As the class of 2025 is graduating and will be faced with new opportunities, some of Steve Carell's timeless humor and memorable moments have provided a relatable backdrop to the bittersweet moment of transitioning from college into the real world.
Why do I bring up Steve Carell in particular? Steve Carell is getting prepared to address Northwestern University’s 167th annual Commencement ceremony for the class of 2025 as a commencement speaker on June 15 and anticipation is building among students, faculty and staff. He will also receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts.
As an internal communications coordinator at Northwestern University who plays a part in bringing commencement to life, I am beyond excited. There was even an op-ed that was published in the student newspaper The Daily Northwestern.
In this op-ed, Troy Appel, who graduated in 2006, humorously expresses envy over Steve Carell being named the 2025 Commencement speaker and wishes he could graduate again to experience it.
Steve Carell is best known for playing Michael Scott in The Office and voicing Gru in Universal Pictures’ Despicable Me franchise.
Although Steve Carell is not known for starring in Disney films and shows, he did appear in an animated television series by Disney that aired on ABC from 2002 until 2004 and then Toon Disney on a show called Fillmore. This animated television series let Steve Carell appear as a guest star in the series finale in the episode "Field Trip of the Just." He voiced a character in the series’ extended cast.
In addition to that, Steve Carell played Dan in the film Dan in Real Life, a movie distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
However, Steve Carell made a notable appearance in the 2014 Disney comedy Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This film is based off of the book by Judith Viorst published in 1972.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day starred Steve Carell as the dad who played Ben, Jennifer Garner as the mom named Kelly, Ed Oxenbould as Alexander, along with Dylan Minnette as Anthony and Kerris Dorsey as Emily, his older siblings.
Alexander made a special birthday sundae the night before his birthday feeling both unrecognized and slightly envious, he quietly wished that his family would feel that bad today as he felt. He closed his eyes and wished on his birthday sundae that somehow this would occur.
To his surprise, as the day went on, there were small things that started going wrong for his family and he cursed his family into having a bad day. I decided to rewatch this film to prepare for Steve Carell's speech at Northwestern Universities commencemHere are eight lessons Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day taught me.
Bad days happen to everyone
It is time to play Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day” song. No matter how well things start, sometimes everything just goes wrong and that is okay. Even kids like Alexander and his family have days where nothing works out.
It’s okay to feel frustrated
Alexander and his family do not hide their feelings on having a bad day. The story reminds us that it’s normal to be upset when things don’t go your way. A scene depicting this is when the family argues after the minivan is destroyed after Anthony failed his driving test.
Not everything is in your control
From gum stuck in Alexander’s hair in the morning before he made the wish cursing his family to have a bad day to Ben’s arm catching fire in a job interview at a popular restaurant, the family is faced with challenges beyond their control, which is a valuable lesson in accepting what we can’t change.
You are not alone in your struggles
Even when it feels like you're the only one having a bad day, everyone has them. From the families chaotic morning shows it all. Emily woke up and had a cold on the same day as she was suppose to play Tinkerbell in the school play Peter Pan and to Kelly experiencing a work emergency with the publishing company she works with.
Family can be a source of comfort and frustration
Family can bring each other and tear each other up. This is evident when Ben has to take Trevor to a job interview since the babysitter cancelled last minute and Trevor ends up eating a green marker causing him to have a green mouth during the interview.
Perspective changes everything
Even when having a bad day, it always makes people think about all of the good things that are happening throughout the day. This is evident when Anthony decides to skip his high school junior prom date with Celia in exchange for spending time with his family.
It’s okay to talk about your bad day
Alexander narrates his whole experience, showing that expressing feelings is a healthy and necessary way to process tough times. This is also evident when Ben and Kelly are on the phone discussing how their days are going.
Tomorrow is a new day
The most important takeaway: even the worst day ends. There’s always another chance for a better one tomorrow. Having the chance to reflect on this is needed in order to grow.
All in all, viewers are whisked into a plot of mayhem and laughter in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. This film is a comedy similar to that of Freaky Friday as it touches on the aspect of having a bad day.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, released it featured a stellar cast similar to Disney’s 2011 film The Muppets with Jason Segal and Amy Adams alongside with numerous celebrity appearances.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible No Good, Very Bad Day is available on Disney+.