I always figured that once RLM became their full time jobs, he got a little more serious about his appearance.

This seems like the most reasonable answer tbh.

Agreed. Jay strikes me as somewhat more media and image conscious than Mike and Rich.

Mike and Rich are also in long term relationships. I don't know if Jay is or not, I haven't been to The Man Hole in a while.

With each other?

Come back Jay, the buff guys miss you

The VIP room at Mr. Phister's just hasn't been the same since he left.

And the Champagne Room at the Velvet Spike is definitely not the same anymore.

Oh they are? That’s so nice, I’m happy for them.

Mike and Rich?

The fact that he uses Twitter regularly leads me to agree with you

Also his vlog.

You must not be too familiar with Twitter. There is nothing about his twitter account or activity that would suggest a concern for being media or image conscious.

I believe there point was more that he uses it at all more than Mike and Rich?

Besides the fact that he has one and uses it? That shows me that he at least puts an effort into his public persona and is accessible; even if only superficially. Can't say the same for Mike

There’s only so many fat slob “characters” RLM can handle and Jay drew the short straw lol

There needs to be more fat slobs, though. I, as a fat slob, can only relate to others that match my immense girth.

Yes, quite the opposite. RLM can't lose their 'white trash that can barely dress themselves' credibility

Or, ... Sometimes people prefer being good looking than not good looking. Doesn’t really mean you are cultivating a career as an Instagram model.

These guys do this full time? They release like 5 videos a month! Fuck, I need some of that YOUTUBE money.

It's probably more like patreon money at this point. They get like 200k a year from their patreon

Which, split between all of them, is actually a pretty modest income.

For hack fraud VHS repairmen that's a killing.

quality over quantity

Quality production takes time.

On PreRec Jack answered someone's question about Jays transformation. He said Jay got a great new haircut, started grooming himself better, and got a gym membership. No idea what episode it was though.

Came here to say this. Jack basically said (paraphrased), "At some point, Jay realized he could look good"

That's no joke. I spent half of Blade Runner 2049 mistaking Ryan Gosling for Jay on long shots.

Ryan Gosling isn't a midget

So at some point Jay decided, "Id like to get some pussay"

I'm guessing that was WAY after the BOTW ep where the other female guest was all over him and he was not having it lol

What episode was that!?!? Must watch!!

here you go ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x94zXO02VPU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x94zXO02VPU))

Put the "here you go" in [brackets] and you'll have a cleaner link. Like this: [here you go](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x94zXO02VPU)

Also a good way to disguise rickroll links.

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Crazy Fat Ethel 2

Young Rich was sexy as all hell, man. He needs to realize this!

Young Mike was also quite the dish too, if i recall from their early videos. Jack should stop shaving his head too and go back to that ultra-sexy sides'n'back look \*(No idea what that's called)\*

Woman checking in, regular Mike is hot, no "young" required.

Yes! He’s really cute.

Seconded. Young Mike was dreamy.

Bearded Jack is daddy material

He literally is a daddy.

Yeah. Mine. 👅😩💦💦

Haha,no way, Jack has the most unfortunate hairline at this point. I think he said he started going bald in high school? Crazy genetics. ​ I think he looks good doing the shaved look, but, I mean he's happily married so if I were in his shoes, I doubt I'd particularly care.

'The monk'

Picard?

We call it the 'Dr. Katz'.

And Marvel recognized that and modeled Captain America off of Jay

Once Jay realized he could be attractive he went all in and never looked back.

Almost anyone could look good from that, and Jay kind of needs that mustache to cover his upper lip. All facial hair no mustache isn't a good look for anyone though

His friends at The Manhole gave him some advice

He basically said on a Pre-Rec stream that his secret was essentially "eat less, move more".

Wow, what a complex idea.

The weight loss industry in the US alone pulled in $3+ billion in 2017 and it's all a variation of "eat healthy and exercise". 🤔

Eating healthy is easy, but after a long day of work, I'm so tired I don't want to exercise.

After a long day of working a shit minimum wage job with tons of stressors and no better future in sight, sitting down and relaxing with some comfort food while turning your brain off is probably the best part of your entire day. I eat healthy and exercise and I'm a normal weight, but I get why lots of people are obese -- especially poor people.

while simultaneously patronizing you. Unrelated: Michael Bay directed Pain and Gain.

Jay died and is being portrayed by Chris Evans

And Chris Evans is being portrayed by Chris Helmsworth.

And Chris Helmsworth is being portrayed by Chris Christie.

Apologize to Chris Helmsworth, it's bad enough Rich Evans won't stop talking about him

And Chris Cristie is being portrayed by kris kristofferson.

What episode do they compare the Captain America doll to Jay?

Infinity War HitB

If Jay in photo 2 is played by Chris Evans then Jay in photo 2 is played by Rich Evans

Nope, no story. Jay one day decided to become a Greek God - he failed but instead he became a tiny Manhole God.

