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Original poster

Does anyone else experience secondhand embarrassment when watching TV?

97 replies

Greenbeanmcgee · 04/12/2022 19:23

I find myself cringing if there's going to be an awkward moment or sometimes a particularly tense confrontation. Sometimes I can't bear to watch.

Does anyone else experience this and what other odd things make you cringe?

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 04/12/2022 20:36

If I come across Jonathan Ross on something and he just opens his mouth and he thinks he is hilarious he's not hilarious and it makes me cringe.

QueenOfThorns · 04/12/2022 20:39

This is why I can’t watch The Apprentice - I’m just too embarrassed for the contestants and how awful they are! DH loves it though.

1Sky · 04/12/2022 20:39

I hate cringe and often stop watching

I also hate it when someone gets stitched up unfairly in a fictional programme. The minute I see someone knows they are in the right but they are framed to look wrong, I often turn off and never come back to it 😂

EarlofShrewsbury · 04/12/2022 20:52

Oh god yes, A Place in the Sun is unwatchable due to the cringe.

PureBlackVoid · 04/12/2022 21:01

Me and DP binge Come Dine With Me, and sometimes I have to close my eyes or cover my ears. DP doesn’t get how I can physically feel ‘cringe’ it’s like goosebumps but without the actual bumps.

Ahh the back of my neck is feeling fuzzy just thinking about CDWM 🙈

bellac11 · 04/12/2022 21:03

Bigbugfish · 04/12/2022 20:33

I can’t watch Mr Bean - it makes me cringe so much I can’t bear it! I also hate radio phone ins, or the bit where they let people who have won a competition ‘say a few hellos’ (particularly after Pop Master on Radio 2!!)

Id like to say hell to Bev from the club, to Darren and Sharon who we met last year in Tenerife, also hello to Stevieboy (its always some cringe name like that), followed by 'he knows why', also to dad because he's just had a heart transplant, love you dad and to anyone else that knows me.

Remainiac · 04/12/2022 21:04

Bigbugfish · 04/12/2022 20:33

I can’t watch Mr Bean - it makes me cringe so much I can’t bear it! I also hate radio phone ins, or the bit where they let people who have won a competition ‘say a few hellos’ (particularly after Pop Master on Radio 2!!)

Definitely the Popmaster thing especially when they name check half the village, their entire family, their workmates “and anyone else who knows me.” Plus well done to the other contestant and can I have a signed photo- GET OFF NOW.

FrenchFancie · 04/12/2022 21:04

Yes, I especially can’t bear the type of shows where someone is being ‘funny’ interviewing a third party who is not in the know - like Ali G at the beginning where people didn’t know what it was about. I think that ‘Cunk on earth’ program is the same type of thing and it just makes me cringe and I can’t watch…

DrekIsLonelikk · 04/12/2022 21:15

I cringe inside out at chat shows where one of the guests is an attractive man, and all the women in the audience scream and squeal like a bunch of 12 year olds at a boyband concert. Except these are adult women, having convulsions over being in the same vicinity as a good looking male.

It makes me cringe so hard. Mostly in embarrassment for my own sex.

Stayathomenamechange · 04/12/2022 21:24

I cringe when I'm watching a competition type programme where they've brought in a comedian to do little funny interludes but they're just not funny. Like when Joe Lycett did Sewing Bee and he seemed really nice and kind with the contestants but then he'd do a "funny" bit to camera and... nope, not funny.so cringe.

LBFseBrom · 04/12/2022 21:26

I have occasionally experienced that.

Noln · 04/12/2022 21:27

I can't bear it when there's something some characters know and some characters don't, and it's building up to a character or characters finding out the secret. I just find it tense but I also find the inevitability of it stressful and sort of pointless, I want to get it over with. I prefer it when I'm not sure what's going to happen as a viewer.

DatasCat · 04/12/2022 21:29

Any sitcom type situation where you know the fall guy is going to fall right in it. Think Basil Fawlty or Manuel or Meg Griffin or Frank Spencer. There’s a certain type of comedy I really can’t laugh at.

VejaVagVagina · 04/12/2022 21:29

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 04/12/2022 19:53

Couldn't find it but this is funny in an utterly awful way. Poor Amir.

Don't feel sorry for overpaid footballers who can't kick a football the one thing they are paid to do.

userxx · 04/12/2022 21:31

Yes, coronation street makes me feel that way.

Noluthando · 04/12/2022 21:32

Yes I cringe for contestants that get it wrong on the apprentice or dragons den.

Original poster
Greenbeanmcgee · 04/12/2022 21:39

I'm glad that I'm not alone. I agree with so many of these examples especially The Voice and I can't watch game shows when I know that they're going to lose.

I do get it with books too sometimes.

OP posts:
Doublevodka · 04/12/2022 21:40

I watched A Place in the Sun today, it was painful. One of the questions to the couple who were looking at an apartment with a swimming pool was “what kind of relaxing would you do in this area?” absolute cringe fest. That show just needs to get in the fuckin bin.

NippyWoowoo · 04/12/2022 21:42

I feel embarrassed for myself for watching the embarrassment. What's that, second hand once removed?

Tatapie · 04/12/2022 21:46

Ilovedthe70s · 04/12/2022 20:08

I struggle watching the skills test on professional Masterchef.

Me too! So stressful

cobblers123 · 04/12/2022 21:46

Remainiac · 04/12/2022 21:04

Definitely the Popmaster thing especially when they name check half the village, their entire family, their workmates “and anyone else who knows me.” Plus well done to the other contestant and can I have a signed photo- GET OFF NOW.

Show quote history

Oh thank god, I thought it was just me who hated the endless list of nobodies reeled off at the end of Popmaster.

If I'm at home I leave the room but if in the car I just keep shouting to get on with it.

Poor Ken, I wonder if he's sitting there rolling his eyes and thinking the same thing while they drone on.

Shekissedagirlandshelikedit · 04/12/2022 22:33

Yes yes yes to Pop Master 'Everyone who knows me' and A Place in the Sun, Escape to the Country.. 'So who usually does the cooking? criiiiiiinge

I can't bear Loose Women. If I'm over at MIL's and it's on I just want to crawl inside my own body. The worst bit is where they come on at the beginning and do a little wave and the audience whoop. Eugh.

Also anything where someone breaks out into song. Its usually Cliff Richard on The One Show or someone equally embarrassing, while the presenters look on fake adoringly. Just stop it.

PenelopeStrawberry1 · 04/12/2022 22:53

I cringe listening to Roman Kemp on his radio show when he interviews anyone famous; he's such an arse licker. It's embarrassing

Jo Whiley's celebrity interviews used to be the same

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 04/12/2022 22:54

Yes. It’s why I can’t watch The Office.

FettleOfKish · 04/12/2022 22:56

DH has to put his face in my hair if there's something cringey on TV Grin

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