Michael Schur’s Unexpected ‘SNL’ Critique: The ‘Japanese Office’ Sketch
Michael Schur, the mastermind behind the American adaptation of The Office, recently shared his surprising reaction too a Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch that parodied his hit NBC show. While Schur spent time writing for SNL, one particular sketch left him less than amused.
The offending sketch, “The Japanese Office,” aired on May 17, 2008, featuring Steve Carell adn Ricky Gervais. Schur, who left SNL to work on The office in 2005, explained his feelings on The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast: “It didn’t feel right to me in some way.”
He elaborated on his perspective, stating, “I worked at SNL, but you still feel like SNL at some point at some level is an arbiter of what matters in the culture. And when [Carell] did ‘The Japanese Office’, I remember being a little bit rankled.”
The sketch, introduced by Gervais (creator of the original British Office), presented a humorous premise: the British version was supposedly based on a Japanese show. The resulting segment featured Carell as a Japanese version of Michael Scott, leading a fully Japanese-language episode without subtitles.
Schur further explained his dissatisfaction: “It’s like, ‘They stole the show from me, but I stole it from the Japanese version,’ but then all the actors in the Japanese version are white people. It sort of didn’t track to me somehow.”
Though, Schur’s feelings weren’t universally negative towards SNL‘s take on The Office. He highlighted Rainn Wilson’s 2007 hosting gig, recalling, “I was like, ‘They’re nailing this. Everyone’s nailing it.’ It was a vrey big deal when any of The office stars hosted SNL.” Wilson’s opening monologue, a parody of the workplace mockumentary, particularly impressed Schur.
Based on the original 2001-2003 BBC series,the American version of The Office enjoyed a successful nine-season run on NBC from 2005 to 2013,cementing its place in television history.
An Interview with Michael Schur
Michael Schur, creator of the American adaptation of The Office, recently spoke with us about a particular Saturday Night Live sketch that left him feeling uneasy.
The Japanese Office Sketch: A Mixed Reaction
Interviewer: Michael, you’ve been very vocal about your thoughts on the “japanese Office” sketch from SNL. Can you elaborate on why it struck a chord with you?
schur: Well, while I was part of the SNL family, leaving to work on The Office in 2005, it felt strange to see them parody the show I was now deeply involved with. Especially in the way they chose to do it.
Interviewer: Could you explain further?
Schur: It feels like SNL, given its cultural influence, was making a statement about my show. And while I understand that satire is part of their DNA, the “Japanese Office” sketch felt off. It reimagines my adaptation as being based on a Japanese version, which is fine, but then casts white actors in the Japanese roles. It didn’t quite align logically for me.
Interviewer: So, it wasn’t simply a matter of SNL poking fun at your creation, but rather a sense of discomfort with the execution?
Schur: Exactly! Look, any time someone from The Office hosted SNL, I was thrilled. Rainn Wilson’s hosting gig was brilliant, especially his opening monologue. They nailed the spirit of the show perfectly. But the “Japanese office” sketch felt different.
Interviewer:Do you think your perspective might have shifted if they had cast Japanese actors in those roles?
Schur: Honestly, maybe. It might have felt less jarring. It’s a complex issue, and I understand the comedic intent. But ultimately, it left me feeling a little uneasy.
The American adaptation of The Office, based on the original British series, had a triumphant nine-season run on NBC. Michael Schur’s insights offer a unique perspective on the intersection of creative ownership, cultural appropriation, and the often-blurred lines of satire.
