Rainn Wilson: The Office Too 'Politically Incorrect' for Modern Production

Rainn Wilson, the actor who portrayed Dwight Schrute in the American adaptation of *The Office*, believes the series could not be produced in the current cultural landscape. He attributes this to what he describes as the show's "politically incorrect" humor, noting a shift in societal norms since its 2005 premiere.

Wilson indicated that many of the show's "really inappropriate" scenes would likely not be permitted today. He suggested that portraying characters like Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, as a "boob" lacking "self-awareness" would be difficult to execute on television now. The humor often stemmed from the outrageous behaviors of characters like Dwight and Michael.

Wilson previously reflected on certain episodes, admitting discomfort when rewatching "A Benihana Christmas" from the third season. He described the episode as highlighting characters who were "clueless, insensitive, racist, sexist people," which he said mirrored aspects of the United States. This particular episode featured Michael inviting Asian American waitresses to an office Christmas party and marking one with a pen, a joke intended to underscore his inability to distinguish between them.

Fellow *The Office* actors Jenna Fischer (Pam) and Angela Kinsey (Angela) have also commented on the evolving standards, stating on their podcast *The Office Ladies* that the storyline from "A Benihana Christmas" would not be written today.

The series concluded in 2013 after nine successful seasons on NBC.

According to IGN, Wilson made these remarks during an interview with Fox News.