“Ew!” with John Cena: The Art of Cringe, Comedy, and Charm in Jimmy Fallon’s Teenage Dreamland

In the chaotic, glitter-fueled, and hilariously awkward world of “Ew!”—Jimmy Fallon’s long-running Tonight Show sketch—everything from Snapchat to John Cena is up for ridicule. It’s a place where adolescent melodrama, over-the-top fashion, and Stepdad Gary’s questionable musical talents meet in a swirl of pink lip gloss, preteen sass, and ironic cringe. This particular installment, featuring none other than John Cena as the teenage girl Addison Wyatt, proves once again why “Ew!” has become a cultural staple of sketch comedy and a showcase for unexpected celebrity transformation.

A Sketch Built on Satirical Simplicity

At its core, “Ew!” is deceptively simple: Fallon, dressed in full tween glam as “Sara—with no H, ‘cause H’s are ew!”, hosts a fictional talk show from her bedroom. Each episode features celebrity guests playing teenage girls—complete with wigs, exaggerated vocal fry, and absurd dialogue. What makes it genius is the consistency of its tone: a mockery of middle-school obsessions delivered with such commitment that it transcends parody into something lovingly ridiculous.

This time, the twist lies in Sara reuniting with her childhood bestie, Addison Wyatt, who has just moved back into the school district. That bestie just so happens to be played by WWE superstar and Hollywood actor John Cena, whose muscular frame and famously macho persona collide head-on with the ultra-feminine, high-pitched “Addison.” The result is equal parts surreal and side-splitting.

John Cena: From Muscle to Mascara

From the moment Cena steps onto the set in full Addison regalia—complete with a pink top, wig, skirt, and teenage pout—the audience is in on the joke. Cena’s comedic timing and total commitment to the role demonstrate why he’s one of Hollywood’s most versatile performers. It’s not just that he looks ridiculous (he does); it’s that he embraces the ridiculousness with zero ego.

Addison is portrayed as having gone through “a little bit of a growth spurt,” and Cena’s booming voice drives the joke home. “My mom says I’m going through some changes,” he says, in a baritone that couldn’t be further from the average teenage girl’s register. The line lands not just because it’s funny, but because Cena sells it with deadpan sincerity.

Stepdad Gary: The Real Scene Stealer

But no “Ew!” episode would be complete without an interruption from Sara’s cringeworthy stepdad, Gary—played by Fallon himself. Sporting a sweater vest and cringe-dad energy that rivals any sitcom father from the 1990s, Gary bursts into the room rapping about sushi and misquoting Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5.”

“You better scootch your toosh if you want some of that sush!” Gary declares before breaking into a full-blown sushi rap, much to the girls’ horror. While the lyrics (“♪ Ahi tuna, mackerel, and fluke / Better eat it quick or you just might puke ♪”) are the kind of pun-heavy, groan-worthy rhymes you’d expect from an out-of-touch dad, the musical number underscores the sketch’s dedication to absurdity. Gary is the embodiment of everything these girls hate: old, awkward, and obsessed with inserting himself into their world.

And yet, Stepdad Gary is also the audience surrogate—a reminder that we were all once teenagers who thought our parents were embarrassing. His genuine enthusiasm, paired with his utter lack of self-awareness, somehow makes him endearing.

The Speed Round of “Ew!”

In one of the sketch’s hallmark segments, Sara and Addison participate in a rapid-fire “Ew!” round, where they react to various topics with a well-timed “Ew!” The list includes everything from kites and bassoons to John Cena himself.

The meta-joke—Cena as Addison declaring “Ew!” at the mention of John Cena—is a perfectly self-aware moment that underscores the sketch’s layers. It’s this kind of tongue-in-cheek humor that gives “Ew!” its longevity. Fallon and his team know when to lean into the obvious and when to let the audience fill in the gaps.

When Addison expresses a crush on Braiden from homeroom and reenacts a text convo with him—complete with emoji commentary—it captures the faux drama of tween life with pitch-perfect satire. Lines like “You’re crushing this crush” parody the inflated language of adolescence while also giving the sketch emotional texture.

Dance Numbers and Nostalgia

Of course, what’s a teen sleepover without a choreographed dance break? The girls hit the beat to Bruno Mars’ “Finesse,” complete with synchronized moves and matching energy. It’s moments like these—peppered throughout the sketch—that elevate “Ew!” from a series of jokes into a fully realized world. We may laugh at Sara and Addison, but we also root for them.

The final exchange about Olive Garden, where Sara says, “Addison, when you’re here, you’re family,” before both squeal “Ew!” in unison, is a perfectly crafted punchline. It’s sweet, ironic, and captures the sketch’s ability to parody affection while still being, somehow, genuinely affectionate.

Why “Ew!” Works

The brilliance of “Ew!” lies in its specificity. It doesn’t try to be universally relatable; it dives headfirst into a hyper-niche world and finds the universal truth within it. Teen awkwardness, misplaced confidence, parental embarrassment, and the hunger for validation—it’s all there, just coated in glitter and wrapped in bubblegum-pink sarcasm.

And celebrity guests like John Cena don’t just show up—they transform. By playing against type, Cena highlights just how much fun can be had when performers let go of image and simply play. It’s a testament to Fallon’s ability to create an environment where even the most macho icons feel free to explore their inner tween.

The Legacy of “Ew!”

As late-night sketches go, few have had the staying power of “Ew!” Its recurring characters, absurd premises, and celebrity cameos have turned it into more than a skit—it’s a pop culture phenomenon. And episodes like this one, where a mega-star like John Cena dons a wig and talks about his love of throwing things and texting boys, show us exactly why.

In an era where comedy often tries to be too clever or too edgy, “Ew!” reminds us that silly, exaggerated fun still has a place. Whether you’re laughing at Gary’s sushi rap or Cena’s “growth spurt,” you’re in on the joke—and sometimes, that’s all comedy needs to be.

Let me know if you want a Vietnamese translation or a punchier satirical version.