The Office Revisited: 18 Jaw-Dropping Truths That Will Blow Your Mind

Summary

Upon rewatching, it becomes evident that The Office, despite its enduring popularity, unveils some grim realities. One such truth is the undeniable fact that Michael Scott is an abysmal boss, while Dunder Mifflin proves to be an utterly dreadful workplace.

Jim, often regarded as the "cool" character, can be perceived as an office bully due to his continuous pranks on Dwight and inconsistent commitment to his professional duties.

Pam's relationship with Jim, though adored by fans, entailed her betraying her fiancé Roy, an undeniable act of infidelity.

The U.S. version of The Office has been around for almost two decades, and rewatching the beloved comedy series reveals some harsh realities. With 188 episodes over nine seasons, The Office became the leading comedy series in the United States, airing exclusively on NBC and paving the way for other iconic shows like Parks & Recreation and Community. Spanning from 2005 to 2013, The Office inevitably faces scrutiny in today's evolving cultural and comedic landscape.

Yet, despite its flaws, The Office remains one of the most-watched shows of all time. In fact, it was the most-streamed show in 2020, with over 57,000,000 minutes streamed throughout the year. However, the show's portrayal of workplace dynamics and protocols may feel outdated or controversial in 2023 as individual boundaries and power dynamics have changed. Nonetheless, the enduring popularity of The Office, even ten years after its final season, speaks volumes, although there are undeniable truths that become more apparent upon reflection.

15 Michael Scott Is A Terrible Boss

As endearing as Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) may be as a character, his qualities would render him an unbearable boss in real life, a fact that would likely be difficult for The Office viewers to endure. With his eccentric behavior, inflated sense of self-importance, and comically unrealistic expectations of his employees not only as workers but also as friends, Michael would undoubtedly require extensive corporate training programs in order to effectively hold a leadership position in the real world.

14 Dunder Mifflin Would Be An Awful Place To Work

The interactions and subplots among the characters of The Office bring life to their otherwise mundane jobs at Dunder Mifflin. Without these lively exchanges, the Scranton paper company would be a dreadful workplace. However, due to limited chances for advancement, the majority of the characters remain in the same roles throughout the show, perpetually engaged in unremarkable and repetitive tasks.

13 Jim’s Kind Of An Office Bully

Jim is often seen as the "cool" character in The Office who maintains a direct and somewhat duplicitous relationship with the audience, slyly highlighting the quirks and shortcomings of other characters in their absence. Although it is often easy to align oneself with Jim for the sake of amusement, his continuous pranks on Dwight, inconsistent dedication to his professional responsibilities, and entanglements in office romances reveal a less innocent side to Jim, making him resemble more of an office rebel.

12 Pam Cheated On Her Fiancé

Despite the affection that fans of Jim and Pam may have for these characters, it's important to acknowledge their flaws. In particular, one flaw stands out as objectively wrong, regardless of the circumstances. While Pam was engaged to Roy, she continued to maintain a close flirtatious relationship with Jim, which ultimately led to her cheating on Roy by kissing Jim on two separate occasions. Although the transgressions may be considered relatively mild, Pam's actions selfishly broke Roy's trust in two understandable but undeniable instances of infidelity.

11 Dwight Is Actually Terrifying

Dwight, the idiosyncratic oddball who provides much of the laughter in The Office, is undoubtedly more amusing to watch on a television screen than to encounter in person. His penchant for bringing various weapons into the Dunder Mifflin office and his peculiar behavior have raised enough suspicion, even going as far as setting the office ablaze in one episode. While all of this is done for the sake of entertainment, a real-life version of Dwight would certainly evoke more anxiety than amusement.

10 Will Ferrell’s Character Was Disappointing

Although Will Ferrell is widely regarded as one of the funniest individuals in the entertainment industry, his portrayal in The Office left much to be desired. Ferrell's unique comedic style seemed somewhat out of place within the show's established dynamic, mainly because his character lacked the necessary depth and progression across the limited four episodes he made an appearance in.

9 Todd Packer Would Be Cancelled

8 Toby Is A Bit Of A Creep

- The presence of Todd Packer, a character with a crude sensibility and problematic behavior, would be highly unlikely if The Office were to air in the present. It is possible that Packer's creation was influenced by David Koechner's character in Anchorman, albeit with a more offensive touch that may have been considered funny in the past but is no longer acceptable today.

Toby endures unfair targeting by Michael in The Office, eliciting sympathy from the audience. Nevertheless, this pity dissipates swiftly as his unwavering pursuit of Nellie in The Office unveils his desperation, ultimately casting an unfavorable light on his character.

7 Andy Is Kind Of The Worst

With the amount of attention that Andy receives in The Office, it's difficult to fathom why he isn't perceived as more likable. Initially portrayed as a corporate sycophant with serious rage issues, Andy gradually mellowed out over time. However, even when he was at his most tolerable, Andy was always excessive and tiresome. Even during the explosive season 8 where he became a borderline antagonist, Andy's over-the-top behavior remained consistent.

6 Ryan Is An Egotistical Jerk

It is evident that Ryan's consistent absence of emotion raises concerns, particularly in his passive commitment to Kelly despite his apparent lack of interest in her. His conceited demeanor is displayed through his condescending behavior and manipulative actions towards others in the show, specifically when he attempts to have Jim terminated in an episode.

5 Angela Is Morally Reprehensible

Competing with Ryan for the most unlikable character is Angela, who is morally reckless, completely self-centered, and just plain weird. She engaged in a far more significant betrayal of trust than Pam ever did with Jim, by cheating on Andy with Dwight. This devious act exemplifies her untrustworthiness, making her someone most people would prefer to keep their distance from in real life.

4 Some Episodes Of The Office Have Aged Terribly

Certain episodes of The Office, such as "Gay Witch Hunt" and "Diversity Day," haven't aged well given the current social climate. Looking back, Michael's perspectives on the LGBTQ+ community and his approach to race were undoubtedly narrow-minded. However, it's important to recognize that these portrayals were more characteristic of the comedy landscape of the late 2000s rather than deliberate critiques of Michael Scott or the show itself. Nevertheless, there are moments in certain episodes that would now be considered crossing several boundaries in today's world.

3 The Office Relationships Are Inappropriate

2 The Office Should Have Ended After Season 7

An additional element of The Office that would unquestionably be unacceptable in the present day is the disregard for professional boundaries regarding romantic relationships within the workplace. Numerous companies and institutions strictly prohibit any form of romantic involvement among employees, while some may adopt a more permissive approach. Nevertheless, the casual and intimate interactions between Angela and Dwight would undoubtedly be considered strictly forbidden within such an environment.

The Office truly thrived thanks to the unparalleled presence of Michael Scott, making it evident that the show would have reached its natural conclusion with Steve Carrell's departure. A protagonist as irreplaceable as him makes it wiser not to take the risk of continuing without his character, even though the show boasted an exceptional ensemble cast. Regrettably, The Office made that misstep, and it undeniably felt different once Carrell bid farewell.

1 The Office Theme Song Is Pretty Obnoxious

Those who have dozed off while binge-watching The Office can surely relate to the sudden panic upon waking up to a new episode playing. The unmistakable theme song, with its melodica-driven melody, is an iconic aspect of the show. However, after hearing it repeatedly, it can become quite irritating, serving as a reminder that The Office was created before the era of streaming.