Despite concluding more than a decade ago, The Office remains overwhelmingly popular, receiving attention through the release of the Super Fans episodes and even the recent spinoff, The Paper. The fact that it is still relevant proves that the series did many things well, but perhaps it excels most in the use of cringey humor, especially with the character of Michael Scott (Steve Carell). While some moments may cross the line, like the Season 6 episode “Scott’s Tots” or the much earlier “Diversity Day,” other examples highlight the worst of Michael for all the right reasons, like his performance as Prison Mike in Season 3.
Michael puts on many performances, often creating new personas in the process, but there is no denying that he is both ignorant and cruel as Prison Mike. Yet, the thing to remember about Michael is that, while his jokes are often inappropriate and insensitive, he has a big heart. Prison Mike is one clear example of this. As hilarious as it is, the scene is somewhat uncomfortable, especially considering it is Michael’s response to learning a former convict has joined his staff. However, he crosses that line out of love for his company and his employees, showing his genuine, if tone-deaf, nature.
In ‘The Office,’ Prison Mike’s Demonstration is Ignorant and Stereotypical
The moment occurs in Season 3, Episode 9, “The Convict,” when Dunder Mifflin has merged the Scranton and Stamford branches. When Michael discovers that one of the new hires, Martin Nash (Wayne Wilderson), is a former convict, he reveals the fact to the entire office, creating a problematic situation. However, when Martin shares his experience, which wasn’t so bad,Pam (Jenna Fischer)makes an offhand comment about how the perks are better than they get at Dunder Mifflin, pushing Michael to create the persona of Prison Mike. This scene is undeniably one of the cringiest moments in the show as it highlights Michael’s ignorance.This is far from the only time this side of Michael appears, but it is especially hard to watch as he presents this new character to his employees.
Michael paints an unflattering version of prison to contrast Martin’s experience, only it quickly becomes clear that he knows nothing about it. Prison Mike’s account is based solely on films and stereotypes as he talks about the gruel prisoners eat, the dynamic between prisoners, and, most obviously, the dementors flying all over the place, not realizing that they are fictional creatures from Harry Potter. Though the employees humor him, mostly to end the meeting, Jim (John Krasinski) does point out the fact that none of it is real by asking where Prison Mike got the information, to which Michael says the internet, before correcting himself that it came from prison. Throughout the performance, Michael leans into stereotypes with his bandanna, which changes him from Michael to Prison Mike, an exaggerated New York accent, and the slang he uses. The entire thing is unapologetically misinformed, providing the cringe status that The Office is famous for.
Prison Mike Crosses a Line in ‘The Office’ With Martin
It’s not uncommon for Michael Scott to cross the line of what is appropriate. He often makes offensive comments about the women in the office or insults those he doesn’t consider cool, but his Prison Mike speech is inappropriate in a number of ways. Prison Mike makes suggestive comments about both Angela (Angela Kinsey) and Ryan (B. J. Novak), which they (and the rest of the employees) are clearly uncomfortable with. Not only is this unacceptable in a professional environment, but it also includes references to sexual violence that are in poor taste anywhere. It should be noted that even Michael’s yes-man, Dwight (Rainn Wilson)acknowledges this to be too far, which rarely happens. Because it so obviously makes everyone in the room, who are used to Michael’s antics, uncomfortable, Prison Mike becomes a prime example of his worst tendencies.
Perhaps the worst part of the scene is the reason Michael felt it necessary in the first place. He puts on this show to insist that the ex-con, Martin, doesn’t know about prison, targeting him in particular. Not only has he singled Martin out by revealing to everyone his past, but he turns Dunder Mifflin into a hostile work environment for Martin. Pam even makes a subtle apology to Martin, saying it couldn’t be an easy thing to relive, and showing that the rest of the office sees how terribly Michael is treating him. Throughout the episode, Martin has a good attitude despite the discrimination he receives, explaining that he was convicted of insider trading and what prison was like for him. After Prison Mike’s speech, Martin seems unaffected, but he doesn’t even contradict Michael, simply saying that wasn’t his experience. Given Michael’s lashing out at him, Martin reacting with anger would be justified, but he doesn’tshowing himself to be a decent and level-headed person. The dynamic between them highlights just how wrong Michael is throughout the entire episode.
‘The Office’ Makes Prison Mike a Classic Example of Michael’s Character
While Michael takes Prison Mike too far, his goal, at least, is respectable. Michael creates this ridiculous character out of his deep love for Dunder Mifflin and his employees. He wants them to realize how good things are for them and be happy with their lives. Because of his intentions, this short scene sums up Michael’s character. He says things to be funny that he absolutely shouldn’t, but he genuinely cares about all the employees under his care. His jokes can be ignorant, insensitive, and often border on cruel, but every time the audience wants to write him off, he does something endearing. He isn’t always adept with social cues, but he is a very caring person. The Prison Mike presentation is a misguided step, but ultimately, it doesn’t come from a malicious place.
Prison Mike is one of the cringiest moments in The Officeas Michael’s performance shows off his ignorance and targets a particular employee, but also demonstrates how much Michael cares, which is the most important element of the character because it makes the cringey humor work. As many lines as he crosses, Michael remains a lovable characterwhich is why it’s so hard to see him go later on in the series. Michael is the heart of The Office, and moments like this prove that. There are plenty of great moments in the seriesbut there is a reason (good or bad) that Prison Mike is one of the most well-remembered.
The Office is streaming on Peacock in the U.S.
- Release Date
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2005 – 2013-00-00
- Franchise(s)
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The Office
