The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention doesn't think Michael Scott is very funny.
In a recent episode Steve Carell, playing his Office character Michael Scott, played a gag that involved him hanging himself in order to scare small children. The scene showed Carell's character struggling against a rope as children screamed, and his co-workers disappointed at the inappropriate nature of his stunt.
The AFSP spoke out against such comedy, and asked networks to stay away from laughing about suicide, as it may cause those who are mentally ill to actually consider suicide.
Others believe that Steve Carell's joke was balanced out by his fellow officemates telling him that his stunt was inappropriate. The overall impact of the joke was that such joking was inappropriate, and that should be ok.
So what do you think, Gen Y'ers? Does the AFSP have a leg to stand on? Weigh in by posting a comment below.
Dallas Generation Y Examiner
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Comments
Not exactly a Gen-Y guy, but AFSP is way out of touch here.
Well I have mixed emotions..I don't like having to be so PC all the time, yet I have lost a friend to suicide and don't find it funny. I think they handled ok by having the other office mates chastise him for the prank..
The Office is a hilarious show. They make fun of EVERYTHING, and this shouldn't really be taken any more serious than anything else they do.
Heard about this, not sure what I think about it.
Third culture kids examiner
Seattle stay-at-home moms examiner
I agree with Andrew. AFSP is a great organization and I used to work on an affiliated hotline, but this goofy joke is not worth wasting time on. Focus on the real issues.
The joke wasn't about laughing at suicide. The joke was the inappropriate behavior of Michael Scott, which is who you are supposed to be laughing at. Just like his comments about 'fat people' or 'gay people'. You laugh because it is awkward and you just can't believe he did it, and you feel embarrased for anyone standing around having to listen to him.
Ditto Calissa. I am never in favor of hurting someone by hurtful remarks, but this doesn't even come close to falling into that category. In fact, I think our culture has become so thin skinned, you can't say anything without someone getting offended!
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