The Office is an Emmy Award-winning American television comedy that debuted on NBC as a midseason replacement on March 24, 2005. The show is about the day-to-day lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company. Although fictional and scripted, the show takes the form of a documentary, with the presence of the camera often acknowledged.
Based on the British series of the same name, it was developed for American audiences by producer Greg Daniels, of Saturday Night Live, King of the Hill and The Simpsons fame. Original series creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have production credits on the show, but they are not otherwise involved on a regular basis, although the producers do send various scripts to the pair for suggestions and critiques. The two also wrote an episode for the show's current season.
It is co-produced by Greg Daniels' Deedle-Dee Productions and Reveille Productions, in association with NBC Universal Television Studio. The show is currently broadcast by NBC in the United States, Global TV in Canada, Channel 6 in Ireland, ITV2 in the United Kingdom, Star World in the Asia Pacific region and Channel Ten in Australia. In Saudi Arabia and Arab World the show is broadcasted by Showtime Arabia Paramount Comedy Channel and Paramount Comedy Channel +2. In Latin America, the show is broadcasted by the FX Network. In Singapore, The Office airs on Star World. On January 17, 2007, NBC President Kevin Reilly announced that The Office has been renewed for a full fourth season to air Fall 2007 - Spring 2008.
Creation
After the original British series won two Golden Globes, a U.S. version of The Office was commissioned by NBC. Though it retains the same title and premise, the U.S. version of the show has a new cast and crew and changes the locale to Scranton, Pennsylvania. NBC has described it as a faster-paced version of the original; Gervais jokingly said before the premiere that it would probably have actors with better teeth.[3] The first season of the show had a run of just six episodes. To write the series, the producer hired four writers; Michael Schur, B.J. Novak, Paul Lieberstein and Mindy Kaling. In addition, he hired two consulting producers, Lester Lewis and Larry Wilmore.
The second season brought three new writers: Jennifer Celotta, and the screenwriting team of Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg. Paul Feig, of Freaks and Geeks, directed some of the episodes and Ken Kwapis, who established his ability with the genre in The Larry Sanders Show and Malcolm in the Middle, directed the pilot and has produced/directed several episodes.
Casting
All original series characters were renamed and re-cast for the American version. When producer Ben Silverman approached NBC with the concept, network programmer Kevin Reilly suggested Paul Giamatti take the lead role of Michael Scott, but the actor declined. Other interested actors included Martin Short, Hank Azaria and Bob Odenkirk. In January 2004, Variety reported Steve Carell of the popular Comedy Central program The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, was in talks to play the role. At the time, Carell was already committed to an NBC midseason replacement comedy, Come to Papa, but the series was quickly canceled, leaving him fully committed to The Office. Carell later stated he had only seen about half of the original pilot episode of the British series before he auditioned. He didn't continue watching for fear that he would start copying Gervais' characterizations. Rainn Wilson, who was cast as the power-hungry sycophant Dwight Schrute, had watched every episode of the series before he auditioned. Wilson had originally auditioned for Michael (which he referred to as a terrible Gervais impersonation); however, the casting directors liked his audition as Dwight much more and hired him for the role.
John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer were virtual unknowns before being cast in their respective roles as Jim and Pam, the central love interests. Krasinski recalls insulting Daniels while waiting to audition for the series, stating he "hoped they don't screw this up" like they had so many other British adaptations before (Coupling, Men Behaving Badly), not realizing Daniels was the developer of the current series until Daniels told him. Fischer prepared for her audition by looking as boring as possible, creating the current Pam hairstyle at her first audition for the show.
The shots of Scranton in the opening credits were filmed by star John Krasinski and two of his friends before production began on the series. They shot the footage from their Jeep with the camera outside the sunroof. Jay Ferguson composed the theme song.
