Distorted city reflecting media portrayals of alcohol in workplace.

Happy Hour or Hazard? Unpacking Alcohol's Role in Workplace TV Dramas

Mira Elwood in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"From 'Suits' to 'Grey's Anatomy,' are our favorite shows normalizing on-the-job drinking?"

Imagine the scene: Two high-powered lawyers, unwinding with a glass of scotch after a long day. Or a team of doctors, toasting a successful surgery with champagne. These moments, common in workplace TV dramas, often paint a picture of alcohol as a normal, even essential, part of professional life. But how accurate is this portrayal, and what impact does it have on our perceptions of drinking at work?

A recent study, published in Mass Communication and Society, delves into this very question. Researchers Mira Mayrhofer and Jörg Matthes analyzed popular workplace-related TV dramas to understand how alcohol is depicted, the motivations behind on-screen drinking, and the potential consequences shown. Their findings offer a fascinating, and sometimes unsettling, look at the role of alcohol in the fictional world of work.

By exploring the prevalence of alcohol in these shows, the study sheds light on how television may be shaping our understanding of acceptable workplace behavior. Understanding these portrayals is crucial, especially considering the real-world implications of alcohol misuse in professional settings.

The Sobering Reality: What the Study Uncovered?

Distorted city reflecting media portrayals of alcohol in workplace.

The study's analysis of popular shows like 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Suits,' and 'House of Cards' revealed some striking trends. The researchers looked at both visual and verbal references to alcohol, as well as character interactions with beverages. They also examined the reasons characters drank, the outcomes of their alcohol consumption, and the characteristics of the characters themselves.

One of the most significant findings was the sheer prevalence of alcohol. A staggering 92.5% of the episodes analyzed featured depictions or references to alcohol. While less alcohol was shown at the workplace compared to other locations, nearly a third of all consumed beverages at work were alcoholic. This suggests that even in professional settings, alcohol is a significant presence.

Alcohol is Everywhere: Over 90% of episodes depicted alcohol use.
Workplace Drinking: A third of workplace beverages were alcoholic.
Social Lubricant: The primary motivation was social ease.
Consequences? Rarely: Negative outcomes were infrequently shown.

The study also highlighted the motivations behind on-screen drinking. The most common reason was social ease, with characters using alcohol to relax, celebrate, or bond with colleagues. Problem coping was also a factor, with characters turning to alcohol to deal with work-related stress. What's concerning is that the negative results of the depicted alcohols are very rare.

Time to Rewind? Reconsidering Alcohol's Role On Screen

The study's findings raise important questions about the impact of these portrayals on viewers. By showcasing frequent alcohol use in the workplace, often without negative consequences, TV dramas may be normalizing this behavior and shaping our perceptions of what is acceptable in professional settings. It's a reminder that what we see on screen can influence our understanding of the world, and that critical viewing is essential.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What specific trends did the study by Mira Mayrhofer and Jörg Matthes uncover regarding alcohol depiction in workplace TV dramas like 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Suits,' and 'House of Cards'?

The study by Mira Mayrhofer and Jörg Matthes revealed that alcohol is highly prevalent in workplace TV dramas. A significant 92.5% of the analyzed episodes contained depictions or references to alcohol. While less common than in other locations, nearly a third of all consumed beverages at work were alcoholic, which emphasizes its presence even in professional contexts. Furthermore, characters primarily used alcohol for social ease, like relaxation and bonding, and negative consequences resulting from alcohol consumption were infrequently shown.

According to the study, what were the primary motivations behind characters drinking alcohol in workplace TV shows, and how does this potentially influence viewers' perceptions?

The study indicated that characters in workplace TV dramas mainly consumed alcohol for social reasons, such as relaxing, celebrating, or bonding with colleagues. Problem coping, particularly related to work stress, was another significant factor. These portrayals might normalize on-the-job drinking and shape viewers' perceptions of acceptable workplace behavior by suggesting that alcohol is a normal, harmless, or even helpful part of professional life. The rarity of negative consequences further reinforces this normalization.

How might the frequent depiction of alcohol use in workplace TV dramas, as highlighted in the study by Mira Mayrhofer and Jörg Matthes, affect viewers' understanding and expectations of real-world professional environments?

The frequent depiction of alcohol use in shows like 'Suits' and 'Grey's Anatomy' could normalize such behavior and create skewed expectations of professional environments. Because these shows often omit negative outcomes, viewers may underestimate the risks and consequences of alcohol misuse in the workplace. This could lead to a more tolerant or accepting attitude toward drinking on the job, potentially blurring the lines between acceptable social behavior and risky or inappropriate conduct. The absence of visible negative effects in these fictional scenarios may further contribute to a misinformed perception of workplace norms and the potential repercussions of alcohol consumption.

Considering that a third of workplace beverages shown in the study contained alcohol, what implications does this have for how workplace culture is portrayed and perceived, especially concerning shows like 'House of Cards'?

With a third of workplace beverages being alcoholic, the depiction may inadvertently promote a culture where alcohol is a normal, or even expected, component of professional interactions. For shows like 'House of Cards,' which often portray high-pressure environments, this could reinforce the idea that alcohol is a necessary tool for navigating workplace stress or solidifying relationships. This potentially normalizes unhealthy coping mechanisms and blurs the lines between professional and social expectations. Furthermore, it might influence viewers to perceive workplaces as more tolerant of alcohol consumption than they actually are, affecting their expectations and behaviors in real professional settings. The study findings reveal that the potential normalizing effect of alcohol use in TV workplace environments are common.

In light of the study's findings, what critical questions should viewers consider when watching workplace TV dramas that frequently depict alcohol use, to avoid internalizing potentially harmful perceptions?

Viewers should critically assess whether the alcohol use is realistically portrayed, considering the potential negative outcomes that are often absent. They should question if the shows normalize on-the-job drinking and evaluate whether the portrayed motivations (social ease, problem coping) are presented responsibly. It is important to remember that the absence of negative consequences doesn't reflect reality and that frequent exposure to such depictions can unconsciously shape perceptions. By actively questioning and critically analyzing these portrayals, viewers can mitigate the risk of internalizing harmful perceptions and maintain a more balanced understanding of alcohol's role in professional environments. Considering that shows such as 'Suits' display drinking at work, the normalization is further reinforced.