Jarring Juxtaposition: Cringe Comedy and the Next Generation of Caricature

Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash

If you have been on the internet lately, you have probably heard about the recent interview between the rapper Offset and mommy blogger turned podcaster Bobbi Althoff. In the almost hour-long interview, we see Offset sarcastically commenting on everything from Bobbi’s fashion to her choice of drink in response to her awkward style of questioning and critique. And, while many people have accused the interview (and Bobbi’s interview style) of being cringeworthy, publications like The Root state that the interview shows how “Offset Just Became the Internet’s Favorite Person” by sticking to the bit and steering the interview in his favor.

In watching the interview for myself, I was less invested in this specific interview and more interested in this awkward style of interviewing that has become popular amongst content creators. From Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Chicken Shop Dates to Ziwe Fumuduh’s popular self-titled talk show, the current era of comedy is full of interview hosts who make the most of performing cringe-worthy commentary.