This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising.
By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies described in our Cookies Policy.
You may change your settings at any time but this may impact on the functionality of the site.
To learn more see our Cookies Policy.
IT’S 2017 AND everyone is now re-examining old, beloved institutions of pop culture to see if they’re actually a bit shite.
First it was Joey and Rachel in Friends – supposedly the worst romance in the show’s 10 year run… but maybe they weren’t so bad? Maybe Ross was an awful boyfriend and Joey and Rachel should have got together? Yeah, it sounds like a bad argument but it kind of made sense by the end of the thread.
Anyway, that was a whole three weeks ago and things move fast.
And boy has it opened up a fault line among fans of The US Office
"Oh god, my legacy as a noted TV sounder is on the line here" NBCNBC
The central thesis, as laid out by Hilary Mitchell, contends that even though Jim Halpert is a famously lovable character, if you break it down he’s “actually a dick”.
Why? To summarise:
He treated Karen awfully throughout their relationship, lying at key moments
He didn’t show up to Pam’s art show. *That* art show
He sabotaged Pam’s plan to get out of something with a fake phone call, but often saves himself with lies in the same situations
He bought a house without telling Pam, and took a new job without telling her. He then planned to move away… and didn’t tell her
He invested $10,000 in his new company… without telling her. Jesus, there’s a pattern here
Jim refuses to dress up for Halloween, or basically participate in anything
It eventually argues that Pam should have actually ended up with Brian the boom mic operator.
Now, some of the points range from small things to massive life decisions… and Jim doesn’t come across well in any of them to be fair.
It’s obviously trying to make the point that Jim isn’t the romantic hero he’s known as… so naturally it doesn’t include any of the sound things he’s said and done over the years
imabeast78 Tumblr
imabeast78 Tumblr
Advertisement
Which is why the piece is so deliciously divisive – meaning it’s been everywhere over the past 24 hours
It would be remiss not to point out that The US Office is supposed to be full of complex characters and relationships (especially in the first five or six seasons) so it’s only right that people make mistakes and aren’t perfect all the time. It just falls to whether you think Jim’s dodgy actions outlined above outweigh his general soundness.
But it should also be noted that it’s JIM HALPERT. And PAM. These aren’t your run of the mill characters that you can easily bash around.
It’s going to divide families, friends and loved ones around the world
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Tuesday 24 December, 2024
Tuesday 24 December, 2024
Download our app
An internet-wide argument has broken out about whether Jim in The US Office was actually a bit of a d*ck
IT’S 2017 AND everyone is now re-examining old, beloved institutions of pop culture to see if they’re actually a bit shite.
First it was Joey and Rachel in Friends – supposedly the worst romance in the show’s 10 year run… but maybe they weren’t so bad? Maybe Ross was an awful boyfriend and Joey and Rachel should have got together? Yeah, it sounds like a bad argument but it kind of made sense by the end of the thread.
Anyway, that was a whole three weeks ago and things move fast.
Yesterday, Buzzfeed published an article that has enraged and intrigued millions of people
And boy has it opened up a fault line among fans of The US Office
The central thesis, as laid out by Hilary Mitchell, contends that even though Jim Halpert is a famously lovable character, if you break it down he’s “actually a dick”.
Why? To summarise:
And many more besides.
It eventually argues that Pam should have actually ended up with Brian the boom mic operator.
Now, some of the points range from small things to massive life decisions… and Jim doesn’t come across well in any of them to be fair.
It’s obviously trying to make the point that Jim isn’t the romantic hero he’s known as… so naturally it doesn’t include any of the sound things he’s said and done over the years
Which is why the piece is so deliciously divisive – meaning it’s been everywhere over the past 24 hours
Straight away, the backlash was strong
People have an emotional response when you question their favourite character
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Simple Office meme responses were going viral
But, looking at it objectively, a hefty chunk of people were swayed. They were big fans of Jim, but no more
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
Twitter made the controversy a moment on its homepage and it took it to another level
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
It would be remiss not to point out that The US Office is supposed to be full of complex characters and relationships (especially in the first five or six seasons) so it’s only right that people make mistakes and aren’t perfect all the time. It just falls to whether you think Jim’s dodgy actions outlined above outweigh his general soundness.
But it should also be noted that it’s JIM HALPERT. And PAM. These aren’t your run of the mill characters that you can easily bash around.
It’s going to divide families, friends and loved ones around the world
So it naturally leads to the question… do you buy into the theory?
Poll Results:
DailyEdge is on Snapchat! Tap the button below to add!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
big tuna gas feeling how dare you jim halpert my feeling