These 20 TV Moments Gave Me Secondhand Embarrassment So Bad I Couldn't Figure Out Whether To Laugh Or Cry

Obviously, Riverdale is on this list, don't even worry.

Even great TV shows can sometimes be filled with scenes that just scream ~second-hand embarrassment ~

NBC / Peacock / Via giphy.com

To me, however, there's awful cringe and then there's "awkward hysterical laughter" cringe — so I've rounded up my favourite and least favourite uncomfortable TV moments. Let's get into it:

1. Funny Cringe: Chandler kissing everyone in Friends

NBC / TBS / Via youtu.be

I literally laugh out loud whenever I see this scene — it really is just so awkward but I admire Chandler's commitment to his secret relationship.

2. Bad Cringe: Betty's striptease in Riverdale

The CW / Via youtube.com

I know that Betty just wanted to feel like she was "part of the world" Jughead had gotten into with the snake gang or whatever, but THIS TEENAGER IS DOING A STRIPTEASE IN A BAR IN FRONT OF HER BOYFRIEND'S DAD AND OTHER ADULTS. The whole thing is just awkward and yes, I fast-forwarded.

3. Funny Cringe: Lady Cassandra in Doctor Who

BBC / Via youtube.com

This is more of a personal cringe than universal — but I don't know, something about a surgery-obsessed lady becoming nothing more than a well-moisturised skin graft is uncomfortable yet hilarious to me.

4. Bad and Funny Cringe: Michael kissing Oscar in The Office

NBC / Via youtube.com

The Office in general is an amazing example of making cringe comedy, but this scene will always take the cake! Hats off to Steve Carrell for improvising this work of art.

Note: Oscar Nuñez has spoken about this improvised moment as positive, stating, "I was thinking 'I hope no one laughs. I hope we can use this. I hope no one laughs out loud.' Because I know there's a bunch of gigglers out there, and I thought, 'I hope it's not a ruined take that we can't use.'"

5. Bad Cringe: Hanna's emotional dance in Pretty Little Liars

Freeform / Via youtube.com

We were all Emily at this moment. Just watching on awkwardly in abject horror as Hanna gets her demons out like rent was due the next day. I hate this scene, but it's a piece of history.

6. Funny Cringe: Jules liking her ex's post in Dollface

ABC / Hulu / Via youtube.com

I really truly felt for Jules in this scene — it was so relatable that I developed a stomachache from the idea of this situation... and from laughing so hard at how it was written.

7. Bad Cringe: "Weird, Weirder" from New Girl

FOX / Via youtube.com

Yeah, I never really understood why Jess and Nick had this strange out of body moment between them — but I don't like watching it.

8. Funny Cringe: The "I don't like pizza" scene from Abbott Elementary

ABC / Via youtube.com

Liking pizza or not is definitely a polarising topic, but despite Gregory's embarrassment and avoidance, this is hilarious.

9. Bad Cringe: Young Kendall and Kylie Jenner dancing on a pole in KUWTK

E! / Via youtube.com

This could've been left in the reality show drafts. No words.

10. Funny Cringe: Kat breaking up with Ethan in Euphoria

HBO Max

Kat truly was behaving so toxically in this scene — but created absolute ~comedy~ for me.

11. Bad Cringe: Ross bringing a picnic to Rachel's job in Friends

NBC / TBS / Via youtube.com

Not only is this cringe, but it also pisses me off every time I see it. Ross's complete disregard for Rachel's comfort and professionalism drives me up the wall. I understand you're lonely and jealous but come on man!

12. Funny Cringe: Finn singing "You're Having My Baby" to Quinn's parents in Glee

FOX / Via youtube.com

I know this moment was awful for everyone else, but there's just something so awfully awkward about it that it evokes the most hysterical laughter out of me.

13. Bad Cringe: "You levelled up" in The Flash

The CW / Via youtu.be

This is a recurring offence. The writers let this phrase be used in nearly every episode of season eight and it just became so irritating, tired, and plain cringe! 

Also just a personal note, but when was this "levelling up" in the room with us? Because season eight felt exactly the same as season seven.

14. Funny Cringe: "The epic highs and lows of highschool football" in Riverdale

The CW / Via youtube.com

I don't know if it's the idea of a drug-running nine-year-old or Archie Andrews romanticising American adolescent football to a prison yard full of juvenile delinquents — but this scene is a masterpiece to me. It's the best scene in the show!

15. Bad Cringe: Ezra telling Aria's parents he loves her in Pretty Little Liars

Freeform / Via youtube.com

WHAT DID EZRA THINK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?? THAT HE'D BE WELCOME INTO THE MONTGOMERY FAMILY WITH OPEN ARMS FOR BEING A FELON? 

This also makes my stomach hurt but in a terrible way.

16. Funny Cringe: Keeley pleasuring herself to Roy crying in Ted Lasso

AppleTV+

Cringe for Roy, but for me? An absolute joy! I'm even giggling to myself about this scene just from the screengrabs.

17. Bad Cringe: Ginny saluting Marcus after meeting his girlfriend in Ginny and Georgia

Netflix / Via youtu.be

Oh here comes another bad stomachache for me, because Ginny really felt like she did something ~iconic~ at this moment and she just... didn't.

18. Funny Cringe: "Essex is a continent" from Love Island

iTV / Via youtube.com

No, like this is jokes but it's a ~bad~ joke. I refuse to believe this was a serious conversation for Hayley. Nope.

19. Bad Cringe: Squidward’s toenail injury in Spongebob Squarepants (watch with caution – it’s animated, but it’s gory)

Nickelodeon / Via youtube.com

This was so disgusting, every part of me is now clenched. Were the writers okay?

20. Funny Cringe: The dance mob proposal in Superstore

NBC / Via youtube.com

I'd like to think we're past the "dance mob" part of human history because I never enjoyed them... but also I totally lose it at Bo's adlibs.

What cringe moments from TV shows have triggered your fight or flight? Let us know in the comments!