History Main / TheFreelanceShameSquad

* In ''Film/HomeAlone 2'', conflict between Kevin and the rest of his family starts because Buzz plays an immature prank on Kevin while he's doing his vocal solo in the school Christmas Pageant. Said prank involves using two prop candles to give Kevin bunny ears, pretending like he's using Kevin's head as a drum, etc., and almost the entire auditorium full of ''adults'' (except the McCallisters, with the exception of Uncle Frank who is laughing) and other students thinks it's ''hilarious''. Never mind the fact that essentially Buzz is ruining the Christmas Pageant simply to act like a jackass behind Kevin. The choir director doesn't even seem to notice his antics, yet every single member of the audience does. Buzz is lucky he wasn't suspended.
** At the start, the conductor actually does, if you look closely at his face while trying to conduct, he looks unimpressed and a bit perplexed. The piano teacher is displeased as well, she even looks behind her shoulders a few times giving the audience patrons stares.
** It is quite possible since we are seeing it from Kevin's perspective, it comes off much harsher than it actually was, and they were probably not doing it to be callous, but nonetheless, they did not acknowledge any possible repercussions to how it might affect him into consideration, and they did not even consider how insensitively officious it was not just to do this to a child but in a school performance.

* In ''Film/HomeAlone 2'', conflict between Kevin and the rest of his family starts because Buzz plays an immature prank on Kevin while he's doing his vocal solo in the school Christmas Pageant. Said prank involves using two prop candles to give Kevin bunny ears, pretending like he's using Kevin's head as a drum, etc., and the whole auditorium full of ''adults'' (except the McCallisters, with the exception of Uncle Frank who is laughing) and other students thinks it's ''hilarious''. Never mind the fact that essentially Buzz is ruining the Christmas Pageant simply to act like a jackass behind Kevin. The choir director doesn't even seem to notice his antics, yet every single member of the audience does. Buzz is lucky he wasn't suspended.
** At the start, the conductor actually does, if you look closely at his face while trying to conduct, he looks unimpressed and a bit perplexed. The piano teacher is displeased as well, she even looks behind her shoulders giving the audience patrons stares.
** It is quite possible since we are seeing it from Kevin's perspective, it comes off much harsher than it actually was, and they were probably not doing it to be cruel, but nonetheless, they did not acknowledge any possible repercussions to how it might affect him into consideration.

* In ''Film/HomeAlone 2'', conflict between Kevin and the rest of his family starts because Buzz plays an immature prank on Kevin while he's doing his vocal solo in the school Christmas Pageant. Said prank involves using two prop candles to give Kevin bunny ears, pretend like he's using Kevin's head as a drum, etc., and the whole auditorium full of ''adults'' (except the McCallisters) and other students thinks it's ''hilarious''. Never mind the fact that essentially Buzz is ruining the Christmas Pageant simply to act like a jackass behind Kevin. The choir director doesn't even seem to notice his antics, yet every single member of the audience does. Buzz is lucky he wasn't suspended.
** At the start, the conductor actually does, if you look closely at his face while trying to conduct, he looks unimpressed. The piano teacher is displeased as well.

* Used in the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode [[MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E22HurricaneFluttershy "Hurricane Fluttershy".]] When Fluttershy was younger, her flight schoolmates would point and laugh at her whenever she messed up at flight training, which was rather often. As a result, she has issues with any sort of [[PerformanceAnxiety performing in public.]] In the present, when it becomes clear that Fluttershy has the worst flight speed of anyone on the waterspout team, a few ponies laugh, then immediately go back to ignoring her. However, Fluttershy's mind makes this far worse than it actually is: she thinks everyone is staring and laughing, and this triggers a panic attack on her part.