The supporting cast includes actors known for their improv work: Angela Kinsey, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Melora Hardin and David Denman. Writer / performer Novak stated, "[Daniels] hired people who he knew were improv people who could bring their own ideas to the role." Some minor players came to be as a result of interesting casting choices. Angela Kinsey originally auditioned for the role of Pam Beesly. After her auditions, the producers thought she was "too feisty" for the character, but they later called her back for the part of Angela Martin, which she won. Baumgartner originally auditioned for Stanley (where he met Leslie David Baker, who ended up with the role), but was eventually cast as Kevin. Phyllis Smith, who plays Phyllis Lapin on the show, was working as a casting associate on the show when the pilot's director, Ken Kwapis, had her read the scripts with the actors. He took such a liking to how she read that he had her join the cast.
Ed Helms, Chip Esten and Rashida Jones were added as cast members for season three. In February 2007, NBC announced that Helms was being promoted to a series regular.
Three of the show's writers were also cast as regular performers: B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling and Paul Lieberstein. Novak was seen by Daniels doing stand-up comedy and was cast as reluctant temp Ryan Howard and Lieberstein was cast as HR Director Toby by Novak's suggestion after his cold readings of scripts. Greg Daniels originally wasn't sure where to use Kaling, who is an Indian-American, on screen in the series until the point came in the second episode's script where Michael needed to be slapped by a minority. Kaling's character is memorable–not because she’s Indian, but because she is chatty, upbeat and generally irritating. "Since (that slap), I've been on the show" (as the chatty Kelly Kapoor), Kaling stated in a February 2006 interview. Steve Carell has also written one episode (the season 2 finale).
Other members of the writing and production staff have made cameo appearances: Michael Schur plays Dwight's cousin Mose, Larry Wilmore played Mr. Brown in "Diversity Day" and in "Gay Witch Hunt." Greg Daniels made an appearance as Michael's new neighbor in "Office Olympics," and writing team Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky play Bob Vance's delivery men in "Valentines Day" and are in a deleted scene from the "Drug Testing" episode.
In mid-July 2006, executive producer Ben Silverman stated that Mackenzie Crook, Martin Freeman and Lucy Davis from the British version of The Office will put in appearances in another episode in the third season. However, producer Kent Zbornak revealed at a University of Southern California panel discussion on "The Office" at the end of that month that, unfortunately due to scheduling conflicts, the actors are no longer planned to appear in the third season. B.J. Novak confirmed the scheduling conflicts in an August 27 interview, but stated they still intend to include the British cast in some way, although it won't be how they had originally intended. He also would not say if the British actors will be playing their original characters.
Dunder-Mifflin may allude to the relationship between the Pennsylvania Paper & Supply Company's tower, shown during the opening theme, and its location in downtown Scranton near the northeast end of Mifflin Avenue. To coincide with the Season 3 premiere, an Office edition of Scranton's entertainment paper contained an interview with the real paper company's president, who said "They're (Dunder-Mifflin) more of a printing-paper company while we're a personal-service paper company - paper towels, packaging, toilet tissue. ... We have very little resemblance to the Dunder-Mifflin paper company. Put that in caps: VERY LITTLE."
Characters
Michael Scott The Scranton branch Regional Manager for the Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company. Michael thinks he is the life of the office, but his employees merely tolerate his foolish, and often inappropriate behavior. Although he misinterprets the context of nearly every situation, and can be unwittingly mean, Michael is actually quite lonely. Ironically, his incompetency in social interactions at the office contrasts sharply with his talent as a salesman.
Jim HalpertThe #2 in the office, is a friendly easy-going sales representative who spends a lot of time playing practical jokes on his deskmate Dwight Schrute. Jim often instigates drama in the office, not out of malice, but rather due to sheer boredom. Jim spends his time making the most of the "make work" mentality of the office. He has a crush on office receptionist and close friend Pam Beesly, and applied for and accepted a transfer to Dunder-Mifflin's Stamford branch after expressing his feelings for her in the Season 2 finale. After returning to Scranton in Season 3, Jim began dating fellow Stamford recruit, Karen Filippelli.
Pam Beesly The office receptionist; after being engaged to Roy Anderson for three years, Pam broke it off with him between Season 2 and 3. As best friends, Pam and Jim frequently share jokes and have similar senses of humor, often playing practical jokes on Dwight or Andy together. Pam frequently finds herself the target of Michael's insensitive banter, which contributes to her constant sense of dissatisfaction with her job. Pam is a talented artist and wishes one day to become an illustrator.
