Post by andogirl7 on Sept 15, 2007 21:08:11 GMT -4
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TV's Worst Bosses
By Mary Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com writer
If you were to compare your boss to a television character or reality show host, who would it be? CareerBuilder.com and Harris Interactive recently surveyed more than 5,700 workers nationwide to see which TV boss -- past or present -- most reminds them of their own. The most popular responses follow.
* Sam Malone from "Cheers"
* Charlie from "Charlie's Angels"
* Judge Judy Sheindlin from "Judge Judy"
* Donald Trump from "The Apprentice"
* Simon Cowell from "American Idol"
* Mr. Burns from "The Simpsons"
* Miranda Bailey from "Grey's Anatomy"
* Michael Scott from "The Office"
* Tyra Banks from "America's Next Top Model"
* Jack Shephard from "Lost"
Those who compared their bosses to Sam Malone and Jack Shephard seemed to luck out in the boss department. Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder.com, says that Sam Malone is often associated with being fun and amicable and Jack Shephard is associated with being smart and caring. Those with bosses like Simon Cowell or Michael Scott, however, aren't quite as fortunate, as these types are often judgmental and idiotic, respectively.
Let's hope no one can compare their bosses to the following TV characters, who we think are among the worst bosses on TV today.
Jan Levinson -- "The Office"
Sure, Michael Scott's incompetence, insensitivity and childish antics make him a terrible boss at Dunder-Mifflin's Scranton branch, but only a terrible boss would let him get away with such behavior in the first place. Enter Jan Levinson, Michael's supervisor from corporate headquarters who fails time and again to stop Michael from embarrassing both her and the company with his inappropriate -- and often offensive -- behavior. And with a track record that includes getting drunk during a business meeting at Chili's and carrying on a fling with her supervisee, Jan herself is far from the model of appropriate workplace behavior.
Jack Donaghy -- "30 Rock"
Often on the receiving end of his backhanded compliments and the witness to his underhanded business dealings, television writer Liz Lemmon puts up with studio executive Jack Donaghy's unprofessional behavior only because arguing with him is a hapless pursuit. With his slick tongue and faulty logic, Jack can and does get away with an array of employee abuse, from changing the name of the show behind Liz's back to making Liz pose as his girlfriend in order to make his ex-wife jealous.
Bob Kelso -- "Scrubs"
Bob Kelso, the gruff chief of medicine for Sacred Heart hospital, never misses the opportunity to disparage, insult, undermine or humiliate his colleagues. Although one could argue that beneath the cold exterior lies a man who truly respects his co-workers, it doesn't change the fact that Kelso's cutting remarks -- whether he means them or not -- are total morale killers.
Ben Linus -- "Lost"
Evil genius or saint in disguise? While viewers may enjoy trying to figure out which one of these personas is the real Ben Linus, apparent leader of the Others, the guessing game is torture for his underlings. Though Ben claims to be a good guy doing what is best for the island and its inhabitants, it doesn't help his case that he has homicidal tendencies, a flair for manipulation and takes orders from a mysterious and violently temperamental being named "Jacob," whom only he can see.
Ari Gold -- "Entourage"
As Vincent Chase's ruthless and smarmy agent in "Entourage," Ari is a savvy businessman who keeps his clients happy (for the most part), and his employees miserable. Although his assistant Lloyd bears the brunt of Ari's sarcastic comments, violent tantrums and ethnic and homophobic slurs, no one at the Miller-Gold agency is safe from Ari's caustic behavior.
Whilelmina Slater -- "Ugly Betty"
Along with humility and a warm disposition, morals are not MODE magazine Creative Director Whilelmina Slater's strong suit. Intent on becoming editor-in-chief, a position she feels is rightfully hers, Whilelmina doesn't care what it takes or who it hurts in order to get her way. Her questionable behavior includes attempting to sabotage the current editor-in-chief, trying to manipulate MODE's hospitalized owner and seducing the chairman of the publishing house.
Gordon Ramsay -- "Hell's Kitchen"
As well-known for his, um, unconventional management style as for his cooking talents, Chef Gordon Ramsay is arguably one of the worst bosses on television. Sure, who doesn't lose their tempers every once in a...10 minute period? And some people use much more colorful language than others to express themselves. Still, it's bad enough that Ramsay's harsh critiques are witnessed by all of America; when he picks on something other than one's cooking abilities (such as calling someone a "chunky monkey"), that's just taking a cheap shot. Shame.
