We all know the joke, "that's what she said," but without Michael Scott, would it have been as iconic? Television is written mainly for entertainment. If a show can make its viewers laugh, cry, and still want more, then the writers are doing their job. If there's anything I've gotten from watching "The Office," is that you can't have a good laugh without a good cry. I've never found a television show where I've been so captivated by the characters on the screen before me. I genuinely wanted Dwight to become a regional manager and for Jim to finally stir up the courage to ask Pam on a date. I wanted to watch these people's lives unfold in front of me.
"The Office" is presented as a "mockumentary," using many of the elements that are often seen in documentaries. It's television, though, so of course it's completely fictitious, but there is still something peculiar about these seemingly ordinary people that draws the audience in. I firmly believe that without "The Office," television shows like "Parks and Recreation" or "Modern Family" wouldn't even exist. There is absolutely nothing special about a paper company based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but somehow you can't stop watching. You learn to love them and hate them because you relate to them. The audience sees everything that goes on during these characters lives, because it's set up like a documentary. The camera never stops rolling and you get to know each character. You learn their quirks and aspirations, which makes it all that much easier welcoming them into your home for another episode.
Before the American adaptation the show aired on BBC with 12 episodes, starring Ricky Gervais as Michael Scott's British counterpart, David Brent. One of the major differences between the British and the American versions is the character of David Brent/Michael Scott. David Brent is narcissistic, rude, and selfish, much like that of Michael Scott, except Steve Carrell's portrayal of the character made him much more human. Michael Brent was never shown feeling much sympathy, whereas Michael Scott has much more to him than crude jokes. Michael Scott wants to be liked, he wants to find love, and he wants a family. He isn't a villain at all, in fact, the show would be nothing without his character, which was very apparent during the last two seasons, after Carrell's contract ended.
The show lasted for nine seasons which is unbelievable considering it was only about a paper company. I remember how much my heart hurt after finishing the show. I felt like I had known these people. The theme song gave me comfort. After 201 episodes of shenanigans and 10 years of lives unfolding it's hard to accept that it's over. I believe that "The Office" is so much more than just a television show and that it's paved the way for writers, actors, and especially comedy, and that it is by far, the best television show to ever exist.
