Michael Schur Quotes

United States, Television Producer
October 29, 1975

Michael Herbert Schur is an American television producer, writer and actor, best known for his work on the NBC comedy series The Office (2005–2013), Parks and Recreation (2009–2015), which he co-created along with Greg Daniels, as well as The Good Place (2016–present), which he created. He also co-created the NBC comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–present). As an actor, Schur also made multiple appearances on The Office as Mose Schrute, the cousin of Dwight Schrute.

Also known as Writer, Actor

For storytelling purposes, there has to be conflict, but that doesn't mean the people have to be mean. I've never liked mean-spirited comedy.

Michael Schur
You can't achieve anything entirely by yourself. There's a support system that is a basic requirement of human existence. To be happy and successful on earth, you just have to have people that you rely on.

Michael Schur
- People
- Successful
- Humans

What's important on a comedy show, or any show, is that some stories have to go somewhere. There have to be ends to the beginnings and middles you create. But sometimes it's like a way station on the highway, then the actual thing doesn't have to be this giant, climactic, life-changing, game-changing thing.

Michael Schur
- Comedy
- Sometimes
- Giants
The best shows are always the ones that are very, very low-concept and just about great characters.

Michael Schur
- Character
- Concepts
- Lows
Sometimes you've got to just commit to the idea and press forward and trust that you made the right decision.

Michael Schur
I think if you're too concerned with being cool or hip or liked, you can't really make good TV because sincerity and coolness are opposites.

Michael Schur
I would far rather add a character who generates strong feelings than someone who just kind of floats along, generating medium-warmth smiles of gentle affirmation.

Michael Schur
You should be nice to people because it's better to be nice to people than mean to people, not because you think there's something in it for you.

Michael Schur
- People
- Thinking
- Mean

You really don't settle on an idea until you're really sure it's the best idea. Then once you settle on it you commit to it entirely. That was always the plan.

Michael Schur
- Plans
- Commit
- Settling
If the doors aren't open, just kick them in and keep walking.

Michael Schur
- Walking
- Doors
- Kicks