I tend to just feel bad for the characters involved, I don't understand the appeal.

I'm the same way. It usually makes me uncomfortable and I don't want to watch it.

Something similar with reality TV. I start to get irritated. I know the situations are fabricated and edited but it gets me worked up and I hate it.

God I'm so glad I'm not the only one. I thought everyone likes embarrassment humor and maybe I was getting a little cynical about "how bad taste is getting" or something. So good to know that others call it "cringe" (in one way, not in the other) and can't watch it either.

I was the same way and then I found American Family. I also only started watching it to have something on in the background which is actually probably the reason why I "adapted" to embarrassment humor.

I looked up from the computer/phone/chores to appreciate funny moments bit by bit, started appreciating the characters in wholesome moments, tune out when cringy things were going on... Eventually I got invested into the story of some of the episodes to the point where I started to tolerate cringe and even laugh at it.

“I Think You Should Leave” is like if 8 year olds are suddenly thrust into adulthood but didn’t mature on the short trip there.