperactive appearance of the character are achieved by speeding up the video. The song "Watch How I Do This" by Kev Blaze can often be heard in the videos. The character lives with his recovering drug-addicted and alcoholic mother, whose voice is heard often in episodes. (Fred usually communicates with all characters off-screen unless it is an animal). But Fred's Mum has been seen in one episode, called "Fred on Halloween". It is implied that Fred has been the victim of child abuse (like being locked in a dog cage for three days), but he frequently speaks of his love for his mother, particularly after she was at rehab. He also has a crush on a girl in his Kindergarten class, named Judy. Judy has a very mean attitude, and is "so mean... yet so attractive." According to "Fred Gets Babysat," Fred's birthday is sometime around late October because in the video at one point he says "My birthday is in like a month" and this video was originally uploaded on September 29. Fred's grandmother is mentioned as briefly caring for Fred while his mother was in rehab, on account of alcoholism and drugs. In almost every episode, Fred sings a song he makes up. When his mother returns, in "Fred's Mom Returns", his grandmother leaves and his mother begins making him do chores such as picking up sticks. It is known that Fred has anger issues. In one episode, however, "Fred: A Star in his own Mind", other characters are seen such as people that work for him and fan girls (although this occurs in a dream sequence). Fred's favorite meal is a TV dinner. However, in one episode Fred's mum takes away his TV dinner privileges. Fred's father was mentioned in the episode "Fred on Father's Day", where we find out that Fred's father, who is supposedly a rock star, is on death row in the state penitentiary. In "Fred Goes Swimming", he thinks he has a letter from his dad, but it turns out to be from the original YouTube channel owner. He also mentions being threatened by the supposed former owner of the original Fred YouTube channel.