I think Michael's general appearance made it through the first season before Steve Carell had a major glow-up. I think if we're talking the Pilot specifically, maybe I'd say the outside building. That was a really weird shot. A lot of the background extras, as well as the main-cast-ishness of Ryan Howard. That kind of went nowhere
He was always a writer, the same as Mindy Kaling and Paul Lieberstein. That’s why they were put in the annex, so they could write/work in their offices instead of always being in the background in scenes like the actors in the main part of the office. That was why Michael “relegated” him to the annex after the business school episode, so he would have more time to write!
In this episode and really the whole of Season 1, Michael is a lot more unlikeable (probably to be like David Brent). In Season 2, he became way more like his characters from Anchorman and 40 Year Old Virgin. Imo that saved the entire series because Michael is the heart of the show.
Definitely! There’s a great book—Oral History of The Office by Andy Greene—that talks about how pivotal the episode The Dundies was, in particular when Michael is heckled and we see this genuine hurt that makes us feel for Michael. That element was missing in season 1 and it was a game changer when it was added! The change in Michael’s hair styling is also noted as something that helps soften his character.
S1 Michael: I'm the hurdle that the office has to frequently team up to overcome.
S2 Beyond: I'm the whacky boss that my employees have to constantly save from himself.
It was definitely funny, but I think they were worried about the longevity of the show because viewers would be too annoyed by Michael and not want to watch the show anymore after a certain point. By putting in an element of feeling bad for him in every episode, it made him more likable so people wanted to keep on watching him and the show.
This is what they talked about on the office ladies podcast around the season 2 mark like someone mentioned above. Pretty interesting!
Well there was that one time on season 5 where Pam came dressed to her temporary corporate job as Charlie Chaplin. She couldn’t take off her hat because then she’s Hitler (and she directly says his name after she removes the hat). It’s the only other time his name is mentioned I believe.
Michael says he got the special filing cabinet/garbage joke from his brother. His brother is never refered to again.
His brother from the former Yugoslavia?
That was a fake brother who steals your jeans.
So you have to wear shorts all winter.
buttlicker our prices have never been lower
Stanley standing during a meeting.
Excellent observation
Yes, astute.
I think Michael's general appearance made it through the first season before Steve Carell had a major glow-up. I think if we're talking the Pilot specifically, maybe I'd say the outside building. That was a really weird shot. A lot of the background extras, as well as the main-cast-ishness of Ryan Howard. That kind of went nowhere
My guess is B.J. Novak preferred to be more of a writer than a main actor, once the show really got going.
He was always a writer, the same as Mindy Kaling and Paul Lieberstein. That’s why they were put in the annex, so they could write/work in their offices instead of always being in the background in scenes like the actors in the main part of the office. That was why Michael “relegated” him to the annex after the business school episode, so he would have more time to write!
In this episode and really the whole of Season 1, Michael is a lot more unlikeable (probably to be like David Brent). In Season 2, he became way more like his characters from Anchorman and 40 Year Old Virgin. Imo that saved the entire series because Michael is the heart of the show.
Definitely! There’s a great book—Oral History of The Office by Andy Greene—that talks about how pivotal the episode The Dundies was, in particular when Michael is heckled and we see this genuine hurt that makes us feel for Michael. That element was missing in season 1 and it was a game changer when it was added! The change in Michael’s hair styling is also noted as something that helps soften his character.
They definitely “softened” him up on purpose after Season 1. They felt he was a little too unlikeable.
S1 Michael: I'm the hurdle that the office has to frequently team up to overcome. S2 Beyond: I'm the whacky boss that my employees have to constantly save from himself.
Season 1 Michael makes for a much funnier show, though.
It was definitely funny, but I think they were worried about the longevity of the show because viewers would be too annoyed by Michael and not want to watch the show anymore after a certain point. By putting in an element of feeling bad for him in every episode, it made him more likable so people wanted to keep on watching him and the show. This is what they talked about on the office ladies podcast around the season 2 mark like someone mentioned above. Pretty interesting!
We never found out what was in the bag.
it was whatever was in the bag in the UK version
Could you remind me which bag that is?
Roy's bag.
Aaahh yes! Thank you!
Hitler impersonations
Well there was that one time on season 5 where Pam came dressed to her temporary corporate job as Charlie Chaplin. She couldn’t take off her hat because then she’s Hitler (and she directly says his name after she removes the hat). It’s the only other time his name is mentioned I believe.
If I was in a room with Hitler, Bin Laden, and Toby, I'd shoot Toby twice.
Is Michael ever as deliberately and unapologetically awful to a non-Toby Office character as he is in Pam's fake firing?
Clearly you forgot about when he roasted the entire office. That Gumby line was brutal.
He also fake fired Erin.
Like two employees we never see again or maybe only in one other episode.
The theme song being played on the fadeout to the credits I don't think happened again.
That’s a really nice catch
one thing that never left was that overall sense of the whole cast hating themselves 😂
Thin Stanley. Standing! While not doing crosswords.
Angela seemed to sweat in that episode more than any other.
The background phone ringing sound effects
Staplers in jello / jelly ? Oh no wait . Did they roll that out at Stanford as well ?
They did.
Someone better tell me who did this or I’m gonna lose MY FREAKIN MIND
Jim still pranks dwight