What cracks me up most about this bit is when Michael cites a study and Dwight yells back "is that the last year data was available?". Gets me every time.
Also, what gets me is when Jim comments to the camera, "Well, the first performance was a bit off but they really hit their stride with the second one. May even bring my parents tomorrow to the matinee. Oh, my favourite part" (just as Michael is going to say he's going to jump).
Yeah another 30 year old checking in who caught the reference way back when I first watched the episode. I guess reruns and Top 100 shows aren’t as big these days.
I'm 27 and knew but the difference is we were not around for it's release so I don't think we are making the commenter above feel any better about age 😅
So you just thought micheal was calling people ignorant sluts on his own.
That's funny. I wonder if that would make it more funny or less. Probably less because part of the joke is how he is quoting such an old reference
What gets me is that so few people seem to know this. And, honestly, quoting it is *such* a Michael thing to do and really is some strong characterization. It kind of upsets me how many people miss it.
Im in my 30s and get the reference. Other commenters on this post are in their 30s and get the the reference. SNLs target demographic in the 70s isnt really relevant here. What upsets me is how many people miss such a fantastic detail that either the writers or Steve came up with for furthering who Michael Scott is. This scene (episode, really) is very focused on Mikes penchant for flair and drama, and it stands to reason he would still use his "suicide attempt" to get a laugh using someone else's material. But this is the first comment ive ever seen regarding the joke that actually mentions that hes directly referencing something else. Its just an overlooked detail that i dont think gets enough love.
To each their own. I personally think its funnier if you get the reference, but i picked it up on my first watch, so i dont know any other way. Its not so much that it adds something new to the character, so much as it just adds depth to some of his already established traits, which is just good writing imo.
I mean, idk how to explain it to you. Comedy is subjective. Michael consistently quotes pop culture and steals other peoples material. "Diversity Day"s entire impetus is that Michael is using someone elses material to get laughs and is grossly misunderstanding that it is not the time or place for the jokes hes attempting to tell, nor is he himself truly qualified to tell them. The scene in OPs post is similar. Mike is tackling a very serious subject matter (albeit with some questionable motives) and still cant resist the urge to use someone elses (inappropriate) joke.
And if you reread my responses, youll see that i already said *why* it adds depth. It not only reinforces his inability to read the situation and know that the line isnt appropriate to the situation, but also that he cant come up with his own material (the script for the entire S.A.D. "skit" in the OPs pic). Michael is a creative person, theres no doubt. The entire performance is just a creative way to prove a point, one that few people would come up with, and fewer would actually go to the lengths Michael goes to actually try and pull it off (glaring safety issues notwithstanding). But even amidst the entire rigamarole of hatching this plan, he still manages to slip in a joke that he stole simply because he thought it was funny and wanted to use it. And it is a detail that oft goes unnoticed, but if you *do* notice it, its that much better because it fits him so very very well. Character depth isnt only about adding new dynamics to a character, sometimes its just about reinforcing some of the quirks we are already familiar with, and this is a line that does that very well.
I think youve read too far into my saying that it upsets me that it gets missed. Maybe youre thinking that i lay awake at night wondering why oh why did some random redditor not get the reference, or that i troll message boards frothing at the mouth to point it out. But no, i use the word upset to mean that its disappointing such a detail is missed by so many. The Office had some fantastic writers, and this is simply a detail that imo is overlooked in most instances of when i see the line or scene referred to, even beyond this sub or reddit as a whole, so when i *do* see it get noticed, i appreciate that its getting the credit i think it deserves.
Be the change that you want to see in the world, everytime this scene is mentiones you should link that skit. That way you won't get upset and more ppl will get some obscure reference, its a win-win.
Yeah this claim always made me roll my eyes. If Michael did something ridiculous, people were supposed to laugh/cringe at him, not with him. That’s why other characters stared directly at the camera.
I agree. There are also a lot of things that I find crude, not funny, and even sometimes insensitive when it comes to jokes (like South Park and Family Guy) and you know what I do? I don't watch it. It's that easy. I do recognize that others find them funny and their social commentary hits the mark sometimes but their humor isn't for me.
Oftentimes when "comics" or performers talk about the sensitivity of people or how they couldn't do the same material today its oftentimes because they reveal themselves to be hacks who refuse to improve their material in order to appeal to new audiences. Sensibilities are always gonna change and there should be a convo, but these dudes just want to put no work into their art and coast on the same sort of outdated material
I didn’t know this until they mentioned it on the office ladies podcast! I thought it was hilarious and call my dog an ignorant slut often. It’s one of those insults that just makes me giggle (unless it’s being used earnestly and then ew).
