When ‘The Office’ wrapped on May 16, 2013, diehards were left with holes in their hearts. Yet, even to this day, the show is a cult classic and reruns are aplenty.
Now, six years after the show has wrapped, the cast has slowly spilled the beans on unknown facts and happenings that occurred behind the scenes. You won’t believe some of the shocking secrets they spilled…
Same Name
Creed Bratton shares a full name with his character on the show, and his character is actually loosely based on himself in real life.
Dunder Mifflin
Although Dunder Mifflin is not a real company, the Scranton Chamber of Commerce recognizes it because of the sheer amount of tourism it has given to the city of Scranton, PA.
Nine Seasons
The amazing show aired for nine seasons and 201 episodes, making the folks of Dunder Mifflin feel like family.
Better Call Saul
Bob Odenkirk, Saul Goodman of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, was originally cast as Michael. Right before they began filming, though, the switch was made to Steve Carell.
Forever & Ever
Jenna Fischer, who played Pam in the show, kept Pam’s engagement ring from Jim as a keepsake from her time spent with the cast filming this incredible show.
UK Roots
Ben Silverman, a producer from the show, saw an episode of the UK’s version of ‘The Office’ and it inspired the creation of an American show.
Can’t Unsee It
Phyllis Smith, who played Phyllis Vance on the show, was actually a burlesque dancer for seven years before she made her way into acting.
Change of Character
Originally, Oscar was not supposed to be gay, however, his character’s sexuality was a result of Michael Scott’s “Gay With Hunt” episode. Oscar was written to be homosexual to make him the target for that “witch hunt.”
Calling Out Sick
When The Office writers went on strike for a while, Steve Carell, who was part of the cast and writing team, called in sick to NBC stating “enlarged balls” as his illness.
Sorry Seth
Seth Rogen was amongst the candidates that auditioned for the role of Dwight.
Casting Director Casted
Phyllis Smith was actually the casting director for the show, but the producers and writers loved her so much that they wrote a role for her.
A Spinoff
The show “Parks and Recreation” was originally supposed to be a spinoff for ‘The Office” with Rashida Jones as the main character.
Amish-Inspo
Dwight’s wild Amish family was actually inspired by Rainn Wilson’s actual family. The beet farming storyline came from Greg Daniels’ grandparents, who owned a real-life beet farm.
Whoops
In “The Launch Party” episode, John Krasinski signs his real name instead of his characters’ name on Meredith’s pelvic cast.
Dwight No More
Originally, Dwight was supposed to leave season nine for a new spin-off, however, the show never actually got picked up. You know what they say if it ain’t broke…
New Pam
The beloved character of Pam Bees was almost played by Erica Vittina Phillips instead of Jenna Fischer.
1-800-Dentist
Angela Kinsey, the actress behind Angela Martin, was working for 1-800-Dentist before she was cast in “The Office.”
Surviving Season One
Season one actually was not a success and NBC almost cancelled it. However, Carell’s hilarious performance in ’40-Year-Old Virgin’ helped boost the popularity of ‘The Office.’
High School Mates
B.J. Novak, who plays Ryan Howard in the show, has known John Krasinski since they were young—they went to the same high school.
Back-Up Plan
Thinking the show might not be very successful, Oscar Nunez kept his other part-time jobs just in case.
Real Life Pregnancy
Jenna Fisher’s real-life pregnancy wasn’t an issue for the show writer’s as they had already planned to have Pam get pregnant in the show, too.
Flip Phone Footage
John Krasinski shot the opening footage of Scranton, PA with a flip phone, giving it that extra home-made feel.
Family Vibes
Jenna Fischer made Angela Kinsey the godmother of her daughter, Isabel.
Connected
The computers on set were all actually set up and connected to the Internet. Cast members admitted that when they were in the background of scenes they would be browsing the web and checking their emails while filming.
Booze Cruise
Lake Wallenpaupack is the lake where Michael took the cast on a wild mid-winter “Booze Cruise” in the second season.
Real Life Wife
Steve Carell’s wife, Nancy Walls, who he met in an improv class he taught, played Michael’s realtor and love interest, Carol Stills, on the show.
The Real Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard, BJ Novak’s character’s name, is actually the name of a former MLB player who used to play for the Scranton/Wilkes Red Baron team before he moved on the Philadelphia Phillies.
LA Code
In the opening credits of ‘The Office’ a highlighted section of the Los Angeles Municipal Code appears.
The Real Office
Season one was filmed in an actual office in Culver City, CA. In season 2 they moved to a soundstage and recreated every detail from season one’s location.
Dwight Scott
Rainn Wilson actually auditioned for the role of Michael Scott. Thank god it didn’t work out.
Mose the Creator
Mose, Dwight’s Amish cousin in the show, was the creator of both”Parks and Rec” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
Luanne the Unknown
The Office had a character named Luanne in the first three seasons, but she never said a word.
His Own Song
When Creed sang karaoke in Season 3 “A Benihana Christmas” he was actually singing his own hit song “Spinnin’ N Reelin’.”
SNL Homage
The famous line “Dwight, you ignorant slut” is an SNL reference from when Dan Aykroyd did the ‘Weekend Update.’
Expensive Proposal
Jim’s proposal to Pam was set in front of a replica rest stop that cost the production team $250,000 to build and film.
Improvised Kiss
When Michael kisses Oscar, it was originally written as a hug, but Carell improvised a kiss while filming to catch him by surprise.
