TV - Movies
Steve Carell
Defends
Michael Scott's
Controversial
Behavior On
The Office
By MIKE BEDARD
Michael Scott is definitely problematic, particularly how he frequently makes jokes at the expense of others based on their race or sexual orientation. He rarely ever learns his lesson as to why he shouldn't do that, but Steve Carell has offered an explanation as to why and how viewers can still connect with the character despite his negative actions.
In "Welcome to Dunder Mifflin," an oral history of the show, Carell spoke about the character and how he can still be viewed as redemptive. Carell explained, "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."
Ultimately, Carell managed to find the good in the character, even if his actions didn't always line up with his intent. "[Michael's] trying his best," Carell went on to explain. "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?"