I really am trying not to post more than once a day, but this is actually relevant to April 15 (sort of).
Entertainment Weekly did a special Tax Day feature on their 15 favorite accountants from movies and TV. Now, mine is not a glamour profession, and I’m impressed they actually could find enough accountant/bookkeeper featured characters to make up such a list. Here’s who they came up with, in no apparent order – click the link above to read their reasons and comments.
Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley), Schindler’s List #
Loretta Castorini (Cher), Moonstruck #
Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), The Producers (original non-musical version – well, except for the Springtime for Hitler part) #
Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith), The Untouchables* # (but don’t remember this character at all…)
Louis Tully (Rick Moranis), Ghostbusters* #
Henry Sherman (Danny Glover), The Royal Tenenbaums #
Andy Barker (Andy Richter), Andy Barker, P.I. (no one watched this show, which is too bad…it was pretty darn funny for the short time it lasted) #
Albert Brennaman (Kevin James), Hitch
Jonathan Mardukas (Charles Grodin), Midnight Run
Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nunez), The Office #
Bud Baxter (Jack Lemmon), The Apartment
Mollie Jensen (Kirstie Alley), Look Who’s Talking #
Norm Peterson (George Wendt), Cheers* #
Frank Bigelow (Edmond O’Brien), D.O.A.
Milton Waddams (Stephen Root), Office Space* #
# means I’ve seen the movie/TV show
* means the character reinforces certain physical/behavioral stereotypes about accountants
I get the impression they had to reach a bit to come up with 15, and I’m frankly somewhat surprised and disappointed that there are so few from TV. I would have included Oscar’s accounting/payroll coworker at Dunder Mifflin, Angela Martin (Angela Kinsey) here too – I’m really bummed by how few women are on this list, and in real life I know more women in the field than men. Then again, Angela does reinforce another accountant stereotype – lousy people skills. But come to think of it, that applies to almost everyone in the Scranton branch…
My favorite on the list would be Louis Tully.
And your analysis of The Office was spot on!! I’m so glad it’s back!
Sunshine – Yeah, I think either him or Norm Peterson.
I’m right there with you on being glad that The Office is back – every week, it makes me feel a little bit better about my job. 🙂
Very funny. I love accountants… what would we do without them?
Also — I’m tagging you! I hope you’ve not done this one already (but maybe you could do it again?) It would be perfect for your blog anyway, so today’s meme is “what books have you been reading?” and here are the rules as I understand them.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
XXOO Almostgotit
Almostgotit – I think my profession probably defines “necessary evil” for a lot of people :-).
I’m answering your tag – my response to the meme will go up on Friday. I’ve seen it around and was debating whether to do it anyway.
Oh, I love Jack Lemmon! I still can’t believe I never seen The Apartment.
You’re an accountant? Wheeehhh… you must be feeling like taking a nap in the last couple of days.
My accountant sure looked like he could use one, especially after he spent sometime with anxious me.
Michele – I work for a nonprofit agency, so I don’t really have to deal with tax season. But we are in the midst of our annual audit, which is exhausting in its own way.
That’s a creative idea for a list. I don’t think I’m up to this issue of EW yet–I’m still an issue behind, but what else is new?
It is definitely a male heavy list, isn’t it? Most of the accountants I know are female. Except for Tony.
Literary Feline – It was inspired by Tax Day, as far as I can tell. It’s on EW.com, but it may be online only. I never seem to get around to reading the magazine any more myself, but Tall Paul reads me the highlights. 🙂