Okay, I’m admittedly slow in appreciating certain pop culture phenomena. It was only a few months ago that I started watching both the British and American versions of The Office on Netflix.
Having seen every episode of the British show and the first five seasons of the American one, I am convinced this is some of the best television to come along in many years. Ricky Gervais is nothing less than a genius, right up there with John Cleese. And it is a huge credit to the American series that it has been able to expand what was just fourteen shows into over 100 original, truly funny, and sometimes moving episodes.
Steve Carell should be commended for not simply copying Gervais’ character but instead creating a totally new incarnation who is nonetheless equally dim when it comes to interacting with others. His Michael Scott is the epitome of social awkwardness, a frustrated entertainer who puts cracking wise above doing actual work. With even the greatest of sitcoms, the leading character is often not the most interesting one on the show. And while the supporting cast of The Office is excellent, Carell still manages to match their kookiness.
The irony of the show is that Michael thinks he is the world’s best boss (and even has a coffee mug to prove it – one he bought himself, mind you). His employees do not agree, but having been out of work for nearly a year and a half, I would welcome having a boss like Michael. Sure, he may out you as gay, run you over in the parking lot or try to make you take the blame for one of his bad ideas, but, unlike the bosses I have had the misfortune to have, his heart is in the right place. Just like Archie Bunker, despite all of his flaws, in the end you can’t help but love the old lug.
Carell’s announcement that he is leaving The Office after the next season wraps is disappointing indeed. But maybe he’s right. Seven seasons is a long run for any show. Like Seinfeld before them, maybe it will be best to go out on top.
Could The Office survive without Carell? Interestingly, we have already had a hint of that when in season five Michael Scott left Dunder Mifflin to form his own paper company. The answer is no, it would not be the same. The Office is too special to suffer the fate of the dismal AfterMASH, Three’s a Crowd, or The Golden Palace, all pathetic attempts to keep previously great shows on life support after key cast members left.
Carell has a successful movie career – and thankfully it appears that John Krasinski, whose Jim Halpert is really the hero of The Office, is following suit, having done some impressive film work himself of late, most notably shining as Meryl Streep’s future son-in-law in the otherwise disappointing It’s Complicated.
So I say let’s have one more season with our favorite residents of Scranton and then shut down the branch for good (if only to see what a killing Creed Bratton makes selling the office equipment). Hopefully they will go out with a bang…and yeah, yeah, that’s what she said.