Dwight Schrute #3 in the office, holds the title of "Assistant (to the) Regional Manager" before a promotion allowed him to drop "to the", however, Dwight's actual position title is Sales Representative. He takes any job he is given extremely seriously and treated his volunteer deputy sheriff position and his sempai designation at the local dojo as testament to his character. There is an ongoing rivalry between Jim and Dwight, whose differing personalities often cause them to be at odds with each other. Dwight is secretly dating Angela, despite his bizarre behavior and her general intolerance. His pet name for her is "Monkey". At the end of the episode "Traveling Salesman" in Season 3, Dwight resigns, after his bitter rival Andy Bernard turns Michael against him. However, Michael eventually asks him to come back after realizing Andy was only sucking up to him.
Ryan Howard began at Dunder-Mifflin as a temp and worked his way up to sales. He is often the one that Michael sends on personal errands, probably because Michael sees Ryan's time as something merely to be filled up. Michael may also have some kind of odd man-crush on Ryan because according to Michael, Ryan is "hottest in the office". Ryan is involved with Kelly, though the audience, and even Ryan himself, is not really sure why. It often appears that Ryan is thinking more than he is saying, and often openly defies Michael. Though becoming a permanent employee of Dunder-Mifflin in Season 3, Ryan remains unsatisfied with his career, and attends business school in the evening.
Sales & Accounting
The accounting department includes the uptight Angela Martin, who has no tolerance for any horseplay in the office. Angela usually refuses to participate in anything fun going on in the office, especially if it falls outside the scope of work and constantly points out what others are doing wrong in the office. She is single, although she secretly dates Dwight, and has been alluded to be an "uptight Christian" by Roy. Additionally, there is Kevin Malone, a slow-witted, overweight man who revels in juvenile humor. Kevin is typically the master of stating the obvious and will typically follow along with any "fun" activity his office mates propose.
Oscar is a well mannered, articulate Hispanic man who is gay, but his homosexuality has not always been known to his co-workers. This often made him a regular victim of Michael's off-hand comments, though he is one of the few who vocally protests them. There is the stern salesman Stanley Hudson, who resents his job and does not like having to put up with Michael's nonsense. Stanley often openly refuses to do nearly everything Michael asks of him if he deems it stupid. Stanley sits near the kleptomaniac, aging free-spirit Creed (played by musician Creed Bratton, formerly of The Grass Roots). Michael attempted to fire Creed during season two, but Creed smooth talked his way out of it and manipulated Michael into firing another employee. The timid Phyllis Lapin is a middle-aged woman who is married to local businessman Bob Vance, of Vance Refrigeration, which shares office space with Dunder-Mifflin at the Scranton Business Park. She is quite soft spoken but seems to consider herself "one of the girls" along with Pam and Kelly. Phyllis is always game for blowing off work despite her quiet demeanor.
The bubbly and talkative Kelly Kapoor, the customer service representative, is the office gossip and typically corners her quieter co-workers in the breakroom with inane chatter about celebrities. Kelly talks like a Southern California valley girl. There is also the depressed alcoholic single mother Meredith Palmer, whose trademark is whipping out her flask at inopportune times during the work day. She also works with customer service.
Corporate & Warehouse
The melancholy Human resources director Toby Flenderson is often the target of Michael's unusually cruel comments, largely because he usually just sits and takes them. Toby often tries to step in and correct Michael's poor personnel skills, but is typically ignored. Other characters outside the office include Michael's frustrated corporate boss, Jan Levinson; the crude and party-going sales representative, Todd Packer; Michael's real estate agent and casino night date, Carol Stills (played by Steve Carell's wife, former "Saturday Night Live" and "Daily Show" actress Nancy Walls); and Roy's oafish co-workers in the warehouse, Darryl, Madge, and Lonny.
Season 1
The first season featured 6 episodes that began airing on March 24, 2005 and finished on April 26. The first episode of the U.S. series contains many scenes borrowed almost word for word from the first episode of the British series, with names and cultural references changed and a few small extra scenes. Ryan the temp is hired by Dunder-Mifflin in this season, but everyone else in the office has been working there for quite some time.
