Why is Steve Carell oftentimes cast as a geek? (anchorman, The Office, film)

[ShellNic]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

I don't want to see it. Does he get laid in the end? I only saw "Crazy Stupid Love" because it was on the tv monitor in front of me on the plane. I even saw "Planet of the Apes" on the way back. It was under classics.

Steve Carell has kind of a goofy face and a really long nose. I guess if you accessorize him correctly, you can make him into a geek, no?

I like his face...the sum of his face is attractive, but separately I suppose, he could totally be geeky. With 40 Year Old Virgin, he's surprisingly normal and his so called work friends are the ridiculous ones who try to get him, well, you know... His appeal here is that he seems normal, if not quirky, and that's his strong suit. Yep, he does get laid in the end...I can see why people wouldn't like this movie, but I enjoyed it and laughed, too. It's OK to be silly!

Same with Crazy, Stupid, Love. I really liked the back and forth between his character and Ryan Gosling's character. I think he's likable because he seems like a normal guy who's going through some crisis. Overall, I didn't care for this movie - I just don't like watching movies where spouses cheat on each other.

I know several people who enjoy his role on The Office, but I confess, I've never followed that show so I can't speak to that character, but overall, he presents as a relatively inocuous guy, who ends up showing some great characteristics, which in turn, make him loveable. For me, his big nose is an added bonus...super sexy!!

[UNC4Me]

I think he's cast more as "Average" guy. Geek has conotations beyond just average looking and a little goofy. If you've ever watched 'The Big Bang Theory', that's what passes for "geek" when casting a role.

[Kevdawgg]

Maybe he's able to play a role as a geek.

[mattywo85]

He fits that lovable idiot role well, I mean come on..."The Office" was great!

[D217]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

I never saw "Forty Year Old Virgin" with Steve Carell

Dude, seriously..?!

[dub dub II]

It's his "hook".

My fav was:
"Hey, how can we help you, sir?"
"No, no, he don't need no help! He's already been served. I served him. He's taken care of. He's a little slow, but he got it. See, what he thought was he can come up here and make the rules. But now, he see that Jay make the rules at Smart Tech, that I run this *****, and now he 'bout to bounce!"
"This your boy?"
"Yeah, *****, that's my boy. We rep the same Smart Tech. "
"You just got ****ed up with him. Both ya'll *****s gonna get clapped up when I get back."
"Both ya'll *****s!"
"What? What did I do?"
"It don't ****ing matter!"
"Yeah, well, aim high, Willis. Aim high!"

[AishaGurl91]

It's the same reason why William Zabka always got cast as jerks/bullies - because of physical appearance.

[D217]

Originally Posted by AishaGurl91

It's the same reason why William Zabka always got cast as jerks/bullies - because of physical appearance.

lol

[ja1myn]

Originally Posted by D217

Dude, seriously..?!

I didn't see it until I was 18...so I saw it late too I guess.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by ShellNic

Same with Crazy, Stupid, Love. I really liked the back and forth between his character and Ryan Gosling's character. I think he's likable because he seems like a normal guy who's going through some crisis. Overall, I didn't care for this movie - I just don't like watching movies where spouses cheat on each other.

I couldn't stand the Ryan Gosling character. A superficial person who finds depth on his deathbed. It was the Steve Carrell guy who was "more" normal all along. Granted, his ramblings at the bar, prior to his make-over, were odd, but I think that's because the length and "old shoe" factor in his marriage had made him insular to pop culture around him. I would think that's the way it is for most.

Again, it was "free" - on the plane. "Man on a Ledge" had a lot more edge to it - different genre, though.