Though it hasn't yet been confirmed, based on the season 2 ending of Space Force, it seems likely the show will renew for a third season. An asteroid is headed straight for the earth and what does everyone do? Sing. The show succeeds in that it's taken a serious subject and turned it into a farce, something people can ire but also laugh at.
It's no secret that The Office) although Naird takes his job seriously, it doesn't mean there's no room for laughter and disruption in the workday.
When He Breaks Out In Song
Early in season 1, when Mark Naird is stressed about making a tough decision about whether or not to do the launch he locks himself in his office and breaks out into his own rendition of "Kokomo." His happy place fans assume?
Michael Scott is best known for his flair, of wanting to be the center of attention, and many times that means being the loudest in the room. Watching the "Kokomo" scene, fans can't help but think of Michael Scott singing off harmony for Creed's birthday, or doing his own version of "Goodbye Stranger" for Toby's going away party, or when he and Dwight create a welcome to the company rap about the electric city.
When China Takes Out The U.S. Satellite
In season 1 of Space Force, after the U.S. successfully get their Epsilon satellite into space, China works overtime to sabotage it, ripping away parts of the satellite. The episode ends with a disgruntled Mark Naird watching it happen through a telescope and shouting, "mother f***er!"
The level of anger Mark Naird experiences at this moment almost reminds fans of the time when, in The Office, Toby comes back from Costa Rica (minus the cursing). Let's not discount the times Michael Scott was known for his bleeping as well because when Michael gets angry in The Office, he gets angry. The audience always knows because he only ever raises his voice in moments of pure rage.
When He's Trying To Date
In season 1, after discussing an open relationship with his wife Maggie, Mark awkwardly asks an engineer named Kelly out on a date. She agrees and he explains he's both married and available, that he still loves his wife but maybe they shouldn't talk about his wife. He walks away but continues to add something both painfully awkward and inappropriate. It is like a car crash in that the audience can't look away, but they also want to yell at him to stop while he's ahead.
It's like looking into a mirror at many of Michael Scott's interactions with potential love interests: bar manager Donna, concierge Marie, purse saleswoman Katy, his boss Jan, on many s. Like Michael, Mark means well, but they both seem to suffer from a case of "foot in mouth."
His Nurturing Side
In "Save Epsilon 6!" Mark Naird comes home after an extremely stressful day to his sleeping teenage daughter, Erin, hunched over her trigonometry homework at the dining room table. He's tired, but he still has time to explain math to his daughter. It's a sweet, resonating moment for his character and it's not far off from his relationship with Erin Hannon in The Office.
When Michael Scott first meets Erin, he can't stand her. But the relationship comes a long way by the end of his time on the show when he tells her that she doesn't need a mom because she has his number. He may not always make the best decisions at work but both Mark and Michael step up when it comes to fathering or at least serving as a parental figure.
Hoodwinks Galore
In season 2, the scientists decide to start a prank war with the higher-ups. Mark Naird is angry but eventually relents and decides to in on the fun. He lures the scientists down to a floor of the building they've never been to and pretends to perform surgery on an alien.
It reminds fans of the times (nearly every episode) when Michael wants a reprieve from the workday and decides to either pull a prank or stick his face in wet concrete. Work can wait for the sake of a bit of fun.
His Receptionist Isn't The Brightest
Brad is one of Space Force's most hilarious characters in that he always seems to be "out to lunch." Fans wonder how he's made it this far. Sometimes the way Mark Naird speaks to his secretary Brad--in total disbelief that Brad is even qualified to be there--reminds audiences of Michael's relationship with his secretary Erin in The Office.
Brad and Erin may not be the sharpest, but they're both still dutiful number twos and always willing to step in where they can for their boss.
A Chimpanzee and A Dog
In the second episode of Space Force, Mark Naird decides the Epsilon satellite's fate is best determined in the hands of animals who can only respond to sign language. Scientist Yamato's idea is also swiftly shut down. If there's anyone else on the planet who would put a certain fate in the hands of a chimpanzee and a dog, it's Michael Scott.
Fans know that when Michael has an idea, no matter how impractical, he can't be deterred. The same can be said for Mark Naird. He ends up developing an emotional attachment with the animals (which makes fans think of how Michael Scott is known for his naivety and having a soft center). It's hard not to think of him in this hilarious Space Force scene.
His Divorce Announcement
When Mark Naird receives his divorce papers from Maggie, he begins blubbering in his office and accidentally puts himself over the Space Force headquarters loudspeaker. Everyone can hear him as he sobs incoherently.
While it's by complete accident in Space Force, it's a total nod to Michael Scott having a tendency to overshare information way too personal. Whether it's getting everyone in The Office involved with his romantic life time and time again or having the women help him break up with Jan, Michael Scott is known for always divulging too many details.
He Can Stand His Ground When He Needs To
In season 2 General Naird goes head to head with General Gao when he and his family are invited to Space Force to discuss delegations. Everyone is concerned he'll submit to Gao's demands, but instead, the two discuss family and children and come to an agreement in a peaceful way. In another episode, Naird reasons with the budget committee to explain the purpose of a very expensive orange.
Fans see this in Michael Scott too. He's able to swing his, Pam's, and Ryan's jobs back with full benefits after Dunder Mifflin absorbs The Michael Scott Paper Company. The Office's best CEO, David Wallace, often sees past his goofy sheen and recognizes the salesman who loves his job and the company he's worked so long for. When both Mark and Michael appeal to senses and human emotion, they succeed. This is when they're at their best.
His Employees Secretly Respect and ire Him
In the season 2 opener, Mark Naird has to answer for his decisions in the previous season in a congressional hearing with Grabaston and the Secretary of Defense. It goes terribly, with each person cracking under pressure and confessing too much information that could get him into trouble. However, the episode ends with letting Naird continue to run Space Force and the audience gets a scene that shows each of his employees having high and mighty things to say about him. The message is clear--underneath the frustrations and the arguments there is love and respect for their boss.
This is also seen in Michael Scott. He often crosses the line, upsetting his employees, but deep down there's some iration. In one of saddest episodes, "Goodbye, Michael," Jim even confirms it by telling Michael to his face that he's the best boss he's ever had.