Actress Calls Out ‘The Office’ Over ‘Problematic’ Portrayal Of Asian American Character

An Asian American actress who had a small part in an episode of “The Office” has condemned the NBC show for its “problematic” portrayal of Asians.

In an episode that aired in 2007, “A Benihana Christmas,” Kat Ahn plays the role of one of two Asian Benihana waitresses who are taken back to the office by Michael Scott, played by actor Steve Carell. During the episode, Carell’s character cannot tell the two women apart, telling other male charters on the show, “You know how all waitresses look alike.” He also puts a black mark on one of the women’s arms to differentiate between the two.