‘The Office’ Writer Criticizes SNL’s Japanese Office Parody: “All actors are white people”

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As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours dissecting the intricacies of sitcoms and their cultural impact, I find myself reflecting on Mike Schur’s recent comments about “The Japanese Office” sketch from Saturday Night Live. While I appreciate the show for its ability to push boundaries and challenge societal norms, this particular parody left me feeling a tad uncomfortable.

Mike Schur, a renowned writer who’s best known for his work on “The Office,” has lately shared his thoughts about a 2008 “Saturday Night Live” skit titled “The Japanese Office.” This sketch brought a sense of discomfort to him back then.

The parody, aired during an episode hosted by Steve Carell, has since gained millions of views online but didn’t sit well with Schur, who shared his thoughts on “The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast.”

As a devoted fan of Saturday Night Live and its influential role in shaping our culture, I must admit that one particular sketch fell short of my expectations regarding “The Office” tribute. To be honest, it left me with a slight pang of disappointment, much like the feeling one gets when a beloved classic is not given the respect it deserves.

The scene starts by featuring Ricky Gervais, the brainchild behind the original British version of “The Office,” introducing a pretend Japanese sitcom claimed to have inspired his own work. In this brief video, Steve Carell reappears as Michael Scott, along with other Saturday Night Live stars such as Jason Sudeikis, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig, who play Japanese adaptations of well-known characters.

1) In this setting, they converse in Japanese, savor ramen meals, and engage in karaoke activities. The sketch concludes as Gervais humorously says: “It’s amusing because it’s stereotypical.

Schur acknowledged that he struggled to grasp the concept. “It’s similar to saying, ‘They outshone me, but I took it from the original Japanese production,’ when all the actors in the original Japanese version are actually white,” he explained. “Somehow, it just didn’t make sense to me.

In a previous podcast discussion, the director of the parody, Akiva Schaffer from The Lonely Island, expressed his reservations regarding the project due to its predominantly white cast. Despite his initial hesitations, he put trust in Marika Sawyer, a Japanese-American writer who came up with the sketch’s concept.

According to Schaffer, he repeatedly told her, “I’m committed to turning your dreams into reality.” He mentioned that the whole team viewed the project as a reflection of Sawyer’s vision and made efforts to back it up.

Schur recalled this incident distinctly against another instance from “SNL” featuring “The Office.” He fondly looked back on Rainn Wilson’s hosting in 2007, where the show satirized the mockumentary style, resonating more with what made “The Office” special for Schur.

Although “The Japanese Office” remains a notable piece of “SNL” history, Schur’s reaction highlights the complexities of comedy and cultural representation, especially in reimagining beloved shows.

You can watch “The Japanese Office” here:

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2024-12-27 09:43