The chokehold that workplace TV Shows have on America

According to IMDb’s top 100 TV show list, 46% are set in a workplace. In a random google form survey of students in grades 7-12, 56% selected a favorite series that takes place in a workplace as well. Based on this research, why is this genre of TV shows so popular? 

These numbers show workplace comedies are everywhere, but statistics alone don’t explain why they matter. “I love mockumentary or workplace comedies,” writes an anonymous 10th grader, whose favorite show is Abbott Elementary. “I’m not sure why, but this one is just different; [Abbott] deals with real world problems and mixes humor with it.” Abbott Elementary is a popular television series set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It focuses on teachers working at an underfunded public school and their lives in and out of the classroom. Abbott deals with issues that we see in real life, as mentioned in the quote. What about these topics attract us so much? It could be that seeing situations we relate to on the screen gives us a sense of familiarity, which makes us want more. But, Abbott Elementary isn’t alone on this subject--workplace comedies have long held our attention, from hospitals to office cubicles, raising the question of why we keep coming back to this type of setting on TV. After all, what’s more familiar than laughing at the same kinds of places we show up to every day?

Image via Giles Mingasson/ABC

As mentioned, people spend much of their time at work or school. Seeing these environments reflected in the media creates not only a sense of comfort, but offers comedic relief as well. Workplace shows succeed because they show us we’re not alone--everyone deals with imperfect days and people. To show how these ideas play out, I have formed a list of the top 5 best rated workplace TV shows (in order of highest ratings according to IMDb) to discuss the plot and what I believe led to their popularity.

Show #1: Ted Lasso (8.8/10)

Ted Lasso follows the story of a Kansas-born American football coach that moves to the U.K. after being hired as the manager for a soccer team by the name of AFC Richmond. The team’s owner, Rebecca Welton, hopes to ruin the football club that belonged to her cheating ex-husband, using Ted’s inexperience to carry out this plan. Set at AFC Richmond’s stadium, the series follows the lives of not only the staff, but the players as well, mixing genuine experiences with football. It is a hilarious and heartfelt show, highlighting many encounters of resilience, no matter what challenges the characters face. Ted Lasso’s popularity can be attributed to its mix of humor, heart, and interesting premise. At its center, the show offers audiences optimism and joy. By blending deep struggles with lighthearted entertainment, Ted Lasso became a deeply loved show that resonates with many far beyond the world of sports. 

Image via Marianka Swain/London Theatre

Show #2: Succession (8.8/10)

Succession tells the story of a dysfunctional family whose media empire is beginning to crumble. Failing to manage power struggles within the company, protagonist Kendall Roy’s endeavor to gain approval from his father leads to a multitude of larger issues. The show’s success stems from how it blends intense drama with themes that resonate in real workplaces. Struggles for recognition, power dynamics, and competitions for leadership are all issues that people face day to day in professional environments, even if it is slightly amplified on television. The series highlights how personal relationships complicate the business world along with its original purposes. This combination of corporate drama and familial connections explains how Succession has captivated such a large audience. 

Image via HBO Max

Show #3: Severance (8.7/10)

Severance explores a world where a procedure can make a person’s brain surgically divided from work and their personal life. Specifically the story of Mark Scout, a man who underwent this procedure for his job at the biotechnology company Lumon, with a plot much more sinister than it appears. This show is incredibly interesting with countless plot twists and shocking events, but its favor also comes from the way it reflects modern workplace struggles. The series taps into real concerns about work-life balances and the issues that arise from the loss of professional individuality in work environments. The eerie setting of the show at Lumon Industries exaggerates these themes greatly, but viewers are able to recognize the truth behind them, making the show deeply relevant. With a strong critique of workaholic culture mixed into fantasy, this show sticks with watchers on multiple levels.

Image via Apple TV+

Show #4: The Bear (8.5/10)

The Bear narrates the life of Carmen Berzatto, a chef, who goes home to Chicago to take over his family’s sandwich shop after the suicide of his brother Michael. Pushing limits, the bear explores difficult topics such as intergenerational trauma and complex mental health issues all which are spotlighted during stressful situations at work. Accurately portraying a chaotic restaurant environment, the program draws viewers in with its grit and realistic scenarios, allowing for a deeper appreciation of the workplace drama genre itself. Since audiences are naturally drawn to high-pressure work surroundings portrayed on TV, The Bear positions itself as something fresh but recognizable, fueling its widespread acclaim within the media. 

Image via The Rolling Stone

Show #5: Suits (8.4/10)

Suits is set at the Pearson Hardman law firm where we see the lives of lawyers at work. But one of the lawyers is not what he seems. Scheming through law school and life, Mike Ross deceives his way into an incredibly prestigious law firm working alongside one of New York’s best lawyers, Harvey Specter. With lively legal battles and complex character relationships, themes of ambition and competition are highlighted. The relationship between Harvey and Mike along with many other loveable characters reflects the challenges and pressures of striving for success in such a demanding profession. With a mix of sharp tensions and moral dilemmas, Suits appeals to viewers with compelling storylines involving familiar workplace dynamics. 

Image via Getty Images

Overall, we see that workplace TV shows continue to remain popular because they connect to the same feelings worldwide: shared experiences of navigating life’s daily routines. Whether it’s a hilarious and heartfelt comedy like The Office, or an exuberant drama like Grey’s Anatomy, these stories highlight the humanity that exists in every kind of workplace. By reflecting environments and situations we spend so much of our lives in, they give us both ease and entertainment--reminding us that even the most typical settings can create the most unforgettable stories.