Okay, so I was watching this sitcom the other day, and it hit me – none of these people seem to actually work. Like, ever. They’re always hanging out at the coffee shop, or in each other’s ridiculously spacious apartments. It got me thinking, and I decided to do a little digging.
First, I started by listing out all the shows I regularly watch. You know, the usual suspects: Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Seinfeld…the list went on for a bit.
The “Research” Phase (aka Binge-Watching)
Then came the “hard” part. I re-watched a bunch of episodes, specifically paying attention to any scenes that supposedly took place at work. I grabbed a notebook and jotted down some observations.
- Friends: Okay, so Rachel eventually gets a job in fashion, but for a long time, she’s a waitress. Even then, we mostly see her at Central Perk. Monica is a chef, but how often do we see her actually stressed about running a kitchen? Rarely.
- Seinfeld: Jerry’s a comedian, which explains why he’s always around during the day. But what about Kramer? What does he even do? It’s a running joke, but still…
- The Big Bang Theory: These guys are scientists, so you’d think we’d see them in the lab more. But nope, mostly just hanging out in the apartment or the cafeteria.
My notes were pretty much the same for every show. Some characters had vague job descriptions, others had jobs that conveniently allowed for tons of free * became really funny when I notice,like, they have to complete the mission today,but just sit in a cafe for the whole morning.
The “Aha!” Moment
So I realized, it’s all about the story, right? TV shows aren’t meant to be realistic portrayals of everyday life. They’re about the relationships, the humor, the drama. Showing someone stuck in a cubicle for eight hours wouldn’t exactly be compelling TV, and, nobody gonna watch it, I think.
I finished my little experiment feeling pretty *’s interesting that I can get my view by watching tv shows. I concluded that TV shows skip the boring work stuff because, well, it’s boring! They focus on the fun parts, the interactions between characters, because that’s what keeps us hooked. And honestly, I’m okay with that. I don’t need to see Ross grading papers to enjoy Friends. I am just fine for not watching a 9-hour-work-day show, that’s all.