horrorplause 

When an audience boos then suddenly begins to clap, because of the "Applause" sign seen on many TV show sets.

On March 11th, 2008 on the Late Night with Conan O'Brien show, O'Brien had a sketch where he mailed famous celebrities survey questions. During this sketch, the audience horrorplaused seven times.

horrorplause by UrbanAmit March 11, 2008

horrorplause 

as defined by conan o'brien... a reaction in which the audience responds initially in disgust and shock to a joke and then gradually comes around and laughs and applauds.

line: "kirsty ally played a wolly mammoth in '10,000 B.C.'"
followed by: horrorplause

horrorplause by ryanjo March 11, 2008

horror-plause 

Clapping while simultaneously expressing groaning audibly or grimacing. A schizophrenic reaction to something one find's both funny and horrific.

The audience gave Conan O'Brien only horror-plause for his monologue--no genuine laughter for him tonight.

horror-plause by Catherine McHenry March 11, 2008

Horror-Plause 

Deep disgust followed by applause. Reluctant but overwhelming approval.

Conan O'Brien's insensitive joke drew a horror-plause from his audience.

Horror-Plause by Zach Getsmall March 11, 2008