For a while, being "cringe" was the cardinal sin of internet culture. Millennial humor became a punchline. Harry Potter references, Tumblr fandoms, awkward reaction gifs, and overenthusiastic theatre kids were collectively written off as embarrassing relics of the 2010s. Gen-Z armed itself with irony and an endless supply of side-eye emojis, and the message was clear: caring too much about anything was deeply uncool.
But something has shifted. And the shows proving it are hard to ignore.
The Shows Leading the Charge
"Overcompensating" is the clearest example of the new mood. The series leans fully into awkwardness, vulnerability, and chaotic humor in a way that feels far closer to the world of "New Girl" and "Broad City" than the detached, deadpan absurdism that dominated the last few years. Its characters are messy and earnest in a way that would have been ruthlessly mocked online as recently as 2021 — and yet audiences have responded to it with real warmth.
"Adults" has pulled off something similar. The show exists in a strange, confident space between Gen-Z anxieties and Millennial sitcom sensibilities, built around characters who are constantly over-analyzing their own lives and feelings. The sincerity is the point, not the punchline.
Then there's "Hacks", which has found a devoted younger audience centering on wonderful actors, such as Megan Stalter’s, very satirical Millennial humour. What makes the series work is that it never decides who's right. It treats both perspectives with respect and uses the tension between them to make a quiet but compelling argument: humor evolves, but the need for genuine connection through it really doesn't.
The Irony Fatigue Is Real
Strip all of this back and what you're really looking at is a collective exhaustion with irony. For years, online culture was built on the premise that nothing should be taken seriously. Everything had to be self-aware, detached, or buried under layers of sarcasm. Sincerity was a vulnerability, enthusiasm was a liability, and caring about something -- really caring -- made you an easy target.
Audiences appear to be done with that. There is something genuinely refreshing about a character who is earnest, a little awkward, and fully committed to their feelings. They feel like actual people, which turns out to be a more compelling sell than anyone anticipated.
Why Cringe Culture Was Always on Borrowed Time
Looking back, cringe culture was built on an impossible standard -- the idea that people should never be visibly enthusiastic about anything. But some of the most beloved TV shows, the most passionate fan communities, and the most genuinely memorable pop culture moments have always come from people being a little too invested and maybe just a little embarrassing.
Turns out this doesn’t have to be a flaw -- it’s what makes things worth watching!
