Why we cringe

Cringe is present in certain elements of slapstick humour, in that we laugh at someone’s humiliation or misfortune. But there's something noticeably different between laughing at Mr Bean and the cringe comedy of today.

Cringe comedy gives a feeling of embarrassment when watching someone behave in an embarrassing way.

The difference between slapstick and cringe is that slapstick feels more detached, where we laugh at someone. Cringe comedy feels personal, as if we live through their embarrassment.