Pet Peeve #27 on How Television and Movies Portray the Workplace
by Matthew Stollak on Monday, August 20, 2012
I like Aaron Sorkin shows and movies. I watched "The West Wing" and "Sports Night" regularly. I thought "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" was an interesting mistake. I enjoyed the script for "The Social Network."
However, in watching his latest endeavor, "The Newsroom," he is guilty of using a device that drives me up the wall....having private conversations in front of other co-workers.
Whether it is about relationships, or, even worse, dressing down a subordinate, these conversations are held in the audience of other friends or peers. You can see the pained expressions in those friends and co-workers' eyes, the awkwardness that ensues, and rarely, if ever, is there a follow-up scene with an apology for the inappropriateness of the conversation.
While you think it makes for good TV or movies, it makes for bad management.
Please stop.
One comment
Agreed. It is extremely rude to whisper in front of other employees or colleagues. It always implies that what they are talking about concerns you..
by Kevin on August 27, 2012 at 11:03 AM. #