9 TV series about the life of office workers

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Dilute everyday gloom with a portion of positive and joyful emotions! Before the premiere of the seventh season of "Force Majeure", Lifehacker collected the best series about the life of the office, its employees and corporate culture.

1. Office

• Comedy.
• USA, 2005.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

American version of the popular British sitcom. Through the eyes of the documentary film crew, we watch the gossip, pranks, intrigue and romance of office workers at a major paper manufacturer.

The main source of most of the jokes is regional manager Michael Scott, who imagines himself to be a genius humorist and an object of admiration for the team. But in reality, the opposite is true: his inappropriate jokes cause only incomprehensible looks and awkward silence.

Politically flawed jokes and straightforward humor in the best traditions of Monty Python and The Ali G Show leave no doubt that the American "Office" has definitely surpassed the original. Not a single unsuccessfully edited frame or untimely ending of the next gag, and the absence of offscreen laughter and one-line jokes help the "Office" to look modern today. Absurd, and sometimes frankly black humor attracts to the screen stronger than a magnet and forces you to re-watch the episodes again and again.

2. Geeks

• Comedy.
• UK, 2006.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

A popular geeky comedy about three employees of the IT department of a certain giant corporation. Roy and Moss are typical representatives of computer tech support: one is a light-hearted bummer, the other is a nerd and an introvert. New Jen, who knows about computers only by hearsay, is appointed their boss.

If you like simple IT humor, give Geeks a try. Compared to the hottest Silicon Valley, the show is much simpler, but no less hilarious and very British. And office workers far from IT will rejoice at the satirical playing of corporate culture that reaches exorbitant heights. By the way, the tracks with the audience's laughter were recorded during a live audience viewing!

3. Studio 30

• Comedy.
• USA, 2006.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

One of the best American sitcoms about the inner workings of television projects. In it, we meet Liz Lemon, a comedy sketch writer who has to put up with an unceremonious boss and insane stars in the hope of keeping her baby afloat.

Over time, the series has shifted from TV show production to exploring the creative process in general, addressing issues of race, gender, politics, culture, money, relationships and more. The ideas of the authors were enough for as many as 138 half-hour episodes, pleasing with clever and unobtrusive humor.

4. Madmen

• Drama.
• USA, 2007.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

The most striking and stylish TV series about America in the 1960s, which tells about the activities and employees of one of the largest advertising agencies in New York. Managers who call themselves "insane" are competing in an ongoing battle over consumer choice. Their ingenious and mesmerizing slogans and billboard ideas spontaneously emerge among the tobacco smoke in the meeting room and are born on napkins in the expensive El Morocco nightlife establishment. At the dawn of the information age, the advertising business was breathing deeply and almost did not obey either the government or public opinion, and the sharks of the corrupt skill had a lot to turn around.

The magic of the show lies in amazingly thoughtful and multifaceted characters who live in the abyss of bohemian life. Widespread smoking, drunkenness, fornication and racism are ridiculed in a subtle parodic manner that does not deprive the viewer of the beauty and romanticism of that era with luxurious restaurants, dark blue halls of nightclubs, dizzying skyscrapers and smoking trains. "Mad Men" is both a drama and a comedy, with wit, captivating soundtracks and cinematography of which it is impossible not to fall in love.

5. Come on, Ted

• Comedy.
• USA, 2009.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

A witty comedy about an evil corporation, energetic and optimistic managers, suspicious scientists and their boss, who, if she could succumb to the call of emotions, would burst into tears at the same moment. Big business, cold ladies and geeks have always been the obvious targets of ironic writers, but here the show's writers invented something completely explosive.

Ted is a development manager who is unconditionally committed to his job. He stands up for his subordinates, but, unfortunately, his determined optimism in relation to top management often leads to sad results.

Linda, Ted's colleague, tries to reason with her boss, which usually results in grunts and silent protests. And Ted's boss, Veronica, is the most insensitive lady in the world, but this heroine gets the best cues every now and then. But the real source of laughter is the chatty underground laborers Lem and Phil, who are developing highly questionable products …

Come On, Ted is sure to be one of your favorite sitcoms. It is almost like the "Clinic", only without syringes and droppers.

6. Parks and recreation areas

• Comedy.
• USA, 2009.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

A stunning comedy from the creators of the American "Office" in the style of a documentary chronicle about the work of the parks and recreation department of the fictional town of Pony. This is a very soulful and positive story that success and significance are measured not only by money. The main character Leslie Knope, to the best of her ability, tries to make life a little better and brighter, although in this she is greatly hampered by the bureaucratic apparatus of the city administration.

Comedy icons Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman created instantly engaging characters, and for newcomers Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari and Aubrey Plaza, the series was the starting point for successful television careers. Jones starred in his own comedy project for the whole family "Angie Tribeca", Ansari won the audience with talented performances in "Master of All Trades," and Plaza gained recognition after filming in the fantasy "Legion" of Noah Hawley.

"Parks and Recreation Areas" is an incredibly optimistic, surprisingly kind and witty show that you will remember more than once. It charms and captivates with the magic of sincerity and faith in a bright future.

7. Workaholics

• Comedy.
• USA, 2011.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

A sitcom about three alumni buddies who took jobs in telemarketing. From this day on, they will have to adhere to the dress code, be on time and, most importantly, wake up before noon. Deciding that they no longer need to try their best, the guys will go to any lengths to have fun and dodge work.

The show could have aroused more interest if it were more intellectual and slightly less focused on drunkenness, bodily pleasures and other toilet humor, which makes it difficult to look at a sober head. The script quality is low, and pretty soon the characters start to be downright annoying. But if you're ready to take it with healthy sarcasm and play with the stupidity of the disgusting trinity, then spending half an hour in the middle of a hard week watching an episode of "Workaholics" will not be a bad idea.

8. Abode of lies

• Comedy.
• USA, 2012.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

A comedy series about a team of management consultants led by Marty Caan who can convince anyone and make clients believe that he will solve all their problems. Sometimes the heroes really manage to help someone, but most of the time they will devote not to work, but to drinking and bingeing.

The show began as a frivolous satire on consultants and their wealthy clients, with quick, blunt jokes. Disgust was caused by all the characters, without exception, blinded by greed and carnal desires. But gradually the sitcom turned into a dramedy, paying more attention to the private life and natures of the main characters.

The only thing that has remained unchanged - a huge number of frank and dirty scenes that shock even fans of "Californication" and "Secret Diary of a Call Girl."

9. Utopia

• Comedy.
• Australia, 2014.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

A wonderful Australian comedy about government officials, in which grandiose plans for the development of internal infrastructure are smashed against harsh bureaucratic obstacles. Our heroes accompany new Napoleonic projects - highways, airports, railways - from the first press release to the official opening, but they rarely manage to achieve their plans.

"Utopia" is one of the best Australian comedies, and if you have not yet had time to get acquainted with the television projects of this continent, start with it. The show was successful thanks to a successful combination of believable and clever satire on government work in the spirit of the British "Yes, Mr. Minister" with the situational and absurd humor of the "Office".