The Couch Guy meme originated in late 2021 when TikTok user Lauren Zarras posted a video of herself surprising her boyfriend at his college apartment. Instead of a romantic reaction, the boyfriend’s seemingly underwhelmed and suspicious response—sitting on a couch surrounded by other women—triggered a massive wave of 'couch detectives' who analyzed every frame for signs of infidelity. The video became a massive cultural phenomenon, evolving into a template for any situation involving awkwardness, lack of enthusiasm, or being caught in a compromising position. It remains a hallmark of TikTok's ability to turn a private moment into a global debate.