Hugs are a part of many relationships that happen on screen, whether it is between family or friends or significant others or even strangers. In fact, hugs are a way to show emotion when sometimes words may not be enough and over the years there have been some pretty epic TV hugs.
And yet, with every good hug, there is that awkward one that makes it in there too. Sometimes it comes off awkward on purpose, which just adds to the humor of the scene itself. But sometimes the hug just happens to be awkward because of outside context or the emotion that it evokes.
Here is a slideshow of a few examples of how some TV hugs that will make you miss the days of perfectly executed displays of affection.
Shadowhunters
Jace saying no to a hug isn’t shocking, but it does make things a little more awkward. That feeling when you are going in for the hug and get rejected is definitely one that will haunt you next time you lean in.
One Day at a Time
Humor really makes everything more interesting, which is why seeing Lydia hug Schneider like this is more of a blessing than an awkward mess. Still, you have to have real guts to shamelessly hug a shirtless guy like this and Lydia is the perfect person for the job. She is truly our inspiration in every way.
The 100
For an episode all about reunions and the hugs that come with that, this handshake was the most awkward moment in that bunker. And this is a place that hosted murder for about six years straight, yet Clarke and Octavia being this distant around each other was still the hardest thing to watch.
Parks and Recreation
It is a known fact that Ron doesn’t like hugs, but it doesn’t make the moments when others try any less weird to experience. Leslie and Ron’s friendship makes anything more fun and this hug was no different, and yet there is still that want to look away until Ron hugs back.
Supernatural
The best kind of awkward is the one that turns into an internet meme for years to come. This may be a one-sided hug but at least it comes from a positive place? Maybe?
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Hugs don’t have to be between people to make you want to look away in embarrassment. Boyle thinking he was hugging Cheddar and finding a possum instead is the worst nightmare for many.
Insecure
There are embarrassing hugs and then there is this. Looking at it too long is so difficult because it has every component of an awkward hug that should be avoided. Insecure tackled it really well though, making sure we would analyze our hug etiquette before every new one.
New Girl
There are times when you shouldn’t be hugging and that has to include when the other person is kissing their significant other. Nick seems pretty happy about being included in this hug, but it is just strange to experience and definitely makes you reevaluate third wheeling in the future.
The Office
Jim and Pam had some of the most iconic romantic moments in the nine seasons of The Office. Their relationship was a wonderful journey to go in, but it did see some rough patches and this hug is one of them. Pam may have hugged Jim after she realized that they were worth fighting for, yet for a minute or so she just left him hanging.
The 100 Once Again
Here we have Monty and Echo hugging, but then if you look behind them you see Harper. Now, Harper hasn’t exactly been at the center of most things this season on The 100 and this goodbye scene wasn’t any different. Maybe Harper and Echo aren’t all the friendly, or maybe she just wasn’t remembered in the group hug circle and that is pretty awkward in context.
The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon and hugs are two words that don’t belong in the same sentence. That is also why those two words are the reason Sheldon should be in this slideshow. His attempt to hug from time to time is entertaining and yet still so uncomfortable sometimes.
Gilmore Girls
Nothing like Luke warning Rory that he isn’t about hugs before leaning in for one. Rory has had her own fair share of strange hug moments so this shouldn’t be any different. Experiencing this though is still an entire journey that you just can’t unsee.
Superstore
All Glenn wanted to do was fire the security guard at the store without hurting his feelings. Instead, he got roped into this hug that became a job offer that put Glenn into an even worse position at work that day.
Vice Principals
Some people shouldn’t hug and there is a very simple reason for it. Just like with kissing there is a chemistry that goes into hugs. Not everyone has this chemistry and that is completely fine. All that needs to be done to prevent that is no more awkward hugs for a while.
Arrested Development
The only thing that makes an awkward hug more strange is when it is vocalized during the actual act. Just for future reference, maybe not talking about it is the best way to go about it.
Silicon Valley
Hugs aren’t the answer to everything, and maybe sometimes instead of going for the full-blown touch, there could be a handshake that could convey emotions better.
Scrubs
There really are no words here. Turk and J.D. had a wonderful friendship but there are some hugs that should happen behind closed doors, with this one being the perfect example of that. Awkward doesn’t have to mean bad but it definitely means looking away to avoid all these weird vibes.
