Riddhi Charan Week #4: Why I Connect to Michael Scott

 Riddhi Charan Week #4: Why I Connect to Michael Scott


I think the psychology of having a favorite character means to see yourself in them is so cool! For example, my favorite character is Michael Scott from the TV show The Office, illustrates a well meaning, however often clueless, character. He craves approval and believes he is an excellent boss and comedian, even though his jokes are frequently unsuccessful , creating awkward situations. 


Despite Michael’s persona of oversharing and lack of self awareness, he genuinely cares about his employees and wants them to feel like a family since he’s been lonely most of his life. I find Michael’s complex character the most relatable as he portrays a chaotic, yet caring human being instead of the stereotypical perfectionist that most TV shows display. 

 
                                                  Image credits: looper.com

I look up to Michael because he recovers from embarrassment quickly and tries to reconnect with people. He is unfiltered and vulnerable instead of having a mask on like other individuals most of the times, showing how he prioritizes emotions and moral connections. His ability to show up for others—such as being the only person attending Pam’s art show—demonstrates how support matters more than fake charm. 


Despite having other cool and nonchalant characters in the TV show, I connect to Michael as he is empathetic and humane. We do not necessarily need to admire a character just because they are flawless; instead we can admire them reflecting our own vulnerabilities and fears. Michael’s biggest fear was him not being liked, mirroring the universal struggle we face as well. Watching someone else navigate through an imperfect life provides a sense of comfort, showing that imperfection is just a part of life.



Comments

  1. Sophie LeinerOctober 8, 2026 at 8:38 PM

    Even though I’ve never watched The Office, your description of Michael Scott was very vivid! I am a big fan of well-developed characters, so I may have to give it a watch. Maybe during a time when I have less work though, as I just don’t think I can afford to get caught up in binging a new show.

    Connecting so well with a character from a show is pretty cool! While I’ve had many characters that I’ve absolutely loved, I don’t think I’ve ever been able to relate to one in the way you describe. The closest I’ve gotten to that (that I can remember) was probably Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender. I watched the show when I was very little, and have always remembered admiring her for both her kindness and her strength.

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  2. Pavan Sai SunkesulaOctober 8, 2026 at 9:14 PM

    Michael Scott, in my opinion, despite all of his wackiness, was one of the most normal people there. Sure, he was seen as weird by much of the cast, but his qualities weren’t overly exaggerated like in Dwight or Creed. Definitely at the start of the show, those characters were meant to be the extremes that you might find in an office setting. Michael just felt like someone you were way more likely to cross paths with. He is shown to have traits that make him annoying to others, but there are just as many examples, if not more, of him being endearing and loved by the other characters. Dwight falls into this category later on, but in my opinion, he starts off as just an antagonist to Jim; he was not necessarily an example of a real type of person.

    I can see why you are able to connect with him so well. Even if he has many faults, he still tries to be a good friend and boss to the employees at Dunder Mifflin. Outside the office, this pattern shows up again, where he makes a mistake or poor choice, but decides to fix it in a way that seems very relatable. Not only is Michael someone you can see yourself in, he is a person you can aspire to be like. He’s not a “Superman-clone”, where he has perfect qualities, but he still feels like an amazing person that you would be proud of. Characters in T.V. shows or movies can help see into ourselves, but they can also give us a goal. A goal of becoming a better person and emulating the traits we love so much in those characters.

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  3. Riya PurumalaOctober 8, 2026 at 9:38 PM

    Hi Riddhi! I think it’s so cool how you resonate so deeply with such a fun character! I have never watched The Office, but it has been on my watchlist for so long. I have still seen so many clips of Michael Scott on TikTok, and I find him so funny; he is actually one of the main reasons why I want to watch The Office! I have also seen clips of Dwight Schrute from The Office, and he is another one of my favorites from that show. I definitely relate to having a favorite character; for me, that character would be Mitchell from Modern Family! I actually think that Mitchell and Michael are quite similar; they both are funny, have a silly personality, and are also super awkward. The way you look up to Michael is incredibly sweet, and I certainly agree his unfiltered personality and emotional intelligence make him a fantastic person to look up to.

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  4. Maxwell WangOctober 8, 2026 at 10:12 PM

    Yeah, I like that type of "goofy" person too! I haven't watched The Office, but my Ethnic Studies teacher Mrs. Franklin did. Her room was adorned with The Office paraphernalia, and I spent first semester of my freshman year looking at The Office character quotes rimmed around the top of the whiteboard and a life-sized cutout of some character from The Office (thinking back, it's probably the guy in the image from the top of your blog, Michael).

    The characters I appreciate in books and media is also a caring human being who is portrayed as not perfect, but definitely friendly. I think these people are cool, since they mess up but don't fall down (at least not for long). Sometimes, upsetting things in life get in the way, but I also strive to have a positive and funny outlook on life myself!

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