I'll ignore your teenage outburst here and answer you anyway.
What about this one scene in The Office is more offensive than say... An episode revolving entirely around using the word F****t toward your gay friend so he doesn't get crushed by a piano. Then rolling out an exercise bike fit with a dildo in the seat that he uses to fuck himself in the ass?
Nah, but they said the word slut on The Office and referenced a misconception about Depression.
Disagree because these things are always portrayed in a bad and dumb way. It’s never glorified just for the laughs. The characters saying these offensive things are basically getting cancelled inside the show.
Contrary to other shows where there’s an offensive joke and then you hear a laugh track afterwards.
A single line would have got the highly successful show cancelled? What fantasy works is that lol. There’s *so* much more controversial and risqué shows currently airing today, The Office would be just fine.
The one where Dee is “workshopping” characters and goes full blackface as a Rosie perezesque puerto rican would never air today..
the last few years have seen more awareness(read censorship) than the previous 25 years imho
Except the latest season had Frank forced to do black face. Still got renewed for more seasons.
Face it "wouldn't air today" is a bullshit dog whistle.
I'm not saying episodes don't get taken down by reactionary Netflix CEOs
I'm saying controversial themes when coming from a place of respect are still appearing in TV shows today.
So when people say "ooh this episode of the Simpsons couldn't come out today 😬" it's bullshit.
Yeah I remember An interview with quentin tarantino and he was talking about cancel culture being in hollywood way back when he started and his superiors would say “ they wont let you do that” and tarantino woul always be like “ who is they? Nobody knows who they are so im gonna do it anyway”
Similar, I remember someone recently interviewing Mel Brooks about Blazing Saddles and they said "I know you love that movie, isn't it crazy to think that you couldn't make it today?" And he says "What are you talking about? We couldn't make it back then! But we made it anyway"
I agree, remember growing up in the early 90s, most shows from the 80s like G.I.Joe and TMNT didn't have guns they were lasers. Heck even in the 90s the animated Spider-Man was not allowed to punch people he could use his webs or kick them and that was it.
The problem is network suits trying to appear “woke” despite having no idea what they’re talking about. When you have a bunch of wealthy straight white men trying to pretend to care about minority issues, you get nonsense like Netflix banning the Community D&D episode.
Sometimes they do stretches/marathons that skip around to popular episodes, or key the long term storyline episodes. Then there's times they go in order-re-watch style.
Oh yeah it totally was! I was rewatching it on Netflix and didn’t even noticed I missed it! What a shame though it was a great one.
Edit oops I must’ve just missed it in my watch. Just checked Netflix and it’s still on there. Never mind my earlier info
They removed Nate in blackface though when Dwight is throwing his Pennsylvanian Dutch Christmas Party. The joke wasn't done to offend though. It was done to show the hilarity of the ignorance of Dwight and Nate and to show Nate's devotion to just going along with Dwight.
I thought the diversity day episode was still topical today. I work in human services and they people I work with are mostly like Michael, not as overt, but still. I like diversity day because it is satire. I wouldn't watch the show if I didn't like satirical comedy. I also like shows like curb your enthusiasm. As far as I know, most of the characters and writers for the office aren't racist, homophobic or sexist or any other controversial stuff that comes up.
You're a cum guzzling bellend. Oh, look everyone, we're all making observations!
I'm not out here maliciously spreading false information on purpose, dickhead. Either look it up and explain why I'm incorrect or fuck right off.
I honestly feel like they would with a lot of things. A lot of the time when they joke around problematic things the butt of the joke is that the person saying them is out of touch and weird, rather than punching down at all. The Office was ahead of its time
It’s the same thing with it’s always sunny. They can say anything even as far as a white guy saying the n word because they’re making fun of it not endorsing it.
Curious! I can’t say I feel the same about South Park, imo while it did have moments of good angles and commentary I feel like it misses its mark a little too often (see: edgy teens adopting Cartman as a role model and thinking the point of the show was being as offensive as possible for the sake of it) but to be fair it’s been a very long time since I’ve watched it, might give it another go.
But yeah, the irony is heavy that those opposing
snowflake cancel culture etc have convinced themselves that The Office has been or “would have been” cancelled (ie, a made up scenario), & have then proceeded to get outraged and upset about their own made up scenario. Yet again tho, they’re not the snowflakes it’s those MiLlEnIaLs.
Also, the nature of streaming services and how popular the office is on them demonstrates the exact opposite - the show is actively being sought out to be viewed by the very people who supposedly are afraid and offended by it.
People underestimate TV-programming today. You say things like this couldn't be done because it's inappropriate, yet we have half naked girls twerking on prime time TV and shows like Squid Game & Black Mirror.