* Used in the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode "Hurricane Fluttershy". When Fluttershy was younger, her flight schoolmates would point and laugh at her whenever she messed up at flight training, which was rather often. As a result, she has issues with any sort of [[PerformanceAnxiety performing in public.]] In the present, when it becomes clear that Fluttershy has the worst flight speed of anyone on the waterspout team, a few ponies laugh, then immediately go back to ignoring her. However, Fluttershy's mind makes this far worse than it actually is: she thinks everyone is staring and laughing, and this triggers a panic attack on her part.

* Used in the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode "Hurricane Fluttershy". When Fluttershy was younger, her flight schoolmates would point and laugh at her whenever she messed up at flight training, which was rather often. As a result, she has issues with any sort of performing in public. In the present, when it becomes clear that Fluttershy has the worst flight speed of anyone on the waterspout team, a few ponies laugh, then immediately go back to ignoring her. However, Fluttershy's mind makes this far worse than it actually is: she thinks everyone is staring and laughing, and this triggers a panic attack on her part.

* ''Film/{{Lucas}}'' takes this trope UpToEleven, as if poor Lucas' life wasn't miserable enough already. There are a whopping ''four'' separate instances of public ridicule that he endures, the crowner of which is not only humiliating but incredibly painful; half the student body stands around pointing and laughing while he runs across the school grounds in naught but a towel, clutching his nads because the bullies put liniment on his crotch. [[GroinAttack Ouch.]] To his credit, Lucas is an IronWoobie who refuses to let their cruelty get to him.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* ''Series/TheHardTimesofRJBerger'' has two: the pilot episode with the basketball game after RJ tries to shoot a hoop, misses, and we see his jersey shorts fall down, nearly everyone laughs and then his jockstrap, and the school play episode, of where RJ tries to kiss Jenny, but the tape Miles put on his penis to lessen the humiliation of his erection straps off revealing RJ's large erected penis illuminating on the wall, some wolf whistle, but mostly just laugh, and this is the second time RJ did something in a school play to prompt droll laughter, the first time he soiled himself. It is somewhat sad, because RJ somewhat anticipated it, and though both he and Jenny are embarrassed and look around, in truth, RJ and Jenny both probably perceive the laughter much harsher than intended to be. Some then gasp, jeeringly, as Jenny starts to storm off set, and even RJ has a hilarious and priceless reaction, as he collapses on the bed as the curtains close.

* In one episode of ''Manga/AzumangaDaioh'', [[{{Jerkass}} Tomo]] uses Maya the cat to tease Mr. Tadakichi, Maya bites her, and Yomi and Kagura respond by laughing at her and telling her she had it coming.

** The Troublesome Trucks tend to make fun of any misfortune that befalls the engines. Sometimes they even do so [[TheHeroSucksSong in song]].

* Film/{{Angus}} has the squad deployed on him at several points, the worst probably being when JerkJock Rick stole his boxers and ran them up the school flagpole. Angus' sole friend doesn't help matters by remarking that the shorts are nearly as wide as the flag. The last time is when Rick plays an embarassing video of Angus at the Winter Ball dance just as Angus is being crowned. The principal, at least, is unamused.

* This is a regular occurence for Alex on ''Series/TheWorstYearOfMyLifeAgain''. As an example, in "April Fools Day", he ends up in his underwear in front of a girls health class the first time round, and then in front of the school band during the loop year. In both cases, the audience burst out in mocking laughter.