TV's Worst Bosses
By Mary Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com writer
If you were to compare your boss to a television character or reality show host, who would it be? CareerBuilder.com and Harris Interactive recently surveyed more than 5,700 workers nationwide to see which TV boss -- past or present -- most reminds them of their own. The most popular responses follow.
* Sam Malone from "Cheers"
* Charlie from "Charlie's Angels"
* Judge Judy Sheindlin from "Judge Judy"
* Donald Trump from "The Apprentice"
* Simon Cowell from "American Idol"
* Mr. Burns from "The Simpsons"
* Miranda Bailey from "Grey's Anatomy"
* Michael Scott from "The Office"
* Tyra Banks from "America's Next Top Model"
* Jack Shephard from "Lost"
Those who compared their bosses to Sam Malone and Jack Shephard seemed to luck out in the boss department. Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder.com, says that Sam Malone is often associated with being fun and amicable and Jack Shephard is associated with being smart and caring. Those with bosses like Simon Cowell or Michael Scott, however, aren't quite as fortunate, as these types are often judgmental and idiotic, respectively.
Let's hope no one can compare their bosses to the following TV characters, who we think are among the worst bosses on TV today.
Jan Levinson -- "The Office"
Sure, Michael Scott's incompetence, insensitivity and childish antics make him a terrible boss at Dunder-Mifflin's Scranton branch, but only a terrible boss would let him get away with such behavior in the first place. Enter Jan Levinson, Michael's supervisor from corporate headquarters who fails time and again to stop Michael from embarrassing both her and the company with his inappropriate -- and often offensive -- behavior. And with a track record that includes getting drunk during a business meeting at Chili's and carrying on a fling with her supervisee, Jan herself is far from the model of appropriate workplace behavior.
Jack Donaghy -- "30 Rock"
Often on the receiving end of his backhanded compliments and the witness to his underhanded business dealings, television writer Liz Lemmon puts up with studio executive Jack Donaghy's unprofessional behavior only because arguing with him is a hapless pursuit. With his slick tongue and faulty logic, Jack can and does get away with an array of employee abuse, from changing the name of the show behind Liz's back to making Liz pose as his girlfriend in order to make his ex-wife jealous.
Bob Kelso -- "Scrubs"
Bob Kelso, the gruff chief of medicine for Sacred Heart hospital, never misses the opportunity to disparage, insult, undermine or humiliate his colleagues. Although one could argue that beneath the cold exterior lies a man who truly respects his co-workers, it doesn't change the fact that Kelso's cutting remarks -- whether he means them or not -- are total morale killers.
Ben Linus -- "Lost"
Evil genius or saint in disguise? While viewers may enjoy trying to figure out which one of these personas is the real Ben Linus, apparent leader of the Others, the guessing game is torture for his underlings. Though Ben claims to be a good guy doing what is best for the island and its inhabitants, it doesn't help his case that he has homicidal tendencies, a flair for manipulation and takes orders from a mysterious and violently temperamental being named "Jacob," whom only he can see.
Ari Gold -- "Entourage"
As Vincent Chase's ruthless and smarmy agent in "Entourage," Ari is a savvy businessman who keeps his clients happy (for the most part), and his employees miserable. Although his assistant Lloyd bears the brunt of Ari's sarcastic comments, violent tantrums and ethnic and homophobic slurs, no one at the Miller-Gold agency is safe from Ari's caustic behavior.
Whilelmina Slater -- "Ugly Betty"
Along with humility and a warm disposition, morals are not MODE magazine Creative Director Whilelmina Slater's strong suit. Intent on becoming editor-in-chief, a position she feels is rightfully hers, Whilelmina doesn't care what it takes or who it hurts in order to get her way. Her questionable behavior includes attempting to sabotage the current editor-in-chief, trying to manipulate MODE's hospitalized owner and seducing the chairman of the publishing house.
Gordon Ramsay -- "Hell's Kitchen"
As well-known for his, um, unconventional management style as for his cooking talents, Chef Gordon Ramsay is arguably one of the worst bosses on television. Sure, who doesn't lose their tempers every once in a...10 minute period? And some people use much more colorful language than others to express themselves. Still, it's bad enough that Ramsay's harsh critiques are witnessed by all of America; when he picks on something other than one's cooking abilities (such as calling someone a "chunky monkey"), that's just taking a cheap shot. Shame.
