Can You Believe It? The Office is 20 Years Old - Time to Celebrate with Secrets and Laughs!

Twenty years ago can you imagine? That's when a little show called The Office first graced our screens. It was kinda shaky at the start but boy oh boy did it become a monster hit. From Halloween costumes to endless memes this show about a paper company in Scranton PA is still making us laugh cry and cringe two decades later. Let's dive into some behind-the-scenes magic and fun facts you probably never knew!

Casting Chaos and Near Misses: The Office Could Have Looked Totally Different!

Did you know Steve Carell almost wasn't Michael Scott? Crazy right? Bob Odenkirk was actually in the running for the role. Imagine a world with Saul Goodman as Michael Scott! But Carell was cast in another show that luckily got canned opening the door for him to become our beloved (and cringe) boss. And Rainn Wilson Dwight himself actually auditioned for Michael first! Can you picture that? Thankfully he ended up as Dwight which is just perfect. And Phyllis Vance aka Phyllis Smith? She was originally just helping with casting! Producers loved her so much they created Phyllis Vance just for her. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!

From Scranton to Your Screen: Little Known Facts About The Office's Creation and Rise

That iconic opening credit footage of Scranton? John Krasinski Jim Halpert himself shot it on a trip before the show even aired. Talk about dedication! And get this the cast kinda predicted their own success. Early on they guessed the show might last eight seasons. They were only off by one! Initially though NBC wasn't sure about The Office. It was a remake of a British show known for being super dry and awkward and NBC was all about big hits like Friends back then. But creator Greg Daniels fought to keep the tone real and different and it totally paid off. Season 2 is when things really took off thanks to some character tweaks Steve Carell's rising star power and word-of-mouth. And get this iTunes which was brand new back then listed The Office as the number one downloaded show. That was a game changer for NBC realizing the show had major potential beyond just initial ratings.

On-Set Shenanigans and Hilarious Mishaps: The Office Was Just as Funny Behind the Cameras

Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak's real-life dynamic was kinda like Kelly and Ryan just maybe less toxic. Mindy apparently loved to prank B.J. making up random lies that he totally believed. Rainn Wilson accidentally sent Leslie David Baker Stanley to the hospital during the "Beach Games" episode by kicking sand in his eye. Oops! And in "The Delivery" episode Pam's lactation consultant was played by Jenna Fischer's actual husband in real life. Awkwardly hilarious for Jim on screen right?

Jim and Pam Forever: Secrets Behind TV's Favorite Couple (and That Teapot Note!)

Jim and Pam are TV couple goals for many. And for good reason. Remember the teapot Jim gives Pam in Season 2? The note he puts inside and then takes out? Well Jenna Fischer revealed that the note Pam reads in the final season was actually a real letter from John Krasinski to her about what their time on The Office meant to him. Cue the tears! And get this John Krasinski actually pitched the idea of Jim and Pam getting divorced at one point. Can you imagine?! Luckily the writers (and fans) shut that down pretty quick. Good call!

Behind the Camera Talent: Famous Directors and Writers You Didn't Realize Were Part of The Office

The Office had some serious Hollywood talent behind the camera. Jon Favreau Bryan Cranston J.J. Abrams Jason Reitman and even cast members like John Krasinski and Rainn Wilson all directed episodes. And Mindy Kaling wasn't just Kelly Kapoor she was also a writer and wrote the most episodes of anyone. Paul Lieberstein Toby Flenderson was also a writer and even showrunner for a while. It was a real collaborative and creative powerhouse.

20 Unforgettable Moments from The Office: A Must-Watch List for Every Fan

With 20 years of laughs and feels The Office has given us countless amazing moments. It is almost impossible to pick favorites but here are a few absolute classics:

1. Scott’s Tots Sing for Michael: Pure cringe comedy gold.
2. Michael Lands a Big Sale & Wins Over Jan: Proving Michael is actually a good salesman sometimes.
3. Michael and Dwight Drive Into Lake Scranton: GPS fail of epic proportions.
4. Dwight Delivers a Mussolini Speech: Dwight's sales award speech gone hilariously wrong.
5. Asian Jim Prank: Jim's identity theft prank on Dwight.
6. Michael and the Gang Dance the Scarn: Threat Level Midnight comes to life!
7. Michael Scott Meets David Brent: Worlds collide in a cringey elevator encounter.
8. Jim and Pam Learn They’re Having a Baby: Joyful news without a word.
9. Creed Sings “All The Faces”: Creed's surprisingly emotional and weirdly perfect closing song.
10. Michael Proposes to Holly: Sprinkler-filled proposal perfection.
11. Michael Rallies at the Dundies: Heartwarming and hilarious Dundies comeback.
12. Jim Comes to Work as Dwight: Bears Beets Battlestar Galactica.
13. Dwight’s Revenge Snowball Fight: Dwight finally gets his revenge prank.
14. Dwight Meets Mr. Buttlicker: Buttlicker our prices have never been lower!
15. Pam’s Hot Coal-Walk Confession: Pam finally confesses her feelings to Jim.
16. The Diversity Day Meeting Falls Apart: Diversity training gone horribly wrong.
17. The Dinner Party House Tour: Michael and Jan's condo tour of awkwardness.
18. Michael Kisses Oscar: Michael's misguided attempt to prove he's not homophobic.
19. Michael Scott Returns for Dwight's Wedding: "I feel like all my kids grew up and then they married each other."
20. Kevin Spills the Chili: 36 seconds of pure physical comedy genius.

