Young woman sitting on the sofa, watching TV at home and enjoying.
The Writer’s Guild is officially on strike—which means some of our favorite shows are at risk of not coming back. Late-night TV shows are already paused, and this strike could put the fall line-up of scripted shows at risk. It’s possible that Hollywood studios think they can survive without writers by bulking up on reality TV shows, and even using AI to write television shows.
I disagree, as scripted television is a very important part of my mental health. The only thing I enjoy about getting sick is the knowledge that I can watch Sex and the City all day, and I would never have made it through the pandemic without Game of Thrones. I’m not the only one who believes scripted television can help us manage our stress. Here are a few reasons why.
The Importance of Taking Breaks
Television in general lets us take breaks, which is critical for our mental health.
“It can be hard to justify taking time away from your job,” says Dr. Suzanne Degges-White, licensed counselor and professor at Northern Illinois University. “Instead of focusing on the lost hours, focus on the ‘return on investment’ for taking a break.”
She continued, “Time away from the job pays off in a clearer head, a renewed sense of purpose, and better overall wellbeing. Working 24/7 nonstop, even when you’re your own boss, takes a toll on your health, your stress tolerance, and your perspective.”
While all kinds of breaks are important—vacations, nights outs with friends, yoga classes—sinking into a scripted television show is a particularly accessible one. If you’re low on funds or energy, you can always use a scripted show to rest your mind for a few hours, which will leave you recharged for the work ahead.
A Necessary Escape
All TV shows can provide rest, but there’s something about scripted shows that offers a crucial sense of escape. I don’t hate reality TV, but I can’t watch it when I’m already depressed about the fate of humanity, which is a normal occurrence—and research suggests it may be bad for our mental health. I don’t need to see real people behaving badly; I already watch the news. I’d rather watch The West Wing, back when fictional politicians had values.
Scripted TV shows can be a form of escapism and relaxation, providing a break from daily stressors and a chance to immerse oneself in a different world or story. And in many ways, it can help us when we need to escape the world together. I reached out on Twitter to see if people wanted to speak to the mental health benefits of scripted television, and many responded.
“A few years ago, my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer,” says Anthony, 32. “She did not have much to look forward to, considering cancer is cancer. Except she found comfort in a show she described as ‘Medieval Sopranos.’ She rooted for the Starks every week, and for a brief hour she forgot about her own mortality and worried about Jon Snow’s instead.”
Others agreed. “Scripted TV has helped my mental health by giving me a safe escape, a place that isn’t fact, but could be true,” says Scott, 56. “Scripted TV helps me see that a better world is possible.”
The idea of a ‘safe escape’ resonates strongly with those of us—myself included—who have in the past clung to unsafe escapes, such as substances or abusive relationships. Scripted television can provide a necessary escape that bolsters one’s mental health.
The Importance of Seeing Yourself on Screen
Television offers a sense of community. This seems like a paradox, but it’s true. When we see ourselves in characters on TV, we realize we’re not alone—a writer out there brought that character to life because they could see us, too. And in seeing ourselves and our issues reflected on screen, we often get a reprieve from whatever ails us—and this, too, can bolster mental health.
“[Scripted TV] has helped me to see myself,” says Alwin, 39. “In my case, it was Abed, from Community. I’m autistic, but could never really relate to characters on TV. Didn’t help that I was diagnosed at age 23. Abed showed me that my kind of autism also had a place and that our struggles didn’t mean we were victims.”
Others echoed his sentiment. “Scripted TV, when it genuinely tackles issues that are deeply traumatic or systemic is cathartic,” says Ryan, 35. “Take, for instance, the show Maniac; its entire premise is to relive the most traumatic moments of your life to reprocess them. By extension, as a viewer you watch people confront their trauma and work through it. Even if they aren’t your own experiences, you empathize and connect the dots in your own life and it shows you a real path forward that can be used. Honest writing begets real-life healing.”
There are a number of ways in which scripted television can bolster our mental health. There are many forms of entertainment, but I hope Hollywood execs take this message to heart when considering the importance of writers. Do we want to create a nation of severely depressed people? Well—specifically—even more severely depressed people?
