Episode 705

January was a long month without cable.  But it turns out it was a blessing in disguise: if I'd had cable, I may have never met Henry Grubstick. In any case, my month-long roommate and I watched 85 episodes of Ugly Betty (i.e. the entire series) in 16 days.  (I'll let you do the math.) That's all to say that I think I can be considered at least a temporary authority on Ugly Betty.  And because of the number of times daily that I say "That's what she said" with no shame, I'd say I can claim authority on The Office, too.  With that, I'd like to take this opportunity to do a Wilhelmina Slater / Michael Scott comparison.

First, for those of you unfamiliar with these two beloved bosses, let's just do a quick run-down:

Michael Scott:

Food preferences: Awesome Blossom; milk and sugar
Minion: Dwight Schrute, suburban Pennsylvania beet farmer
Wardrobe preferences: Burlington Coat Factory; Casual Friday jeans
Biggest fear: Nothing. (Also, we would have accepted snakes.)

Wilhelmina Slater:

Food preferences: Caviar and champagne
Minion: Mark St. James, trendy Manhattan fashionista
Wardrobe: She can turn a prison jumpsuit into fashion
Biggest fear: Failure

You get my point – these two could not be more different.  But it all comes down to this: Michael Scott's life goal is to be loved. He hates disappointing people and would do anything to be liked.

And the amazing Wilhelmina Slater takes that all down with one line: "I'd rather be hated than inconvenienced." 

So, are you a Michael or a Wilhelmina?  Or both?