"That's What She Said"

“It toes the line between both outright slapstick and dry, awkward pauses not to mention is filled with various lines you'll find yourself repeating days later.” Brian Ford Sullivan was referring to NBC’s show, “The Office” in his 2005 review on www.thefutoncritic.com. If you listen long enough to a conversation between teenagers or young adults now, you will inevitably hear a phrase followed by “that’s what she said.” One of the easiest jokes to crack, this versatile phrase adds sexual innuendo to almost anything. Its popularity skyrocketed with the debut of this comedy. The inappropriate nature mixed with humor reflects the TV show and the ludicrously funny boss played by Steve Carrell.

The plot revolves around a typical, mundane, and un-glamorous office with characters bordering on the insane. Acting as a catalyst for the ridiculous events which occur and usually spiral out of control is the immature boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carrell), describing himself as "friend first, boss second, entertainer third." With the managerial skills of a ten-year-old, Michael’s behavior usually is deeply offensive, inappropriate, or annoying—most of the times it’s all three combined. “That’s what she said” remains a joke close to Michael’s heart and he slips it as much as he can (that’s what she said) [the author adds this to fully illustrate the joke].

Ridiculous characters usually appear out of place in the real world and difficult to connect with. In another review, Joanne Schenker declared that “NBC's Office is an American parody of the tedious minutia that occurs in the workplace”( http://blogcritics.org). Written for an audience who participate in the 9 to 5 monotony of a desk job, the show appeals and speaks directly to them, despite the unreal insanity of the characters. These characters who sometimes punch through walls (literally), play tricks on each other, and break copiers do the things that some of us only dream about doing, and make us laugh in the meantime. The ridiculous behavior reminds the audience of the nonsensical, illogical, and erratic actions of human beings. Humor has elements of the truth within it and that’s why we laugh, when we “get the joke”. We have all seen the irrational decisions of others and sometimes in ourselves. Drawing attention to it means that we admit it to ourselves, admitting that we are not always using the rationality we so prize in ourselves.

Michael Scott reminds us of our insecurities that are always lurking behind our own self-esteem. Although he is convinced, most of the time, he is the smartest, good-lookingest, and funniest person in the room, his intense child-like doubts leak through at times. He literally runs away from the office one day when he becomes overwhelmed with his debt. The characters exhibit flashes of humanity and tenderness in various moments. This adds to the appeal of the show. They are complex people, who hide their self-doubting from everyone else in sometimes pathetic attempts. It is easy to forget the person next to you on the bus or in the cubicle is a real person with pain, insecurity, and doubt. “The Office” tells the story about a group of employees in Scranton, PA who clash, annoy, and care for each other; it makes a point about recognizing the insanity of the world and the humanity of those around you. My own short experience with life reveals a similar point, because what I have seen is that the world can be ridiculous and crazy and it is easier to dehumanize others, forget they are human, rather than face the complexity of the madness. Ultimately, as a result of watching this show, the irrationality of human beings is not explained, but I have realized people are complex and erratic, but intensely human, fully capable of tenderness, pain, and compassion.