I Got Them Pegged is a YouTube series that that’s like a funnier version of The X-Files. A brother and sister, utilizing their mom’s old camcorder, investigate everything from a potential serial killer to zombies, camera in hand. There’s simply something endearing about the series’ quirkiness and DIY aesthetic that makes it binge-worthy.
Created by filmmaker John Strelec, the series stars Jeni Reed as Peg. In the first episode, “Something Strange on the Lease,” Peg loses her job as a cashier. So, after finding her mom’s old camcorder, she decides to launch her own series with the help of her brother Jessup, played by Strelec. In true Mulder and Scully fashion, one is the true believe, while the other is the skeptic. In the first episode, for instance, Peg believes her strange roommate, Barb, is a serial killer. Jessup, however, expresses skepticism about anything and everything. It makes for an intriguing brother and sister dynamic.
From the first episode on, the series maintains its charming DIY aesthetic. For example, a lot of the posters in the background look like they were hand drawn. The found footage aspect also works well for this series, and Strelec maintained the mystery by keeping the publicity low, not even crediting the actors. It makes the whole series feel real, like an old VHS tape a viewer suddenly stumbles upon. Only in this case, the videos are on YouTube, the popular medium of the present time.
Reed makes for a likeable lead. There’s just something friendly about her personality, without being overly bubbly. She’s also funny in front of the camera. The dynamic she has with Jessup adds another narrative thrust, and the believer versus skeptic conflict works well when done right. In this case, it’s handled well.
If you’re looking for something online to binge, you can’t go wrong with I Got Them Pegged. It’s an entertaining found footage concept that leans into the comedy more than the horror. All of the episodes are currently available on YouTube.
