Parting truly is such sweet sorrow, especially when the person leaving has been an integral part of your TV-lovin’ life. But the day of Michael Scott’s Office farewell is finally here, so instead of sulking around — I’m saving that for later tonight — let’s celebrate his seven seasons of hilarity with Michael’s Top 8 Greatest Moments.
Warning: “This is gonna hurt like a motherf—er.” Thanks for that one, Michael.
Michael Moment #8: We’re all homos. Homo sapiens.
Episode: “Gay Witch Hunt,” Season 3
Here’s Why: After uncovering the secret of Oscar’s sexuality, Michael Scott takes it upon himself to “put an end to 100,000 years of being weirded out by gays.” The result is one of the most uncomfortable moments to ever grace our television screens. Also, it’s comedy gold.
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Michael Moment #7: Who would you do?
Episode: “The Fire,” Season 2
Here’s Why: Holly Flax may be the love of Michael Scott’s life now, but Ryan Howard (not to be confused with the Philadelphia Phillies MVP) comes in a close second. From The Office‘s pilot episode, it was clear that there was something special about the temp, something that caught the Dunder Mifflin boss’ eye. Maybe it was simply his boyish good looks, or the fact that he was everything Michael always desired to be, but never was. Either way, his man-crush was never more apparent than when the building was evacuated for a fire drill, and during a meaningless game of “Who Would You Do?” Michael boasts, “I’d have sex with Ryan.” Not exactly the name of the game, but a priceless Michael moment none the less.
Michael Moment #6: Agent Michael Scarn lives!
Episode: “Threat Level Midnight,” Season 7
Here’s Why: Early in The Office‘s second season, Pam Beelsy happens upon a screenplay written by the big boss man titled, Threat Level Midnight, starring Agent Michael Scarn. It made for a fun episode to see the full ensemble together for a table read of the silly script, and Michael was none the wiser. Flash forward to Season 7 and Threat Level Midnight is a real feature film starring Dunder Mifflin’s finest. Having Michael’s movie-making dreams come to life served as both a tool for countless laughs and growth for the character, who achieved a moment of clarity about who he is and who he truly wants to be: A decent man with Holly by his side.
Michael Moment #5: “Toby Flenderson, convicted rapist.”
Episode: “Casino Night,” Season 2
Here’s Why: Choosing one perfectly hate-filled moment between Michael and Toby was close to impossible, but fortunately, there is one that sums up the regional manager’s unexplained disdain of his branch’s Human Resources rep. It’s goes a little something like this: “I hate… so much about the things that you choose to be.”
Michael Moment #4: The most epic “That’s what she said” of all
Episode: “Sexual Harassment,” Season 2
Here’s Why: Back in the day, Michael’s tagline was his identity. So, when Jan and Toby attempted to take “that’s what she said” away from him, his head came thisclose to exploding. Thankfully, Jim was on hand to keep the magic alive — which wasn’t hard at all. (That’s what she said?)
Michael Moment #3: A gem of an awards show is born
Episode: “The Dundies,” Season 2
Here’s Why: “The Dundies — how can I explain it?” I’d go with a nice office awards ceremony at the local Chili’s, Awesome Blossom (extra Awesome) front-and-center on the table, while your kooky boss does his best Bob Hope-hosting impression on a karaoke machine. Yep, that about sums it up.
Michael Moment #2: Holly and Michael get engaged
Episode: “The Proposal,” Season 7
Here’s Why: No moment in Office history has ever been so perfect. The episode as a whole showcased Michael Scott at his shameless, goofy best, but his actual proposal to Holly Flax was purely awww-inducing. And bravo to the writers for staying true to who these two really are — right down to their awkward Yoda voices.
Michael Moment #1: “You cooked your foot on a Foreman grill…?!”
Episode: “The Injury,” Season 2
Here’s Why: My favorite Office episode. My favorite Office moment. Michael Scott burns his foot on a Foreman grill (duh!), rendering him a (self-proclaimed) handicapped person. Crazy, yes. But his explanation for the odd limb incineration is the stuff of legend: “I like waking up to the smell of bacon — sue me. And since I don’t have a butler, I have to do it myself. So most nights before I go to bed, I will lay six strips of bacon out on my George Foreman grill. Then I go to sleep. When I wake up, I plug in the grill. I go back to sleep again. Then I wake up to the smell of crackling bacon. It is delicious, it’s good for me…Today I got up, I stepped on the grill and it clamped down on my foot — I don’t see what is so hard to believe about that.”
Did your favorite Michael Scott moment make the cut? Weigh in below!
