Michael Scott, the character that Steve Carell plays on the NBC comedy, The Office, loves Chili's. Apparently, so did Mr. Carell until recently. While taking a humorous shot at Lebron James, the actor chose to proclaim on ESPN's ESPY Awards show that Outback Steakhouse is his new favorite restaurant.
Announcing his decision, Mr. Carell said he, "was taking his appetite to Outback Steakhouse. He added, "In a perfect world I'd be eating at Chili's constantly, but tonight, there's no rules ... Outback had the Bloomin' Onion and I needed to go there."
Stunned by this open act of betrayal, Chili's fired back with a letter on its Facebook page (taking a humorous shot at Cleveland Cavalier's owner Dan Gilbert).
Company president Wyman Roberts wrote, "Steve Carell's shameful display of selfishness and betrayal has shifted our 'motivation' to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels ... This shocking act of disloyalty from our homegrown 'funny man' sends the exact opposite flavor of what we would want our children to taste. And 'where' we would want them to go out and eat."
Mr. Wyman added, "I personally guarantee that Chili's menu items will be bolder and tastier than those of the self-titled 'steakhouse king.' You can take that to the smoker."
Discussion Questions: What do you think of Chili's response to Steve Carell's parody of Lebron James' announcement to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Miami Heat? Will this good-natured reply to Mr. Carell help the chain bring in more customers?