Litigation Value: Counseling for everybody!
Last night, NBC treated us to a holiday extravaganza. If last week’s two-part “Classy Christmas” wasn’t enough “Office” for you, we got the joy of three episodes last night! That’s right, three full episodes of Michael and the gang, acting ridiculous as usual. I recapped “Counseling” and my talented colleagues Chris Butler and Matt Rita recapped “Nepotism” and “Andy’s Play” respectively. But I happen to have lucked into a copy of Toby’s notes from his counseling session with Michael and . . . well . . . I just couldn’t resist sharing them with you. Happy Holidays!
Gabe,
Here are my notes from my counseling session with Michael. Thank you again for this opportunity to help someone. I don’t get that too often.
Regards,
Toby
- Opened the counseling session by asking Michael about his childhood. Michael didn’t want to talk at first, but he opened up after about five minutes. Michael’s father left his family to become an original Saturday Night Live cast member. Michael said that his mother told him that it wasn’t okay to cry, because his dad was out there making people laugh and that was the most noble thing anyone could do with their lives. When he was 16, Michael visited his father on set and was discovered by the producers. They told him he had a natural gift for comedy and they wanted to cast him in a new sitcom and also launch him on a stand-up career. Michael declined because he was passionate about sales.
- Disregard the above. It was all lies. I should have realized . . .
- Asked Michael what his favorite movie is. He spent an hour and fifteen minutes acting out the plot of “Anchorman.” He also claimed to have been considered for the role of Baxter.
- Asked Michael what is favorite and least favorite parts of his job are. His favorite part of his job is making people laugh and seeing Ryan’s eyes light up when he smiles. His least favorite part of his job is Toby.
- Michael spent 38 minutes acting like a werewolf. (He said he’s on “Team Jacob.”)
- This is pointless.
- I suggested that we blow off the rest of the session and just hang out and play games. Michael bought it!
- When Michael was in fourth grade, he auditioned for the school play and he was the only kid in his class who didn’t get a part. He didn’t know why the teacher didn’t give him a part in the play, and he told his mom that he had the lead. She came to opening night and Michael didn’t want to disappoint her, so he snuck backstage and ran out onto the stage in the middle of the second act. The rest of the kids in his class laughed at him. (I think this may be part of the root of why Michael craves attention.)
- Michael confessed to me that he hates beets, but he doesn’t know how to tell Dwight.
- I asked Michael why he wanted to become a manager, and he said that he liked running the office because he gets to hang out with his friends all day, especially his best friends Ryan and Jim.
- Michael and I played Connect Four and I got him talking about his stepfather, Jeff, and how Jeff used to take him to baseball games. He said that Jeff really respected the baseball team’s manager. I think that Michael may have been drawn to a management role because he was subconsciously looking for approval from his stepdad.
- Michael figured out my counseling strategy and threw a tantrum. What else is new?
- Assessment: Michael craves attention and it leads him to do inappropriate things, like spanking his nephew in front of the entire office. I think that his need for attention goes back to childhood and is rooted in insecurity. If he was given an outlet for his personality, I think his work would improve. I’ve suggested that he try auditioning for community theatre.
Have a fabulous holiday season, friends!
[hulu:http://www.hulu.com/embed/MthHlVJX7gHsF6DeAdqeJQ]