Since the series was a mid-season replacement, only six episodes were filmed for the first season, so few new elements were established. Besides the continuing love story, the main plot action of this season turns on the news that Dunder-Mifflin's corporate headquarters plan to downsize and the Scranton branch of Dunder-Mifflin faces a possible closure. Although Michael avoids the subject, rumors about the possible downsizing quickly spread around the office.
In the final episode of the season, Jim begins dating Katy, a purse saleswoman who has visited the office, to Pam's subtle concern.
Season 2
This was the first full season for the show that included 22 episodes originally airing from September 20, 2005 to May 11, 2006. First season plots continued and new plots emerged.
Jim/Pam: At an office awards dinner ("The Dundies") held at a local Chili's restaurant, Pam gets drunk and in a moment of excitement (and in the absence of her fiance) kisses Jim on the lips. Although things end comically after that, Jim ends the night with a smile on his face. He tussles with her at an office outing to a karate dojo, but Pam suddenly breaks off when she sees Meredith watching them, making their office friendship briefly awkward. Jim makes his Secret Santa Christmas gift to Pam less personal before she receives it by removing the card (it is heavily implied, but never stated, that Jim declared his true feelings for Pam on the card). A big turning point in the season occurs on the office's "booze cruise," with Jim at last intending to reveal his feelings to Pam. Unfortunately, before he can do this, Roy publicly sets their wedding date for June 10. Jim is crushed, and breaks up with Katy the same night. He also reveals his feelings for Pam to a similarly crushed (but for very different reasons) Michael, who tells him not to give up if he really cares for her. Unfortunately, Michael quickly spills Jim's secret to the other employees. Jim acknowledges the rumour to Pam, but pretends that he's long since gotten over his crush. Michael hints differently when Pam approaches him about it, leaving her unsure of the status of their relationship. Meanwhile, Jan discovers that Pam has a talent for art and lets her know about a graphic arts internship with the company in New York City, and while she is encouraged to pursue the venture by Jim, Roy quickly negates the idea. Jim plans a vacation to Australia, deliberately timed to overlap with Pam's wedding date, much to her disappointment. After Jim unintentionally upsets Pam and laments how he spends his days at the office, he applies for a vacant sales position at Dunder-Mifflin Stamford, unbeknownst to his Scranton co-workers. The season culminates with Jim telling Pam he is in love with her. The two kiss, ending the episode and the second season, with Pam's feelings still unclear.
Michael: Michael also develops love interests of his own in the second season. He purchases a condo and meets real estate agent Carol Stills. After Michael and Jan close a deal with a new client at a Chili's, Michael and the recently-divorced Jan share a kiss in the parking lot, igniting Michael's interest. Michael attends a company meeting in New York regarding downsizing and another branch manager surprisingly gives an even worse presentation than his. Jan again kisses Michael as he leaves and it's again caught on camera, much to her embarrassment. A video of his childhood television appearance causes Michael to regret being a childless bachelor. At his self-planned, ice rink, surprise birthday party, Michael runs into Carol, his real estate agent, and entertains her children. In the season finale, Michael is caught in an awkward encounter with both Jan and Carol, but Jan leaves Casino Night in an unusual show of jealousy because of Carol. It is also hinted that Jan planned to stay the night at Michael's.
Besides those, two more office relationships begin this season. When Jim throws a party, a new relationship between Dwight and Angela is revealed, though none of their co-workers (except Pam) have observed it. Kelly develops a crush on Ryan and pursues him, while he quickly begins to regret "hooking up" with her the day before Valentine's Day. The Dwight-Angela relationship slowly evolves throughout the season. Kelly and Ryan begin an undefined relationship, with Ryan wanting something very casual and Kelly wanting something much more long term — leaving both parties unsatisfied.
