Smiling Friends Is Over.

Smiling Friends Is Over.

From The Create Unknown by Unknown Media & Studio71

March 13, 2026 · 1h 42m

About this episode

The episode discusses the end of 'Smiling Friends' and reflects on the implications of show longevity and creator involvement.

Thanks to MAINGEAR for speeding up everything for us. Check out the VYBE line that’s making up the core of Matt’s new studio -- and use code CREATE for a free additional year of warranty on desktops: https://maingear.com/ref/656/ Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecreateunknown We kick off today’s episode with a recap of Matt’s most recent trip abroad, and the strong opinions he brought back with him about…McDonalds’ newest burger. After our extensive Big Arch review, we get a little somber as we discuss the passing of author Dan Simmons. Kevin reflects on how Simmons reignited his love of reading, and how Simmons’ legacy is a sobering reminder that we all still have plenty of time to create. Then we turn our attention to some shocking news: Smiling Friends is ending its historic run after just three seasons. That makes us ask ourselves… why end a beloved show with such widespread acclaim, seemingly at its peak? Is it better to walk away early and on top rather than roll the dice on a slow decline? As we mull that over, we broaden our horizons a little bit. Is there a reason why some shows fade into self-parody while others end on their own terms? Is the typical…

Topics covered

  • television shows
  • fandoms
  • creativity
  • cultural commentary
  • media analysis

Keywords

  • Smiling Friends
  • Dan Simmons
  • MAINGEAR
  • creativity
  • television
  • fandoms
  • media analysis

Sponsors

MAINGEAR

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Patreon

Products: VYBE line, Big Arch

Books & works: Smiling Friends

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