The Office is the show that made me funny; that’s what I say too. If you want to get funnier, watch The Office. Maybe skip a few episodes like Bob and Phyllis’ wedding. That would make us cringe. On the 24th of March, 2023, the show celebrated its 18th anniversary and fans took to social media to reminisce about their favorite episodes and moments from the show's nine seasons. Okay, just the seven seasons -- if you know, you know. To celebrate the amazing milestone of 18 years since its first episode aired on TV back in 2005, let's take a moment, or 10 moments to appreciate The Office and see why it is the World's Best Show.
For a show to achieve the brilliance that Office has managed to achieve, it usually takes not just a few characters but a perfect synthesis of writing, direction, and acting. The show's absolute hilarity is truly the result of accurate writing, spot-on comedic timing and the delivery of the lines by the exceptional cast. Here are ten scenes from the show that prove yet again, why The Office is the World's Best Show.
"Today, smoking is gonna save lives" (Stress Relief, 00:49) said no one ever, except Dwight Schrute. This iconic line paired with Dwight's serious face and the smoke in "Stress Relief" is one of the funniest moments in TV history. It's hard not to burst out laughing every time you watch it. This scene deserves a spot in the hall of fame for TV comedy moments. While the entire office grapples in fear, Kevin Malone, oh I'm sorry I meant Ashton Kutcher smashes the vending machine by throwing a chair at it. Oscar breaks into the ceiling while Angela takes out the cats that she hides in her desk drawer.
"The worst thing about prison is the dementors" (The Convict, 16:02) said not Michael Scott, but Prison Mike. All we need is a crossover between the two best fictional worlds - Harry Potter and Dunder Mifflin. In the episode "The Convict", Prison Mike (aka Michael Scott) tells the office about life in prison, including being "touched" by dementors, "They were flying all over the place and they were scary, and then they'd come down and they'd suck the soul out of your body, and it hurt" (The Convict, 16:08). Who would not want to see Michael in a Hogwarts robe, or more importantly how he deals with he who-must-not-be-named.
Jim and Pam's voicemail to each other - The show's subtle yet extremely beautiful romantic line begins initially with that of Jim and Pam's love story. In all the other shows by Michael Schur too, it's the character relationships and interactions that drive the story forward. These two main characters in The Office, unlike most other shows, do not struggle until the very end to establish a relationship with their partners but rather settle down into a loving relationship quite from the beginning. That's the case with Pam and Jim too. While Pam goes away to New York for an art school program, Jim is left behind in Scranton. On a regular day after work, they call each other only to find the other line busy, and they both leave voicemails for each other simultaneously saying the same things. If that didn't give you hope for love, I don't know what will.
4. Jim's teapot letter to Pam - All major Office fans know that the letter that features first during the Christmas gift exchange episode and then, in the finale once again. However, Legend says this was a letter by John Krasinski to Jenna Fischer, on their last day in the set. Although the contents of the letter are unknown, the emotions it invokes in Jim and Pam are undeniable. One of the most heart-warming moments of the show, it shows the depth of love and understanding Jim has for Pam, and how much he cherishes their relationship. Now, all we have to do is find a Jim and we're good to go!
5. Diversity Day - This scene from diversity day, is one of the most unapologetically funny scenes in the show, and personally was the driving force for me to commit to the series. While it is one of the most controversial episodes to this day, that is what makes the scene so good. It gives out a loud and clear message that comedy should just be viewed as comedy and not social commentary. Subtext apart, this is peak Michael and his obnoxious ideas to try to bring the office together and every line is funnier than the one before.
6. Pam's painting - To me, this is one of the most profound and defining scenes from the show. It makes you fall in love with Michael Scott as a character and vouches for the fact that he looks at the office members as his family. It’s one of those scenes that really take you by surprise (a pleasant one), especially when one would expect someone like jim who is love with pam, to show up. The Painting acts a Chekhov's gun, when Pam takes it away and gives everyone the final closure that is required.
7. "Not everything is a lesson, Ryan" (Initiation,15:26) – Dwight’s advice to Ryan is the piece of advice most of us need to hear too. The show goes across levels of hilarity and ends up as a life lesson too, from teaching us to not make controversial “that’s what she said” jokes to knowing exactly what to say when one is crushing down in failure – “Not everything is a lesson, Ryan. Sometimes, you just fail" (Initiation, 15:26).
