======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ==== ====== ====== ===== ==== ======= ======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ==== ====== ====== ===== ====
The Subtle Workplace Alpha Male: Jim Halpert (known in one circle as “Big Tuna” and later on in the same circle as “Big Haircut”) vs. Mark Brendanawicz, then Ben Wyatt
I have no shame in admitting that Jim, a completely fictional character with a very modest salary at a dead-end job, was my first ever man-crush. Yep, I was a confused 5’2 13-year-old entering eighth grade in 2007 when my older sister bought the Season Two The Office box set, and my life was forever changed; little did I know I was well on my way to becoming a major TV nerd.
With the help of frequent harmless pranks directed at aforementioned try-hard Dwight, Jim effortlessly sets the tone as the dreamy life-of-the-party personality of Dunder Mifflin — something that was especially crucial to have in 2005 when Facebook and Spotify Premium did not exist in all of our lives (much less in our pockets).
The closest equivalent from the get-go in Parks and Rec, Mark Brendanawicz, is basically a sleezier, much less interesting version of Big Tuna. Mark has zero sense being a prankster and acts like a major pussy when his girlfriend’s deadbeat of an ex tries to mess with his head about their relationship.
Bottom line: this dude is a waste of time if just for the fact that his Polish male ancestors never had the decency to change the last name to something we could actually spell.
Aside from the fact that he scores the hottest chick in the office, the only reason I included Ben Wyatt in this conversation too was because someone had to fill the void left by Mark Brendana-quits (caused by actor Paul Schneider wanting to leave the show after two seasons). I’m sure Ben is a nice guy and everything, but the guy definitely has #nochill.
No contest here.
Point: Jim Halpert, The Office
Respond
It’s a weird concept, but I think P&R has the better cast of characters but somehow The Office was the better complete show.
Completely agree here. Putting characters side-by-side like this was a great idea for an article btw. Love both shows, but Office is my favorite. Pam got worse for me near the end, but the ending of the show redeemed a lot for me.
I don’t know, I think the greatness of the Office is that everybody works with the same characters from the show. They nailed the personalities so well, everyone knows the Angela at their office, the Kelly, the Dwight. And every guy thinks they are Jim.
I literally could not agree more with you more, teammate. Not a weird concept at all.
Thanks. I think we can all agree Rashida Jones is a major pool honey.
You can’t compare Dwight with Ron. I love Ron dearly, but Dwight Schrute is the ultimate character. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.
I thought the same thing – Both of those two are in a league of their own.
At very least, they should have been a wash. Dwight K is a fuggin boss. Well, an assistant to a fuggin boss anyways.
“Assistant fuggin boss”
Assistant to the fuggin boss
The Christ Pratt bloopers should be NSFW, just got caught watching them from laughing way too loud.
I have a man-crush on Chris Pratt. There I said it.
You’re not alone
Michael, Jim, Pam, and Deight can only be rivaled by Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer.
Dwight*. I could hear my boss’s footsteps towards my cube and didn’t have time to proof read.
Personally I thought parks and rec got kind of repetitive in episodes. There was no real character development, and all Aziz Ansari did was annoy the hell out of me. Overall, it was a good show, but I think The Office wins this battle. The Office had character development, it was always coming up with new ways for each character to play a funny role in the show, and no two episodes were really the same as far as humor.
Where’s Creed at?
… Orin?
No way 3:58 is funnier than the “comeback story” clip, or the responses to his ice cream cone take.
Had to pick between going to bed at a decent time last night or watching the Season 5 finale of Parks and Rec…guess who’s tired today.
Give me your keys.
Evan you haven’t even graduated yet. Fuck outta here.
Guilty.