IT and technology has become a massive part of everyday life, and everyday work. Over the years we have seen this importance recognised in our media, with the various tech industries being explored through TV shows. Some of these shows have even gone to become undeniable cult classics. If you’re an IT worker, be sure to check some of these TV shows about the tech industries out!
The IT Crowd
Figure 1: The IT Crowd (Intro)
This is definitely the most well-known TV series about IT and technology – for obvious reasons – but The IT Crowd deserves a place on any list like this, as it truly is a classic!
Following the work lives of the IT department for a large corporate company (Reynholm Industries) who’s actual business remains a mystery throughout the series. The two technicians – the work-shy Roy, and technical savant Moss – are managed by Jen, the head of the IT department, who happens to be completely computer illiterate.
The show was unique at the time for being about something most people would never have expected to be funny. But the show’s popularity grew until it became a cult favourite in the UK. For some London IT support workers, the IT Crowd may provide some funny flashbacks to their own career, back when IT was still under appreciated in a lot of companies. They may even share the experience of having worked in the dingy basement of a skyscraper!
Halt and Catch Fire
Figure 2: Halt and Catch Fire (screencap)
Some veteran IT workers may remember the personal computer revolution of the 80s, and the development of the World Wide Web in the 90s. It has been so influential on modern life and work that it makes sense someone would eventually write a TV or film about it – which is exactly how we got Halt and Catch Fire.
A TV series detailing the inside workings of the computer industry whilst it was still beginning to mature, Halt and Catch Fire drew modest viewership during its first series, but has reached critical acclaim over the course its 4 seasons.
Charlie Brooker’s Gameswipe
Figure 3: Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe (Titlecard)
If you’re an IT Support London technician, you may well be a big fan of gaming – although these days, you don’t have to be techy to be a gamer!
You may also enjoy Charlie Brooker’s one-off special: Gameswipe. Released back in 2009, Charlie Brooker’s Gameswipe provided a brief (and hilarious) history of video games. The special provides a rundown of popular genres of video games and their evolutions, with some commentary from himself and other celebrities (such as Dara O’Brien), a history of media reporting on videogames, and an interesting take on how videogames have done from niche to mainstream in just a few years. Packed with Brooker’s classic surly, sarcastic humour, this is a great 45 minutes for any game-lover.
How Videogames Changed the World
Figure 4: How Videogames Changed the World (screencap)
If you liked Charlie Brooker’s 2009 special, you’ll definitely like his 2013 thematic follow-up. In How Videogames Changed the World, Charlie Brooker offers a list of the 25 most significant video games, using the list as a way of exploring the history of videogames, and their impact on our culture.
Packed with even more commentary from some familiar celebrities, as well as Game Designers, journalists, writers, and even politicians, and clocking in at a solid 97 minutes, How Videogames Changed the World is a must-watch for fans of Charlie Brooker and videogames alike!
Silicon Valley
Figure 5: Silicon Valley
A great, and more light-hearted companion to Halt and Catch Fire, Silicon Valley is a comedy series, set in contemporary times, that follows a group of programmers and friends as they work to make their start-up company successful against competition from larger tech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.
While the Silicon Valley is a far cry from London IT Support, IT workers will undoubtedly enjoy this show for its excellent humour and relevance to current trends in the technology industry.
Mythic Quest
Figure 6: Mythic Quest (poster)
To use the shows full name, Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet is a show about the gaming industry, following a game studio that produces the massively popular MMORPG Mythic Quest. The show mainly details the frequent clashes between the creative director, lead engineer, head writer, and financial director as they work to release a new expansion pack for their hit game.
The show is an excellent take on the gaming industry, with great performances across the board and superb humour. A more unique angle on the technology industries you are sure to enjoy!