I Think You Should Leave: How Tim Robinson's Sketch Comedy Reinvented Cringe Humor

I Think You Should Leave: How Tim Robinson's Sketch Comedy Reinvented Cringe Humor
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The Viral Sketch Comedy Hit

In April 2019, Netflix dropped a new sketch comedy series called I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. Created by and starring Tim Robinson, previously of Saturday Night Live, the series became an instant viral hit thanks to its offbeat, uncomfortable comedy stylings.

Unique Comedic Sensibilities

Tim Robinson's comedy stands out for being willfully absurd while also cringe-inducingly awkward. The sketches frequently feature Robinson (or his co-stars) as characters incapable of reading social cues or following basic etiquette. Much of the humor comes from the extreme awkwardness of whatever inappropriate behavior the character engages in.

Whether it's a man gifting his wife a mirror printed with the phrase "You Dumb Bitch" or a referee unable to control his anger over a harmless Super Bowl commercial, Robinson and his team have a knack for concocting bizarre scenarios that make you want to watch the characters' downfall through your fingers.

Viral Sketch: "The Focus Group"

One particularly viral sketch involved Robinson as a participant in a focus group giving destructive criticism on a new commercial starring Tim Heidecker. Robinson's character becomes irrationally angry over the ad's catchphrase "I think you should leave with Tim Heidecker," taking it as a personal affront.

The increasingly unhinged reactions and stubborn refusal to acknowledge how ridiculous he sounds is precisely the type of agonizing cringe comedy at which Robinson excels. It's uncomfortable, over-the-top, yet so comically irrational you can't look away.

Finding the Humor in the Awkward

So what is it that makes I Think You Should Leave so bingeable? It taps into the universal discomfort people feel in awkward social situations. Even when the characters' behavior is completely outlandish, there's still an element that feels true to people's own experience of uncomfortable moments that spiral out of control.

The Cringe Comedy Genre

Tim Robinson did not originate cringe comedy, but he might represent its current peak. Hits like The Office and Curb Your Enthusiasm also built humor around awkward scenarios and characters unable to realize their own absurdity. But Robinson dials up the absurdity to new heights while keeping characters emotionally grounded in their conviction.

Some of the funniest and most agonizing scenes come when other characters try to confront the ridiculous person or defuse the situation, yet they stubbornly refuse to back down or apologize. It's the kind of scene that makes you involuntarily mutter "I think you should leave" at the TV in commiseration.

Finding the Universality in Specificity

Many of Robinson's sketches could be broken down beat-by-beat to pinpoint why they make audiences cringe yet keep watching. But there's also an ineffable quality to their humor deriving from Robinson's unique comedic voice and perspective.

Somehow, the specific imaginary scenarios he concocts feel true to the emotional experience of real-life awkward moments we don't like to admit. The sketches resonate by getting at universal feelings of embarrassment, frustration, and anxiety over social judgment even when the premises are outrageously fictional.

Lasting Cultural Impact

Since its debut, I Think You Should Leave has become a cultural sensation. Robinson's absurdist approach to cringe comedy resulted in highly meme-able moments tailor-made for internet virality. Many people recognize now-viral references like "You have no good car ideas" or "Rubbing his hands saying 'I hope this doesn't sound too dark'" even if they've never seen the actual sketches.

Spawning a Thousand Memes

In the internet era, meme-ability equals staying power. And Robinson's sketches are loaded with bizarre lines, yelling matches, and sight gags that translate perfectly into viral memes. Moments like angrily stomping on a "Baby of the Year" banner spread widely across social media to the point many know the jokes without context.

But the memes don't just spread because they're funny out of context. They help spark interest to check out the source material and fully appreciate the uncomfortable situations behind them.

Influencing a New Generation of Comedy

Beyond memes, I Think You Should Leave's unique style of cringe comedy seems to have kickstarted a new era in uncomfortable humor. Hits like The Rehearsal experiment with awkwardness and secondhand embarrassment in different ways but owe a debt to proving the appeal of comedy this squirm-inducing.

Robinson also deserves credit as one of the first breakout sketch comedy hits in the streaming era not produced by a major studio. Its viral success likely opened doors for other independent comedians to create visionary yet odd work without traditional networks deeming it "too weird."

The show inspired weirdness is here to stay. And Robinson's comedy fingerprints will be seen in rising new creators aiming to wring laughs from awkwardness for years to come. When it seems a sketch goes too far yet feels too perfect, you can think Tim Robinson for expanding the boundaries of cringe.

FAQs

Who is the creator and star of "I Think You Should Leave"?

The show was created by and stars comedian Tim Robinson, who previously was a cast member on Saturday Night Live.

What streaming service is the show on?

"I Think You Should Leave" is a Netflix original series.

What style of comedy is the show known for?

It became a viral sensation through its cringe comedy style featuring extremely awkward and uncomfortable scenarios.

Why did the show gain so much popularity online?

Many moments from the show's sketches became widely shared memes thanks to their sheer absurdity and meme-able lines.

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