American Idol is the most talked-about television program in the workplace for the second consecutive year, according to the latest Spherion(R) Workplace Snapshot survey conducted by Harris Interactive(R). Thirty-seven percent of U.S. workers named American Idol as the TV program discussed most often in the workplace, up from 35 percent in 2006. Nearly one-quarter (21 percent) admit discussing the popular TV show during company time, and 10 percent of workers have engaged in debates over the contestants on American Idol. Grey's Anatomy ranked second with 17 percent of respondents discussing the program at work.


According to the survey, women named American Idol and Grey's Anatomy as the two most discussed TV programs at work (44 percent and 28 percent respectively), while men named American Idol and 24 (31 percent and 14 percent respectively). Women are more likely than men to discuss American Idol on company time (27 percent compared to 15 percent) and are more likely to have gotten into a debate at work over the contestants (12 percent vs. 9 percent).


Regardless of gender or program preferences, many agree that TV chatter can have positive effects. Forty-four percent of U.S. workers agree that talking about television at work increases office camaraderie, with workers aged 18-24 and 30-39 most likely to agree that it increases workplace camaraderie (54 percent each).