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Check out these Updates from Armchair Commentary for April 19, 2010.

Worst Co-Workers Ever: Don't Let These Characters Man the Desk April 19, 2010 Monday, April 19, marks the start of National Administrative Professionals Week. Back in the Stone Age, this was known as “Secretaries Day.” But we’re enlightened now and besides, it’s a nice way to say thanks to allsupport personnel. Just in case you need a little reminder of the nice things these folks around the workplace, here are a few characters who’ll really make you appreciate your co-workers. Mimi Bobeck from The Drew Carey Show: She of the clownish makeup and wardrobe, Mimi was constantly in a bitter, backstabbing battle with poor Drew. And she was funny as all get out. Kathy Kinney played the snarling, scheming Mimi from 1995-2004. What has Kathy been up to since then? She’s co-written a book, Queen of Your Own Life: The Grown-Up Woman's Guide to Claiming Happiness and Getting the Life You Deserve. Bartleby: Crispin Glover plays the office worker who’d “prefer not to” do anything in this 2001 movie based on Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville. No matter what task hapless boss (David Paymer) gives him, Bartelby retorts,  “I’d prefer not to.” And slowly drives his boss insane. It’s hard to get mad at Bartleby because Glover does a great job of turning him into a sympathetic character. Still, you wouldn’t want anyone to call you “Bartleby” behind your back. Lisa Sheridan in Obsessed: In this 2009 thriller, Ali Larter plays a temp worker who sets her cap for the very-married Derek Charles (Idris Elba from The Wire). Lisa is cuckoo-crazy convinced that Derek is in love with her and after a boozy tryst at the office Christmas party, she gets downright creepy in her pursuit of him. And guess who stands in her way? Derek’s wife Sharon (Beyonce Knowles), who puts up a pretty good fight. Karen Walker from Will & Grace: Emmy-winner Megan Mullally played the helium-voiced, pill-popping Karen from 1998 to 2006. Oh, she was fun to watch, but would you want to work with her? Think five-martini lunch. The show ran from 1998 to 2006 and Karen always had a well-timed put-down for her boss Grace (Debra Messing). Lois Sadler from Mad Men – In addition to mangling the switchboard at Sterling Cooper, Crista Flanagan, as the tipsy Lois, hops on a lawn tractor at an office party (indoors!) and cuts off a chunk of an exec’s foot. Think of all the stupid things you may have done at office parties in the past. Feel better now? Dennis Finch from Just Shoot Me – When it comes to David Spade, you either love him or hate him. I’m in the former category and a big fan of his Saturday Night Live days. From 1997 to 2003, Spade played Finch, assistant to the editor of Blush magazine. He was the source of all office gossip, held a black belt in sarcasm, and never missed a chance to try to make Maya Gallo (Laura San Giacomo) look bad. Finch was a skirt-chaser, a backstabber and a liar. And he was a hoot. The Copy Guy from Saturday Night Live: "Makin' copies! In the early '90s, Rob Schneider played Rich (The Richmeister, The Richenator, Richersooski) who sat next to the copy machine and ambushed anyone who was unfortunate enough to be “makin’ copies!” So as a way of saying thanks, how about baking some cookies or taking someone out to lunch this week? Things could be a lot worse. – Francine Ruley

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