In this podcast, the hosts explore the emerging trend of 'cringecore' in television, discussing shows like 'Nathan for You' and 'How To with John Wilson' that blur the line between reality and artifice. They examine the skepticism of reality and fascination with discomfort that draws viewers to these shows. The podcast also delves into topics like the manipulation of reality, cringe aesthetics and neurodivergence, the blurred boundary between reality and fiction, embracing cringe, and the desire to feel something through comfort cringe.
Cringe core TV shows blend comedy and reality to create a deeply uncomfortable viewing experience.
Cringe core raises questions about the blurred line between reality and fiction, challenging societal norms and questioning the audience's role in the viewing experience.
Deep dives
The Rise of Cringe Core TV Shows
There is a growing trend of TV shows that blend comedy and reality TV, resulting in a deeply uncomfortable viewing experience. This phenomenon, known as 'cringe core', is characterized by a mix of scripted and reality elements that push viewers to feelings of revulsion and discomfort. Examples of cringe core shows include Nathan Fielder's 'Nathan for You' and 'How To with John Wilson'. These shows feature strange host figures who disrupt social norms and navigate excruciatingly uncomfortable situations. The appeal of cringe core lies in the humiliation and awkwardness experienced by the people on the show and the recognition of these uncomfortable scenarios. Viewers are drawn to this mix of fiction and reality, questioning their own social contracts and finding catharsis in the power dynamics at play.
The Power Dynamics in Cringe Core
Cringe core TV shows often involve a power dynamic between the performer, the person being interacted with on the show, and the viewers. While the performers aim to violate social contracts and push boundaries, the involuntary participants often feel the need to comply in order to maintain social politeness and avoid breaking the contract. The shows exploit this tension and discomfort to the fullest, forcing viewers to confront not only their own reactions but also the blurred line between reality and fiction. There is a sense of control and manipulation at play, as the performers challenge societal norms and question the audience's role in the viewing experience. This imbalance of power adds to the cringe-inducing nature of these shows.
The Evolution of Cringe Comedy
Cringe core represents an evolution of cringe comedy. While old cringe comedy emphasized open hostility and contempt towards the audience, the new wave of cringe core shows present a different approach. Rather than breaking down social norms through aggression, cringe core focuses on revealing artifice and exploring the limits of reality within the confines of a controlled production. Figures like Nathan Fielder and John Wilson play with convention and audience expectations, utilizing self-awareness and manipulation of reality to engage viewers. This shift towards neurodivergence and self-awareness allows for a deeper exploration of human connection and our desire to navigate the boundaries of reality.
The Quest for Reality in Cringe Core
Cringe core shows raise questions about our ever-increasing mediated and curated reality experiences. As our lives become more intertwined with technology and media, we are constantly negotiating what is real and what is fabricated. These shows provide a heightened awareness of the constructs that shape our perception of reality. While they may push us further away from a pure, unfiltered reality, they also offer glimpses of authenticity and human connection amidst the cringe. The discomfort and emotional rollercoaster of cringe core create a unique viewing experience that allows audiences to question their own agency and understanding of reality.
In the inaugural episode of The New Yorker’s new culture podcast, the staff writers Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz make sense of an emerging trend in the world of television: a new genre of cringe comedy that collapses the gap between reality and artifice in ways that make the viewer deeply uncomfortable. “As a shorthand, I’ve just simply started calling it ‘cringecore,’ ” Schwartz says, referring to shows such as Nathan Fielder’s “Nathan for You” and “The Rehearsal,” and the docuseries “How To with John Wilson.” What defines these projects, and what draws viewers to them? One theory: at a time when so many of our preferences, relationships, and experiences are mediated by algorithm, these shows reflect a deep skepticism of reality itself. “I feel that reality in our culture is like the last undiscovered tribe of the Amazon,” Schwartz says. “We’ll never make contact with it again.”