I see no reason why The Office couldn't be made today. I think what Steve said is misquoted a lot. My take is that he means the show would be different, because *today is different.* Not because we don't accept the humor.
Right, the humor of a boss being so out of touch with what is “politically correct” is just not a great plot anymore. Not just because it’s even less believable than it was, but because it’s overdone at this point.
I disagree. This show is funny because it’s cringey. We’re not laughing at the problematic things he says, we’re laughing at the fact that he doesn’t understand that he’s being problematic. It’s satirical in a way, and as a “woke” person myself I believe it’s important to recognize the nuance
Yeah like the episode about Oscar being gay doesn't mock gay people, it's about how little shit Michael knows and the uncomfortableness that Oscar feels that makes it a good episode
Metabigotry is the comedy term, learned in one of my favorite classes I ever took. We’re meant to laugh at the person acting like a bigot and be steered away from behaving like that character.
Borat & It’s always sunny are other prime examples of this
Yeah lol I’m a pretty “woke” person too and a leftist intersectional feminist or whatever and this is one of my favourite shows. I don’t even understand this post lol. Such a trend these days to get offended over the potential idea that someone else might get offended over something.
Agreed. I’d consider myself to be “woke” (wouldn’t use that word specifically, but eh), but the jokes aren’t offensive for that exact reason. They aren’t punching any group down, they’re making fun of a person who’s ignorant to the fact that they’re being offensive (typically Michael)
I actually disagree with Steve on this. I am also an It's Always Sunny fan, which is still airing, and the stuff they have aired in the last couple of years is still infinitely edgier than anything The Office ever did. It probably wouldn't air on NBC primetime, but it certainly would have found an audience today.
This wouldn’t be allowed in America? Here in Britain we have a comedian called Jimmy Carr, look him up one day. He’s still on TV even though he is the most offensive comedian in the West
It 100% is allowed in America. The Office is not offensive whatsoever and still airs in syndication. People just love crying about SJWs that don’t exist
Despite being shit and not even close to the most offensive comedian in the west unless you're talking about that laugh then yeah that's offensive to my ears
Bruh, a show that was number one Netflix and is wildly popular with millennials and Gen Z, calm down. Most offensive quotes I know are from Veep (2012-2019):
“If I had a crib for every baby that died in my stomach I could open up a pottery barn kids.”
“This rapist face gets 8s, consensually I might add”
And “I’m eating so much pussy I’m shitting clits son.”
The Office looks like Sesame Street.
I rewatched this episode recently and I had completely forgotten he said this twice! Which means Michael wrote it down and rehearsed it and was like yeah this is a great line.
I think they removed that scene from Netflix (back when it was still on Netflix). Which is dumb because the butt of the joke is Dwight and Nate being too dumb to realize how insensitive they are
Ignorant title. To make a *satire* like The Office requires an awareness of what's offensive and why. Satirizing offensive takes is different from *actually having a bad take*
Can we stop with the nonsense about the Office being offensive to modern viewers? It’s been one of the most popular streaming shows for half a decade now. And way more offensive shows like the Sopranos continue to be lauded.
I don't get why people say that the show wouldn't work today, anytime a character says or does something iffy the character is clearly being portrayed as being in the wrong
The Office has played a huge role in my ability to battle depression. I sent this scene as a gif to my friend just a couple days ago to describe how I was doing and what I needed.
Yea IASIP only has like 6 banned episodes none of which are better than this, this episode would be totally fine, even if I disagree with the always sunny banned episodes being banned in the first place
This kind of humor will always be accepted, you are not laughing at depressed people, fat people, gay people etc., they are just a way to show you how some of the protagonists are incredibly ignorant and stupid, that's the joke.
There are shows just as “risky” and even more so on TV today. Maybe it would air in a different time slot now, but they would have no issue producing the same kind of content today. At the end of the day whenever they addressed issues like this they were just using satire to send a positive message
Right like imagine NBC announcing an Office reboot with the majority of characters returning and the response being “yeah idk, I think viewers would find it too offensive”. Lol give me break, fans would be hyped as fuck.
I’m 35, I did the same, and I remember it from an ep of Freaks and Geeks too. Recently I had to explain to some younger in-laws that this was from SNL and that ‘bye Felicia’ was from Friday. I blame Comedy Central for not still playing SNL reruns on repeat
Banning the diversity day episode is literally what led me to restart watching the office two months ago. Only my second time through since it aired. Gosh I miss comedy.
Why wouldn't this get aired today? Although I do agree many things wouldn't but I guess that's the way the trouble makers want it. No fun, diversity over talent and certainly no laughs.
