When solving crossword puzzles, one might encounter a clue that describes a “type of comedy that’s painful to watch.” This clue typically refers to cringe comedy, a subgenre of comedy that intentionally elicits feelings of awkwardness, embarrassment, or secondhand embarrassment in the audience. Cringe comedy often involves characters making social blunders, saying inappropriate things, or finding themselves in humiliating situations.
The popularity of cringe comedy can be attributed to its ability to tap into our own fears of social embarrassment and inadequacy. By watching characters experience these uncomfortable situations, we can laugh at their misfortunes and feel a sense of relief that we are not the ones going through them. Additionally, cringe comedy can be cathartic, allowing us to release our own feelings of awkwardness and embarrassment in a safe and controlled environment.
