Maybe it’s just me, but I’m assuming most of us use TV shows as an escape from our own reality. They serve as a sweet moment of reprieve from the stress of daily life, as we immerse ourselves in someone else’s. For some of us, it’s comedy and humour that does it, for others it’s a good reality show, and for me, it’s watching reruns of classics like Friends and New Girl. This year, however, something is different. There’s a stressor that is affecting everything, including those TV shows that we once thought would provide an escape. With this in mind, I find it frustrating when my reality creeps into the fictional worlds I love. Maybe that’s why I like reruns so much, it just feels safer. But, there are those who are sick and tired of watching The Office or Father Ted for the umpteenth time, itching for something new to take their mind off of Covid-19, and probably begging the studios to get back into production. Unfortunately, so many shows have been put on pause due to the pandemic and the danger that filming may cause further spreading of the virus. However, as we settle into the new reality of the pandemic sticking around a while longer, studios and audiences are demanding that the show must go on. But how?

I examined how some of our favourite shows have found ways to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in order to continue production. The size of this challenge very much depends on the type of show in question. For example, reality shows, where Covid can be addressed, and talk shows, where social distancing can easily be implemented, are a relatively easy fix. 

An inter-generational holiday tradition,The Late Late Toy Show, looked radically different this year. Ryan Tubridy, the ever-animated host, kept things upbeat while staying 2 meters away from each child. The audience was virtual this year in order to reduce the number of people in attendance, but don’t worry, they still received gifts aplenty! The live band and film crew wore masks to ensure further safety. Watching the show this year still provided the same heartwarming experience as years past. Sweet Adam, the space enthusiast, and brave Saoirse brought tears to many of our eyes. But, it didn’t let us forget the reality of the pandemic, especially how hard it has been on children.

Another favourite of mine, The Great British Bake Off, took a different approach. Viewers were relieved to see no masks or social distancing in sight, thanks to their use of a ‘bubble’ system. This meant that the crew and participants lived in a hotel for 6 weeks while filming, as opposed to bakers going home in between filming. All members of the bubble self-isolated and were tested 3 times before entering the bubble. The production company, Channel 4, felt that it was important to continue filming in order to keep people employed, and no doubt knew the value of providing a normal, uplifting experience during the global pandemic for its viewers. Witnessing all the typical handshakes, group hugs, and dessert tastings without the burden of the virus made watching this season feel extra special. Thankfully, the bubble was so effective that there were no cases of Covid, pointing to the success of this model for future programming.

While embracing the situation head-on has worked for reality television, fictional shows, where Covid can’t become the centre of the narrative, face a tougher challenge. Long-running soap opera EastEnders has gotten much more creative with their fictional world. They make use of social distancing, body doubles, green screens, camera angles, and Plexiglas to make the latest season feel more normal. Most interestingly, they are making use of the real-life households and partners of the cast members as body doubles, before editing in the real actor’s face, in order to allow for more intimate moments on screen. In shots where it’s important for characters to be near one another, sheets of Plexiglas are used, which can be digitally edited out, along with shrewd use of multiple cameras. This makes it appear as if the actors are speaking face to face, when in reality they are not even in the same room. Behind the scenes, the BBC is operating with a limited film crew, social distancing, and repeated temperature checks. Although the crew on EastEnders have had a few positive cases, they were able to keep them isolated and avoid widespread infection while resuming the release of new episodes.

It’s uplifting to see how studios are continuing to produce new material, both for their audiences’ enjoyment and their crew’s employment. They have had to think outside the box and be willing to adapt, just as we all have. The silver lining is that no matter how many precautions have to be put in place for the time being, with a slew of vaccines on the way, it’s only temporary.