Grudge Match: Michael vs. Jim ('The Office')

Photo by Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Steve Carell as Michael Scott on "The Office."

Photo by Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Steve Carell as Michael Scott on "The Office."

Photo by Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

John Krasinski as Jim Halpert on "The Office."

We compare two pop-culture subjects to see which you like better. To be included in next week's tally, go to www.Knoxville.com to vote for your favorite before noon on Monday. This week's match:

MICHAEL vs. JIM ("The Office")

This could be the ultimate office power play. Self-centered Michael Scott (Steve Carell) is threatened by his management peer, the sarcastic Jim (John Krasinski) on NBC's "The Office." They are both running the office, but their rivalry is making work difficult for everyone else. Who'd you rather work for?

RESUME

Michael: He's the head of a paper company's local branch, but you'd think he was king of the world.

Jim: A hard-working salesman who has been bumped up to a manager overseeing the office with Michael. His sarcasm can be a bit thick.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Michael: Wants everyone to be his friend first and his employee second ... or maybe even third or fourth. He must be liked, first and foremost!

Jim: He's the sensible one in management, though his fear of making the right decision - and letting his employees derail those decisions - is a huge problem.

PROS

Michael: With Michael, you know you can get your way because he wants your love more than your respect.

Jim: He's the clear thinker and will make for a smoothly run workplace.

CONS

Michael: Any decision he makes will cause chaos.

Jim: His decisions may be right, but he asks too many people for their input.

LAST WEEK: CONAN O'BRIEN vs. DAVID LETTERMAN

Our pick: Conan O'Brien. We don't think he's sleeping with his staff.

Your pick: Letterman eked out a win with 55 percent of your votes.

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