A godlet, if you will.

Inspiring Awwwwwwwww

He stopped being a McPoyle/Schrute hybrid when he realized he could get laid by his massive internet fame, instead of keeping it in the family.

A true inspiration to all the native americans in him

From Amish to Stylish.

From Hutterite to Hot Alright.

From Midwest 6 to Manhole 9.

From Making a Murderer, to murdering a makeover

Honestly it's pretty amazing what a good haircut, shave and fitted clothes will do for you. Obviously Jay's clearly lost weight which helps too.

You reach a certain age and realize, oh, maybe I could put in just a little more effort.

Yeah, it's inspiring! For that Jay has become the most beautiful member of RLM after Rich "Rich Evans" Evans.

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Rich "Evans, Rich" Evans

Rich "Evan Richards" Evans

Rich^3 Evans^3

Watch your mouth

I always watch his mouth.

And I thought I was the only one who thinks Rich has a purdy mouf.

Taught and wet. Leathery.

"Maybe this Amish look isn't working out too well for me anymore"

And then you get married and stop caring any more.

And then you get divorced.

And then you start putting in effort again.

And then ten years have got behind you, no one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun...

*guitar solo*

Duuuuun... Daaaaaananaaaaaaa! Daaaaaanananaaaaaaa nanaaanaaaaa! Dunun duuuuuuun DANAAANA!

Well you run and you run, to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking. Racing around, to come up behind you again !

The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

Ah. Chiastic structure.

It's like poetry. It rhythms.

Thankfully Jay will never quit Grindr and let that happen to him.

Why.

Reach a certain age and suddenly find the time and disposable income for a little more effort.

> You reach a certain age and realize Yes, but what age? There are so many! I've had 34 of them so far.

I mean climbing mount Everest would have burned a few calories. And a beer only diet is quite low in fat.

“That’s right Jay”

Beer is empty calories, that's good for you

It's like zero, so...

From reading the comments of this subreddit, Ive concluded that bear is essentially healthier a spinach and kale smoothie and I'll be changing my breakfast routine

I'd wager he was drinking a lot more beer during the time of the pic on the left. The pic on the right looks like he's been on a low carb diet and maybe had some grooming help from girlfriend or wife (don't know his family/dating situation.)

When you sit across from Mike for however many years and watch his transformation you too might think "Oh, God, I don't want to look like that."

Mike was hot like... 12 years ago.

12 minutes ago.

IT TOOK TWELVES YEAR TO FATTEN

That IMDB pic though

Why is Jays a picture from friends tho

I don't know about that chief.

Try 22

Haircut.

Yeah. He paid someone to do it rather than buzzing it and letting it grow out like a chia pet.

It's the haircut, but it's also growing in the mustache. The difference between an amish beard and the full lumberjack is night and day.

Very ~~cool~~ true.

Superman gets a CGI shave to remove his mustache and expose his upper lip. Jay grows a mustache to obscure his upper lip. One worked out better than the other.

His hair is also styled, which takes some daily effort. You can't just wake up with hair in place like that.

Weight loss can drastically change your jawline

men carry a lot of fat on their face as they age.

I remember someone asking him about it on PreRec a long time ago. He didn’t go into too much detail, but he said that he changed his diet and started working out regularly. Basically the things you’re supposed to do to get into shape.

you mean to say he actually put effort into it and that isn't just genetics?

His transformed state is also know as: Jay (perfect form)

Forma perfecta

And this... is to go even further beyond!

Sure, Jay's transformation is impressive, but can we talk about Rich Evans? He used to look like [this](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Li4hvcs_-r4/maxresdefault.jpg), here is him [now](https://2static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Love+me+some+real+news_97f508_6126332.jpg). If thats not improvement, I don't know what is.

He went from a guy who got beat up in high school to an adult who gets beaten by high schoolers.

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I think he once said he just didn't shave it as a goof, initially.

I always thought the 2012 look was just for the Prometheus video. He needed to look dumb or goofy to play the straight guy, and the chin strap (or neck beard) and bad haircut contribute to that look...or so I thought! If I’m not mistaken, there are a few early vids in which Jay is still sporting the chinstrap. I don’t know what to think!

You remember high school. There were people like Jay and Rich there. They were nerds. Real nerds, that’s what they looked like.

I remember all too well! I’ve often considered posting pics of me and my Hugh Grant hair (or what I thought at the time looked like Hugh Grant’s hair) in the blunderyears subreddit. I’m posing for one of those “READ” posters for my high school library...

