The Office's Michael Scott Is Not the Craziest Manager TV Industry Has, but She Is

There’s no denying that The Office is one of the most influential TV shows of our century. The series is a multicast workplace sitcom that follows a bunch of main characters, and explores the stories of all the side characters as well.

The Office premiered in 2005 and quickly became a fan favorite. People fell in love with Jim and Pam and waited for them to realize they were destined to fall in love.

Viewers were annoyed with Dwight and surprised that they actually cared about Kelly. But the real love-hate relationship we all had was with Michael Scott, the manager of Dunder Mifflin's regional branch in Scranton.

Michael has long been considered one of the wildest and most entertaining executives in television history. His awkward behavior, misguided leadership, and hilarious lack of self-awareness made him an outstanding character. But when it comes to pure unpredictability and bizarre shenanigans, Michael has a new rival in the world of TV management: Principal Ava Coleman of Abbott Elementary.

Well, where to start... Ava is definitely a lot to take in. From the first scene she is in, she steals your attention and makes your presence uncomfortable. While at first she may seem like the kind of leader who could be a refreshing change from traditional authority figures, you quickly start to change your mind the longer you watch her at work.

Unlike Michael Scott, whose craziness often comes from his desire to be liked and his misguided attempts to create a family-like office atmosphere, Ava's brand of leadership is defined by self-interest and a lack of concern for the comfort of her employees.

Her rather chaotic approach also adds a layer of dark humor to Abbott Elementary, making her the type of manager who doesn't just mismanage, but makes it an art form. Ava's unapologetic nature is a world away from the clumsy but ultimately well-meaning Michael Scott, and that makes her an even more engaging character.

However, there are many scenes where Ava reveals her true self, which is more than just a self-serving manager. Though she never wants to show it, beneath that confident exterior lies a deeply flawed and sometimes chaotic leader, one who is as inept as she is bold. And frankly, that’s why viewers love her.

“I do my giggling throughout the show…until Ava enters the room. Even when she’s not speaking she’s hilarious. Then she slays with those one-liners… She brings joy to my life,” Redditor MsKc96 said.

Abbott Elementary is available to stream on Hulu, Max, Prime Video or Apple TV.