** Then there's "Mikey's Pants", wherein Mikey rips his pants and his friends try to save him from being faced with [[SternTeacher Miss Finster's]] needle ''and'' TheFreelanceShameSquad, using various materials like newspaper, papier-mache, an empty pickle barrel and "space pants" from the former UsefulNotes/SovietUnion. Finally, however, Miss Finster catches Mikey with his ripped pants, which drives TJ, Vince and Gus to [[HeroicSacrifice intentionally rip their own pants to share Mikey's shame]]. Ultimately {{subverted|trope}} when King Bob witnesses this and urges all the other kids to show respect for this brave act, rather than jeering at the boys' ripped pants.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** PlayedForLaughs and {{Exaggerated}} when Bart already didn't want to go clothes shopping with his mom, but then Marge has to go and throw open his changing room door and leave it open on him, stripped to his briefs. Predictably, everyone in the store points at Bart and guffaws at his embarrassment, one guy even yelling, "Look at that stupid kid!"
** {{Subverted}} in "Homer Goes to College": Homer's Nuclear Physics 101 professor makes an atom-based pun and everyone but Homer laughs. The professor then drops his notes and Homer laughs uproariously... while everyone else looks at him awkwardly.
** There's Nelson. Despite being only one boy, he's about as straight an example of this as there ever was. His entire function on the show most of the time is to appear out of nowhere and point and laugh whenever someone does something embarrassing ([[SignatureLaugh "Haw-haw!"]]). Even when there's no logical reason for him to be present (which is sometimes {{lampshade|Hanging}}d). And at one point, this gets [[LaserGuidedKarma reversed on him in an epic fashion]] when he makes the mistake of laughing at an extremely tall fellow who happened to drive a tiny car. The man makes him pull down his pants and waddle down Main Street as all of Springfield mocks him. In another episode, he "Haw-haw"'s ''himself'' in the mirror, then remarks that it made him feel really bad. [[HeelRealization "No wonder no one went to my birthday party."]]

* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'':
** {{Invoked|Trope}} when Stan shows up to the class Halloween party dressed up as Raggedy Andy (and Wendy doesn't go through with dressing as Raggedy Ann). Mr. Garrison actually says "Let's all laugh and point at Stan, everyone", and they do.
** When Randy gets a DUI in "Bloody Mary", Mr. Garrison gives a lecture on drunk driving, in which he brings Randy into the classroom to give a halfhearted apology speech. Mr. Garrison then berates him quite thoroughly while he addresses the class as Stan hides his face in agonized embarrassment. Inverted since the rest of the class just stares dumbfounded.
** Cartman spearheads these on a frequent basis at the school. In "Bass To Mouth" it's revealed that he does this to such a level one student has actually committed suicide from the ridicule. The School Council order (and [[EvilCannotComprehendGood when that fails]], beg) Cartman not to let the same thing happen to another kid, which he interprets as embarrassing another kid and spearheading a Freelance Shame Squad onto ''her'' instead.
** Jimmy's nightmare in "Erection Day", of where he is a talent show, and suddenly, his penis erects endlessly. Others laugh and point, some girls flip out and leave, Mr. Garrison even says, "Don't worry Jimmy, we're laughing at you not with you."

* In the ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' episode "Pranks a Lot", [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick make themselves invisible and prank everyone by pretending to be ghosts. When Mr. Krabs makes them visible again, he finds that they are [[InvisibleStreaker naked as well]]. (They took their clothes off because the spray they used stained clothes.) Krabs lets them go, and [=SpongeBob=] mentions that [[TemptingFate he'd die of embarrassment if anyone saw him now]]. They exit Krabs' office to find a crowd of all the people they pranked, laughing and hooting at the "Live, Nude Pranksters".
* Used in the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode "Hurricane Fluttershy". When Fluttershy was younger, her classmates at flight school would point and laugh at her whenever she messed up at flight training, which was rather often. As a result, she has issues with any sort of performing in public. In the present, when it becomes clear that Fluttershy has the worst flight speed of anyone on the waterspout team, a few ponies laugh, then immediately go back to ignoring her. However, Fluttershy's mind makes this far worse than it actually is: she thinks everyone is staring and laughing, and this triggers a panic attack on her part.
* ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse2013'': In "[[Recap/MickeyMouseS1E1NoService No Service]]", Mickey Mouse saves himself from this when he regains his clothes (and gets Donald's as well). Donald ends the episode being chased by one of these squads.

