Steve Carell’s Key Role in Saving The Office

When The Office transitioned from its U.K. version to the U.S., its success was uncertain until the American team realized that Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) wasn’t just a jerk, but a well-intentioned one.

Paul Feig, who directed several episodes of The Office, discussed this evolution in an interview on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast, Dinner's on Me. Feig highlighted the contrast between British humor and American humor in shaping Michael Scott's character. While British audiences enjoy mocking an unlikeable figure, American viewers tend to need some level of empathy for a character to remain invested. If they don't, they stop watching.

Feig joined the show in its second season, when Michael was still portrayed as unpleasant and boring. However, by then, Steve Carell had become a star thanks to The 40-Year-Old Virgin, creating pressure to make his character more appealing since the show’s ratings weren’t strong at the time.

During the filming of the episode “Office Olympics,” Carell made a pivotal acting decision that transformed Michael Scott’s character. In a scene where the office workers distract Michael by awarding him a gold medal, Carell chose to show a vulnerable side by shedding a tear, reflecting how Michael was having a tough day.

Feig noted that this moment revealed Michael’s humanity, shifting the perception of him from being a pure jerk to a misguided fool trying to be funny. The realization was that Michael Scott wasn’t just mean, he was a flawed but well-meaning character.

In contrast, David Brent, the U.K. version of the character, remained a complete jerk with no redeeming qualities. This distinction reflects the differences in comedy between American and British audiences.