8. Whoever vs. Whomever - As an English major, one of my favorite scenes from the show is the discussion on Whoever vs Whomever. It's unopposed the best conference room meeting where the entire office gets involved in the discussion. The ultimate banger in the scene is when they discuss where the object comes in whomever and whoever when Kelly says "Ryan used me as an object" ( Money, 21:33). The scene is packed with brilliant one-liners for each character; Oscar says "Obviously, it's a real world but I don't know when to use it correctly" (Money, 21:15) only for Michael to whisper to the camera "Not a native speaker" (Money, 21:18).
9. The most unforgettable scene, even for non-watchers has to be the dinner party when the couples are trapped at Michael and Jan's apartment. The awkwardness and tension in the air is palpable, as we watch Michael struggle to impress his guests while simultaneously making Jan happy. This is probably one of the scenes that is a 100% gold from begin to finish. Jan suspects Pam of having relations with Michael, she throws a Dundie award at Michael's Plasma TV and it ends with Michael sleeping over at Dwight's. It's incredible how a TV show can make us laugh, cry and feel all sorts of emotions.
10. Saving the last for the best, the best, best, best scene from the show is at the end of the show itself or rather an episode by itself. The finale of The Office is one that is so overwhelming, composing and somehow the best closure that one can ever get. It's in the finale that the lovebirds, Dwight and Angela get married in a barn (?) standing in their graves (?) to attend which Michael COMES BACK!! This is undoubtedly the scene that binds the show together, bringing both the cast and the fans close together. Michael too, we can rest assured, feels the same way when he says – “It’s like all my children grew up and married each other" (Finale, 36:00)
Now, I said I’d be done with 10 scenes but as I write my favorite scenes, I remember more. Here goes one more –
THREAT LEVEL MIDNIGHT - Threat Level Midnight is Michael Scott’s first home movie, starring everybody from The Office. It was a multiple year project finally airing in Season 7. After ten years of writing, re-writing, shooting, re-shooting and editing, Michael Scott released this film. Michael Scarn, the lead role of the film is one to save most NFL, NBA and MLB all-star games. Narrated by Stanley Hudson, the film is almost like a new Shawshank Redemption.
BEST LINES FROM THE SHOW
1. “I’m not superstitious but I am a little stitious." (Season 4, Fun-Run)
2. “And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” – Michael Scott (Season 5, Stress Relief: Part 1)
3. "’R' is among the most menacing of sounds. That's why they call it 'murder' and not 'mukduk.'” — Dwight Schrute (Season 6, Mafia)
4. "I am Beyoncé, always." – Michael Scott (Season 6, The Chump)
5. “That is sort of an oaky afterbirth.” – Michael Scott (Season 4, Dinner Party)
6. “Ultimatums are key. Basically nobody does anything for me unless I threaten to kill myself.” – Kelly Kapoor (Season 7, Classy Christmas)
7. “Jan is about to have a baby with a sperm donor. And, Michael is preparing for the birth of a watermelon with Dwight. Now, this baby will be related to Michael through...[draws a question mark] delusion.” – Jim Halpert (Season 5, Baby Shower)
8. “Who is Justice Beaver?” — Dwight Schrute (Season 7, Todd Packer) (Refering to Justin Bieber)
9. “People underestimate the power of nostalgia. Nostalgia is truly one of the greatest human weaknesses, second only to the neck.” — Dwight Schrute (Season 9, The Farm)
10. “My philosophy is basically this. And this is something that I live by. And I always have. And I always will. Don't, ever, for any reason, do anything, to anyone, for any reason, ever, no matter what, no matter where, or who you are with, or, or where you are going, or, or where you've been. Ever. For any reason. Whatsoever.” – Michael Scott (Season 5, The Duel)
In its entirety, The Office is an integral part of my life - I didn’t stumble across it on Comedy Central as I should have but I watched it on Netflix like the million others because of whom (who?) the show is ranked the most watched sitcom on Netflix. Also, it’s a clickbait that you would get funnier. I’m not funny.
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