* Back in the early episodes of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', the engines are often shown laughing or smirking whenever another has an accident or another humiliating incident, no matter how dire. Downplayed in later episodes, where they often show a more consistent concern for each other whenever they seem to be in trouble.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'' has these constantly as well, in one episode Timmy's Dad was so humiliated by his lowly job that he was actually ''followed'' by the shame squad.
* ''WesternAnimation/GlitchTechs'': {{Discussed|Trope}} Miko's older sister Nica is really paranoid about public appearances because every teenager is constantly looking for embarrassing moments from their peers to post on social media.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'': In "Mama's Girl", Spinelli happens to accidentally [[ItMakesSenseInContext call Miss Grotke "mama"]] and ''everyone'', including [[NotSoAboveItAll her own friends]], laugh at her for most of the episode.
** Then there's the episode "Mikey's Pants", wherein Mikey rips his pants and his friends try to save him from being faced with [[SternTeacher Miss Finster's]] needle ''and'' TheFreelanceShameSquad, using various materials like newspaper, papier-mache, an empty pickle barrel, and "space pants" from the former Soviet Union. Finally, however, Miss Finster catches Mikey with his ripped pants, which drives TJ, Vince, and Gus to [[HeroicSacrifice intentionally rip their own pants to share Mikey's shame]]. Ultimately {{Subverted|Trope}} when King Bob sees this and urges all the other kids to show respect for this brave act, rather than jeering at the boys' ripped pants.

Thankfully, this is usually not TruthInTelevision, as in reality most onlookers will react with either confusion, surprise, annoyance, or just plain indifference when seeing someone else's faux pas. However, ''fear'' of this trope certainly exists in the minds of young people everywhere. This trope shares a bunk with NoSympathy, and like that, it's a trope that [[PetPeeveTrope tends to really get on people's nerves]]. See also EmbarrassedByAChild, HumiliationConga, and InstantHumiliationJustAddYouTube.

* According to ''ComicBook/ChickTracts'', when you go to heaven, your entire life will be watched by the entire population of heaven, who will laugh and mock you for every single mistake, moment of shame, and angry outburst you've ever had. This is intended to encourage you to lead a good, pious life, to reduce the mocking to a minimum. At no point in the comic is it suggested that the choir invisible might have some sympathy for the pain of others, or get inured to suffering after witnessing it for the billionth time, or might want to spend their afterlife doing something more fun than reviewing real-time footage of the boring lives of strangers for years on end.

* Riley and her emotions ''think'' this is happening in ''WesternAnimation/InsideOut'' when she starts crying in class on the first day in her new school, and are convinced people will laugh at them. It's a subversion, though--all of her new classmates are simply looking on with concern and/or sympathy, and the teacher is very empathetic and kind towards her.

* In ''Literature/AngelasAshes'', the kids immediately notice and mock Frank's shoes. Partly justified since they're just kids, and KidsAreCruel.
* In the original ''Film/TheKarateKid1984'', a ballroom filled with refined, upper-crust partygoers all stop dancing and put down their canapes just to laugh at Daniel-San after he bumps into a waiter and gets bolognese sauce all over his outfit. They were probably mocking the poor waiter too, but it doesn't come across as strongly.
* In ''Film/WeirdScience'', an entire mall atrium full of shoppers stop all their business just to laugh at Gary and Wyatt after bullies dump an Icee on their heads. To their credit, the two girls hanging out with the bullies weren't impressed by the crude little stunt, but it doesn't count for much when everybody else in the mall seemed to be.
* The title character from ''Film/{{Angus}}'' has the squad deployed on him at several points, the worst probably being when the JerkJock stole his boxers and ran them up the school flagpole. Angus' friend doesn't help matters by remarking that the shorts are nearly as wide as the flag. The last time is when Rick plays an embarassing video of Angus at the Winter Ball dance just as Angus is being crowned. The principal, at least, is unamused.
* In ''Film/HomeAlone 2'', conflict between Kevin and the rest of his family starts because Buzz plays an immature prank on Kevin while he's doing his vocal solo in the school Christmas Pageant. Said prank involves using two prop candles to give Kevin bunny ears, pretend like he's using Kevin's head as a drum, etc., and the whole auditorium full of ''adults'' (except Kevin's parents) and other students thinks it's ''hilarious''. Never mind the fact that essentially Buzz is ruining the Christmas Pageant just to act like a jackass behind Kevin. The Choir Director doesn't even seem to notice his antics, yet every single member of the audience does. Buzz is lucky he wasn't suspended.
** At the start, the conductor actually does, if you look closely at his face while trying to conduct, he looks unimpressed. The piano teacher is not pleased either.
* ''Film/JohnnyLingo'' has everybody laughing at Moki for offering Johnny Lingo a dowry of three cows for Mahana.
* ''Film/{{Lucas}}'' takes this trope UpToEleven, as if poor Lucas' life wasn't miserable enough already. There are a whopping ''four'' separate instances of public ridicule that he endures, the crowner of which is not only humiliating but incredibly painful; half the student body stands around pointing and laughing while he runs across the school grounds in naught but a towel, clutching his nads because the bullies put liniment on his crotch. [[GroinAttack Ouch.]] To his credit, Lucas is an IronWoobie who refuses to let their cruelty get to him.
--> '''Lucas:''' ''You can't make me quit!'' [[TheDeterminator EVER!!]]

