Videos to inoculate against cringing

July 11, 2009 7:36 AM

Please suggest videos (or audio) to help inoculate me against cringing.

I'm trying to greatly desensitize myself to the embarrassment of other people. As a reference point, I sometimes have trouble finishing the Miss Teen South Carolina video, though I have done it.

So, please suggest particularly cringe-inducing videos of people being embarrassed. The more hard-core the better.

Thanks !!!

posted by mpls2 to Media & Arts (22 answers total)

Who Wants To Be a Millionaire
posted by Flunkie at 7:44 AM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]

Watch the entire run of the UK version of The Office.
posted by bondcliff at 7:45 AM on July 11, 2009 [4 favorites]

Response by poster: Who Wants To Be a Millionaire

LOL... I actually saw that last weekend, and I did have to stop halfway through before finishing. Thanks though.
posted by mpls2 at 7:47 AM on July 11, 2009

boom goes the dynomite
posted by nitsuj at 7:52 AM on July 11, 2009

The Newlywed Game
posted by Flunkie at 8:02 AM on July 11, 2009

Comedy Central has a relatively new show called Tosh 2.0 that seems to be all about cringe-inducing internet videos.
posted by Eumachia L F at 8:03 AM on July 11, 2009

Try to sit through that video of the hippies singing that lol cat song to the tune of "Come Together".

My personal best is 15 seconds. So I'm in your shoes. I'm sure others have done better. If that doesn't cure you, nothing will.
posted by Zambrano at 8:20 AM on July 11, 2009

Go see Bruno.
posted by moxiedoll at 8:29 AM on July 11, 2009

Best answer: Not only does keyboard cat document such embarrassing occurrences, he helps you to not cringe so much when you watch them. His ditty is a regular feature of my life now, playing every time somebody pulls a show-stopper and/or needs the hook.

Also, Stupid Game Show Answers
posted by carsonb at 8:54 AM on July 11, 2009 [3 favorites]

Watch anything by Todd Solondz
posted by FuManchu at 9:19 AM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]

Most anything Ricky Gervais has made is full of fictional, cringe-worthy moments, especially the already-mentioned UK version of the Office and Extras.

Also in a similar vein, the Channel 4 british show Peep Show

The Palin-Couric interview, a good portion of Bushisms.
posted by JauntyFedora at 9:20 AM on July 11, 2009

Oh, and any videos by/about BikerFox, especially the first 2 on this page
posted by JauntyFedora at 9:22 AM on July 11, 2009

Curb Your Enthusiasm
posted by rhizome at 10:22 AM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]

Best answer: This should do the trick.
posted by aheckler at 10:43 AM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]

New show on HBO called "Eastbound and Down" is 100x more cringe-worthy than The Office. Bigoted, obnoxious, foul-mouthed, and utterly hilarious.
posted by jbickers at 12:09 PM on July 11, 2009 [1 favorite]

Coupling is also good.
posted by tigrrrlily at 12:12 PM on July 11, 2009

Alan Partridge
posted by Bodd at 12:18 PM on July 11, 2009

Try watching Monk. The show is hilarious and well done, but so awkward I couldn't make it past two episodes. I am a fellow empathic embarrassment sufferer.
posted by cj_ at 1:01 PM on July 11, 2009

Watch a few Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games. Or, follow them the whole season.

Cringe worthy, indeed.
posted by elder18 at 1:46 PM on July 11, 2009

Response by poster: Weird that so many people are affected by television shows. Knowing that's it's fake renders me completely immune.
posted by mpls2 at 2:30 PM on July 11, 2009

Have you seen Fail Blog? It's basically just pictures & short video clips of people/things failing in one way or another.
posted by kate blank at 4:52 PM on July 11, 2009

Best answer: Oh, sweet Jesus. From aheckler's link, I found this, which I may just try to turn into my new ringtone.
posted by piratebowling at 5:31 PM on July 11, 2009