History Main / HumiliationConga

When it's a single, very humiliating event rather than a series of humiliating events, that's HumblePie. Compare TraumaCongaLine (a far more serious trope where audiences are meant to feel sympathetic for the victim rather than cheering their downfall), TheChewToy. Not to be confused with TheMasochismTango.

When it's a single, very humiliating event rather than a series of humiliating events, that's HumblePie. Compare TraumaCongaLine, TheChewToy. Not to be confused with TheMasochismTango.

When it's a single, very humiliating event rather than a series of humiliating events, that's HumblePie. Compare TraumaCongaLine. Not to be confused with TheMasochismTango.

->''"All my plans, my hopes and dreams. Ruined -- ruuuuiiiiiined!"''
-> ''[beat]''
-> ''[all the children cheer]''

Worth note is this isn't always that the villain can't die or doesn't deserve to, often times they could be killed but it just wouldn't be a fitting end for them. As some proponents of CruelMercy would say, sometimes death would just be the easy way out and is too good for the villain in question. The audience may be left feeling such a villain didn't get nearly what they deserved. Thus a well crafted HumiliationConga offers a satisfying alternative. The villain is defeated, but they didn't get the quick and easy death. And naturally this makes sense, the more we hate the bad guy, the more we want to see him suffer. (Then again, sometimes the villain ''is'' killed at the tail end of his Humiliation Conga, apparently on the reasoning that his degradation won't be complete until he's a rotting corpse; likely suffering the treatment of LastDisrespects as well.)

Occasionally, a Humiliation Conga may be quite literal, as the protagonists may find it hard to prevent themselves literally dancing with glee at the villain's downfall. If sex or overly affectionate people are involved, it becomes SexualKarma.

May also result in (or even be the result of) a VillainousBreakdown from the villain. Often the main component of a BreakTheHaughty subplot. But beware - done too gratuitously or drawn out too long, [[UnintentionallySympathetic it might actually make people feel sorry for the trounced villain]], or worse, effectively make the protagonists of the story the ''[[MeetTheNewBoss new]]'' [[HeWhoFightsMonsters bad guys]].

Worth note is this isn't always that the villain can't die or doesn't deserve to, often times they could be killed but it just wouldn't be a fitting end for them. As some proponents of CruelMercy would say, sometimes death would just be the easy way out and is too good for the villain in question. The audience may be left feeling such a villain didn't get nearly what they deserved. Thus a well crafted HumiliationConga offers a satisfying alternative. The villain is defeated, but they didn't get the quick and easy death. And naturally this makes sense, the more we hate the bad guy, the more we want to see him suffer. (Then again, sometimes the villain ''is'' killed at the tail end of his Humiliation Conga, apparently on the reasoning that his degradation won't be complete until he's a rotting corpse.)

May also result in a VillainousBreakdown from the villain. Often the main component of a BreakTheHaughty subplot. But beware - done too gratuitously or drawn out too long, [[UnintentionallySympathetic it might actually make people feel sorry for the trounced villain]], or worse, effectively make the protagonists of the story the ''[[MeetTheNewBoss new]]'' [[HeWhoFightsMonsters bad guys]].

The Humiliation Conga is very popular on kid's shows or a show with a general audience, as it's a way to ensure the villain is good and defeated without getting unduly violent. Compare with CherryTapping in VideoGames. Heroes may knowingly tailor one as part of a CruelMercy punishment or maybe a CoolAndUnusualPunishment (or both) for the villain.

-->--'''Dr. Benedict''', ''WesternAnimation/RecessSchoolsOut''

Sometimes you want [[VillainExitStageLeft the villain to escape]] or [[HeelFaceTurn have the villain realize that his evil ways are wrong and become a good guy]], but not this time, usually because it would make for an unsatisfying ending or would just take up too much time. But there's a problem... you can't kill him off. Maybe [[NeverSayDie the censors won't allow it]]. Maybe [[HarmlessVillain he's just not evil enough]] or what he did isn't deserving of death. Or maybe you just aren't feeling up to bloodshed. [[JokerImmunity Or, of course, he needs to survive for his next]] EvilPlan

Sometimes you want [[VillainExitStageLeft the villain to escape]] or [[HeelFaceTurn have the villain realize that his evil ways are wrong and become a good guy]], but not this time, usually because it would make for an unsatisfying ending or would just take up too much time. But there's a problem... you can't kill him off. Maybe [[NeverSayDie the censors won't allow it]]. Maybe [[HarmlessVillain he's just not evil enough]] or what he did isn't deserving of death. Or maybe you just aren't feeling up to bloodshed.

