Michael Scott and Sheldon Cooper: Brothers from the Same Mother? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJL · 05-18-2013, 06:47 AM

Hey kids, TJL here. I hope you are all doing well. The place looks great. You look good too, is that a new hairstyle?

Anyway, as we all know The Office ended its 9 season run the other night with a funny and touching series finale. The show is IMO one of the true greats in TV history and will be missed. May it live forever in reruns.

Over the past few days I've been discussing The Office finale with some friends via e-mail and IM, and one person I know told me he was never a fan of the show - mostly because of Michael Scott (as played by the incomparable Steve Carrell).

In his opinion, Michael Scott was such a jerk that he never understood why his actions were tolerated by the other characters on the show. He does have a point; Michael was very difficult to deal with pretty much all the time, but Steve Carrell was able to sell it in a way that made you like the character even though Michael Scott was they guy you'd most likely avoid at a party.

While defending Michael Scott to my friend, I pointed out that there are other sitcom characters out there past and present who are/were far more insufferable than him; most notably obnoxious genius Sheldon Cooper (as played by the very funny Jim Parsons) from The Big Bang Theory.

Then I got to thinking as I often do when its late at night and there's nothing good on TV: Michael Scott and Sheldon Cooper are so very much alike in so many ways it's scary!

Consider:

- Michael and Sheldon are both under the assumption that they are loved and adored by their peers and that they are the center or guiding force in the group and are shocked and hurt to find out otherwise.

- Socially awkward to the millionth degree.

I have more, but I'd like you guys to give me some examples!

Fire away!

Yong Fang · 05-19-2013, 02:05 AM

One huge difference is that Michael Scott has a much lower IQ than Sheldon, and that Scott only has a high school degree (he explained in an early episode that he was going to go to college from money he saved working at Arby's and then somehow got ripped off of it (parents?)) while Sheldon has a PhD.

I am not a big fan of Big Bang Theory, I mostly watch it because of Sheldon. One thing about many high IQ people is that they are brilliant in what they are brilliant in, but sometimes lack common sense and not be able to do simple, everyday normal things that most people do (like cook, on Big Bang, the guys always order out, pizza, Chinese or Thai food).

Michael Scott has a bristling, annoying personality that most people find awkward. The tragedy with Michael Scott was that he wanted everyone to like him, and was hurt when someone chooses not to like him (like Stanley). Michael wanted to be liked and loved. Sheldon for the most part does not want or need anyone's love and approval seemingly. He tolerates people in his social circle, and is only truly accepting of some people of his mental abilities.

So there are some similarities and lots of differences between the two.

05-18-2013, 06:47 AM	#1
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	Michael Scott and Sheldon Cooper: Brothers from the Same Mother? Hey kids, TJL here. I hope you are all doing well. The place looks great. You look good too, is that a new hairstyle? Anyway, as we all know The Office ended its 9 season run the other night with a funny and touching series finale. The show is IMO one of the true greats in TV history and will be missed. May it live forever in reruns. Over the past few days I've been discussing The Office finale with some friends via e-mail and IM, and one person I know told me he was never a fan of the show - mostly because of Michael Scott (as played by the incomparable Steve Carrell). In his opinion, Michael Scott was such a jerk that he never understood why his actions were tolerated by the other characters on the show. He does have a point; Michael was very difficult to deal with pretty much all the time, but Steve Carrell was able to sell it in a way that made you like the character even though Michael Scott was they guy you'd most likely avoid at a party. While defending Michael Scott to my friend, I pointed out that there are other sitcom characters out there past and present who are/were far more insufferable than him; most notably obnoxious genius Sheldon Cooper (as played by the very funny Jim Parsons) from The Big Bang Theory. Then I got to thinking as I often do when its late at night and there's nothing good on TV: Michael Scott and Sheldon Cooper are so very much alike in so many ways it's scary! Consider: - Michael and Sheldon are both under the assumption that they are loved and adored by their peers and that they are the center or guiding force in the group and are shocked and hurt to find out otherwise. - Socially awkward to the millionth degree. I have more, but I'd like you guys to give me some examples! Fire away!
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05-19-2013, 02:05 AM	#2
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	One huge difference is that Michael Scott has a much lower IQ than Sheldon, and that Scott only has a high school degree (he explained in an early episode that he was going to go to college from money he saved working at Arby's and then somehow got ripped off of it (parents?)) while Sheldon has a PhD. I am not a big fan of Big Bang Theory, I mostly watch it because of Sheldon. One thing about many high IQ people is that they are brilliant in what they are brilliant in, but sometimes lack common sense and not be able to do simple, everyday normal things that most people do (like cook, on Big Bang, the guys always order out, pizza, Chinese or Thai food). Michael Scott has a bristling, annoying personality that most people find awkward. The tragedy with Michael Scott was that he wanted everyone to like him, and was hurt when someone chooses not to like him (like Stanley). Michael wanted to be liked and loved. Sheldon for the most part does not want or need anyone's love and approval seemingly. He tolerates people in his social circle, and is only truly accepting of some people of his mental abilities. So there are some similarities and lots of differences between the two.