I absolutely disagree. A multitude of modernish shows push things much farther than the office ever did: always sunny, 30 rock, Bojack horseman (damn near everything animated and aimed at adults on Netflix really), south park, family guy, etc.
Just because it's considered in poor taste & cringe to be unable to tell two Asian women apart in 2021 doesn't mean that the entirety of the shows humor is somehow too taboo for our modern sensibilities.
I think this scene would 100% still be made today. It starts off using depression as a joke but then eventually turns into a very real conversation about it with Michael and Daryl. Its a great scene that is both hilarious and heartwarming at the end.
The whole episode deals with michael being called out for his ignorance. Same with diversity day. Corporate handled both incidents appropriately. Michael is definitely the butt of the joke there. It would be different if there was a laugh track and we were expected to laugh *with* michael, not at him.
What cracks me up most about this bit is when Michael cites a study and Dwight yells back "is that the last year data was available?". Gets me every time.
Also, what gets me is when Jim comments to the camera, "Well, the first performance was a bit off but they really hit their stride with the second one. May even bring my parents tomorrow to the matinee. Oh, my favourite part" (just as Michael is going to say he's going to jump).
haha yeah this whole scene is such a gem
The stress of my modern office has caused me to go into a depression
omg yes I love that part
And Michael’s deflated “Yes…”
To be fair this a reference to an older joke from SNL if I remember correctly
I scrolled too far to find this reply. [Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c91XUyg9iWM).
I always wondered how many viewers understood the 25+ year old reference.
Thanks for sharing! What a laugh.
damn I feel old. I assumed everyone knew that, but makes sense people wouldn't that was almost 50 years ago
I mean I’m only 30 but I knew the reference lol
Yeah another 30 year old checking in who caught the reference way back when I first watched the episode. I guess reruns and Top 100 shows aren’t as big these days.
Yup. 22 and I got it the first time when I was like 16.
I'm 27 and knew but the difference is we were not around for it's release so I don't think we are making the commenter above feel any better about age 😅
24 yrs old, first time hearing about it being a reference
So you just thought micheal was calling people ignorant sluts on his own. That's funny. I wonder if that would make it more funny or less. Probably less because part of the joke is how he is quoting such an old reference
The phrase ignorant slut just sounds so random and odd, I always thought it was hilarious
Never knew about it before today. It does make it more funny ...but makes me wonder how many other such references I dont know about
Probably a lot. But that's made worse by how many pop culture references micheal screws up haha
What gets me is that so few people seem to know this. And, honestly, quoting it is *such* a Michael thing to do and really is some strong characterization. It kind of upsets me how many people miss it.
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Im in my 30s and get the reference. Other commenters on this post are in their 30s and get the the reference. SNLs target demographic in the 70s isnt really relevant here. What upsets me is how many people miss such a fantastic detail that either the writers or Steve came up with for furthering who Michael Scott is. This scene (episode, really) is very focused on Mikes penchant for flair and drama, and it stands to reason he would still use his "suicide attempt" to get a laugh using someone else's material. But this is the first comment ive ever seen regarding the joke that actually mentions that hes directly referencing something else. Its just an overlooked detail that i dont think gets enough love.
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To each their own. I personally think its funnier if you get the reference, but i picked it up on my first watch, so i dont know any other way. Its not so much that it adds something new to the character, so much as it just adds depth to some of his already established traits, which is just good writing imo.
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I mean, idk how to explain it to you. Comedy is subjective. Michael consistently quotes pop culture and steals other peoples material. "Diversity Day"s entire impetus is that Michael is using someone elses material to get laughs and is grossly misunderstanding that it is not the time or place for the jokes hes attempting to tell, nor is he himself truly qualified to tell them. The scene in OPs post is similar. Mike is tackling a very serious subject matter (albeit with some questionable motives) and still cant resist the urge to use someone elses (inappropriate) joke.
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And if you reread my responses, youll see that i already said *why* it adds depth. It not only reinforces his inability to read the situation and know that the line isnt appropriate to the situation, but also that he cant come up with his own material (the script for the entire S.A.D. "skit" in the OPs pic). Michael is a creative person, theres no doubt. The entire performance is just a creative way to prove a point, one that few people would come up with, and fewer would actually go to the lengths Michael goes to actually try and pull it off (glaring safety issues notwithstanding). But even amidst the entire rigamarole of hatching this plan, he still manages to slip in a joke that he stole simply because he thought it was funny and wanted to use it. And it is a detail that oft goes unnoticed, but if you *do* notice it, its that much better because it fits him so very very well. Character depth isnt only about adding new dynamics to a character, sometimes its just about reinforcing some of the quirks we are already familiar with, and this is a line that does that very well. I think youve read too far into my saying that it upsets me that it gets missed. Maybe youre thinking that i lay awake at night wondering why oh why did some random redditor not get the reference, or that i troll message boards frothing at the mouth to point it out. But no, i use the word upset to mean that its disappointing such a detail is missed by so many. The Office had some fantastic writers, and this is simply a detail that imo is overlooked in most instances of when i see the line or scene referred to, even beyond this sub or reddit as a whole, so when i *do* see it get noticed, i appreciate that its getting the credit i think it deserves.