The Dunder Mifflin Crew: Where Are They Now? Catching Up with The Office Stars 20 Years Later

What happened to our favorite Dunder Mifflin employees after they left Scranton? Here’s a quick look at what the stars of The Office are up to today :

• Steve Carell (Michael Scott): Movie star extraordinaire! From comedy hits like Despicable Me (as Gru!) to serious roles in Foxcatcher and The Big Short Carell is still killing it. He even reunited with Greg Daniels for Space Force on Netflix. But don't expect him in the new Office spinoff he says Michael Scott probably wouldn't show up.
• Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly): Pam forever! Jenna has done movies podcasts (Office Ladies with Angela Kinsey) and even co-wrote a book about The Office. She recently shared her breast cancer journey and is now cancer-free which is amazing news.
• John Krasinski (Jim Halpert): Action star director and all-around Hollywood heartthrob. John became Jack Ryan on Amazon directed the horror hit A Quiet Place movies and is married to Emily Blunt. Talk about a power couple.
• Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute): Beet farmer bear enthusiast and all-around hilarious guy. Rainn has been busy with TV movies podcasts (Soul Boom) and even wrote a book The Bassoon King. He's still bringing the quirky charm wherever he goes.
• Mindy Kaling (Kelly Kapoor): Comedy queen. Mindy created and starred in The Mindy Project Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls. She's a writer producer director and all-around boss babe. And yes B.J. Novak is godfather to her kids!
• B.J. Novak (Ryan Howard): Writer director comedian and all-around creative force. B.J. wrote directed and starred in the movie Vengeance and has a successful book of short stories. He is Mindy Kaling’s bestie for life.
• Leslie David Baker (Stanley Hudson): The pretzel-loving grumpy but lovable Stanley. Leslie has been busy with voice work commercials and guest roles on TV. Fans still call him Stanley everywhere he goes and he is totally honored by it.
• Brian Baumgartner (Kevin Malone): Chili master and podcast king. Brian hosts multiple Office podcasts including Office Deep Dive and even wrote a chili cookbook inspired by Kevin's famous spilled chili scene. He's embraced his Office legacy in the best way.
• Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin): Cat-loving rule follower and podcast host. Angela co-hosts Office Ladies with Jenna Fischer and has been in various TV shows and movies. She is also a stepmom and married to actor Joshua Snyder.
• Phyllis Smith (Phyllis Vance): Soft-spoken saleswoman and voice of Sadness in Inside Out. Phyllis has continued acting in movies like Bad Teacher and voiced Sadness in the Inside Out films. From casting associate to beloved actress what a journey!
• Kate Flannery (Meredith Palmer): Outlandish hilarious and always entertaining. Kate has been on Dancing With the Stars The Masked Singer and continues to bring her unique comedic energy to TV shows and cartoons.
• Oscar Nuñez (Oscar Martinez): The brains of the office and always ready with a sarcastic comment. Oscar has been in movies TV shows and is the only original cast member signed on for the new Office spinoff on Peacock.
• Creed Bratton (Creed Bratton): Enigmatic folk legend and resident weirdo. Creed continues to be well Creed. He still makes music and is as wonderfully strange as ever.
• Ed Helms (Andy Bernard): A capella enthusiast and movie star. Ed hit it big with The Hangover movies and has been busy with films TV and even co-created and starred in the show Rutherford Falls.
• Paul Lieberstein (Toby Flenderson): HR rep writer and showrunner. Paul was Toby but also a key creative force behind the show. He's continued writing producing and directing TV and movies.
• Craig Robinson (Darryl Philbin): Warehouse boss and comedic force. Craig has starred in tons of movies and TV shows since The Office and is always hilarious. He is also a musician and keeps bringing the laughs.
• Ellie Kemper (Erin Hannon): Sunshine and smiles personified. Ellie headlined Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix and continues to shine in movies and TV. She is also a mom of two.

The Office Spinoff is Coming! Get Ready for a New Workplace Comedy in the Same Universe

Hold on to your Dundies folks because The Office universe is expanding! A new spinoff series is officially in the works at Peacock. This time it will follow a struggling Midwestern newspaper and its staff. Oscar Nuñez is set to return and there will be new faces like Domhnall Gleeson Sabrina Impacciatore and Melvin Gregg. Steve Carell has said he won't be involved but he is excited to see what they do. Get ready for a new workplace comedy in the same spirit as The Office coming soon!

20 Years of Laughter and Cringe: The Office's Enduring Legacy

Twenty years later and The Office is still one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. It's funny heartwarming cringey and totally relatable. It launched careers created iconic characters and gave us countless meme-able moments. Whether you are a die-hard fan or just discovering Dunder Mifflin for the first time there is no denying the lasting impact of The Office. Here's to 20 more years of laughter and maybe another re-watch or two (or ten). That’s what she said!