The Office: How Steve Carell Defined Michael Scott

Even After years its official premiere, The Office is still regarded as one of the greatest comedies in television history, and one of the most loved characters in the movie was Steve Carell.

Steve Carell who played the deeply misguided albeit genuinely well-meaning boss Michael Scott, in an Oral history of The Office, defined Micheal as a kind-hearted soul who although caused a lot of issues only had the interest of others in his heart

In Welcome to Dunder Mifflin, the oral history of The Office by Brian Baumgartner and Ben Silverman (an Office executive producer), the show's cast, crew, and writers reflected on the series and its characters. 

Carell during his reflection on the time spent on the show as Michael Scott, shared why he loved the complex character and recalled bidding farewell to the World's Best Boss.

Though many people, including Paul Rudd and the majority of the cast, had doubts about The Office early on, Rainn Wilson said Carell always knew the show was special.

Add Block

"After shooting the pilot, John, Jenna, Steve, and I went out for a sandwich, down the road in Culver City from that crappy little studio we were at, to this crappy little sandwich shop," Wilson recalled. "Steve was like, 'I think this thing could be really special and I'm betting that these are the roles that will define us for the rest of our lives. No matter what we do for the rest of our lives, this is what we'll be known for.'

According to Carell, he had a deep understanding of Micheal Scott and although he was indeed problematic, he could see Micheal's kindness and true intentions.

When chatting about one of the show's most controversial episodes, "Diversity Day," which shows Michael hijacking a professional diversity training in the office, Carell and Baumgartner stressed that despite Michael’s tone-deaf and cringeworthy moments, he’s always trying to be good.

"It's why I bristle a little when people try to compartmentalize Michael as a racist. He's a person with an enormously good, kind heart who lacked a great deal of information about the world around him. He was as asleep in a woke world as you could be," Carell said, laughing. "[Michael's] trying his best! There's a difference between being intolerant and being ignorant. Sometimes intolerance and ignorance go hand in hand, for sure. But I think he was a very earnest and decent human being. He just didn't… get it all the time, you know?"

When asked if he always looks for the good in the characters he plays, Carell stated "I think you have to, because otherwise you're just demonizing or judging them. And if you're doing that, you'll play it differently,"

He went on to say that while Michael made mistake after mistake, at his core, he loved people and wanted to make everyone happy.

"[Michael] put his foot in his mouth all the time, saying inappropriate things, but I don't think he ever valued one type of person over any other," Carell said. "And in that way, I think he was a very pure character. He's very dumb in terms of political correctness and being appropriate in public. But at the same time, I just don't think there was hardness in his heart towards anyone."

Carell was genuinely invested in Michael's character growth throughout the series and wanted the character to have a meaningful, noticeable change. And before he left the show he talked to the producers about how he wanted Micheal to experience one last character growth that shows he was learning to become a better person.

Also Read: From 'Lost' to 'The Leftovers': Get To Know Damon Lindelof's TV Magic

Also Read: Kevin Costner Questions Christine Baumgartner’s Loyalty In Marriage