** Everybody except poor Carrie's boyfriend finds her getting doused with pig's blood to be the funniest goddamn thing in the world. [[BewareTheNiceOnes Then she snaps]], [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge and things start getting much less funny in a hurry]]. In the film, [[ThroughTheEyesOfMadness Carrie is hallucinating the mockery]], as most of the actual student body is just staring in shock. In the novel, people really were laughing, but it's later stated [[MirthlessLaughter that few of them thought it was funny]].

* ''Film/AustinPowersInGoldmember'': Austin gets publicly humiliated twice by his father not attending an honor from the Queen, and earlier, his becoming valedictorian at spy school - both times a wizened old janitor/groundskeeper points and laughs loudly.
* ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'': When [[TheEmpath Mantis]] makes a demonstration of her powers on [[LovableRogue Starlord]], she reveals his [[MySensorsIndicateYouWantToTapThat very intimate]] feelings for [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Gamora]] which immediately leads to their friend [[TheBigGuy Drax]] bursting out laughing much to Starlord's embarrassment. Drax eagerly asks Mantis to do the same for him, but she ends up sensing his amusement and joins in the laughing parade. Somewhat justified, as Mantis is TheEmpath, while Drax simply has no social filter as part of his cultural hat.
* ''Film/{{Tamara}}'': Almost the entire class bursts out laughing when Shawn humiliates Tamara in English by grabbing her witchcraft book and reading it out loud.
* ''Film/TheABCsOfDeath'': In "X", every person Gertrude passes on the subway and the street mocks her for her weight.
* ''Film/BicentennialMan'': During the trailer, when Andrew's face is removed, Galatea points and laughs at him. This [[NeverTrustATrailer isn't in the film]], where she is hiding her face instead.

* ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle'': All the kids sitting on the benches at the water park start giggling derisively at Reese after Malcolm yanks down Reese's trunks in front of them.
* Parodied on ''Series/HowIMetYourMother''. When Barney's eating a meatball sub, Marshall politely points out that he got a little marinara sauce on his tie, and a couple of the people they're eating with respond with a ''very'' tiny chuckle. Barney refers to this as "the most humiliating moment of my life". Of course, Barney being Barney, he immediately begins plotting a [[ComplexityAddiction ridiculous revenge scheme]] that involves [[DisproportionateRetribution convincing Marshall that he's dying.]]
* Happens to Eddie on ''Series/HouseOfAnubis'' after Patricia accidentally sat on the school speaker button, while the two of them were in the principal's office, and they accidentally revealed that Eddie was the principal's son to the entire school. When they got out of the office everyone had gathered to mock Eddie.