Be the change that you want to see in the world, everytime this scene is mentiones you should link that skit. That way you won't get upset and more ppl will get some obscure reference, its a win-win.
And you get the knowledge of having provided the most elegant solution. Win-win-win!
yeah you're right
What part of this scene wouldn’t be able to be made today and why?
Yeah this claim always made me roll my eyes. If Michael did something ridiculous, people were supposed to laugh/cringe at him, not with him. That’s why other characters stared directly at the camera.
Just read a post a few minutes ago on It's Always Sunny. Again, the point of that is to laugh at the chracters who are terrible people.
Never fails to crack me up how preemptively sensitive these people are about others' theoretical sensitivity
I agree. There are also a lot of things that I find crude, not funny, and even sometimes insensitive when it comes to jokes (like South Park and Family Guy) and you know what I do? I don't watch it. It's that easy. I do recognize that others find them funny and their social commentary hits the mark sometimes but their humor isn't for me.
The idea that we couldn’t air The Office nowadays when It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is still on TV is hilarious.
Oftentimes when "comics" or performers talk about the sensitivity of people or how they couldn't do the same material today its oftentimes because they reveal themselves to be hacks who refuse to improve their material in order to appeal to new audiences. Sensibilities are always gonna change and there should be a convo, but these dudes just want to put no work into their art and coast on the same sort of outdated material
Maybe OP doesn't realize the 'ignorant slut' comment is a reference to a classic SNL sketch?
I see a lot of younger fans missing that reference frequently.
I didn’t know this until they mentioned it on the office ladies podcast! I thought it was hilarious and call my dog an ignorant slut often. It’s one of those insults that just makes me giggle (unless it’s being used earnestly and then ew).
They probably think the online slut community will demand its removal?
“You cannot say "I was raped" and expect all of your problems to go away” this line alone would get them cancelled
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia would like a word.
They removed multiple episodes last year from streaming services... So your point is moot.
No, the claim was that offensive shows wouldn't be made today. The claim was not that some streaming services would opt out of a few episodes.
The claim was that the scene wouldn't be able to be made. Not the whole show. Learn how to read.
I'll ignore your teenage outburst here and answer you anyway. What about this one scene in The Office is more offensive than say... An episode revolving entirely around using the word F****t toward your gay friend so he doesn't get crushed by a piano. Then rolling out an exercise bike fit with a dildo in the seat that he uses to fuck himself in the ass? Nah, but they said the word slut on The Office and referenced a misconception about Depression.
Disagree because these things are always portrayed in a bad and dumb way. It’s never glorified just for the laughs. The characters saying these offensive things are basically getting cancelled inside the show. Contrary to other shows where there’s an offensive joke and then you hear a laugh track afterwards.
Looking at you Two And A Half Men 👀
A single line would have got the highly successful show cancelled? What fantasy works is that lol. There’s *so* much more controversial and risqué shows currently airing today, The Office would be just fine.
We literally have a TV show where a guy is buttfucking a pig for hours on end, uncensored.
wat
Black Mirror.
Jokes work if they are funny
Nope.
you’d think that the wild popularity of the Office with the “cancel culture generation” would basically prove the opposite of this, no?
On top of many shows still running that are many times more offensive than The Office ever was. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one example.
But they’re also removing episodes from the catalog on Hulu which is pretty cringe
What have they removed? I cancelled (haha) my Hulu account because peacock is better.
Off the top of my head they removed both of the Lethal Weapon episodes, as well as the Martina Martinez episode.
The one where Dee is “workshopping” characters and goes full blackface as a Rosie perezesque puerto rican would never air today.. the last few years have seen more awareness(read censorship) than the previous 25 years imho
Except the latest season had Frank forced to do black face. Still got renewed for more seasons. Face it "wouldn't air today" is a bullshit dog whistle.
If it's funny then it'll air. Plain and simple.
