"Tend not to": When Steve Carell revealed that he never watches himself in The Office; said he would do if he'd 'been in Shawshank Redemption'

The Office has left a lasting mark on TV comedy, largely thanks to Steve Carell's portrayal of Michael Scott. Yet, despite the show's enormous popularity, Carell revealed in a five-year-old conversation on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that he doesn't watch himself in The Office.

Shrugging off the idea, he simply said;

“I tend not to do that.”

Which further offered insight into how he views his own work.

Why Steve Carell prefers to stay away from watching The Office

During his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Colbert posted a straightforward question:

“Do you ever watch yourself?”

Steve Carell's response was short and honest with him putting out a simple

“No.”

While he admitted there were moments when the cast came together to watch The Office especially for fun, watching solo was never something Steve Carell said he leaned towards. He added;

“But no. I tend not to do that. I don’t know.”

Carell's reluctance wasn't just limited to the sitcom. Colbert asked if he watched any of his movies, and again, the answer was no.

The only exception? If he had starred in The Shawshank Redemption. Carell quipped;

“If I had been in Shawshank Redemption, I would watch that. Because I always watch Shawshank Redemption.”

That offhand comment set off a humorous exchange, with Colbert admitting he'd never seen the movie, prompting Carell's surprised;

“You’re kidding me!!!”

Their playful back-and-forth painted a clear picture of Carell's modesty. Despite being at the center of TV's most iconic series, The Office, he has always appeared averse to basking in his own performances.

For him, it's the experience and connection with the cast that matters, not reliving the final product on screen.

A brief moment of self-awareness amid The Office legacy

Carell's disconnection from re-watching his work offers a curious contrast when you consider just how central he is to The Office and its cultural footprint. Michael Scott - chaotic, oblivious, occasionally cringeworthy - remains one of comedy's most memorable characters.

But behind the erratic boss energy is a performance shaped by nuance, restraint, and compassion, elements Carell seemingly doesn't feel the need to relive.

Colbert then steered the conversation into more current projects at the time, asking about Carell's then recent television return via The Morning Show on Apple TV+.

Carell explained he played a character named Mitch Kessler who is;

“A very handsome… charming narcissistic anchor...”

A role that also tied into the #Metoo discourse. When asked whether Mitch was inspired by anyone in particular, Carell clarified;

“It [the character] is completely fictional.”

Colbert also asked whether there were any roles Carell kept hidden from his children and Carell responded with a clear;

“No I'm really specific that they know everything I do.”

Even if he doesn't watch himself on screen, transparency with his family seems to remain a personal priority to him.

Though The Office endures as a beloved staple of television, Steve Carell's humility remains constant. His refusal to re-watch himself - despite being at the center of one of the most iconic sitcoms - speaks volumes about his grounded nature.

From his candid "tend not to" admission to his comedic reflections with Colbert, Carell continues to be as self-aware as he is unforgettable on screen.

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