I know that "The Office" is one of the most popular TV shows on Netflix, but it just doesn't do it for me. Every single time I see an episode I have to stop myself from cringing. Yes, it's that bad. And while I haven't seen every single episode in existence, I've seen a good sampling of episodes from multiple seasons.
Why do I dislike "The Office?" It's simple. Two words.
Michael Scott.
Yes, I hate Michael Scott, and I am NOT sorry about it. Michael Scott ruins what I find to be a mildly funny show by making it almost painful to watch. I can't seem to find humor in him being rude, treating women horribly and being completely self-absorbed.
Many contend that Michael Scott being Michael Scott is one of the best parts of the show. They claim that it is necessary and that after he left "The Office" the show went downhill. But to them, I say how is it a good thing to have such a mean and problematic character as the star of the show? There are ways to do humor that aren't at the expense of anyone else. Just look at "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."
I now present my case for why Michael Scott is the worst.
The example that sticks out in my mind the most clearly is Scott's Tots. Michael promised a group of third graders that he would pay for them to go to college. When it's time for them to graduate high school 10 years later, he doesn't have the money to make it happens.
He goes to the school and after they throw him a party and thank him, he confesses he doesn't have the money renigging on his promise. After they leave Erin tells Michael that at least these kids graduated because he motivated them wrapping up the storyline.
THIS IS NOT FUNNY. These students go to an underprivileged school, and Michael Scott paying for their college would've been the only way many of those children could afford to go to college. Plus, not telling these students until they graduate that he can't pay buts them in an awful position. It's too late to apply for scholarships and the premier financial aid is already gone.
Another case of the horribleness of Michael Scott is when he dates Pam's mother. He knows that Pam doesn't want him to date her mother, yet he does it anyway. Then just when Pam starts to get over it, he dumps her proving exactly why Pam didn't want him to date her in the first place.
And you can't forget about literally every interaction he has with Toby. Toby, the boring HR guy, who literally did nothing wrong. Toby is nothing but nice to him, yet Michael always tells him how horrible he is and how much he hates him. He tries to get him fired multiple times and even tries to frame him for a drug bust. This isn't comedy people.
And we can't forget that he's racist. When he gets reported for saying insensitive things regarding race and religion, he puts on a diversity day. Instead of working to combat stereotypes he makes everyone portray stereotypes. He even talks in an offensive accent to Kelly, who gives him a well-deserved slap on the face.
How can anyone find someone so mean, so rude, so self-absorbed and so unrepentant so funny? I guess I'll never know.