Other minor plot points of the season include: Michael's best friend Todd Packer (previously only heard in phone calls) makes his first appearance in the office; the staff is introduced to Phyllis's boyfriend Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration at the Christmas party; it is revealed that Oscar is a closeted gay man (but no one in the office is aware); Dwight retires his volunteer Sheriff Deputy duties following shameful acts, but Michael makes him Honorary Security Supervisor for the branch to make up for it; Kevin's Police (originally Steve Miller) tribute band "Scrantonicity" is revealed, when Pam views a video they've sent her auditioning to play at her wedding. Kevin plays "Vox/Percussion" in the band, according to the tape, and he is hired by Roy later on in the episode.
Season 3
The third season will have a total of 22 episodes that began airing on September 21, 2006.
Since the events of season two, Jim accepted Pam's intentions to marry Roy and transferred to the Stamford branch. Pam got cold feet shortly before the wedding, and ended her relationship with Roy; she has since moved into her own apartment and tried dating again for a brief time. Roy hit rock bottom with a drunk driving arrest, and resolved to win Pam back. Michael continued dating Carol, as Dwight and Angela have continued to keep their relationship a secret. Phyllis and Bob Vance got engaged, while Ryan, still with Kelly, was promoted to Jim's position. Oscar was outed as a homosexual by Michael and received 3 months of paid vacation and a company car as a result.
Despite becoming more productive since the transfer, even earning a promotion, Jim has trouble fitting in at Stamford. He begins a friendship with co-worker Karen, however, and she develops a crush on him. He also finds himself at odds with a very temperamental co-worker, Andy. Late one night, Jim attempts to reach Kevin's voice mail, not expecting Pam to be working. Instead, they have a conversation long after their respective offices have emptied. At a Diwali festival, Pam breaks off friendly conversation with a man to text message Jim. He is drunk and unable to respond at the time. During the same Diwali festival, Michael is inspired on his ninth date with Carol to propose marriage, who rejects and leaves. Heartbroken, he is joined by Pam, who is still waiting for Jim to respond. Michael misreads the moment as a cue to kiss her, but she quickly rebuffs him. Carol soon breaks up with Michael shortly after he prepares an all-inclusive holiday trip to Jamaica.
In fear of the branch's future, Angela insists to Dwight he propose taking over the branch to Jan. Jan instead alerts Michael to the betrayal, leading he and Dwight to eventually reconcile. Jan reveals that Dunder-Mifflin Scranton is to be absorbed into the Stamford branch, as Stamford head Josh Porter is valued as a future prospect within the company. Josh uses this to leverage a job at Staples, which causes a reversal of the decision. The Stamford staff is instead dissolved into Scranton. Jim eventually decides to return to his original branch, though only after Karen expresses interest in joining him; the two begin dating before arriving in Scranton.
As the merger takes place, Dwight and Andy compete for the unofficial "number-two" position, until Jim is given the official position and a pay raise. The 5 new employees detest Michael's management style, and two of them soon quit due to his behavior. A third leaves because she needs more time for her children, leaving Karen and Andy as the remaining new members from Stamford. Michael returns after his trip to Jamaica, and immediately reveals by e-mail with attached photographic proof that Jan accompanied him there. Seemingly unaware of the e-mail, which is being passed around the company like wildfire, Jan decides to continue an affair with Michael. When Angela misses the corporate deadline to hand in an important form, Dwight secretly drives to Dunder-Mifflin headquarters in New York to hand it in personally. Andy separately learns of Dwight's attempt to usurp Michael, and steals Dwight's car keys. Finding a New York tollbooth receipt from the car, he shows this to Michael to imply Dwight's further betrayal. Michael demands to know the truth about Dwight's trip, but as Angela does not want their relationship made public, Dwight opts to resign instead.
As Andy's annoying antics intensify in Dwight's absence, Michael regrets letting Dwight leave, and hires him back after Angela reveals why he drove to New York, though misinterpreting Dwight's motive as intense loyalty to the company. The office party for Oscar's return transforms into a welcome back party for Dwight, and Andy is sent to anger management after violently reacting to the aforementioned cell phone prank; in the end punching a hole in the wall. Jim slowly returns to his friendship with Pam and their office pranks, but when he and Karen have an argument over the latter's living arrangements, Pam regretfully helps the two reunite; she shortly ends up crying in the hallway. Karen learns of Jim's previous crush on Pam from Phyllis, and her concern develops when, after declining Jim's invitation first, he works with Pam to hide Andy's cell phone. Karen confronts Jim twice, before he admits to still having feelings for Pam. Karen also confronts Pam about her and Jim's past, and she stumbles while denying feelings for Jim. During Phyllis' wedding, Pam becomes depressed amongst ideas blatantly lifted from her own canceled wedding, and after seeing Jim dance with Karen, shares a quiet dance with Roy outside. The two end up leaving together.
