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The Officecreated a major sensation in the mockumentary sitcom genre in 2005. The public was still reeling from the conclusion ofFRIENDS, so it gave them the much-needed alternative for their laughter-filled evenings. Based on the British series of the same name, it starred Steve Carell as the lead Michael Scott. After its conclusion in 2013, fans were excited about the possibility of a reunion or a reboot.
But when the same happened, it gathered a mixed bag of reactions online. In an interesting turn of events,The Officedid come back, but this time with an Australian twist. And also featured the franchise’s first female boss, causing an uproar online.
Felicity Ward Claps Back at Trolls, Calls Out Gender Discrimination Over the Office Role
The Officebrought out several emotions and was a point of heartbreak when it concluded after nine seasons. So, when another adaptation was announced, fans were obviously overjoyed and even appreciated the “New Office. New Aussie boss” tagline. However, as soon as it was announced thatFelicity Wardwould be playing a female boss in the show, it sparked a major backlash.
Just like the original, it follows the same mockumentary format and showcases the awkward yet quirky interactions between the characters in a packaging company in Sydney. Ward plays the role of Hannah Howard, managing director of the company. This also makes her the franchise’s first female boss, as all the rest 12 adaptations of the BBC sitcom featured only men.
During an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, she talked about her participation in the show as well as thebacklashthat she faced. While she tries to avoid online criticism, in the same interview she brought up the gender-discrimination subject in the midst of all the trolling. Ward added:
Go on YouTube or Google literally any stand-up comedian that is a woman and then read the comments. So that’s gonna happen with this. Of course, this is gonna happen. There’s some angry people out there. And so of course they’re gonna come for me because it’s a double whammy because it’s The Office and because I’m a woman and I don’t say that as a victim.
Ward also mentioned that it’s completely normal to feel furious when a beloved show gets a remake. She also gave an example of how she felt angry when her favorite movie,Point Break, was remade. But she also added that it’s important to express our feelings in a good way, like talking to a friend, instead of being mean online.
The 1 Joke ‘The Office’ Had to Remove for Crossing the Line That Led to a Protest: ‘I don’t feel good about that’
She also compared the criticism the AmericanOfficegot to the criticism the AustralianOfficeis getting now. Ward said the AmericanOfficewas also criticized at first, but it became very popular later. Further, she emphasized that each version ofThe Officeis different and should be appreciated on its own.
The Reason Why Steve Carell Said Goodbye to the Office
WhenSteve CarellleftThe Officeafter season seven, fans were surprised because his character, Michael Scott, was such a big part of the show. Michael was the clueless, attention-seeking boss at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton office. While he often caused problems and said awkward things, over time, he grew into a more caring boss and friend. That’s why his exit felt so significant.
In 2010, Carell mentioned in an interview that he planned to leave after hiscontract endedso he could spend more time with his family. But in a later podcast,An Oral History of The Office, some cast and crewrevealedthat NBC never reached out to renew his contract, so Carell decided to move on. By then, he had become a well-known actor, making it a good time for him to explore new projects.
Bob Odenkirk Knows Why Steve Carell Beat Him for Michael Scott in The Office: ‘You just are looking for the darkness’
In another podcast,Office Ladies, hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, Carell explained that he left because he thought it was time for other characters to take center stage.
He said leaving the show was emotional, but he was grateful for the chance to give Michael Scott a meaningful send-off. His departure marked a turning point, and many fans felt the show wasn’t the same without him.
You can watchThe Officeon Peacock.
Sakshi Singh
Articles Published :1434
Sakshi Singh has written over 1,300 entertainment articles, mostly about Netflix shows and reality TV. She’s spent the last two years covering everything from surprise engagements to shocking eliminations and previously wrote for Essentially Sports in their Netflix Junkie division. A self-proclaimed reality TV addict, Sakshi has watched all 48 seasons of Survivor and never misses a new dating or competition series. She loves watching how strangers meet, fall in love, team up, or betray each other - it’s the mix of strategy and drama that keeps her hooked. When she’s not glued to a reality show, she’s usually watching a crime thriller or tracking the next big streaming hit.
