Picture this: You’ve had a long day at school or work, and a miscellaneous task that you’ve been avoiding has been stressing you out for days. You drive home while thinking about the dinner you’re going to make for yourself (or heat from frozen in the microwave, if we’re being realistic) before you kick up your feet and relax. You sink into the couch, turn on the television, and relive the workday that just exhausted you by watching reruns of The Office.
There’s an odd charm to workplace sitcoms that remind us of our own nine-to-five realities. These shows don’t try to glamorize the average workday; they narrow in on the absurdities of work: the odd coworkers, the strange tasks, and the concerning comments that you decide you must have misheard.
conceptual appeal & execution
Even when the work setting is unfamiliar to the viewer, there is a sense of connection felt because of the familiar characterization of various coworkers. Whether it’s the “voice of reason” (like Jim Halpert from The Office), the “oddball” (for example, Andy Dwyer from Parks and Recreation), or the “grumpy guy” (like Dr. Ron Batzdorff from St. Denis Medical), these characters — and their unique presence in the workplace — remind viewers of the people they work with. While these characters are often dramatized, with their out-of-pocket conversation contributions, they are also charming. Or maybe this is my way of justifying my parasocial friendship with all of the characters from Abbott Elementary.
These sitcoms gain large, dedicated fanbases. Many viewers wear merchandise featuring iconic quotes and motifs from the show or recite memorable lines of dialogue in conversation. Workplace sitcoms are popular largely because of how quick and goofy the episodes are. Unlike the average workday, sitcom episodes are short (typically following a 30-minute run time). This format keeps viewers engaged and invested in the storylines.
relatability & Charm
Whether you relate to the abrupt questions asked by your students or the mundane tasks you push through in the privacy of your cubicle, the storylines on television shows are painfully relatable.
Workplace sitcoms satirize corporate realities, and viewers love them. These series are so engaging and relatable that people choose to watch fictional characters live in working worlds parallel to our own, even after a long day in the office. There is something comforting about feeling seen by the characters on your screen when they do the same tasks you do or adhere to a dress code similar to your own.
Often, these shows help viewers see the bigger picture of a situation by using absurdities to break complex issues into palatable takeaways. For example, after a stressful day at work, the characters in The Office might teach viewers that meaningful relationships with friends are often what make us happiest and remind us of what is important.
My well-informed recommendations
I would consider myself a sitcom connoisseur on account of how much comedy television I have consumed. While I’m still making my way through some of the older workplace sitcoms, I have watched a lot of recent television series that are the constant background noise to my late nights spent writing. Here are a few shows I recommend for fun, casual viewing.
For fans of The Office, consider watching The Paper. This series is a spin-off of the original concept. The “mockumentary-style” production follows Ned Sampson, a publisher with high hopes of reviving a failing newspaper. The Paper is witty, topical, and comforting. It’s nice for an engaged watch party or a passive, background-watch. With a new set of documentary subjects, this show establishes new storylines while staying true to the original format and pacing of The Office.
For current and aspiring teachers who haven’t heard of this gem yet, I recommend Abbott Elementary. This series is hilarious and nostalgic. It follows a group of teachers at a public elementary school in Philadelphia who care deeply about the students in their classrooms. The characters on Abbott Elementary are silly and often make mistakes, but I always find myself rooting for them to get what they want. As I watch the scenes inside of the school, I’m reminded of simpler school assignments, memorable teachers, and community building activities that I miss about primary education.
For fans of crime and detective shows, I suggest Brooklyn Nine-Nine as a lighthearted alternative. With the familiarity of legal jargon, you will have no problem stepping into the world of Detective Jake Peralta and Captain Ray Holt as they solve crimes and make arrests in a fictional precinct of Brooklyn, New York. The characters develop slowly over the course of the eight-season series as they find their career and relationship footing.
Workplace sitcoms have charmed viewers over the last several decades, taking us into the depths of various work settings (a traditional office, school, parks department, retail store, etc.) to escape from our own work realities. Beyond bringing smiles to faces and prompting laughter from the silly dialogue, workplace sitcoms offer a level of relatability and comfort that is lacking from intense drama series. The storylines within these sitcoms are comforting reminders to pursue your passion, honor yourself in your line of work, and find the joy in the mundane.