Season 4
NBC ordered a full fourth season consisting of 30 half-hour segments, ten of which are combined to form five one-hour episodes, creating 25 episodes overall. After eight episodes were filmed, production was suspended due to the Writers Guild of America Strike.
Jim and Karen broke up following the job interview, and despite her vow to remain at Dunder-Mifflin Scranton, Karen cleans out her desk and transfers to the Utica branch, where she is the Regional Manager. Pam and Jim attempt to keep their relationship status a secret; however, they are confronted by the documentary crew's footage of them kissing and admit that they are dating. Michael and Jan are now living together, Jan showing her controlling and territorial characteristics more than ever. Angela breaks up with Dwight when he chooses to euthanize her sick cat without permission. She resists Dwight's attempts to win her back, and soon after begins dating Andy to make him jealous.
Michael accidentally hits Meredith with his car, leaving her with a cracked pelvis. At the hospital, it is revealed that Meredith may have contracted rabies from an animal bite. Ryan, in his new role, begins an initiative for a website and other technological advances for Dunder Mifflin which meets with hostile resistance from Michael and, later, Dwight. Kelly dates Darryl in an attempt to make Ryan jealous. In the latest episode, Jan asked Michael to testify against Dunder Mifflin in an attempt to sue them for wrongful termination. In the end, Michael chooses the company over her yet they still appear to stay together.
Deleted Scenes
Unlike many other producers, Greg Daniels considers deleted scenes to be part of the show's story line. "For the writers, in our minds, those scenes have happened. We wrote them, we shot them, and at the last minute, I cut them in the editing room, but we're relying on them anyway for the mythology of the show."
In an experiment, a deleted scene from "The Return" was made available over nbc.com and iTunes that explained the absence of a character over the next several episodes. Daniels hoped that word of mouth among fans would spread the information, but eventually considered the experiment a failure. When the episode was re-run, it was re-cut to restore the missing scene.
Theme Song
The theme song for The Office was written by Jay Ferguson and performed by The Scrantones. The theme song is played over the title sequence, which features some Scranton scenes and everyday tasks being performed by the cast and pictures and names of Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and B.J Novak. The current theme song and video premiered in the first episode and is still in use, although the video for the Steve Carell credit was changed between Season 1 and Season 2. Some episodes of the series use a shortened version of the theme song.
Critical Reviews
Before its first airing, the New York Daily News called it "so diluted there's little left but muddy water," and USA Today called it a "passable imitation of a miles-better BBC original." A Guardian Unlimited review panned its lack of originality, stating, "(Steve Carell) just seems to be trying too hard ... Maybe in later episodes when it deviates from Gervais and Merchant's script, he'll come into his own. But right now he's a pale imitation."
Reviews became more positive as the second season progressed. Come December, Time magazine remarked, "Producer Greg Daniels created not a copy but an interpretation that sends up distinctly American work conventions ... with a tone that's more satiric and less mordant. ... The new boss is different from the old boss, and that's fine by me." Entertainment Weekly echoed these sentiments a week later, stating, "Thanks to the fearless Steve Carell, an ever-stronger supporting cast, and scripts that spew American corporate absurdist vernacular with perfect pitch, this undervalued remake does the near impossible — it honors Ricky Gervais' original and works on its own terms."
Months later, The Onion's A.V. Club expressed its views on the show's progression: "After a rocky start, The Office improved immeasurably, instantly becoming one of TV's funniest, sharpest shows. The casting of Steve Carell in the Gervais role proved to be a masterstroke. The American Office is that rarest of anomalies: a remake of a classic show that both does right by its source and carves out its own strong identity."
Time magazine's James Poniewozik named it one of the Top 10 Returning Series of 2007, ranking it at #6.
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