Biggest surprises from The Office book

#theoffice

Andy Greene spent a year interviewing 85 people for this comprehensive look behind the scenes of The Office.

I left a lot out of this video, from what the cast ate for breakfast every morning, to how Andy Buckley was working as a financial advisor while playing David Wallace, to sound during Jim's proposal being the biggest controversy in show history. I cannot recommend it enough if you love the show like I do.

The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s: An Oral History

https://www.amazon.com/Office-Untold-...

1) Casting - Jim Halpert was Jim Nelson, Kevin was Big Keith, and a dwarf played by Peter Dinklage was working in the warehouse.
2) Early struggles - The Office barely survived season 1
3) Creed - how he went from an afterthought meant to fill the background to a fan favorite and national treasure
4) Window - only Jim had a view out the window in talking heads. The window represented hope of an escape from the office.
5) Improvisation - the show was stringently scripted
6) Alternate Pitches - Pet Day episode, Premonition episode, Menopause episode, Jim loses Pam in poker, Michael crucified himself on his garage door, a drunk college Andy killed his friend, Roy shows up to Pam's wedding on a white horse, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are the film crew, Season 10 was supposed to be a reboot with a new cast, and Parks and Rec was supposed to be an Office spin-off
7) Koi Pond - The idea of Michael falling into a koi pond came because Toby's brother actually fell into a koi pond
8) Proposal - The gas station they built for Jim's proposal was the most complicated and expensive shot in show history
9) Stress Relief - that chaotic opening happened to keep those Superbowl viewers entertained
10) Wig - John Krasinski wore a wig in season 3 after cutting his har to star in Leatherheads
11) Michael's Exit - Steve Carrell left the show because NBC leadership is completely incompetent
12) Boom Guy - the show's real boom guy, Brian, had a character based on him. He tried out for the role of himself and did not get it
13) Reboot - NBC wants a reboot. It's being talked about now.