Paul Feig recalls how a post-“40-Year-Old Virgin” Carell found Michael Scott’s humanity.
If they don’t like the character, “they’ll tune it out.
They just won’t watch it.”
Steve Carell as Michael Scott in The Office.Justin Lubin/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
But also by this point, Carell had starred inThe 40-Year-Old Virgin, which made him a star.
“But we’re shooting it and Steve gets emotional.
Steve as the character, ‘cause he’s had this terrible day,” Feig continued.
And I’m going like, ‘Oh, do that again.
This is a great.
And I think that was this moment of like, that’s him."
He’s a misguided idiot who is an a–hole because he’s trying to be funny.’
So you go like, ‘Okay, he means well.'"
So for the record, Michael Scott, kind of an a–hole but with redeemable qualities.
David Brent, however, total a–hole, no redeemable qualities.
And that’s comedy, depending on whether you’re American or British.
