The Office - Why Steve Carell Is So Funny as Michael Scott

[@caseyhart4999]

Michael showing up to Pam’s art show just might be one of his absolute finest moments

[@puyopop3085]

Someone was chopping onions during that scene.

[@t221000]

So heartwarming and sweet

[@MrLinkDay]

And when he puts it up on the office wall, it's such a great moment as well.

[@akapoka8732]

He was just tryna bone

[@MarkJoseph81]

@@akapoka8732 Nope, that's actually not true in this rare instance. He was genuinely appreciating Pam's "talent".

[@waltissussybakka]

It's a shame that Carell didn't win an Emmy for the office.

[@dixztube]

true so true

[@subtlechuckles185]

I thought this was satire, so I looked up his wiki page. I'm stunned.. how did he not win any awards for this!?

[@mosquitopyjamas9048]

Wow. I thought for sure he had at least one. Damn you Mandela effect!

[@jessebrucepinkman9834]

It wasn’t funny he didn’t really deserve one

[@anthonyplanzo1082]

@@jessebrucepinkman9834 This comment is pretty funny tho

[@abdulqawyburhanuddin7826]

The pivoting point for me is when michael went for that business meet and closed the deal with the client in an unorthodox way. It shows that he actually deserved his spot as a salesperson/manager as childish as he is.

[@Frivolousfruitcake]

Fun fact: they did consider making Micheal a complete class clown who slacks off at work too (like the British series) but then Ricky gervis suggested against it since it wouldn’t appeal to the American audience as much and might just turn annoying

[@WillyGrippo]

@@Frivolousfruitcake Yeah they realized that Americans wouldn't buy that he could keep his job and be that incompetent. Apparently it's a lot harder to get fired in the UK

[@michaelrobinson9023]

He absolutely nails microexpressions.

[@TheAjaiRaj]

Nailed it! Hard to think of another actor that can make you laugh at his absurdity and feel strong empathy for him in the exact same moment (that moment when he's listening to part of a song on repeat and crying is him at his most masterful, I think). I'd bet Bryan Cranston could pull it off too, albeit in a completely different way..

[@smilinandlaughin]

Nope

[@selenedm999]

Bob Odenkirk auditioned and was a very, very close second. We see it in Better Call Saul. Odenkirk also played a Michael-type in Season 9 Pam interviews with.

[@bViiiRaL]

@@selenedm999 in another universe Odenkirk is Michael and Carrell is Saul

[@t221000]

@@selenedm999 That’s right I vaguely recall. Did he play an office manager that she interviewed with?

[@F_the_G]

@@t221000 Odenkirk auditioned for Michael. There's a video on KZbin also with others. Seth Rogen auditioned as Dwight for example. Once Pam also looked for a new job and she was in an office with a boss exactly like Michael. It was Odenkirk. That was kinda a "what if" episode

[@magzdilluh]

Michael Scott so nakedly wanted to be loved. I get that. You get that. We all get that. And it's so EMBARASSING. And we get that part too.

[@MoviesYouveScene]

Michael’s oblivion and inability to read the room is what makes him so funny

[@judywright4241]

The Dinner Party still makes me cringe, Michael & Jan and their barbs at one another along with Dwight showing up with his old babysitter!😆

[@fredo8907]

@@judywright4241 BABE!

[@JaceDeanLove]

Obliviousness?

[@natalyamartirosyan]

The bankruptcy declaration is pure gold. I remember bursting with laughter when watching the first time. Well actually every time:))

[@RHouseThreat]

That scene can never... not be funny. It just can't :)

[@acridyd]

I've always said that Michael was the antagonist of The Office. Not a villain, but an antagonist. He's not Thanos or the Joker, he just wants to be liked, but not everyone likes him, and that's what is so relatable about him.

[@WanderingChin]

Like an anti-hero. Michael is often his own worst enemy and puts himself into bad situations through his own desire for approval and his cowardice (Golden Ticket). It's only later in the series after meeting Holly that he faces his own shortcomings and grows as a person when he meets someone who actually understands him and highlights his flaws.

