As time goes on, jokes that are really offensive or take advantage of negative stereotypes aren’t viewed very favorably. These days, people are calling for more innovative humor that doesn’t require making fun of already marginalized groups. So, there are many shows that are still well-loved from recent years that are being looked out more critically.
One of these shows is The Office. While for the time it might have seemed more progressive, now there are many things about the series that are politically incorrect. These are their most cringe-worthy moments, ranked.
The “Diversity Day” episode
One of the first episodes of the series was called “Diversity Day,” and it really set the tone for how the series would handle representation.
While, on the one hand, the show is a satire that pokes fun at how modern-day workplaces mishandle these issues, it also set up a series in which managers who made politically incorrect jokes were still seen as likable.
Michael’s “Michael Klump” character
While The Office has a lot of problems with making off-color racial or homophobic jokes, one issue that isn’t talked about as often is fatphobia.
Overall, the way that Kevin was treated and joked about because of his weight was hard to watch. But, Michael’s opinion on overweight people is best summed up by his offensive Michael Klump character, that included wearing a fatsuit.
Treating Todd Packer like he was funny
The fact that he kept coming back, and how he was so ired by Michael, got old really fast. The fact that Michael didn’t see anything wrong with him until Holly didn’t like him shows that he also is pretty offensive in his thinking.
How the waitresses from Benihana were treated
One of the most uncomfortable episodes of The Office is when Andy and Michael bring two waitresses from Benihana to the company Christmas party. A lot of jokes are made about their Asian heritage.
This episode relies on many stereotypes of Asian women, and the fact that Andy and Michael objectify them in this way is hard to watch in this day and age.
Dwight’s sexism and stereotyping of women
There’s a lot of sexism in the series that people might not have noticed when the show was originally airing. First of all, there aren’t that many main female characters, and most of the women aren’t in leadership roles.
While many of the men at Dunder Mifflin do and say sexist things, Dwight is one of the worst offenders. He slut-shames women and even blames them for being harassed. Plus, he blames Pam's emotions on her period.
The sexual harassment of the women in the office
There was a lot of sexism on the show, including comments about how women were inferior to men. But, probably even worse was how often the women at the company were harassed.
Michael even tried to kiss Pam once, and people like Kevin commented on her chest. There was also the time that Michael used his finger to pretend like he was flashing Phyllis.
The implication that Jan assaulted Michael
While there are some uncomfortable moments where the men of the series harass the women, men can also be assaulted and harassed. Jan might start out seeming like a put-together person, but she’s abusive to Michael in many ways.
Their relationship is toxic all around, but the fact it’s implied that Jan assaults him by doing things in the bedroom Michael has not consented to is troubling. The real issue here is that this is mostly presented as a joke instead of a serious problem.
Michael forcing Oscar to kiss him
Speaking of consent, the kiss between Michael and Oscar is definitely a moment where consent was not obtained. The entire “Gay Witch Hunt” episode is hard to watch these days.
While at least some of the characters aren’t homophobic, the homophobia of Dwight and Michael isn’t funny. When Michael outs Oscar and then makes himself into the victim, it’s Oscar who ends up comforting him. Then, he was forced to kiss Michael in front of the entire office.
Michael treating Darryl like he was a criminal
Michael might be portrayed on The Office as a bit of a naive character who messed up but has a good heart, but he really shouldn't be excused for his racism. Despite the fact that Darryl Philbin is one of the most hardworking and innovative employees, Michael never takes him seriously.
But, the worst thing is that he stereotypes him because he’s black, and even feels unsafe in his presence. He goes so far as to ask Dwight to “protect” him from Darryl.
Instances of blackface and yellowface
The way that issues of racism are handled on the show is quite politically incorrect at times. There aren’t any main characters of color, and there really aren’t that many non-white characters overall. But, the worst thing is the fact that Michael has characters he enacts that portray racial stereotypes, including an extremely offensive Asian character named “Ping.”
Then, there is the time where Dwight has Nate dress up in blackface to play “Black Peter.” The fact that the show has a white actor actually in blackface for a brief moment shouldn’t have happened.