The online gaming world is once again in turmoil as Herschel “Guy” Beahm, famously known as Dr Disrespect, faces another abrupt career halt. This time, it’s his own gaming company, Midnight Society, that has “immediately terminated” his role as a co-founder. The company cited becoming “aware of an allegation” against him, plunging the popular streamer back into controversy. This sudden decision echoes his mysterious ban from Twitch four years prior, leaving fans and the industry reeling and asking: what happened with Dr Disrespect?
Midnight Society’s announcement on Monday sent shockwaves through the gaming community. The company, which Dr Disrespect co-founded, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that they learned of an allegation against him on Friday evening. While initially assuming innocence, Midnight Society explained they engaged with involved parties and ultimately decided to act to uphold their “principles and standards.” The studio has not yet disclosed the specific nature of the allegation, leaving room for speculation and fueling the ongoing mystery surrounding Dr Disrespect’s professional setbacks.
Dr Disrespect himself has addressed the situation, acknowledging sending messages to “an individual minor” back in 2017. In a post on X, he denied any malicious intent, describing the conversations as “casual, mutual” but admitting they “leaned too much in the direction of being inappropriate.” He firmly stated, “Were there real intentions behind these messages, the answer is absolutely not,” and emphasized that “nothing illegal happened, no pictures were shared, no crimes were committed.” Despite his denials of criminal behavior or harmful intent, Dr Disrespect offered an apology “to my community and colleagues” for his actions, recognizing the lapse in judgment as “an adult, a husband and a father.”
This recent termination brings back memories of Dr Disrespect’s unexplained and sudden departure from Twitch in 2020. The streaming platform, owned by Amazon, offered no concrete explanation for his ban, simply stating they “take appropriate action when we have evidence that a streamer has acted in violation of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service.” The lack of transparency surrounding the Twitch ban led to widespread speculation and unanswered questions, much like the current situation with Midnight Society. Adding another layer of intrigue, Dr Disrespect and Twitch reached a settlement in 2022 after the streamer threatened legal action, with neither party admitting any wrongdoing. Since the Twitch ban, Dr Disrespect had found a new streaming home on YouTube, amassing over 4.7 million subscribers.
Adding further context to the recent events, tech news outlet The Verge reported that two former Twitch employees have alleged inappropriate conduct by Mr. Beahm during his time on the platform. While these remain allegations, they surface at a critical time, coinciding with Midnight Society’s decision and adding weight to the unspecified “allegation” mentioned by the company. BBC News has reached out to Midnight Society, Twitch, and YouTube for comments, but as of now, official details remain scarce.
Known for his bombastic “Dr Disrespect” persona, characterized by frenetic gameplay, aggressive commentary, and signature sunglasses and mullet, Guy Beahm has cultivated a devoted fanbase. Just prior to Midnight Society’s announcement, Dr Disrespect hinted at taking an extended break during a livestream, citing fatigue and burnout and contemplating stepping back from his business ventures. While not directly addressing the unfolding allegations at that moment, his statements suggest a potential shift in his career path, whether driven by the current controversy or pre-existing considerations.
The gaming world now waits for further clarification on the “allegation” against Dr Disrespect and the full reasons behind Midnight Society’s decisive action. As it stands, what happened with Dr Disrespect remains a developing story, marked by abrupt career setbacks, denials, and unanswered questions, leaving his future in the gaming industry uncertain once again.