[@sirgamer3795]

The way Steve plays Michael is absolute perfection, he's over the top ridiculous but I believe it ever step of the way, like in the safety training episode. No manager is actually going to jump off a building just because there safety training wasn't as cool as another department but you 100% believe the gag just through the way the character is played

[@ellicel]

He really was the heart of the show-his vulnerability was so obvious that it was impossible not to be touched by him and be on his side, even at his worst. I think we can all relate to the feelings that were exaggerated in him - his insecurities, his need to be accepted, his longing for deep connections. This character could have gone so wrong but Carnell always managed to keep his portrayal sincere. Loved your analysis!

[@AChickandaDuck]

“A layer of stupidity fog he has to peer through to get the answer.” Absolutely perfect 👏

[@joshuathomas043]

Steve Carell is truly a phenomenal actor. His role in Little Miss Sunshine was outstanding. I remember when I first started watching the Office. At first, he drove me batshit crazy, but I grew to love him so quickly. The scene where he is the only one at Pam's art show, the Dinner Party episode (u know the one) are two of my favorite Michael Scott performances.

[@aninditabhattacharyya7222]

Excellent observation. It is not ever enough to talk about how fantastic actor Steve is.

[@nerdly44]

I have always maintained that Carell's performance as MC is an acting masterclass, and Michael Scott is one of the greatest television charcters in history as a result. Comedic or otherwise.

[@qjames0077]

The Office wouldn't be The Office without Steve "Colored Greens" Carell

[@flavioavmello]

"He wants the best for others." Except for Toby, he doesn't want the best for Toby.

[@RuRu2041]

There is no way to review Michael Scott better than you did. You are absolutely brilliant my friend! Loved the comparison with Robin Williams.

[@t221000]

This video reminds me that Steve was able to play Michael so perfectly because he had a background in improv.

[@mordaciousfilms]

I've never connected to characters in a comedy like I have with the US OFFICE. Steve really tows the line between absurd and relatable. I see myself in Michael and EVERY character in the show because they're so diverse. He plays this role with such conviction and humility - even when being ridiculous. They made a great call after season 2 making him more childlike and playful over "rude" and callous.

[@imaginnova]

Brilliant analysis, as usual. You're crushing it man--articulating the invisible glue of pop culture

[@JustanObservation]

Thank you!

[@MindiB]

I agree, and I love this descriptive phrase, Creative Cavalry. Well-put!

[@krispykremes2482]

His ability to buy-in 100% and show absolute sincerity in the face of complete absurdity makes it for me. He's ridiculously good at tapping into that childlike quality of MS.

[@MrColdNoodles]

It's crazy how much nostalgia this show brings to me when I had absolutely nothing to do with it aside from watching it when I was down.

[@youtubename7819]

It does have the (probably inadvertent) effect of being a “period piece” for a very short period of history. We had ipods, “garmin” was a thing, and googling wasn’t so simple that Michael could avoid embarrassing himself and Dwight couldnt be easily corrected about his weird “knowledge.”

[@mdflorida1233]

The best scenes are where Michael is so bad that even Dwight is like, "dude . . ."

[@MrMoman7]

Actually getting " Every Frame a Painting"-vibes whilst watching your pieces (in respect to the cleanly communicated insights) - highest video essay compliment there is I'd guess! "Just" an Observation.. what an understatement:)

[@JustanObservation]

Thank you very much!

[@jamiek9780]

The best thing about him is that despite all his flaws, he’s amazing at his job.

[@melgon25]

What a wonderful breakdown. As someone who has watched the show since it was new in the air, and then many times since, I never knew exactly what was going on with the performance. I just knew it worked, was captivating and hilarious. This ups my respect for what Steve Carell has done so much more even. Amazing actor. Thank you.

[@WillyGrippo]

One of my favorite moments was the murder mystery game, when Michael snaps at Jim in private and it becomes apparent that he isn't just being a distraction for the sake of it, that he genuinely wants to lessen the stress being felt by the other workers about the branch closing.

[@sunnygreenings4840]

I always insisted to my friends who didn't like Michael that the performance was in Carell's eyes and body. Those scenes in which he goes bonkers physically are surprising and the best of comedy. He transforms into someone else--not Steve and way beyond Michael. Like the best of the silent film stars whose eyes told us all there was to tell.

[@MrSonny208]

About the last point , the chapter where JIm is left with being the boss and he messes up the birthdays cause he wants all birthdays on one day or whatever is more easy, he makes everyone so mad and then Michael comes back. When they talk and he gives that dad like advice of "rookie mistake i tried that" and " i thought the same, that i wasnt gonna last much in this job", like Jim could see for a second him in the future, that ability to connect of Michael, create for me a whole depth of a character, so profound .