The Office for PC
A PC game was created in 2007 for ‘The Office’ where players had to complete tasks and pull pranks.
Recreation Nation
The wedding flashback footage of Jim and Pam was actually a recreation during one of the last day’s of shooting—whoops!
Aw!
When John was cast as Jim he asked immediately if Jenna Fischer had been cast as Pam, and when Jenna got the news she had been cast, she asked if John had been cast. Swoon.
Jim’s Wig
John Krasinski was filming for Leatherheads simultaneously with season three. In the movie, he had to cut his hair, so when he was filming for ‘The Office” he wore a wig.
Above the Influence
Steve Carell only watched a few minutes of the UK version of the show so as to not be influenced too much by Ricky Gervais’s character. John, on the other hand, was really into the original show.
Toby’s First Appearance
Michael’s arch-nemesis, Toby Flenderson, was only supposed to appear in one episode because Paul Lieberstein didn’t consider himself an actor. But that all changed when NBC President Kevin Reilly saw the episode and said he should be featured in more.
Pam & Michael
Michael says the first line of the series and Pam says the last one and they’re the two characters that essentially carry the show.
Froggy 101
That Froggy 101 sticker at Dwight’s desk is a country radio station based in Scranton. It basically becomes an Easter Egg throughout the show as it appears in many different places.
Character Names
David Wallace was named after David Foster Wallace because Michael Shur, one of the show’s writers and producers, is a huge fan of his. Shur even owns the rights to Infinite Jest.
The Fitness Orb
Billy Joel Stans
The show makes many references to Billy Joel throughout the series. Dwight sings “Ryan Started the Fire” to the tune of “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” He also plays “The Longest Time” on his recorder.
Familiar Face
When Pam gives birth in the “Delivery: Part 2” episode, the lactation consultant is actually her real-life husband Lee Kirk.
Seyko Timepiece
Contrary to what it appears to be at first glance, the certificate hanging behind Michael’s desk is not a diploma, but a “Certificate of Authenticity” proving he’s the owner of a Seyko timepiece.
Vending in Character
The vending machine in the. break room is true to form as it’s filled with Herr’s brand potato chips, a brand based in Pennsylvania.
Cornell Obnoxious
Andy’s character being an obnoxious Cornell grab was written specifically by Mindy Kaling. She went to Dartmouth, Cornell’s rival school.
Illegal Nap
At the bottom of the list you can see that Kevin signed up for a nap, and it wasn’t even his birthday.
Prop Thumb
In this episode, “The Secret,” Michael tries to justify spending $80 on the company card while wearing a fake thumb tip.
Retired #1
When Steve Carell left “The Office” in season 7, he was so beloved by the rest of the cast that they retired his number on the call sheet.
“That’s What She Said”
The phrase “That’s what she said” is used 58 times throughout the show.
First Gig
Before joining The Office, most of the writing staff (B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, and Mike Schur) had never had any kind of actual writing job before.
Roommate Privileges
Mindy’s roommate made an appearance in season two of the show, playing Brenda Matlowe, an executive from Dunder Mifflin corporate who came to evaluate Michael’s “leadership training exercise.”
Novak Got Punk’d
B.J. Novak was hired for “The Office,” he was working as Ashton Kutcher’s lead accomplice on MTV’s Punk’d in 2003.
Krasinski’s Faux Pas
While John Krasinski was waiting to go in for his audition for Jim, ‘some guy’ in the waiting room sat down next to him and Krasinski began chatting with him. He said, “The British show is perfect and I just really hope we don’t screw it up.” The man then introduced himself as creator Greg Daniels.
Alter Ego
In one episode, Creed talks about how when he gets in trouble, he transfers blame to “William Charles Schneider.” This is actually Creed Bratton’s birth-given name in real life.
Casino Night
Carell actually won a Writers Guild of America Award for “Casino Night.”
Mindy’s Big Break
Mindy Kaling was hired for “The Office” after Greg Daniels saw her perform her two-woman show called Matt & Ben with her roommate at the New York International Fringe Festival.
Intern Gigs
When Mindy Kaling was a sophomore at Dartmouth, she interned on ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien.’
Two By Steve
Steve Carel wrote two episodes of The Office:Â the season two finale “Casino Night” and season four’s episode “Survivor Man.”
Kevin… Hudson?
Actor Brian Baumgartner, who played Kevin Malone, initially came in to read for the character of Stanley Hudson.
Le Sigh…
In Season Five, Episode 1 “Weight Loss,” Jim goes to visit Pam in her dorm room and tricks the cameraman into looking the other way. The cameraman lets out an audible, unscripted and totally believable sigh just as Pam closes the door on him.
Battle Royale
Rainn Wilson and John Krasinski often came up with each other’s lines during Jim and Dwight’s verbal battles and many of their character’s best lines came from each other.
Football Fans
John Krasinski and Brian Baumgartner played Madden Football together every lunch during the taping of the show. They, along with Rainn Wilson and other crew members also participated in a fantasy football league together for six seasons, too.
John is Jim. Jim is John.
Producers wanted John Krasinski for the role of Dwight Shrute but he refused to even audition, insisting he’d make a much better Jim Halpert. And the rest is history…
Written in… the Pilot
Angela mentions several times throughout the series that her favorite song is ‘Little Drummer Boy.’ Is it a coincidence that Dwight can be seen singing the song at his desk at the beginning of the pilot episode for the series?
Crystal Club
In a nod to local Scranton soda maker, Crystal Club, characters are frequently seen drinking different varieties of Crystal Club soda.