The American Dream In Nickel's The Office

Many people believe in the concept that by working hard one can achieve their highest goals. Most dream of driving fancy cars, living in mansions, or partying with beautiful women on their own yacht. This notion of obtaining materialistic items by working hard is known as the American Dream. The Office is a television show that often discusses this concept in their television series, while one episode in particular represents this ideology more than any other. Michael Scott, played by the hilarious and notoriously good actor, Steve Carrel, visits a third grade class of kids living in a poor socioeconomic area filled with many working class citizens, while he was there he makes a legendary charitable promise to pay for their college education …show more content…
Yet, the viewer is left laughing at Michael Scott’s pain as the praise for him is continuing to get piled on, and most cannot help but feel embarrassed for him as the show often has the audience do. He is constantly putting himself in situations where the viewer cringes at the awkwardness of the current dilemma of his life. Susan Seizer referenced in her discussion in class about comedy, that comedy was magic and it can bring laughter to nearly any subject when done properly. The Office is well known for their comedic portrayals of societal issues and this episode is no different. The use of comedy makes it much easier to discuss the issues that are involved in these schools as well as poking fun at the flaws in the concept of the American Dream. Michael is not the only one with an overinflated dream. One of the Scotts Tots stated in a speech, “There was many times I was tempted to get into the drug game, but I thought about my guardian angel and the promise you (Michael) gave me, and the opportunity to go to college and become the next President Obama” (The Office). Evidently, his American Dream is exasperated but he is right about having a greater amount of opportunities will make it easier for him to succeed. Michael at this point is crying and cannot tolerate to listen to anymore of these speeches, because he realizes he is just like the politicians, who have promised to do something for the improvement of the school, but fail nonetheless to ever help their situation. Alas it was Michael’s turn to be in the spotlight, a feeling he usually embraces more than any other except for when he has to deliver bad news, which is when he cowards away. In a Michael Scott fashion, he attempts to deliver bad news with poorly executed joke to the amusement of the audience. As he goes up