[@nawhteven3830]

I’m laughing just watching the description of his acting lmao this stuff was and still is so funny

[@cristiana982]

me too! just remembering the scenes as he described them had me laughing

[@bossedo]

His timing of the look into the camera is ridiculous. If you look other actors, John, Jenna, Rainn or anyone,when they do monologs,most of the time they look at the camera directly. Steve eyes wandering around and in that perfect delivery moment for split of a second he looks at you.. That and sticking his point of the tongue between his lips is masterful.

[@himurahaibara1459]

Your perspective fascinates me. Every video you've made you manages to explain the motive and reasons of what makes the character the way they are, without justifying or judging them. Just break them down in objective manner, acknowledge their best traits and doesn't overlook their worst. You understand why audience like and care about the characters without making it sound like some fanatics who believe the character can do no wrong. Gotta share these videos with my mates.

[@CollinThomasEverett]

Never clicked into a video so fast in my life. Except for the video of my conception, but that's neither here nor there.

[@sabrinabenitezsalazar6481]

the art expo scene never fails to make me cry, and it's all thanks to Steve's honesty playing Michael, I dropped some tears just watching the scene, without the original sound he is really something else

[@jeremycards]

Wow that's a seriously good analysis, really got a newfound respect for Steve Carell's acting, its really unbelievable.,

[@bruna8778]

Great video. Michael has never been my favorite character (though I still love him), but I have always thought that Steve Carrell does the best job in the show, in my opinion. Just like you said, everything he does is so authentic and believable. And his microexpressions make everything perfect, whether it's a comedic scene or not.

[@ericksenkmajer3414]

This is practically a perfect video. Your analysis is wonderful, the examples you chose perfectly illustrate your thoughts. I was enjoying it so much and was so interested in what you had to say, I was late to an appointment. Keep up the excellent work. Subscribed.

[@JustanObservation]

Thanks Erick! Glad to have you here

[@gauravsinghtomar2517]

+1

[@shahxad6533]

I needed this. He's a fabulous actor. I noticed very little things in his acting

[@MarkJoseph81]

For fans of the actor himself, I highly recommend watching the movie "Beautiful Boy" (2018). It's a great little movie we watched while I was in rehab, because the movie is about a family and addiction. You get to see Steve Carell play a serious role, and surprisingly to me he does it incredibly well. Not a hint of humor. I kept expecting to not be able to take him seriously because of his role in "The Office", but he really can act.

[@ifwecouldvote]

I think he"ll be remembered as the Charlie Chaplin of our time. An absolute comedy god.

[@daredevil6145]

that one would be *Mr Bean*

[@princeowiredu2022]

i can't bring myself to watch the last 2 epiisodes of the show because i learnt he left in season 7. I cried on the season finale. Everything felt so real

[@ellenoid]

I love this. You did a great job making what makes Steve Carrell so adorably heartwarming and hilarious in this show!

[@sarajevo_]

Your videos are so good man. Great work

[@AnnieKhurana]

This is so spot on! Love all your videos but this one absolutely touches the heart, which is adds more to your points. Grest work 😊

[@richardking1]

This is the most optimistic video I've seen from you. I really liked it a lot

[@djordjemiljenovic9387]

Dear, Just an Observation. I have to wholeheartedly thank you for this video, and it couldn't pop up at the more perfect moment. It was so insightful and helpful, i simply could not believe that it never crossed my mind in such a precise way, and i'm looking at it for decade and more. I cannot describe how much this means to me professionally, it just solved millions of problems i stubled upon, and that is a lot of problems to have on a deadline. Wish you all the best, good health, prosperity and may that brain-sharpened-eye serve you for a thousand years so that we can dive into more of your discoveries.

[@ilsezon9519]

‘He wants the best for others’ except for Toby

[@floydiustube]

took me a second to realize where i recognized that voice from. glad you’re enjoying the new horizons.

[@Mundo_do_Ray]

Leslie nielsen was very good at playing straight. Like in airplane, when he says the stupiest things ever dead serious

[@jmgonzalez4]

The amount of effort steve carrell put into this performance over 6 years has put him in rare company. Even as poorly received as season 1 was, you could feel the earnestness of the characterization seep through the screen. Those layers of performance you talk about were there from day 1, despite not having the desire to be liked/loved by everyone be there from the jump.. I rhink instead season 1 Michael Scott wanted/demanded everyone's respect by default.

