The Rise and Fall of the Tosh.0 Wisdom Teeth Girl Meme
When it comes to viral memes, it’s hard to forget the “Tosh.0 Wisdom Teeth Girl.” The video, which debuted on Daniel Tosh’s Comedy Central show in 2014, shows a teenage girl in the aftermath of her wisdom teeth extraction, crying and expressing her love for Ryan Gosling. In the years since, the video has become synonymous with the “bad trip/funny reaction” genre of internet memes.
However, as with all viral content, the popularity of the Wisdom Teeth Girl meme eventually began to wane. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the rise and fall of this internet phenomenon.
The Rise of the Wisdom Teeth Girl Meme
The Wisdom Teeth Girl meme first gained mainstream attention on February 11, 2014, during an episode of Daniel Tosh’s “Tosh.0” show. On the show, Tosh featured the viral video, which had already gained a significant amount of attention on social media. The video quickly took on a life of its own, with users sharing it across platforms and creating their own remixes and parodies.
What made the Wisdom Teeth Girl meme so popular? Perhaps it was the relatability of the video. After all, many people have experienced the aftermath of wisdom teeth extraction and can sympathize with the groggy, emotional state that often follows. Additionally, the video was both funny and heartwarming, with the young girl professing her love for Ryan Gosling while still under the influence of anesthesia.
The Fall of the Wisdom Teeth Girl Meme
Like all memes, the Wisdom Teeth Girl eventually began to lose steam. As the video continued to be shared and remixed, the meme became over-saturated and began to feel tired and repetitive. Additionally, the girl in the video, Abby, began to speak out about the negative impact the meme was having on her life.
In a 2017 interview with The Atlantic, Abby shared that the fame that came with the meme had created a stressful and uncomfortable environment, and had even affected her ability to pursue jobs and internships. “I may have been slightly famous five years ago for a minute, but the amount of negative content that still exists is ridiculous,” she said.
The Legacy of the Wisdom Teeth Girl Meme
While the Wisdom Teeth Girl may no longer be the viral sensation she once was, her legacy lives on in the countless other “bad trip/funny reaction” memes that have since followed. Videos featuring distracted boyfriends, dramatic chipmunks, and sneezing pandas all owe some debt to the Wisdom Teeth Girl, whose meme helped to popularize the genre.
Ultimately, the rise and fall of the Wisdom Teeth Girl meme serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of internet fame. While memes may capture our attention and imagination for a time, they inevitably give way to the next big thing. However, for those who become unwitting internet celebrities, the impact of that fame can continue to be felt long after the meme has faded into obscurity.
