When one thinks of Bob Odenkirk, one of the first things that comes to mind is his performance as Saul Goodman in Better Caul Saul and Breaking Bad. However, many forget that, at his core, the actor built the foundations of his career on comedy. Being a well-known and excellent comedian and having several well-known achievements, including working on Saturday Night Live, it is not surprising that the actor was trying for several comedy roles before he settled on the lawyer.
However, many of his most dedicated fans would be surprised to know that Odenkirk auditioned to play the role of Michael Scott in The Office before Steve Carell secured the position. During an interview, the actor hypothesized why he did not get the role and even revealed that this wasn’t the only time that Carell was picked over him for a project.
Better Call Michael Scott—Bob Odenkirk or Steve Carell?
Recently, Bob Odenkirk gave an interview on the Office Ladies podcast where he talked about his history with The Office. Although the actor played the role of Mark Franks in the series, he originally auditioned for the role of Michael Scott. In the interview, he revealed why he thought he did not get the role but Steve Carell did.
He confessed that when it comes to his comedy, he brings a layer of earnestness to his performances, which can take many audience members out of the characters that he plays. Stating that his performance was too complex in a way that made his characters seem more dark and motivated than they were, he explained that he understood why he was not cast as Scott.
I am, in a strange way, a very earnest person for a person in comedy. You know, I am oddly earnest. And I think it’s it’s one of the things that makes me a little- it’s one of the reasons I think Steve Carell is a better, you know, is the one who got the role.
Odenkirk even took it a step further, stating that since Carell is better at hiding this layer from his own characters, he was more deserving of the role than himself.
Steve Carell Has Something Bob Odenkirk Doesn’t
Later in the interview, Bob Odenkirk revealed more about his professional history with Steve Carell. He confessed that The Office wasn’t the only time that the actor got a role that Odenkirk had auditioned for. While many would be spiteful about this fact, he seemed to approach this pattern from quite a diplomatic and objective perspective.
There were other parts that I think I was up for that Steve got, and it’s because he’s better at being genuinely fun. I think I bring with me a little bit too much earnest seriousness, and it’s just kinda there. And there’s nothing I can do about it except play other roles where it’s helpful to have that.
Odenkirk mentioned that Carell is able to let loose when he is playing his characters. He possesses a sense of “fun” that the actor does not believe is reflected in his own performances. He confessed that playing simple characters that only have a good personality, much like Michael Scott, simply does not suit his own style of acting.
And, you know, you just don’t believe me as a purely light character. You just are looking for the darkness, and that’s actually great in drama. That’s a plus, you know? But in comedy, it’s not a plus.
Odenkirk prefers playing characters that have more layers to them and wants to find their “darkness.” Considering the fact that Odenkirk has now made a name for himself in drama rather than the comedy genre, it is safe to say that he was onto something.
The Office and Better Call Saul are available for streaming on Peacock and Netflix, respectively.
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