OPINION: ‘The Office’ isn’t funny
Screenshot from the “Scott’s Tots” episode of “The Office.”
I used to like “The Office.” Emphasis on the used to.
I’ve heard people talk more and more about how the show “would never have survived in this day and age.” To the people saying that, you’re right — not because people are too sensitive, but because the jokes are just straight-up offensive.
“The Office” has a funny premise and great actors with phenomenal comedic timing. The show also has some great writers, specifically Mindy Kaling. What it doesn’t have, though, is quality comedy.
Let’s discuss Michael Scott. Michael, while beautifully portrayed by one of my favorite actors, Steve Carell, is not funny. He is unwilling to learn from how horrible he is to his employees.
It is not funny to watch him be blatantly racist in the “Diversity Day” episode. It is not funny to watch him sexually harass Pam. I personally believe the worst episode in all of television is the “Scott’s Tots” episode. It’s not at all funny to watch Michael promise kids college, only to then rip it away because he couldn’t afford to promise it in the first place.
Really, the show is just about how Toby was a coward and so horrible at his human resources job that the manager was able to be a complete asshole to everyone who worked there.
Michael tokenizes all of the minority characters. Stanley is the black man. Oscar is the gay man and the Hispanic man. Kelly is the woman of color. Everyone is characterized as their minority identity and used to show “diversity” without actually having any.
I’m not going to lie to you — I always loved the pranks that Jim would pull on Dwight. Dwight may be kind of an asshole and annoying, but that doesn’t mean he deserves constant torment that makes it impossible for him to do his job. Jim’s constant office abuse creates a horrible work environment that should have never been allowed.
When it was created, “The Office” reflected the droll aspects of modern life in an undeniably funny way. It does not do that anymore. We live in a more diverse world that doesn’t put up with offensive comments in the same way. “The Office” would not even survive a pilot today.
Olivia Babin is a staff writer and designer. Babin is a senior majoring in political science and communications - journalism with minors in anthropology...
Nah pretty sure it’s because people are too easily offended. As a gay black male I found this show extremely funny and still do. Your article is also saying it’s still funny but you can’t laugh at it anymore because it’s not socially acceptable to do so anymore
Sitcom shows are funny like Icarly and Victorious because they made each cast members of a comedy webshow or about a girl who wanted to be a pop singer with amazing friends, but The Office it’s not a comedy show plus their jokes are not that funny some jokes they wrote their script are considered inappropriate.
trash article, people are sensitve thats all
It’s ok comedic genius escapes many people.
You shouldn’t write anymore.
I think you should definitely keep writing! Remember folks, this is an opinion column! 😀
Having said that, I think you missed an opportunity to say how relevant The Office is- exactly in the way that it tokenizes people in the workplace. It is funny because it’s ridiculous, but also because it’s not ridiculous. Comedy writers always have a way at poking holes in society before we realize the holes are there.
This website should be called thesnowflake.com; imagine going through life being as big a PC pussy as the author. It’s comedy jag off!
Comedy can also be offensive, and one rarely sees that until it affects them. Most of you see yourselves as Michael Scott, rather than Pam or anyone else he’s targeted. Most of you have also never been a victim of workplace harassment that the Office is trying to replicate and turn into a joke. So yes, those of us who don’t like the Office may be sensitive, but it’s because they’re making fun of very real experiences that impact real people, not made up characters. Also, this is an opinion piece. Instead of tearing down the author for her option, maybe try to look at it from her angle. You don’t have to agree with it, as you too can have an opinion, but calling someone names is only turning you into Michael Scott, making you a joke yourself.
Hi, so I’m a white female, and so I don’t really have a say in if it’s offensive or not. But I do have Mexican and other minority friends who do not find it offensive and actually love the show.
Bro i’m hispanic and i laugh at all the racist and offensive jokes. try not to be a snowflake
true the office isnt funny… ITS HILARIOUS
true the office isnt funny… ITS HILARIOUS
I don’t find The Office amusing for its very open and offensive way of presenting things; Michael calling people names, characterizing different people based on their appearance or touching a woman’s ass. It doesn’t feel right, honestly. But I do see why people fancy the show (and some saying that they love Michael Scott).
The Office is relatively “normal” with an irksome boss who wants to be everyone’s friend – yes, I agree very much, it’s relatable af. No one is perfect. No boss. No co-worker. No one. The office place where their serie spend most of its time is plain is old and boring – but at the same time relatable. The gossip, paperwork, hateful comments, sexual comments, weird people, annoyingly happy people and so much more than these happy series that contain perfect people and where everything is fine. like For example Friends, Modern Family or Brooklyn 99.
The comedy has different directions whilst some call it dark humor I wouldn’t go that far. It’s an American comedy, The Office, and that’s kinda what you get. The same goes with the British TV show Skins (2007) or the Korean film Parasite (2019), the tone can be much different. And The Office is that American-plain-but-zany-serie-which-we-have-to-accept.
However, I personally can’t stand watching The Office despite being ridiculously funny. I can watch a few episodes and play a random game on my phone ’cause it ain’t that funny.
I WANT to enjoy “The Office”, and tried watching the pilot 15 years ago but was bored so turned it off mid-way. I just can’t stand the pacing. Looking for something to binge yesterday, I tried to watch the pilot again, and still felt the urge to just turn it off. I love politically incorrect humor (Backstrom needed more seasons!!!), but “The Office” just moves so slowly. So many awkward pauses makes it a hard watch for me. It’s not the overall concept, because I really enjoyed “Parks and Rec”
Do later episodes speed up the pace any?
The Office is reactionary comedy for far right sociopaths. It’s trash.
Watch Parks and Rec instead.
I have tried several times to like the office but I always turn it off. I don’t find racial or sexual discrimination humorous, and people arguing that it’s supposed to be “ironic” and therefore THAT makes it ok are missing the point.
I don’t find nastiness funny.
I’m a black man married to a Mexican woman and this is absolutely our favorite show. Ya’ll are way to sensitive. I feel really bad for people who live there lives being so offended over things like a comedy show. Its called comedy for a reason.
The show’s arc was weird, and clearly hadn’t planned for more than three season’s. There is straight up hilarity in many of the episodes that works really well. I agree with Scott’s Tot’s being the 21st century’s jumping the shark. This show in its entirety made me cringe constantly. How horrible is it that the payoff is seeing Michael finally, FINALLY, disappoint a bunch of inner city kids who fell for yet another white man’s promise. It’s absolutely horrible on a new level. The only thing that was funny on that episode was watching Stanley react, giddy about this douche finally getting payback after all of his racist homophobic creeper vibes. I really think if Michael Scott were an actual person he’d be a chomo. The author of this article had a great point but never went into the Scott’s Tot’s episode as much as he should have. Just referencing it as the worst show of any ever without any empirical (or any type of) evidence is just… blech.
You’ve missed the point and the distinction between the topic and the target of comedy.Almost every time the joke is at Michael’s expense and how horribly ignorant and insensitive he is being and how he has almost completely no self awareness as to how offensive and hurtful he is being. The joke is on him.
If it offends far left sjw’s it must be good….All these years and I have never watched it…I might have to go watch it now…Thanks! I was wondering if it was as funny as the memes….You answered my question..