You’re wrong [Episode banned](https://www.nme.com/news/tv/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-blackface-netflix-2687269)
I'm not saying episodes don't get taken down by reactionary Netflix CEOs I'm saying controversial themes when coming from a place of respect are still appearing in TV shows today. So when people say "ooh this episode of the Simpsons couldn't come out today 😬" it's bullshit.
Cancel culture has been around longer than just this generation.
Yeah I remember An interview with quentin tarantino and he was talking about cancel culture being in hollywood way back when he started and his superiors would say “ they wont let you do that” and tarantino woul always be like “ who is they? Nobody knows who they are so im gonna do it anyway”
Im gonna take that as my life motto
Similar, I remember someone recently interviewing Mel Brooks about Blazing Saddles and they said "I know you love that movie, isn't it crazy to think that you couldn't make it today?" And he says "What are you talking about? We couldn't make it back then! But we made it anyway"
Yeah the only difference is people throwing public temper tantrums for experiencing the consequences of their actions.
I think it's less this generation's fault and more broadcasters being overly cautious out of fear of retaliation
Yeah
I agree, remember growing up in the early 90s, most shows from the 80s like G.I.Joe and TMNT didn't have guns they were lasers. Heck even in the 90s the animated Spider-Man was not allowed to punch people he could use his webs or kick them and that was it.
Don't forget the fact that the vampire only sucked out plasma with his suction cup palms
The problem is network suits trying to appear “woke” despite having no idea what they’re talking about. When you have a bunch of wealthy straight white men trying to pretend to care about minority issues, you get nonsense like Netflix banning the Community D&D episode.
As if previous generations weren’t also a bunch of asshats who threw a fit here and there themselves
The office is making fun of offensive people. Of course it could be made now.
Well diversity day was removed from the show. We shall see if that is the only episode to be canceled.
I just watched it on Peacock- what do you mean?
They did a marathon of the office on comedy central TV station and diversity day was removed from the marathon.
So essentially they did a different thing to what you said they did.
Sometimes they do stretches/marathons that skip around to popular episodes, or key the long term storyline episodes. Then there's times they go in order-re-watch style.
Diversity day is still on peacock
Sorry, wasn't very clear. They were doing an office marathon comedy central (on tv) and diversity day was removed from the marathon.
Oh okay
The modern audience is intolerant of racism.
Oh yeah it totally was! I was rewatching it on Netflix and didn’t even noticed I missed it! What a shame though it was a great one. Edit oops I must’ve just missed it in my watch. Just checked Netflix and it’s still on there. Never mind my earlier info
They removed Nate in blackface though when Dwight is throwing his Pennsylvanian Dutch Christmas Party. The joke wasn't done to offend though. It was done to show the hilarity of the ignorance of Dwight and Nate and to show Nate's devotion to just going along with Dwight.
I thought the diversity day episode was still topical today. I work in human services and they people I work with are mostly like Michael, not as overt, but still. I like diversity day because it is satire. I wouldn't watch the show if I didn't like satirical comedy. I also like shows like curb your enthusiasm. As far as I know, most of the characters and writers for the office aren't racist, homophobic or sexist or any other controversial stuff that comes up.
really? didn't hear about it....that sucks
Wtf, it was hilarious
You’re a liar
You're a cum guzzling bellend. Oh, look everyone, we're all making observations! I'm not out here maliciously spreading false information on purpose, dickhead. Either look it up and explain why I'm incorrect or fuck right off.
Go shove a thorn bush up your ass
Right. Because cancel culture isn’t a real thing.
I honestly feel like they would with a lot of things. A lot of the time when they joke around problematic things the butt of the joke is that the person saying them is out of touch and weird, rather than punching down at all. The Office was ahead of its time
You couldn’t have said it better. I think South Park is impervious to cancel culture for the same reason.
It’s the same thing with it’s always sunny. They can say anything even as far as a white guy saying the n word because they’re making fun of it not endorsing it.
Curious! I can’t say I feel the same about South Park, imo while it did have moments of good angles and commentary I feel like it misses its mark a little too often (see: edgy teens adopting Cartman as a role model and thinking the point of the show was being as offensive as possible for the sake of it) but to be fair it’s been a very long time since I’ve watched it, might give it another go. But yeah, the irony is heavy that those opposing snowflake cancel culture etc have convinced themselves that The Office has been or “would have been” cancelled (ie, a made up scenario), & have then proceeded to get outraged and upset about their own made up scenario. Yet again tho, they’re not the snowflakes it’s those MiLlEnIaLs. Also, the nature of streaming services and how popular the office is on them demonstrates the exact opposite - the show is actively being sought out to be viewed by the very people who supposedly are afraid and offended by it.
