The rise of the pandemic also gave rise to various adaptations on TV. Some fictional shows have added the pandemic to their storylines to develop plots and characters accordingly. Some of these pandemic TV moments and performances left a lasting impression on society.

Thus, Real Research conducted a survey to find out what the respondents think of the portrayals of the COVID-19 development. Also which shows made a lasting impact on the pandemic? Were they were realistic? Here are the results.

Highlights

  • 72.08% have watched a movie/TV series that mentions COVID-19.
  • 39.81% believe that ‘Superstore’ TV series portrayed COVID-19 most realistically.
  • 73.43% believe the portrayal of new movies should include current realities.

13.37% Say The Morning Show Realistically Portrayed Pandemic Life

COVID-19 plotline
Figure 1: Majority have watched a movie/series with a COVID-19 plotline

The survey starts by asking respondents whether they have watched a movie or TV series mentioning or based on the COVID-19 pandemic. To this, 72.08% said ‘yes’, and 27.92% said ‘no’.

The ‘Pandemic TV moments’ survey then asks which movie/ TV series portrayed the most memorable pandemic TV moments. Specifically, it asked about the most realistic pandemic movie or series. To this, the majority (39.81%) said ‘Superstore’, while 13.37% said ‘Morning Show’, and 10.72% said ’Coronavirus’.

Moreover, 7.73% said ‘You’, 5.97% chose ‘Quarantine’, 4.65%  said ‘Love Life’, and 4.24% said ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ Meanwhile, 2.72% chose ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ while 2.56% said ‘The Other Two’. Lastly, 4.61% did not watch a movie/ TV series that mentions COVID-19.

Movies/TV Series With the Most Unrealistic COVID-19  Portrayal

 coronavirus portrayal
Figure 2: Respondents discuss the most unrealistic coronavirus portrayal

Most unrealistic movie/TV series that portrayed pandemic moments on TV included ‘Superstore’ (33.00%),14.49% ‘Morning Show’, 9.60% ‘You’, and 8.74% said ‘Coronavirus’.

Moreover, 5.93% said ‘Love Life’, 5.47% said ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, and 4.24% chose ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. Lastly, 4.83% did not watch a TV series/movie about the covid pandemic.

Next, the ‘Pandemic TV moments’ survey asked if new movies should be portrayed in accordance with current realities. To this, the majority (73.43%) suggest ‘yes’, while 9.47% say ‘No’. Meanwhile, 17.10% are unsure.

Respondents Debate Portrayal of Pandemic Moments on TV

Portrayal of pandemic moments on TV
Figure 3: Portrayal of pandemic moments on TV

Next, the survey asked respondents how they feel the pandemic was addressed on TV this year. The majority (38.30%) felt it was ‘very realistic’, while 17.39% find it ‘realistic’. Moreover, 16.20% are ‘neutral’, whereas, 4.93% feel pandemic TV moments were non-realistic.

Following after, the survey asked what the ‘weirdest’ moment was while watching a TV show mentioning the pandemic. Most respondents (40.75%) said ‘people not wearing masks’, while 12.96% said ‘no social distancing on the shows’. Likewise, 10.01% said the ‘situation not changing despite mentioning the pandemic’. Further, 4.53% say no mention of vaccinations whereas 4.08% said ‘the main heroes having unrealistic symptoms’.

To conclude, the survey asked respondents why they feel it is important to display pandemic TV moments. To this, 45.49% say it will raise awareness to people, 10.36% say it will ‘dispel popular myths and misconceptions’. Meanwhile, 7.10% say ‘people can learn from others’ experiences’ while 4.93% say ‘acceptance of the new reality will be easier’.

Methodology

 
Survey TitleSurvey on the Most Memorable Pandemic TV Moments of 2021
DurationJanuary 06 – January 13, 2022
Number of Participants50,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.