The Humiliation Conga is very popular on kid's shows or a show with a general audience, as it's a way to ensure the villain is good and defeated without getting unduly violent. Compare with CherryTapping in VideoGames. Heroes may knowingly tailor one as part of a CruelMercy punishment for the villain.

-> ''[[{{Beat}} (beat)]]''
-> ''[[AndThereWasMuchRejoicing (all the children cheer)]]''
-->--'''[[BigBad Dr. Benedict]]''', ''WesternAnimation/RecessSchoolsOut''

* HumiliationConga/{{Live-Action TV}}

When it's a single, very humiliating event rather than a series of humiliating events, that's HumblePie. Compare TraumaCongaLine.

[[caption-width-right:346:[[CaptainObvious Butters is having a bad day]].

[[caption-width-right:346:[[Understatement Butters is having a bad day]].]]

[[caption-width-right:346:Butters is having a bad day.]]

Everything the villain has built up, piece by piece, comes crashing down in front of him. [[StarCrossedLovers The lovebirds he kept apart]] pass by him arm-in-arm, the hotel he spent millions building catches fire and burns down, his former YesMan [[TheDogBitesBack steps on his foot]], the bum he spat on now has a Rolex (probably the exact model ''he'' coveted) and asks him to light his cigar, and the [[KickTheDog dog he kicked]] is now [[VideoGame/DuckHunt laughing at him]] (or [[UrineTrouble worse]]). People ComeToGawk at HowTheMightyHaveFallen, and when one starts to laugh, [[ContagiousLaughter everyone joins in]]. And here come the cops; turns out [[EngineeredPublicConfession the mic was on when he declared his foul intentions]].

Sometimes you want [[VillainExitStageLeft the villain to escape]] or [[HeelFaceTurn have the villain realize that his evil ways are wrong and become a good guy]], but not this time, usually because it would make for an unsatisfying ending or would just take up too much time. But there's a problem... you can't kill him off. Maybe [[NeverSayDie the censors won't allow it]]. Maybe [[DesignatedVillain he's just not evil enough]] or what he did isn't deserving of death. Or maybe you just aren't feeling up to bloodshed.

[[caption-width-right:346:Butters is having a ''bad'' day.]]

[[caption-width-right:346:Butters is having a bad day.]]

That's where the Humiliation Conga comes in.

[[caption-width-right:346:Butters got F'd in the entire body.]]

[[caption-width-right:346:Butters got F'd in the... well, everywhere.]]

[[caption-width-right:346:Butters is having a bad day.]]

The answer? The Humiliation Conga!

[[caption-width-right:346:Butters is having a [[{{Understatement}} bad day]].]]

[[caption-width-right:346:Butters is having a bad day.]]

Everything the villain has built up, piece by piece, comes crashing down in front of him. [[StarCrossedLovers The lovebirds he kept apart]] pass by him arm-in-arm, the hotel he spent millions building catches fire and burns down, his former YesMan [[TheDogBitesBack steps on his foot]], the bum he spat on now has a Rolex (probably the exact model ''he'' coveted) and asks him to light his cigar, and the [[KickTheDog dog he kicked]] is now [[DuckHunt laughing at him]] (or [[UrineTrouble worse]]). People ComeToGawk at HowTheMightyHaveFallen, and when one starts to laugh, [[ContagiousLaughter everyone joins in]]. And here come the cops; turns out [[EngineeredPublicConfession the mic was on when he declared his foul intentions]].

* HumiliationConga/{{Anime And Manga}}
* HumiliationConga/{{Comic Books}}
* HumiliationConga/{{Fan Fiction}}

* HumiliationConga/{{Professional Wrestling}}

* HumiliationConga/{{Video Games}}
* HumiliationConga/{{Web Comics}}
* HumiliationConga/{{Web Original}}
* HumiliationConga/{{Western Animation}}
* HumiliationConga/{{Real Life}}

The Humiliation Conga is very popular on kid's shows, as it's a way to ensure the villain is good and defeated without getting unduly violent. Compare with CherryTapping in VideoGames. Heroes may knowingly tailor one as part of a CruelMercy punishment for the villain.