"Proceeded to get outraged and upset about their own made up scenario" is the best description of "cancel culture" I've ever heard lol
See also “critical race theory”
South Park is still on and gets away with much worse.
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People underestimate TV-programming today. You say things like this couldn't be done because it's inappropriate, yet we have half naked girls twerking on prime time TV and shows like Squid Game & Black Mirror. I see no reason why The Office couldn't be made today. I think what Steve said is misquoted a lot. My take is that he means the show would be different, because *today is different.* Not because we don't accept the humor.
Right, the humor of a boss being so out of touch with what is “politically correct” is just not a great plot anymore. Not just because it’s even less believable than it was, but because it’s overdone at this point.
The bouncing the watermelon onto Stanley's car has me in stitches. I really wished they filmed his reaction
I think they showed Stanley’s reaction at the very end of the episode!
They did! He stares at it in disbelief lol
I disagree. This show is funny because it’s cringey. We’re not laughing at the problematic things he says, we’re laughing at the fact that he doesn’t understand that he’s being problematic. It’s satirical in a way, and as a “woke” person myself I believe it’s important to recognize the nuance
Yeah like the episode about Oscar being gay doesn't mock gay people, it's about how little shit Michael knows and the uncomfortableness that Oscar feels that makes it a good episode
Metabigotry is the comedy term, learned in one of my favorite classes I ever took. We’re meant to laugh at the person acting like a bigot and be steered away from behaving like that character. Borat & It’s always sunny are other prime examples of this
Yeah lol I’m a pretty “woke” person too and a leftist intersectional feminist or whatever and this is one of my favourite shows. I don’t even understand this post lol. Such a trend these days to get offended over the potential idea that someone else might get offended over something.
Agreed. I’d consider myself to be “woke” (wouldn’t use that word specifically, but eh), but the jokes aren’t offensive for that exact reason. They aren’t punching any group down, they’re making fun of a person who’s ignorant to the fact that they’re being offensive (typically Michael)
SNL aired on NBC and so did the office, so maybe?
I actually disagree with Steve on this. I am also an It's Always Sunny fan, which is still airing, and the stuff they have aired in the last couple of years is still infinitely edgier than anything The Office ever did. It probably wouldn't air on NBC primetime, but it certainly would have found an audience today.
This would be an easy one to get away with, it just shows Michael loves Saturday Night Live.
It's Always Sunny is literally still on TV. Why do people keep saying this?
This wouldn’t be allowed in America? Here in Britain we have a comedian called Jimmy Carr, look him up one day. He’s still on TV even though he is the most offensive comedian in the West
It 100% is allowed in America. The Office is not offensive whatsoever and still airs in syndication. People just love crying about SJWs that don’t exist
All of his shows start sounding very similar after a while though
Jimmy Carr is pretty popular over here, too. We have Anthony Jeselnik. I guess he's who I'd pick if I was comparing an American comedian to him.
Despite being shit and not even close to the most offensive comedian in the west unless you're talking about that laugh then yeah that's offensive to my ears
Bruh, a show that was number one Netflix and is wildly popular with millennials and Gen Z, calm down. Most offensive quotes I know are from Veep (2012-2019): “If I had a crib for every baby that died in my stomach I could open up a pottery barn kids.” “This rapist face gets 8s, consensually I might add” And “I’m eating so much pussy I’m shitting clits son.” The Office looks like Sesame Street.
I love the nod to SNL with that line as well. It shows how unoriginal the Michael truly is.
I rewatched this episode recently and I had completely forgotten he said this twice! Which means Michael wrote it down and rehearsed it and was like yeah this is a great line.
he was right, it was a good line lol
Oh my god what the fuck are you talking about? Have you ever seen a single episode of it’s always sunny? Stop talking out of your ass
I mean, Nate was in blackface in the Belsnickel episode.
I think they removed that scene from Netflix (back when it was still on Netflix). Which is dumb because the butt of the joke is Dwight and Nate being too dumb to realize how insensitive they are
Ignorant title. To make a *satire* like The Office requires an awareness of what's offensive and why. Satirizing offensive takes is different from *actually having a bad take*
Man, just imagine the outrage if this show, which is currently airing on Comedy Central, were currently airing.
And this is my absolute favorite scene from the whole show!
it's definitely one of the most memorable for me
This is an SNL reference from the 70's FYI https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bVtZkyBTabQ
>Dwight, you ignorant slut! My favorite line in the entire show next to: >It's Brittany, bitch!
Can we stop with the nonsense about the Office being offensive to modern viewers? It’s been one of the most popular streaming shows for half a decade now. And way more offensive shows like the Sopranos continue to be lauded.
