My problem with this take is that I never thought Jim was supposed to be a model for how one should act in such a situation. He’s more aware of the fact that he’s working a dead-end job in a completely inappropriate work environment, which makes the audience identify with him a bit more, but his response to this…

I also think it had a lot to do with the inherent likability of Steve Carell. He’s just too good at the “kicked puppy” reaction to play a raging asshole for multiple seasons. There’s also the difference between US and British sensibilities, which is just a cultural thing. Americans generally want some sort of…

Michael isn’t punished as much as he should be, sure, but it’s a TV show that ran for multiple seasons, so that wouldn’t change regardless of when it aired. But I disagree with a lot of the premise here—if anything, this show is more relevant than ever. Michael is clearly shown to be a buffoon who makes everyone…

if The Office was keeping joy in your life you probably have a lot deeper issues than The AV Club

Well I think the “What am I supposed to do, not send hilarious emails?” is more satire than anything else. The audience is supposed to say “No, Michael. You’re not supposed to do that anymore.” So it’s less like Amos and Andy, which was more about “Heh. Negros.” and more like All In The Family. You aren’t supposed to…

You’re a ridiculous person.

I quit watching regularly sometime around the Jim/Pam engagement, but every once in a while I’d tune in to see how the show was progressing and in the last few seasons it did seem to me that the show was asking us to view Michael and even Dwight sympathetically, which always seemed like a surefire sign that it had…

I don’t remember a ton about The Office but I do know that in the early episodes the writers were trying to copy the formula from the British show almost exactly. Michael is much more of a straight-up asshole like David Brent in the first few episodes. Those episodes are definitely hard for me to watch and I don’t…

“Maybe Michael Scott isn’t quite the doofy, lovable lug we remember.”

Who the fuck ever thought that?  

But the “context of the time it was made” was “serious issues in workplaces were ignored and joked about”.  It’s not like that makes it much better.

The work environment being toxic was an intended part of the show. It was never meant to make the audience feel comfortable.

Man, I don’t know. Was Dwight Schrute actually “likable”?

Gilbert’s lack of self-awareness around her various privileges, particularly in Eat Pray Love, really bothered me when it was first released. I’ll admit I used to and still can be kind of eye roll-y when it comes to her. But since I’ve avoided her writing, I really can’t say what kind of growth she’s had since then.

The author invited it by writing an article titled “Author Elizabeth Gilbert Announces...” when she could have said “Author and Musician Rayya Elias Dies.” The article is centered on Gilbert. Since when does someone die and the headlines are “[some other person] Announces Death of...”?

I’m sitting here, next to my husband who is dying, waiting for hospice to arrive.

It’s an interesting question.

Love those McElroy’s! Yeah, I think for anyone losing a partner is pretty fucking sad and I’m not about to wade in judging her statement. I certainly wouldn’t want anyone doing the same to me if/when this happens. I think it’s okay to not be a fan of Gilbert (she’s not my cup of tea either) but the lack of…

The funny thing is, I’ve never read Gilbert’s books but I have listened to her as a guest on a few different (McElroy-related) podcasts and she always seemed like a delight. So this hate in the comments is mystifying.

It is sad that Rayya died so young. Elizabeth Gilbert is insufferable and will make this all about Elizabeth for her next obnoxious book.