- Viewers are gravitating to “competency porn”: shows that celebrate skilled, calm professionals.
- Series such as The Pitt, Hijack and Survivor spotlight people solving crises with expertise.
- Classic medical dramas like ER (starring Noah Wyle) helped define the appeal of capable characters.
- The Washington Post notes this trend as a cultural balm amid real-world uncertainty.
H2: Why viewers crave competence on screen
Television has long offered escape, but a clearer pattern has emerged: audiences take particular comfort in programs that portray competent people doing their jobs well. Washington Post columnist Jada Yuan recently highlighted this surge, pointing to shows that feature calm, capable professionals — a form of “competency porn” that provides satisfying closure each episode.
Short, steady scenes of someone diagnosing a problem, negotiating a crisis or fixing what’s broken feel reassuring when real life seems more chaotic. These shows reduce uncertainty on a small scale: the characters know what to do, and viewers get the reward of watching solutions unfold.
H3: Examples on today’s screens
The Pitt (HBO Max) is cited as one of the purest current examples: a medical-set series where staff deftly manage emergencies and interpersonal dynamics. Hijack (Apple TV+) offers a different setting — a tense airline crisis — yet it leans on procedure and expertise to drive suspense.
Reality TV also participates. Survivor, while competitive and unpredictable, often features strategic players who plan and execute complex moves with skill, which can be just as satisfying as scripted competence.
H4: Medical dramas and Noah Wyle’s role in the trend
Medical shows are natural fits for competency pleasures. They present life-and-death problems, clear protocols, and professionals whose training matters. Noah Wyle’s long run on ER as Dr. John Carter helped shape viewers’ appetite for smart, steady clinicians on TV. ER’s combination of technical procedure and human drama created a template: competence plus compassion.
Actors who convincingly portray expertise — from ER’s ensemble to newer series’ casts — sharpen the viewer’s sense of trust. We watch because we want to see skill applied, decisions made, and problems solved.
H5: What this means for TV and viewers
The demand for competency-driven stories suggests creators will keep building shows where ability and preparation triumph over chaos. For audiences, these programs act like a short-term corrective: they model control, teamwork and effective leadership.
That doesn’t mean every series must be a procedural. The satisfying element is the demonstration of craft and clear problem-solving, whether in a hospital, a cockpit or around a Survivor fire pit. As long as viewers seek certainty in uncertain times, “competency porn” will remain a compelling TV trend.
Sources: Washington Post column by Jada Yuan; cultural examples include The Pitt, Hijack, Survivor and ER (Noah Wyle).
Image Referance: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/2026/01/13/competency-porn-tv-movies/