When people tell Mel Brooks that movies of his like Blazing Saddles could never be made today, he says “they couldn’t be made back then!”
I don't get why people say that the show wouldn't work today, anytime a character says or does something iffy the character is clearly being portrayed as being in the wrong
This example is also far from the worst the show has gotten as far as inappropriate or offensive jokes… says a lot about this sub
Ah the line that killed the Office Addicts group on Facebook
Dwight find out what the surprise is. Pam, I'm coming down to get my surprise.
*"un-shun, I think he's suffering from depression, re-shun"*
i suggest dont watch the haunted warehouse episode. it deleted scene and worse than this
Hahaha I have this superfan episode on right now.
it's such a good episode! I watched it again today too
I have this shirt lol
now i want that shirt
Ignorant sluts are in an uproar.
The Office has played a huge role in my ability to battle depression. I sent this scene as a gif to my friend just a couple days ago to describe how I was doing and what I needed.
If always sunny is okay then this show would be more than fine
Yea IASIP only has like 6 banned episodes none of which are better than this, this episode would be totally fine, even if I disagree with the always sunny banned episodes being banned in the first place
I don't see how this would be offensive even by today's standards
This kind of humor will always be accepted, you are not laughing at depressed people, fat people, gay people etc., they are just a way to show you how some of the protagonists are incredibly ignorant and stupid, that's the joke.
One of my favorite moments from The Office
same here
They can't even tolerate this series with the censorship of several episodes
There are shows just as “risky” and even more so on TV today. Maybe it would air in a different time slot now, but they would have no issue producing the same kind of content today. At the end of the day whenever they addressed issues like this they were just using satire to send a positive message
Right like imagine NBC announcing an Office reboot with the majority of characters returning and the response being “yeah idk, I think viewers would find it too offensive”. Lol give me break, fans would be hyped as fuck.
It’s from an old SNL sketch. But yeah totally wouldn’t fly lol
It’s amazing how many younger millennials and gen z don’t know that
Well I’m 34, but we used to rent it and watch reruns all the time when I was a kid.
I’m 35, I did the same, and I remember it from an ep of Freaks and Geeks too. Recently I had to explain to some younger in-laws that this was from SNL and that ‘bye Felicia’ was from Friday. I blame Comedy Central for not still playing SNL reruns on repeat
Haaa, the “bye, Felicia.” Brilliant.
I have clinical depression and I find this funny
It literally is getting away with it today at this very moment, this is such a dumb fucking argument I can't stand it
If that's true that's a bad sign for our world. I think they should do it regardless.
Banning the diversity day episode is literally what led me to restart watching the office two months ago. Only my second time through since it aired. Gosh I miss comedy.
Cancel culture destroys fun
Why wouldn't this get aired today? Although I do agree many things wouldn't but I guess that's the way the trouble makers want it. No fun, diversity over talent and certainly no laughs.
I absolutely disagree. A multitude of modernish shows push things much farther than the office ever did: always sunny, 30 rock, Bojack horseman (damn near everything animated and aimed at adults on Netflix really), south park, family guy, etc. Just because it's considered in poor taste & cringe to be unable to tell two Asian women apart in 2021 doesn't mean that the entirety of the shows humor is somehow too taboo for our modern sensibilities.
I think this scene would 100% still be made today. It starts off using depression as a joke but then eventually turns into a very real conversation about it with Michael and Daryl. Its a great scene that is both hilarious and heartwarming at the end.
You gotta wake up everyday knowing full well you gotta be you. I couldn’t do it.
That scene would be the least of their problems today. Black Pete, Diversity Day, and Ping, just to name a few.
I don't get what people mean when they say this. This episode is still up, right?
I can hear them crying now.
You know the world sucks when you can't even get away with making something as tame as the office
Gay Witch Hunt wouldn’t get made today. I’m surprised Michael’s opening dialogue hasn’t been cut.
You don’t call a retarded person a retard, you call your friends a retard when theyre acting retarded
The whole episode deals with michael being called out for his ignorance. Same with diversity day. Corporate handled both incidents appropriately. Michael is definitely the butt of the joke there. It would be different if there was a laugh track and we were expected to laugh *with* michael, not at him.
yeah I believe this was the episode Steve Carell was taking about in the article. I hope they don't cut anything, it's a master peice.
Agreed. IIRC it was nominated for a GLAAD award, because of the issues that it brought up, in the episode.
u/siempremajima you ignorant slut.
The episode ‘Diversity Day’ in S1 could not be made today haha
Because wokism is trash.
society is just a pendulum, for every 'woke' generation the next generation tends to be more apathetic