[@lieutenantomni3642]

Great video, great breakdown. Well done!

[@johnwolf3563]

Very very good break down. I think you hit really solid points in this video. Well done, my dude 🙌🍻

[@SaucyTUX]

next video: how saul goodman goes from trying to be a good lawyer playing by the rules to saul goodman

[@JustanObservation]

That’s all coming in July when the series fully ends

[@SaucyTUX]

@@JustanObservation sweet I can't wait to see it!

[@chaarugupta6327]

I didn’t want the video to end. Just beautiful!

[@rishubhardwaj9930]

Genius analysis as usual. Churning out great things regularly is pretty difficult and requires super consistency and talent and you’re doing a great job on it. I’d also like to watch your analysis on the AppleTV show SEVERANCE. Hope you deliver it later.

[@ariadnecarvalho7016]

That is a great analysis and great video, thank you!

[@gudduentertains]

Steve Carell nails micro expressions.

[@sj4267]

I've always thought he is just improving, saying silly things but with complete conviction. Just a master at it though.

[@treasuren]

0:11 "Its a hard thing to put your finger on" that's what she said

[@JoseFigueroa-b4k]

Michael yelling at Toby once he returns was just a comedic genius, given the fact that this was right after Michael had his heart ripped out when he broke up with Holly. Bringing Toby back just the last thing he needed 😂

[@magzdilluh]

how dare you tempt me to get peacock just so I can watch the Office again

[@Augustxray]

Bro, this os so good. Cant believe yu only have 100k subs, definetly deserve more

[@JustanObservation]

Thanks bro

[@tetotronic1]

Nailed it...! I cannot help but love Michael's soft side and laugh at his awkward side. He's a Rockstar.

[@SpotCam]

amazing video man, very heart warming analysis! also, comgrats on the Michael Corleone vid hitting 1 mil!

[@JustanObservation]

Cheers my man!

[@zoogie980]

IMO Steve Carell's performance as Michael Scott is the best comedic role in TV history. I love the scenes where Steve improvs as Michael being horrible at improv. The shots of him failing to think of something to say in the moment, doubling down on jokes that arent landing, or just saying something louder to hopefully get a reaction. As an actor Steve is amazing at improvisation and knowing this makes his performance that much more impressive to me. His performance never fails to make me laugh no matter how many times I've seen it.

[@stephaniegormley9982]

His secret is he gets laughed AT more than he gets laughed WITH. And Carrell doesn't seem to mind this.

[@thecreativelifeproject]

I think it's correct, that he wants to be liked so much that it often makes him look silly - it's exactly when he is playing to appeal to every audience when he appears so wishy-washy and seems to lack any mental compass and tends to look hilarious. He wants to be liked so much it makes us cringe. Yet it is in the one on one situations; with Jan, when he's on sales calls, when he is with Holly, that he instead transforms into someone who can actually be charming. It's when he stops thinking about impressing everyone and simply wants to have a connection with that one person, and this adds so much depth to his character- he is not just a buffoon, but a believable person. It makes our connection as an audience much stronger and it makes us feel his highs and lows much more. I think it's also the reason why Jan had such mixed feelings about him; in social situations he is over the top and wants to be the center of attention, but when he forgets there's anyone else there he can make such a strong connection with people. That's what makes Holly such a beautiful partner for him; she makes him forget that there is anyone else - and at the end of his character progression he is suddenly all charm.

[@boldbearings]

Never seen the show, but I like your character analysis, and anti-censorship content. Subbed. ✔️

[@oneofthoseyoutubeusers]

season 2 through season 7 of the office are 9.5/10 television

[@Charles-Pettibone]

A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

[@sobo4676]

Always loved this channel.

[@mrsinkaya]

Great video, editing and analysis. Also, great conclusion and ending. Good job!

[@wallyman292]

Love how he framed and hung his "Certificate of Authenticity" in his office showing he's the "proud owner of a quality Seyko timepiece"!

[@wandeesthoughts]

You make me want to rewatch the office and I just finished watching not long ago😅💀

[@AtomicAnarchyShop]

Sameeeee

[@ryan.m.weisgerber]

This was absolutely fantastic.

[@maxlaughlin6782]

“Stupidity fog” I’m going to file that one away for later.

