The Daily Think

The Cringey Pull, it’s that TV show’s ability to make you consume “realistic situations with awkward social interaction” is what I just finished formulating this idea after watching “The Curse” released by Showtime with Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdi. Along with Emma Stone a young couple tries to get their HGTV pilot show launched in their community in New Mexico.

NO CRINGEY SPOILERS AHEAD
As you progress through the series, a handful of experiences rivaling that of Larry David level antics occur but much less jocularity and more cringey in their own way, are what the young couple (Fielder as Asher and Stone as Whitney) along with their HGTV director/showrunner Dougie (Safdi) will encounter. It almost writes itself in the trailer for the show, and let’s just throw in the location of New Mexico and the town’s inhabitants as Social Interaction points for the couple.

THE PULL
IMPLIED SPOILERS AHEAD? The pull of the Curse comes from the fact that the show is HYPERLY aware of the characters demographics. Mix that in with 2 quirky leads and quirky supporting actor with their very private sides made public as part of the character development and you got a recipe for some situations ahead.

THE REAL CURSE
Some would say the real curse is watching the show…because it traps you in with that Cringey Pull. The most notable of cringe is obviously the “Office” and the documentarian film style with awkward and cringey social interaction. Michael Scott (Steve Carell) as Dunder Mifflin Regional Manager (put some respect character’s fictitious job title) had the tidal wave effect on similar in nature projects that have been green lit for the past decade. Obviously, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant deserve their credit for introducing American’s to the perfect job setting and level of corporate hierarchy that would speak to a broader audience.

And from the “got their start TV Show” the American Office developed a lot of careers from this comedy tree (think Shannahan’s offensive tree in football coaching terms.) All of it does have it’s roots to the mockumentary and obvious mention to Christopher Guest Spinal Tapesque filming and reality TV comedic timing beats. But back to Fielder, if you like Cringey Pull, he’s For You (strained pun.)

THIS CURSE
It’s Worthy TV if you got the stomach to handle uncomfortable. There is a level of stress associated with these TV shows, as some people can’t handle experiencing or even seeing socially awkward moments that look and feel realistic such as the Office, Parks and Rec (levity levels set to HIGH) and VEEP. But there was a younger generation that grew up on Loiter Squad, Eric Andre, Tim and Eric, and the Office and they are creative. They may have their own influences and there are so many other worthy shows, but something about the Curse calls back to these show’s styles.

SEE NO SPOILERS
So without any spoilers, and with only the few opinions laid out above, hopefully you get into the Curse and develop your own opinion about the overall project. It feels like Fielder and Safdi created a project as opposed to a television show. And if you are aware of Safdi or Fielder’s history, there is a possibility of shock within the storyline that may evoke thought, just be prepared for the Curse of the Cringey Pull to keep you suffering throughout the 10 episode project.