News > Michael Scott versus David Brent: The Ultimate Showdown for Crappy Boss and Awkwardness Supremacy
April 19, 2007
Written by Richard Matthes
Everyone knows the apprehension that fans of the British version of “The Office” felt when they found out that there would be an American version. How dare anyone attempt to change a seemingly flawless television show, and sully it by dumbing-down the humor for its new audience. Ricky Gervais’s David Brent, the focal point of the British version, was a fantastic character that could never be recreated. And if those same people who complained had only watched the first episode of the American version of “The Office,” they would have felt vindicated. Steve Carrell’s Michael Scott was no David Brent, even though the American version ported almost the entire script for the first episode from the British one.
Yet, if those people had waited just a few episodes, they would have begun to see differences between the two characters. These differences grew as the American Office has progressed, and now the question is not whether Michael Gary Scott can hold a candle to David Brent, but whether he has become a better character. We’ve come up with a tale of the tape to determine which character is better, focusing on six categories: relationships with women, interaction with his assistant, devotion of his sycophant, job aptitude, most awkward situation, and wildcard.
Relationships with Women
Michael Scott: While no ladies’ man, he did bag his hot boss, Jan Levinson. Furthermore, during the second season’s finale he was nearly on a date with two attractive ladies at the same time. Signed a contract stating that he won’t sue if he gets dumped by his boss or gets fired.
Warning! Long Clip:
David Brent: Hired a personal assistant with the ulterior motive of hitting on her. Once told a woman he would “[shag her] from behind because [her] breath stinks of onions.” Assuming we count the Christmas Special (and why shouldn’t we?), Brent was able to get a few dates through a dating service—made sure to keep one black “to show [he’s] not prejudiced.” He most likely would have been able to have intercourse with one of those women after the conclusion of the show.
Advantage: David Brent, since he becomes a better person because of his relationship, whereas Michael becomes an eight-year-old.
Interaction with his Assistant
Michael Scott: In the pilot, accused Pam of stealing post-its. Forces her to listen to a message from Jan Levinson so she doesn’t get a bad assessment. Pam tries to help Michael out as much as possible, since he is clueless. Asks Pam to have a baby with him in 10/20/30 years. She agrees to 30 years.
David Brent: Accuses Dawn of stealing post-its, but did it first. Tells her he was scared because he was doing a testicular self exam and thought he found a lump. Tries to cheer her up by singing a song he wrote for Princess Diana.
Advantage: Brent, for the amazingly inappropriate song.
Devotion of His Sycophant
Michael Scott: Dwight worships Michael. He once crashed into a telephone pole while hurrying to get Michael, who had grilled his foot in a George Foreman grill. Continued to be devoted even after it was discovered that Michael had written a movie script in which Dwight (or Dwigt, rather) was formerly the name of the bumbling assistant who screws everything up. Fought and defeated Dwight in karate.
David Brent: Gareth respects David Brent, but he is definitely not as devoted as Dwight. Gareth doesn’t like Brent’s management style, and would take—and does take—David’s job in a second. Gareth will sing harmony for David anytime.
Advantage: Michael Scott, since Dwight is obviously more devoted.
Job Aptitude
Michael Scott: While Michael is not a great manager, he is a fantastic salesman. For all his inability to actually manage, he is able to close major sales and does a lot to help Dunder Mifflin. He also completes his work, though in a roundabout way.
David Brent: He is perhaps the worst manager in the history of life. Just the worst. Wernham Hogg doesn’t need him, and he is made redundant. In his side gig as a corporate teacher, he is also the worst thing ever.
Warning! Long Clip:
Advantage: Michael Scott, since he is not the worst.
Most Awkward Situation
Michael Scott: Watch:
David Brent: Watch:
Advantage: Michael Scott. When I first saw his scene with Oscar, I put a pillow over my head and curled up into a ball from embarrassment.
Wildcard
Michael Scott: Michael’s wildcard is his ability to burn his foot on a George Foreman grill at the foot of his bed. It had grill marks on it, and he decided to stabilize it with bubble wrap.
David Brent: “I sort of fused ‘Flashdance’ with MC Hammer shit.” So begins the greatest sequence in any episode of any version of “The Office.” David Brent is the Michelangelo of bad dancing. His legs, his arms, the way he spins and kicks, the way he grunts the beat as he moves, the way his grunts get louder whenever he has to do something remotely physical.
Advantage: David Brent, since his dance sequence is one of the greatest moments in TV history. The Super Bowl? Pshaw. World Series? No big deal. Moon landing? NASA conspiracy. David Brent’s dance sequence is like three moon landings and a Super Bowl combined.
RESULTS:
It’s three to three by my scorecard. But calling it a tie would be the coward’s way out. Instead, I’m going to use my discretion as author to give it to Michael Scott. While I watch and love the British version of The Office, it’s so freaking depressing. Everyone’s sad and in a sorry state at all times, and David Brent is the most depressing figure. While Michael Scott is an idiot, a coward, a narcissist and occasionally an oaf, there is an undercurrent of goodness that sometimes comes out. He’s obviously stuck in a dead end job as middle management, but he wants to make the best of it. He wants to make himself happy first, but the consideration of his employees is always there, at least latently. So Michael Scott defeats David Brent for the “Ultimate Showdown for Crappy Boss and Awkwardness Supremacy.”
