History Main / Narm

Were you to discuss this phenomenon in a scholarly work or literary circles, the word you would probably use is "{{Bathos}}". Narm and Bathos are similar, but Narm is for ''unintended'' humor.

Narm is subjective, as different audience members may find different things unintentionally funny. It can stem from a failed attempt to pull off an [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome awesome]] (if it comes across as either too underwhelming or ridiculous to be taken seriously), SugarWiki/{{heartwarming|Moments}} (if it comes across as sappy) or [[TearJerker heartbreaking]] moment (if the audience fails to be sad). Anything that falls under {{Wangst}} and DeusAngstMachina runs the risk of falling under Narm, as what is ''intended'' to be sad can instead come across as over-the-top ridiculous and absurd.

In subtitled {{anime}}, Narms are often created through the use of badly used [[GratuitousEnglish English]]. In dubbed anime, Narms are more likely to result from the combination of a budding Creator/WilliamShatner reading an overly-literal translation.

In CGI movies or video games, [[UncannyValley unrealistic movements or facial expressions]] may result in Narm. Dated special effects during dramatic scenes can cause Narm for younger audience members who were raised on nothing less convincing than ''Film/ThePhantomMenace''. TotallyRadical dialogue in cartoons or commercials pandering to children can also be a rich source of Narm. Even [[TookTheBadFilmSeriously a good performance in a bad movie]] can evoke Narm if the actor's performance isn't enough to keep the scene from becoming comedic rather than serious.

Sometimes a part of work can become Narmy in hindsight when it (or part of it) becomes a subject of a meme.

Much of the strength of a Narmy moment comes from the severity of MoodWhiplash caused by it. Compare NarmCharm, which is when a scene still works even with the cheesiness included. Contrast DudeNotFunny, LevelBreaker, ComicalOverreacting. Sometimes Narm examples come from a moment being too realistic, in which case it falls under RealityIsUnrealistic, or from overshooting its mark and making it come off as trying much too hard to sell the drama, pathos, or sense of awe the moment is meant to evoke.

%% Note: This is for moments that are unintentionally narms, not for moments where something ridiculous was intended.

[[quoteright:350:[[Webcomic/CucumberQuest https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/cucumberquestnarm.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Oh, NO! The Hocus Crocus! '''''The Horro'''''--uh, wait, really?]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Oh, NO! The Hocus Crocus! The Horro--uh, wait, really?]]

Narm can be subjective, as different audience members may find different things unintentionally funny. It can stem from a failed attempt to pull off an [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome awesome]] (if it comes across as either too underwhelming or ridiculous to be taken seriously), SugarWiki/{{heartwarming|Moments}} (if it comes across as sappy) or [[TearJerker heartbreaking]] moment (if the audience fails to be sad). Anything that falls under {{Wangst}} and DeusAngstMachina runs the risk of falling under Narm, as what is ''intended'' to be sad can instead come across as over-the-top ridiculous and absurd.

!Other examples:

It is [[TropeNamers named for]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUKitnsWuR8 a famous scene]] in the last season of ''Series/SixFeetUnder''. In it, a main character briefly grabs his right arm and complains that it's numb. He then suffers a brain hemorrhage while repeating the words "Numb arm". However, it quickly degenerates into "Narm! Narm!" before he comically rolls up his eyes, snorts loudly, and then drops to the floor. Even though the scene was intended to be frightening, fans and critics overwhelmingly found it to be funny.

Narm is a moment that is supposed to be serious, but due to either over-sappiness, poor [[SpecialEffectFailure execution]], excessive {{Melodrama}}, [[ObligatorySwearing unneeded use of foul language]], or the sheer [[SoBadItsGood absurdity of the situation]], the drama is lost to the point of surpassing "cheesy" and becoming unintentionally funny. Sometimes also known as "Cringe": evoking dissatisfaction or even disgust from the poor execution, but said poor execution also evokes a kind of humour to make fun of.

See also SnarkBait, NightmareRetardant for "scary" narm, FetishRetardant for "sexy" narm, and SoUnfunnyItsFunny for "funny" narm. If this trope is intentional on the writer's part, see FailedAttemptAtDrama.

!!Examples:

* Narm/{{Film}}

And that's not even getting into what sort of things can be done with customizable uniforms in video games when NoCustom, or even [[WTHCostumingDepartment weird costumes in general]], especially if NoCutsceneInventoryInertia is averted. Serious moments can be ruined by putting the characters in ''very'' silly looking outfits, especially if they and other characters do not respond to it. Bonus points if the game doesn't acknowledge that you stripped a character to their underwear or gave them a swimsuit costume.

And that's not even getting into what sort of things can be done with customizable uniforms in video games, or even [[WTHCostumingDepartment weird costumes in general]]. Serious moments can be ruined by putting the characters in ''very'' silly looking outfits, especially if they and other characters do not respond to it. Bonus points if the game doesn't acknowledge that you stripped a character to their underwear or gave them a swimsuit costume.

And that's not even getting into what sort of things that can be done with customizable uniforms in video games, or even [[WTHCostumingDepartment weird costumes in general]]. Serious moments can be ruined by putting the characters in ''very'' silly looking outfits, especially if they and other characters do not respond to it. Bonus points if the game doesn't acknowledge that you stripped a character to their underwear or gave them a swimsuit costume.