* ''Series/TheHardTimesofRJBerger'' has two, the pilot episode with the basketball game after RJ tries to shoot a hoop, misses, and we see his jersey shorts fall down, nearly everyone laughs and then his jockstrap, and the school play episode, of where RJ tries to kiss Jenny, but the tape Miles put on his penis to lessen the humiliation of his erection straps off revealing RJ's large erected penis illuminating on the wall, some wolf whistle, but mostly just laugh, and this is the second time RJ did something in a school play to prompt droll laughter, the first time he soiled himself. It is somewhat sad, because RJ somewhat anticipated it, and though both he and Jenny are embarrassed and look around, in truth, RJ and Jenny both probably perceive the laughter much harsher than intended to be. Some then gasp, jeeringly, as Jenny starts to storm off set, and even RJ has a hilarious and priceless reaction, as he collapses on the bed as the curtains close.
* On ''Series/{{Oz}}'', it's pretty much guaranteed that anytime a fight or beating goes down, every inmate in radius will stop what they're doing to watch and laugh. Justified trope given that they're in prison and it probably ''is'' the best entertainment they've had all day. One of the best examples is at the end of the first season when Beecher takes his revenge on neo-Nazi rapist Schillinger -- Alvarez, Adebisi and O'Reily are in the scene for the sole purpose of watching from the sidelines and laughing hysterically to compound Schillinger's richly-deserved humiliation.
* This is a regular occurence for Alex on ''Series/TheWorstYearOfMyLifeAgain''. As an example, in "April Fools Day" he ends up in his underwear in front of a girls health class the first time round, and then in front of the school band during the loop year. In both cases, the audience burst out in mocking laughter.
* A RunningGag on ''Series/DocMartin'' is a bunch of teenage girls that constantly appear and mock whatever snafus happened on the episode (mostly to the titular Doc Martin), capping it off with at least one calling him [[CatchPhrase "Tosser!""]].

* Back in the early episodes of ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'', the engines are often shown laughing or smirking whenever another has an accident or another humiliating incident, no matter how dire. Downplayed in later episodes, where they often show a more consistent concern for each other whenever they seem to be in trouble.

* ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'': When [[TheEmpath Mantis]] makes a demonstration of her powers on [[LovableRogue Starlord]], she reveals his [[MySensorsIndicateYouWantToTapThat very intimate]] feelings for [[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe Gamora]] which immediately leads to their friend [[TheBigGuy Drax]] bursting out laughing much to Starlord's embarrassment. Drax eargerly asks Mantis to do the same for him, but she ends up sensing his amusement and joins in the laughing parade.

Compare OpenTheDoorAndSeeAllThePeople, when the character is surprised by a mob of onlookers. See also ShamedByAMob, when the fallen character is met with the crowd's quiet look of disapproval. Compare and contrast PointAndLaughShow, when it's the audience who's expected to laugh at a contestant's misfortune.

[[quoteright:251:[[Webcomic/WarAndPeas https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shame_squad.png]]]]

* ''Anime/PuiPuiMolcar'': When Abbey is spotted with an {{Itasha}} paintjob by other molcars and humans across the street, they imagine the crowd morphing into laughing silhouettes. In reality, though, they show concern when Abbey runs away in tears.

* ''Anime/PuiPuiMolcar'': When Abbey is spotted with an {{Itasha}} paintjob by other molcars and humans across the street, they imagine the crowd morphing into laughing silhouettes.

* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'': In Issue 5 of ''WebAnimation/TeenGirlSquad'', The Ugly One gets her head stuck in the sand, and thinks "I hope nobody cool or famous is staring at me." Cue a RevealShot showing George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Music/HenryRollins gawking at her.

* Happens to Eddie on ''Series/HouseOfAnubis'' after Patricia accidentally sat on the school speaker button, while the two of them were in the principals office, and they accidentally revealed that Eddie was the principals son to the entire school. When they got out of the office everyone had gathered to mock Eddie.