Almost everyone with a cable or internet connection has heard of the TV show “The Office.” Ignorant Dunder Mifflin boss Michael Scott can’t keep his nose out of trouble or his coworkers’ business. Comedy ensues. Nine seasons worth of comedy, evidently.
The show is pretty successful, garnering a rating of 8.8 out of 10 from IMDb and viewership of millions. It even has its own dedicated fanbase and has inspired various memorabilia like “Schrute Farms” sweatshirts. After hearing so many people I know sing the show’s praises, I decided to see the magic for myself.
Fast forward two seasons and I’m hovering in that awkward limbo between neither disliking nor liking the show. I’m not going to lie; I did find myself laughing. (Some episodes more than others.)
However, I have some issues with Scott. Yes, his character is purposely dramatized for the sake of comedy. But I can’t help the guilty twinge in my chest when I see Scott make sexist jokes at Pam or racial presumptions about Stanley.
Granted, my discomfort is not entirely due to Scott. In general, the genre of comedy often tows the line between criticizing and perpetuating stereotypes. The success of commentary’s delivery depends on viewers recognizing that characters are being sarcastic, or that writers have intentionally portrayed a character in a certain way to highlight the ridiculousness of his or her behavior. Even with other comedy shows that use ridiculous characters to comment on societal norms, I didn’t experience this continuous voice of concern in the back of my mind. The execution of Scott’s ignorance and lack of consideration for his coworkers comes off perhaps too realistically, almost to the point of further spreading the incorrect generalizations he jokes about.
Unsurprisingly, I’ve noticed that many of my peers who consider themselves avid fans of “The Office” have a critical commonality with Scott— they are white. I can’t help but wonder if they, the dominant group in American culture, truly understand what they’re laughing at when they chuckle at Scott’s insensitive comments; after all, white privilege manifests in many forms, even in entertainment.
For millions of non-white viewers, the jokes may come off as genuine. I watched a few episodes with my friend, another woman of color, and she was not impressed either. Honestly, considering the viewership base, I feel that the show strays into perpetuating rather than debunking societal stereotypes, attracting a large group of white fans that enjoy watching a white man in a position of power make his non-white and female employees the butt of his jokes.
It is without regret that I declare my time with “The Office” has come to an end. See you never, Michael Scott.
