The Plight of Michael Scott

If you are a subscriber to any social networking interface (e.g. Facebook or MySpace) and you actually read people's "favorites" inevitably you find a host of people who list The Office among their favorite television shows. I have to agree that the Office is one of the funniest shows on television. However, I was a late-comer to the "office party" (pun intended even though its not very funny). I first started watching The Office during lunch via Netflix "view instantly" feature on my computer. As with anything I enjoy, I find increased satisfaction by over analyzing characters or the reason why I like it or why I had certain emotional reactions to characters.

The one character I find myself drawn to out of all of them is Michael Scott. Steve Carrell plays this guy with absolute genius. Genius because he adds just the right amount of distortion on what is socially acceptable to make it hilarious. On the surface, Michael is a goofy, awkward, insecure, disorganized boss. Some might even characterize him as self-absorbed to some degree. I would have to disagree with that sentiment. To me the most defining characteristic of Michael Scott is desperation. Desperation does require self-focus to get that aching need met, but it is not self-absorbed. I love the episodes that have brief flashbacks to his childhood when you see this is not a new issue for him. Michael Scott is desperate for love; desperate for acceptance; desperate for relationship. Think about every irresponsible, annoying behavior we have seen in him. It is motivated by that desperation. Even his emnity toward Toby is due to the notion that Toby and his rules stand in the way of him being more likable and accepted. Most of the time this desperation is so strong that he actually drives people away rather than drawing him to himself (Phyllis' wedding anyone?).

Last night I watched a rerun (new to me!) of the episode where Jan sues Dunder-Mifflin and Michael has to testify at the deposition. In that episode we see Michael humiliated by both his company and his girlfriend. Yet in each case he returns to them not out of a particular loyalty, per se, but a loyalty based on relationship. Think about Michael's last comment to the CEO, "I like you, too." Not, "I don't mind taking this one for the team" or "Dunder-Mifflin is a company worth defending because their products are so wonderful." When faced with the betrayal of Jan giving over his diary, he isn't confident enough just to leave it with "I can't believe you gave them my diary" but adds, "I love you" at the end with almost a question mark of, "do you still love me even though I just expressed anger toward you?"

The flaw in Michael Scott's thinking is that he must be more, do more to be accepted. Being Michael Scott is not enough. What he doesn't realize is in order to find relationship, love, and acceptance it is not from focusing completely on your performance and how others interpret it, but on focusing unashamedly on the needs of others regardless of what others might think of you. It is taking "self" out of the equation. The Apostle Paul urged this of the church at Rome

Love must be sincere, Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted
to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be
lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord... Share with
God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. -- Romans 12:9-11, 13

We see in this passage that looking out for personal interests when forming relationships and meeting needs is empty. Too often we limit the application of this passage to those who are arrogantly self-centered. When service/love/ministry is motivated by desperation, the needs of the desperate one is actually the focus; the love is insincere. To sincerely love/minister to those who are in need is also an act of worship bringing glory to God.

I have to admit that at times I identify with the plight of Michael Scott. I think all of us do on some level because we are hard-wired for relationship. The example of Michael Scott should be kept at the forefront of my mind, to be so desperately self-focused works against the desire to be loved and accepted -- it pushes people away. To focus completely on others and Christ glory will draw others to Christ in me. Love must be sincere.

RIP Tim Russert

Just in case you have not turned on the television or been on the internet in the last two days, you should know that one of the premiere political analysts/scholars died Friday afternoon. Tim Russert was probably best known as the host of Meet the Press. I watched that show nearly every week. What I appreciated most about Russert as a professional was his tenacity to have questions answered without being distracted by political double-speak and avoidance. I appreciated his research and preparation for a guest and how he would use their own words for or against them without adding "spin" or bias. While most people would agree he voted most consistently with the democratic party, he seemingly did so, not as a party loyalist, but because that was the party that most aligned with his values. You HAVE to admire that in a such a public figure. He seemed unimpressed with a person's fame or powerful positions and simply wanted truth. Even though he was tenacious, he was humble and respectful. Russert is one of those people that you simply notice is intelligent but not because he is quick to flaunt it.

As a person, I respected Russert's value of family. He only wrote 2 books and both were about family. As a self-proclaimed Catholic, he was devoted to his faith. He was an unashamed Buffalo Bills fan. He was the kind of person I would have loved to have lunch with or just share a cup of coffee. I will miss him in my living room on Sunday mornings.