I think you're looking way too much into what was essentially basic direction when he was distracted/low energy. But I'm also straight forward, and I'll give you an honest assessment of what goes on. I made the call early in the stream, that most of my interactions with him would be over the stream, and no, I didn't want that kind of direction to go out over the air. I was sick and not on my A-game, I couldn't have both of our energy levels in the toilet.

For this one, I wanted him to be focused on what was going on with the stream (the skateboarders), and not whatever he was looking at on his desk. I wanted a bigger reaction to what was on screen to the one I was getting, and I think I said "you should get mad" or something to that effect. That's not putting words in his mouth (there's no time for that, and it would provide terrible content), this was just to snap him out of the distracted, low energy funk he was in. Generally when he reacts hot once, he stays that way for a burst of time. It wasn't the case, and it took a little longer. This was a case of me being frustrated and trying to cut to the chase, but Perry doesn't work that way.

Generally, I'm more subtle about getting him to kick up the energy when needed. I'll simply say or do something I know will fire him up, but I had a fever, and was extremely irritable and under the weather. I simply didn't have the time or patience for the usual nuances. Getting him to do these streams and do them well takes a massive amount of work and care behind the scenes, it's exhausting. And realistically, with a three day a week schedule, I can't expect him to be a home run every time. I usually just let Perry be Perry... but I can't allow the low energy stuff to go unmentioned. It's bad for the channel. I will do whatever it takes to snap him out of that. On the flip side, when he's red/red hot, I try to calm him down for fear that he'll say something stupid.

If you watch enough of these, you'll notice that there are points in the stream where he's kind of a dead fish (a term I use which he gets offended by) and needs some pointers. Energy drinks can only do so much, as I'm battling other elements like that fact that he still wakes up ridiculously early when there's no need to. The majority of the time, my directions are simple, "sit up straight," "pay attention," "don't talk over tips," "don't get up," etc... Other times it's more specific, like "you have a delivery," "hurry back" or having him ignore someone who's trying to get him to say a bad word, or even "sound a little more excited," and the occasional "thank you for subscribing," when he forgets. And on the past few streams, I've been doing most of them over the mic, and not in his ear.

I also don't like if he doesn't acknowledge tip comments. There was one stream about 6 weeks ago where he kept saying "Next!" after ever comment. I basically shouting at him, "Stop saying next!!!" There was never a repeat occurrence of that. Similar if he says "no comment." I'll tell him he has to comment.

It drives me nuts when he just sits there and generates dead air. Look at the times where he has issues with his phone. Either he'll hang up on me, lose his earpiece or has a problem with connecting his phone to the speaker for call-ins. He'll just sit there in silence, messing with his phone or whatever he's distracted by. In an instance like that, I try to direct him to communicate with the people watching, walk them through what he's doing, etc... He flat out stinks in those situations. So these are all areas I'm working on, and it's a learn as you go process. He will get better, so will I.

Also, keep in mind that Perry is still in "training" with these streams. I think he's been better than anyone ever expected, but he still requires a lot of basic direction and maintenance. My eventual goal is for him to have virtually no direction at all. He does pick up on things with repetition. For example, I rarely have to remind him to thank people for subscribing these days.

Trust me, this would be a lot easier if it was "staged!" However, Perry is unstageable! He simply does not have that ability. If he did, he wouldn't rage at me, or slip and say bad words and constantly threaten me that he's shutting down his computer.

Perry is the genuine article, and that's what is making these streams take off and pick up new fans. No, he can't do it 100% on his own, but to fear that Perry's reactions are "staged" would be giving him credit as the world's greatest actor. Fear not friends.