History Main / ExpectationLowerer

* Every single guest on ''JerrySpringer'', and the UK equivalent Jeremy Kyle.

Compare-Contrast the MarySue; a character who (like the ExpectationLowerer) the audience does ''not'' identify with, but due to the character's ''strengths'' rather than ''weaknesses''.

* St Thomas Aquinas believed that the righteous in Heaven will be able to observe the torments of the wicked in Hell; the better to enjoy their blessedness. This is probably the harshest demonstration of the second kind of ExpectationLowerer, with gloating and schadenfreude [[RecycledInSPACE on a celestial level]].

* HopelessAuditionees on any TV Talent Show (for instance, ''AmericanIdol'').

* Every single guest on ''JerrySpringer''.

* Carl of ''AquaTeenHungerForce''. Fat, balding, ugly, hairy, a slob, a perverted sleezeball, and beyond.

Possibly related to FriedrichNietzsche and his concept of "Pathos Of Distance" (where one casts that which one does ''not'' identify with as the morally wrong).

[[folder:Philosophy]]
* FriedrichNietzsche and his aforementioned concept of the "pathos of distance" is arguably related to this. Nietzsche argued that moral concepts came about because societies/groups/cliques defined themselves (and a list of traits they allegedly embodied) as "the good" and hence "the unlike us" became "the bad."
* St Thomas Aquinas believed that the righteous in Heaven will be able to observe the torments of the wicked in Hell; the better to enjoy their blessedness. This is probably the harshest demonstration of the second kind of ExpectationLowerer, with gloating and schadenfreude [[RecycledInSPACE on a celestial level]].
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[[folder:LiveActionTelevision]]
* Every single guest on ''JerrySpringer''.
* HopelessAuditionees on any TV Talent Show (for instance, ''AmericanIdol'').
* Studies show that this is literally true of the contestants on reality television; it can actually serve as a mental substitute for self-betterment.

[[folder:WebOriginal]]
* This, mixed with BileFascination, drives sites like Encyclopedia Dramatica and People of Walmart (among many, many others).

[[folder:Pornography]]
* An example of the softer kind of ExpectationLowerer is Ron Jeremy. Jeremy described his appeal as "if [[{{Gonk}} that guy]] can get laid, so can I." In short he makes the audience feel more secure in their sex appeal by showing even people uglier than the (assumed) audience can get a lot of sex.
* The more modestly endowed Max Hardcore has made similar statements. Making himself easy to hate has left him with few racing to adopt him as a role model. But he does make it look like a more achievable goal than being Ron Jeremy.
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[[folder:WebOriginal]]
* Christian Weston Chandler, who has failed at nearly everything he's ever done, is this for many people.
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* Christian Weston Chandler, who has failed at nearly everything he's ever done, is this for many people.

* The more modestly endowed Max Hardcore has made similar statements. Making himself easy to hate has left him with few racing to adopt him as a role model.

[[folder:WebOriginal]]
* Compare yourself with Christian Weston Chandler, the creator of the godawful comic series ''{{Sonichu}}'' and you'll always feel relieved you aren't him.
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* HopelessAuditioners on any TV Talent Show (for instance, ''AmericanIdol'').

* Every single guest on JerrySpringer.

* Compare yourself with Chritian Weston Chandler, the creator of the godawful comic series {{Sonichu}} and you'll always feel relieved you aren't him.