The cultural phenomenon of cringe comedy and its effects on toxic masculinity in "Peep Show" (PDF)

Examination Thesis from the year 2022 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 1,5, University of Leipzig (Anglistik), language: English, abstract: This thesis looks at the ongoing phenomenon of cringe comedy in British contemporary television. Taking a cultural studies perspective, it argues that cringe comedy affects toxic masculinity and the way one perceives masculinities. A close reading of the TV series Peep Show provides a number of examples that give insight into how masculinities are constructed in cringe comedy television and the ideology that comes with awkward jokes. Even though the viewing numbers have always been low for Peep Show, it can be considered a prime example of British comedic television and its recent developments.

With increasing awareness of toxic masculinities and the increasing popularity of cringe comedy television formats that undoubtedly shape Western societies and cultures, it becomes relevant to investigate how humour affects gender stereotypes. When exploring the function of comedy and awkwardness in media, Kotsko ("Awkwardness") and Middelton found that awkwardness creates a shift to self-reflecting formats, where the spectatorship is being irritated by the uncomfortableness they feel when their expectations are not met on television programs. Studying the meanings of jokes and gender is relevant to understanding how one interacts in cultures and how they use humour as a social tool. This paper contributes to the fields of cultural studies, media studies, and gender studies since humour is used to rationalise social norms in British society, directly its culture. I will argue that the sitcom Peep Show uses cringe comedy as a tool to uncover, create and criticise toxic masculinity characteristics within our society by evoking laughter in the audience.