Why Going Back to School Can Feel So Gross

The recent resurrection of the fan-favorite segment “Ew!” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon brought back humorous nostalgia and cringeworthy memories of school days. With celebrities Sabrina Carpenter and Zoë Kravitz joining in on the fun, the sketch showcased the characters of Sara, Lucy Garret, and Hailee Robinson as they navigated the hilarious world of friendship bracelets and stepdad cringe.

The characters of “Ew!” brought a fresh dynamic to the sketch, with each one embodying a different aspect of teenage awkwardness. Sara, the gum-chewing leader of the group, maintained a consistent presence throughout the segment, while Lucy and Jimmy Fallon (as Sara’s alter-ego) played up their quirks with exaggerated gum-chewing and lip-smacking. Hailee, portrayed by Carpenter, added a touch of innocence and sass to the group dynamic with her reluctance to be seen in public with her dad.

One of the standout moments in the sketch was the showcasing of friendship bracelets, pronounced as “BRAHS-lets” in true teenage fashion. The trio’s nod to the popular TikTok trend “Verydemure” added a modern twist to their campy antics, as they flaunted their bracelet designs with pride. The hilariously awkward recreation of their camp talent show dance to the tune of “Espresso” brought back memories of middle school dances and cringe-worthy moves, complete with stuffed animal accessories and arrhythmic hip rotations.

The arrival of Sara’s stepdad, Gary, added a new layer of hilarity to the sketch as he attempted to connect with the girls through a cringeworthy rendition of “Kumbaya, My Lord” and an ill-fated attempt at making panini sandwiches. His clueless attempts at bonding and lack of awareness of the girls’ interests provided a stark contrast to the trio’s teenage antics, resulting in a humorous clash of generations.

As the sketch reached its conclusion, the trio embarked on a lightning round of “Ew!” that encapsulated the essence of teenage disgust and disdain. The rapid-fire responses and exaggerated reactions highlighted the awkwardness and hilarity of adolescence, leaving the audience with a sense of nostalgic amusement and a reminder of why going back to school can feel so gross.

The resurrection of “Ew!” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon served as a humorous reminder of the awkwardness and hilarity of teenage life. Through a blend of nostalgia, cringe-worthy moments, and celebrity guest appearances, the sketch captured the essence of why going back to school can feel so gross – and why we can’t help but laugh at the memories.