World’s Best Boss

Well guys, here it is – my last post. I first want to thank you all for reading my blog. If I’m honest, I really didn’t know what to expect going into this… I mean, technically, this is really only a homework assignment. However, I really, really enjoyed writing about my favorite TV show, and so I hope you all enjoyed reading it too… even just a little bit.

So here we go. It would be criminal to not do a post about the World’s Best Boss, Michael Scott. So for the last time…

*spoilers may appear from this point on*

Michael Scott, via Google Images

Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, is arguably the most well-known character among all TV shows.  He drives the plot of The Office for a little over seven seasons before he moves to Colorado and leaves the show. And of course, he makes an appearance on the final episode at Dwight’s wedding.  There are so many places we can start with Michael, so let’s just dive right in.

Michael Scott has many traits and holds many roles.  He is the Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. He is a father. He is a lover. He is the CEO and Founder of the Michael Scott Paper Company. He is a fanatic of a good joke. He thinks he is an amazing salesman – and sometimes he can be.  But most importantly, he is the lead of the show. However, with all of that said, he has many, many downfalls.

Michael Scott as “Prison Mike,” via Google Images

To start, Michael tries his best to be the jokester of the office. Sometimes, he succeeds. But other times…a lot of the time, his jokes are not appropriate and/or well-timed. He is most known for his infamous “that’s what she said” zinger, but he also has many up his sleeve. The issue is that often times, he butchers the joke or the punchline, or he simply says a joke when he shouldn’t. This is largely due to the fact that Michael just simply isn’t an intelligent person, so therefore he seems to always dig his own grave. In fact, he constantly is butchering common phrases or trying to do things he simply cannot.

Michael and Andy, via Google Images

Similarly, Michael is really bad in awkward situations and he is constantly misinterpreting situations. Well, ok, Michael digs his own grave in this regard, too. Michael is just really good at making things awkward, stressful, confusing, or ruining a moment. Because of this, two things happen: number one, it frustrates everyone and causes people to not enjoy his presence. For example, Jim decided to throw a barbecue party without Michael so he doesn’t make everyone super uncomfortable. However, Michael reads Jim’s email, finds the invite, and comes anyway, which causes everyone to be uncomfortable. Shocking, I know. The other thing that comes from Michael’s ability to ruin a moment is Michael constantly embarrassing himself. This is because he is not very good at making good, logical decisions – he normally does the opposite of what everyone else would do. By doing so, he embarrasses himself again and again and again.

Michael and Pam, via Google Images

Ok, I know what you all are thinking right now – “man, Matt is totally going after Michael right now… Michael doesn’t deserve all this hate.” You’re right, he doesn’t. And he is the best. But he is the best because he just seems to always be doing something wrong. He is extremely funny because of his actions and more importantly, his mistakes. We must remember, though, that Michael is much more than just his mistakes. I would argue he is the most caring person in the office. He would do absolutely anything for his coworkers, the people he often calls his best friends. He loves them so much that he wants to always impress them, and when he fails, he becomes extremely frustrated, leading to some major outbursts. But Michael really just wants to feel loved and appreciated for all of his work, which is really all that everyone wants. This is why we empathize with his character. This is why we suffer with him through his relationship with Jan and get super emotional when he falls for Holly. This is why when he leaves, his coworkers make a touching tribute to him. Which leads me to my interesting fact – Carell didn’t know that the cast had the song prepared, so when they sing it, those are Carell’s real emotions and reactions to leaving, not Michael’s character.

Michael hosting The Dundies, via Google Images

Anyway, the point is that Michael just is always trying to do nice things for his employees and the company. He fights corporate for many things, including a raise for Daryl (and himself); he never forgets a birthday; he stars them in a commercial  and a movie; he tries to be the best boss by having many meetings; he awards them with Dundies; and, he’s there for them during their biggest moments. This is why we love Michael, and this is why he is so important.  Because even when he messes up, makes a fool out of himself, we know he is always doing it with good intentions…because he cares so much about everyone around him.

Yes, he may not have always been the boss that his employees wanted. But he was the boss that both they and American television needed.

Michael Scott, via Google Images

So, as I sign off one last time, I just want to thank you again for reading along with me. I hope you all have a bigger appreciation for the show and all of its characters. If you really feel so inclined and have some friends who love the show too, don’t be afraid to pass this along to them…maybe it’ll make them love the show even more as well.

I’ll see you guys around.

-Matt

 

10 thoughts on “World’s Best Boss”

  1. Very touching signoff, Matt. I have never watched The Office, but your praise and admiration for the show makes me feel inclined to binge it sometime soon. It’s nice how you said you had a good time writing this, because I had a good time reading it. You strike a nice balance between formal and informal writing, and it made this post very eloquent, yet considerate of the lighthearted subject matter. I am thoroughly impressed. Well done, bud!

  2. There is no better character on television than Michael Scott. There are so many great moments of the office that can be attributed to his character (and Steve Carrell’s acting). There are so many great moments of Michael Scott, that it becomes quite hard to designate some of my favorite Michael moments. My top 3 Michael scenes have to be, the diversity day episode, when he makes everyone wear a different ethnicity on their hear. Also, the episode where Phyllis gets flashed. The first few minutes of this episode have to be my favorite moments out of any television comedy. And lastly, the Prison Mike scene, where he berates Angela, is also quite hilarious. Michael Scott made for great television.

    1. Dang, going out with a bang. Great last post, I think you did a great job showing exactly who Michael Scott is and I loved the references you chose to include. The goodbye scene for Michael makes me cry every time I watch it and I have always loved the fact that Steve Carell’s reactions are real there, it gives me goosebumps. Your image choices were also inspired, I love the prison Mike face as well as Michael as he points a gun between Andy and Dwight (and sort of Pam too). Great passion blog, it was fun reading along.

  3. I loved this post – it was so so necessary to end on Michael Scott. You really did read my thoughts, I was getting upset with your absolute roast. However, you rounded it out with some incredible clips and fun facts. Although this may be the last of this passion blog, I look forward to your next topic!

  4. Hello, Matt. Great post. I really appreciate all your hyperlinks–they really led to some funny content. I though your analysis on Michael was great; I liked how you were brutally honest but also showed your love for him as well. Even though I haven’t watched the office (yet), this post definitely made me want to get started. Everyone who watches The Office most obviously loved Michael, so I’m not shocked you feel the same. Also, I like how you really went for the whole “save the best for last” thing. Loved reading this!

  5. Ugh I love Michael so much. Hands down one of my favorite characters on this entire show. When he left I was so sad!! Also didn’t know that that was his genuine reaction when hearing the song, I love that! I’m kind of sad these blog posts are ending because I actually enjoy reading yours!

  6. Matt,
    I’m glad you ended on the best in the business. I didn’t know that those were Carell’s real reactions to his leaving the show – that is so heartwarming. It reminds me of Lily and Marshall’s candid reaction to a certain event in “How I Met Your Mother.” Excited to see what topic you choose for next semester!

  7. “My philosophy is basically this, and this is something that I live by, and I always have, and I always will. Don’t ever, for any reason, do anything to anyone, for any reason ever, no matter what, no matter where or who or who you are with or where you are going or… or where you’ ve been… ever, for any reason whatsoever.” – Michael Scott I was here with my notebook on the bed enjoying a Big Mac and I came across your senational post! I’m also a fan of Michael and I love that phrase of his that I mentioned above.

  8. I can’t for the life of me not eat something that I want to eat. You know how if you turned on a faucet in your sink to wash your hands, the idea of leaving the bathroom without turning it off is insane? That’s how I am about ignoring delicious food.

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