If I had to pick one TV character who makes me laugh out loud while also making me a little concerned for his well-being, it would be Michael Scott from The Office. There’s just something about him that’s so chaotic, so misguided, and yet so endearing. I’ve watched The Office more times than I care to admit, and every time, I find myself on the same rollercoaster ride of emotions when it comes to Michael. He’s ridiculously funny, but if we’re being honest, his behavior is pretty concerning too.
Michael Scott, the Regional Manager of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, is a character who seems like he should be completely unlikable. He’s tone-deaf, clueless, and often crosses lines that no one should cross. But here’s the thing: we still root for him. There’s an undeniable charm that comes with his misguided attempts to be everyone’s best friend, mentor, and sometimes even father figure. The question is, why do we find him so lovable when everything he does seems to scream, “This is a bad idea”?
If there’s one thing that stands out to me about Michael, it’s that all his ridiculous behavior stems from a deep sense of insecurity. As hilarious as it is to see him do things like plan elaborate birthday parties or throw cringe-worthy Dundie awards, you can tell that he’s doing all of this because he’s desperate for approval.
Michael’s need to be liked is almost painful to watch. He craves validation from his employees in the same way that a child might seek constant approval from a parent. This becomes obvious in episodes like "The Dundies," where his over-the-top hosting isn't just about putting on a show—it's about desperately wanting everyone in the room to think he's great. You can’t help but feel a little bad for him because, deep down, Michael just wants to feel loved. And while that’s understandable, it also leads to some of the most concerning moments in the show.
Take his obsession with Ryan, for example. Michael constantly follows him around, buys him gifts, and tries to impress him, even though Ryan is clearly uncomfortable. That’s where it becomes a little worrisome because Michael doesn’t seem to understand boundaries. He’ll cross them without even realizing it, just to get a hint of approval from someone he admires.
One of the funniest yet most nerve-wracking aspects of Michael Scott is his impulsivity. He’ll jump into situations without thinking, often leaving everyone around him scrambling to fix the mess he’s created. Whether it’s declaring bankruptcy by literally shouting, “I declare bankruptcy!” or driving a car into a lake because he trusted the GPS a little too much, Michael’s actions are the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud funny and head-shaking disbelief.
But here’s the thing: behind every impulsive decision is this desperate need for attention. Michael can’t stand the thought of not being noticed, so he’ll do just about anything to stay in the spotlight. It’s funny, sure, but when you stop to think about it, it’s a little sad too. There’s a level of emotional immaturity at play here, where he hasn’t really learned how to handle rejection or not being the center of attention. That’s what leads him to make wild decisions—he’s trying to fill that emotional void with grand gestures, no matter how ridiculous they may be.
In episodes like “Fun Run,” we see this impulsiveness in full swing. After hitting Meredith with his car, instead of processing the guilt or even apologizing properly, he decides to throw a rabies awareness fun run. It’s so over-the-top and unnecessary, but that’s Michael. He can’t just let things go. He has to make a huge deal out of it to make sure everyone sees how much he cares—even if he’s really just trying to make himself feel better in the process.
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I’ve often wondered how Michael manages to keep his job, especially when it’s clear that he’s not exactly the sharpest manager. He constantly makes inappropriate jokes, botches sales pitches, and derails meetings with his personal stories (like that time he got gum stuck in his hair). But despite all of this, the Scranton branch consistently performs well, and the employees (most of them, anyway) don’t totally hate him.
I think part of what keeps Michael afloat is his genuine care for his employees, even if he shows it in the most awkward and misguided ways. Remember when Stanley had a heart attack, and Michael responded by throwing him a "Don’t Give Up" cake? It’s one of those moments where you can see that Michael really does want to be a good boss, but he’s so out of touch that his efforts often come off as tone-deaf or cringeworthy. Still, there’s a warmth to him that, in a weird way, makes him a better manager than you’d expect.
When Michael finally leaves Dunder Mifflin in “Goodbye, Michael,” it’s not just the employees who are emotional—it’s the audience too. After years of watching him fumble through life, you start to realize that for all his faults, Michael Scott has a good heart. He genuinely cares about the people around him, and even though he messes up constantly, his intentions are usually in the right place. That’s why we forgive him. He’s not just a bad boss—he’s a misguided one who truly wants to make his office family happy.
If I had to pinpoint one of the biggest reasons I’m both entertained and concerned by Michael, it’s his use of humor. Michael’s reliance on jokes—especially his infamous “That’s what she said”—is his way of coping with uncomfortable situations. He doesn’t really know how to deal with emotions, so he turns everything into a joke. This is funny to watch, but also a little worrying because it shows just how emotionally stunted he is.
The classic scene where Pam’s parents are getting divorced is a perfect example. Michael tries to relate by awkwardly telling Pam about his own father abandoning him, but then he quickly deflects with, “Let’s talk about you!” He can’t handle the vulnerability, so he uses humor to avoid it. The problem is, that humor often falls flat or, worse, makes things more awkward than they were to begin with.
But it’s also what makes Michael so human. We’ve all used humor to lighten uncomfortable situations, and while Michael takes it to the extreme, it’s something relatable. He wants to connect with people, he just doesn’t know how, so he fumbles through it with jokes and grand gestures, hoping that somehow, it’ll all work out.
At the end of the day, Michael Scott is a character who makes me laugh more than any other, but he also makes me think. For all his faults—his impulsivity, his inappropriate humor, his constant need for attention—there’s something incredibly endearing about him. He’s a man who wants to be loved, who wants to do the right thing, but often goes about it in all the wrong ways.
It’s that combination of hilarious antics and underlying emotional complexity that keeps me coming back to The Office over and over again. Michael Scott isn’t just a funny character; he’s a deeply flawed one. And maybe that’s why we love him so much—because in all his chaos, he reflects a little bit of the messiness we all have inside.
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