[@luisrivera9506]

Great job man! I love The Office so much.

[@alexrain1188]

Laughter means only one thing: it means “I’m glad that is not me.” Humor is just a spike in the reality. And yes, I love The Office

[@samuelmorse784]

dork

[@ThankYouESM]

I very much love this observation, but... I thought Michael felt stuck with his job only pretending to love it... hoping to somehow convince everybody else to think it's a great job. Much as Michael is very transparent, there is a small part of him that is actually in complete denial which is what I think also explains why he is so oblivious; for example... when he quickly mentioned the need to always stay away from Jan without even realizing he blurted that out... then right after he got told by his lady co-workers what he just said... suddenly realized he was getting hurt far too much by her.

[@marior.4145]

I swear, I’ve watched this show more thank 50 times back to back. Watched this during my college years as it helped me concentrate on assignments idk why.. anyways I always got sad once he left and felt like the show ended. The other seasons once he left feel off but still funny. I really think Michael made The Office be The Office. Ever since they removed it from Netflix it hasn’t been the same. However peacock has some seasons for free

[@juliana3943]

I think for me it helps me concentrate on uni assignments and work too bc of the day by day experience of the office. It just feels so calm and safe you know? Almost like a safe space you go to every day I don't really know how to explain this.

[@gauravsinghtomar2517]

Loved every bit of this analysis...I liked most of your other videos too!

[@TheSpookyDuke]

Good point. Steve Carell is up there in the Champions league together with Robin Williams, Charlie Chaplin and David Jason.

[@robTCGZ]

For me, this video is reassurance that you can hate a character while praising the actor behind the character. I HATE Michael Scott. To me, one of the most frustrating, annoying, despicable, childish, and idiotic characters I've ever seen. I cannot stand him. However, ever since I watched this show for the first time I have praised Steve Carell for his performance. It's brilliant, and it deserves the legendary status it has garnered over the years. Fantastic acting.

[@DerrickMims]

We could also have included the scene of Michael pretending to be Erin’s dad and lecturing her about her boyfriend. That might be my favorite moment of the series.

[@arturabramian5622]

amazing analysis, thank you

[@berizont]

nice synchronicity, I just started to watch it yesterday. Absolutely true

[@RafaelDeLaGhetto2]

🎶hey mister Scott, hey mister Scott, what you gonna do to make our dream come through”🎶

[@diegocarrero2812]

This is an excellent video, great job!!

[@unfiltered8682]

Excellent work! Has there been a funnier tv performance since Michael Scott?

[@offred6013]

Sheldon cooper george costanza

[@jopalm3649]

@@offred6013 No. Just no.

[@offred6013]

@@jopalm3649 hell yes

[@t221000]

@@offred6013 Oh please Sheldon is a cartoon and Michael feels real

[@dannygranadosmena5194]

@@offred6013 yikes,Sheldon Cooper justo no, not even the soles of M Scott

[@777humpty]

There are two types of people. Ones who like the office and ones that are wrong.

[@HunterMagunter]

Having the common opinion makes you wrong, the media has you sheep right where they want you. If this is comedy then three stooges are rolling in their graves rn

[@777humpty]

@@HunterMagunter ok crazy person 🤣

[@HunterMagunter]

@@777humpty you're the one laughing at steve Carrell lmao, imagine thinking this shit is funny😂😂

[@Snowaxe3D]

The Office ended at Season 7 Ep 22.

[@t221000]

Yeah as it should have. There are only a few funny moments in the last two seasons. Andy just didn’t have the same like ability as Michael.

[@tfive24]

When he says funny things, the expression on his face is blank.

[@ioncamin5]

watching this video with ricky gervais might be one of the funniest experiences in life

[@cyberperson53]

It's not entirely related to this video clip, but I never get sick of how, in that clip of The Dance from the UK Office, that one guy in black stops clapping everyone else and just realises the dawning car crash happening in front of his eyes way before everyone else.

[@OmegaRejectz]

1:12 Bit of an earthy aftertaste

[@tymaketheworldabetterplace4247]

The Office, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Modern Family are the shows I always binge watch, But the Office is hands down, my favorite!

[@god8020]

Very nice analysis

[@zerobudgetproductions704]

You're my favorite channel. I love you. ❤🌺

[@Itsjettondon05]

Michael lowkey the most nuanced sitcom character ever