* Narm/{{Pinball}}

It is [[TropeNamers named for]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUKitnsWuR8 a famous scene]] in the last season of ''Series/SixFeetUnder''. In it, Nate Fisher briefly grabs his right arm and complains that it's numb. He then suffers a brain hemorrhage while repeating the words "Numb arm". However, it quickly degenerates into "Narm! Narm!" before he comically rolls up his eyes, snorts loudly, and then drops to the floor. Even though the scene was intended to be frightening, fans and critics overwhelmingly found it to be funny.

* Narm/TabletopGames

Narm is a moment that is supposed to be serious, but due to either over-sappiness, poor [[SpecialEffectFailure execution]], excessive {{Melodrama}}, [[ObligatorySwearing unneeded use of foul language]], or the sheer [[SoBadItsGood absurdity of the situation]], the drama is lost to the point of surpassing "cheesy" and becoming unintentionally funny. Sometimes also known as "Cringe": evoking dissatisfaction or even disgust on the poor execution, but from that it evokes a kind of humour.

Narm is a moment that is supposed to be serious, but due to either over-sappiness, poor [[SpecialEffectFailure execution]], excessive {{Melodrama}}, [[ObligatorySwearing unneeded use of foul language]], or the sheer [[SoBadItsGood absurdity of the situation]], the drama is lost to the point of surpassing "cheesy" and becoming unintentionally funny.

Narm can be subjective, as different audience members may find different things unintentionally funny. It can stem from a failed attempt to pull off an [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome awesome]] (if it comes across as either too underwhelming or ludicrous to be taken seriously), SugarWiki/{{heartwarming|Moments}} (if it comes across as sappy) or [[TearJerker heartbreaking]] moment (if the audience fails to be sad). Anything that falls under {{Wangst}} and DeusAngstMachina runs the risk of falling under Narm, as what is ''intended'' to be sad can instead come across as over-the-top ridiculous and absurd.

Narm can be subjective, as different audience members may find different things unintentionally funny. It can stem from a failed attempt to pull off an [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome awesome]] (if it comes across as either too underwhelming or ludicrous), SugarWiki/{{heartwarming|Moments}} (if it comes across as sappy) or [[TearJerker heartbreaking]] moment (if the audience fails to be sad). Anything that falls under {{Wangst}} and DeusAngstMachina runs the risk of falling under Narm, as what is ''intended'' to be sad can instead come across as over-the-top ridiculous and absurd.

Narm can be subjective, as different audience members may find different things unintentionally funny. It can stem from a failed attempt to pull off an [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome awesome]], SugarWiki/{{heartwarming|Moments}} (if it comes across as sappy) or [[TearJerker heartbreaking]] moment (if the audience fails to be sad). Anything that falls under {{Wangst}} and DeusAngstMachina runs the risk of falling under Narm, as what is ''intended'' to be sad can instead come across as over-the-top ridiculous and absurd.

In CGI movies or video games, [[UncannyValley unrealistic movements or facial expressions]] may result in Narm. Dated special effects during dramatic scenes can cause Narm for younger audience members who were raised on nothing less convincing than ''Film/ThePhantomMenace''. TotallyRadical dialog in cartoons or commercials pandering to children can also be a rich source of Narm. Even [[TookTheBadFilmSeriously a good performance in a bad movie]] can evoke Narm if the actor's performance isn't enough to keep the scene from becoming comedic rather than serious.

Much of the strength of a Narmy moment comes from the severity of MoodWhiplash caused by it. Compare with NarmCharm, which is when a scene still works even with the cheesiness included. Contrast with DudeNotFunny, LevelBreaker or ComicalOverreacting. Sometimes Narm examples come from a moment being too realistic, in which case it falls under RealityIsUnrealistic, or from overshooting its mark and making it come off as trying much too hard to sell the drama, pathos, or sense of awe the moment is meant to evoke.

Narm can be subjective, as different audience members may find different things unintentionally funny. It can stem from a failed attempt to pull off an [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome awesome]], SugarWiki/{{heartwarming|Moments}} (if it comes across as sappy) or TearJerker moment (if the audience fails to be sad). Anything that falls under {{Wangst}} and DeusAngstMachina runs the risk of falling under Narm, as what is ''intended'' to be sad can instead come across as over-the-top ridiculous and absurd.

In CGI movies or video games, [[UncannyValley unrealistic movements or facial expressions]] may result in Narm. Dated special effects during dramatic scenes can cause Narm for younger audience members who were raised on nothing less convincing than the Phantom Menace. TotallyRadical dialog in cartoons or commercials pandering to children can also be a rich source of Narm. Even [[TookTheBadFilmSeriously a good performance in a bad movie]] can evoke Narm if the actor's performance isn't enough to keep the scene from becoming comedic rather than serious.

And that's not even getting into what sort of things that can be done with customizable uniforms in video games, or even [[WTHCostumingDepartment weird costumes in general]]. Serious moments can be ruined by putting the characters in ''very'' silly looking outfits, especially if they and other characters do not respond to it.

Narm is a moment that is supposed to be serious, but due to either over-sappiness, poor [[SpecialEffectsFailure execution]], excessive {{Melodrama}}, [[ObligatorySwearing unneeded use of foul language]], or the sheer [[SoBadItsGood absurdity of the situation]], the drama is lost to the point of surpassing "cheesy" and becoming unintentionally funny.