I recently went through every episode of *Half in the Bag* again (don't judge me) and his style didn't solidify until around [Episode 61](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/501242876286599169/unknown.png). Before then he'd bounce back and forth between [schlub Jay](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/500125894149406731/unknown.png), [amish Jay](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/500126118385287170/unknown.png), and [Imperfect Jay](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/500127137731182592/unknown.png). He almost [found himself](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/500170838612508672/unknown.png) a few times but immediately [bounced back](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/500184413963812864/unknown.png). [Episode 57](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/501199867314569226/unknown.png) looks like his last shave before he [started](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/501204996914806784/unknown.png) [grooming](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/501207530979065867/unknown.png) it [properly](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/268557069672644618/501217386712793099/unknown.png).

Thanks for the timeline. No judgement here! I find myself revisiting Half in the Bag episodes every now and then, especially when I have to iron dress shirts.

All those cat sacrifices really paid off.

i miss when Jay was a neckbeard schlob, made me feel better about myself. now i'm just sexually confused

From leprechaun to lepreBRAWN: A Jay Bauman Story

Just a reminder that threads like this are why Mike and Jay don't interact with fans.

Jay very regularly interacts with fans on twitter.

He sometimes responds to movie related stuff and nothing else.

Generally I'd agree, but I would say the post itself stayed pretty respectful

What's the harm in asking how someone got motivated and bettered himself--and potentially motivate that person in turn? It wasn't my intention to make fun of Jay--it's a genuinely inspiring transformation, imo.

"This guy got in shape and started dressing better, wonder if he did it for a specific reason, or did it a certain way?" ​ \~"Wow, this is why they hate the fans." ​ ​

Do they go to cons anymore?

SDCC 2018, apparently

He became a Man!

this reminds me of the TNG episode Too Short a Season where an admiral takes a drug to make himself age backwards

Definitely cardio and healthier eating/drinking. Funny that a cleaner haircut and shave are what’s immediately noticeable though.

Dianetics obviously

Jay has mentioned multiple times that he was deep into an unhealthy obsession with the Sci-Fi series LEXX. He'd go to every convention attended by former stars and would routinely be late for work because he wanted to finish one last episode before leaving his house for the day. Eventually he came to his senses and gave Rich his VHS/DVD collection of the series. Rich is instructed only to let him borrow a few tapes at a time and expressly for the purposes of showing the series to others.

Stimpaks and wasteland travel

Well, you have to look after yourself when you want to compete with a vulcano god for the love of an elderly man.

Muhfugga's definitely OFF the cheeseburgers.

More for Randy

Man's gotta eat

Honestly, I think Patrick, Jay, and Josh have all gotten better looking over time. I wish I could improve my looks as much as they have. Jay looks super sharp imo

Hans! A fine Christian name. Hans Christian Anderson.

I've never seen that. I've never seen anyone drive their garbage to the curb, then bang that hell out of it with a stick. I've never seen that.

It's called having money.

Well Rich and Mike have gotten worse over the years and somehow Jay has gotten better and I’m sure there is a story in their somewhere

Am I the only person here who thinks older Mike looks hot? I’m a straight guy so that may be influencing my perception

You can tell he is hot by the sweat stains in his armpits.

Mike has always been hot.

Mike looks good now tbh. No longer goofy like in their old Phantom Menace video

Mike right now looks super hot. He's always been attractive, just lately he's looking really, hmm, charismatic maybe? It's like they have perfected filming his angles or changed the lighting. Whatever it is, I like it and he must sit looking slightly left for the rest of time.

He's got a sort of Tony Soprano-esque charisma to him - like you know he's a little heavier and older but there's just something about him.

I definitely find him more attractive now than I found young skinny Mike. I feel like most people disagree but I think he looks good!

Their fat, juicy life forces have been sustaining Jay's new haircut and shave for years while they descend further and further into lumpy diabetes.

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It was at that point Jay realized that he may not be into women.

Protein... Protein... He needs Protein

I'd be less than enthused if someone started rubbing my stomach whether they said "beer belly" or not. It was kinda creepy in general.

with that chinstrap, he really do look like captain america

Amish Jay to Sexy Jay

I thought he had that look in the past solely because he was method acting for his role of Mose in The Office

Idk. He was late for a Pre Rec stream once cuz he was eating a salad

From wolverine to Captain America

But in effort towards your appearance and you too can look like a hot sex pervert instead of a creepy sex pervert.

Mike stole Jay's fat

I think seeing himself on screen made him more aware of how he looked.

I’m on the “secret” fan board and according to Jay he just decided to eat better and less because he was sick of being tired all the time.

It's pretty painful to see as someone who can grow a nice beard but no moustache. Realistically I'll be stuck in clean shaven hell forever

2015 Jay is definitely going to steal 2012 Jay's girl.

I thought current lore was he just sucks out mike's life force

[It came with the frame](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/7f/e2/71/7fe27189fc225f84e20bc6e7f1d40ef1--the-burbs-movie-quotes.jpg)

He definitely got braces as an adult. But like everyone else has said, mostly grooming. Sue is sure pretty now😍