Skip to content
This article is intended to be a short guide that covers much about the landmark NBC television series, The Office (2005-2013).
If you missed The Office during its first run on NBC, but you’ve been thinking about streaming the entire series for the first time to see what all the hub-bub was years ago, read this article now before starting the show.
Is The Office a Sitcom?
The Office was a US-based sitcom on NBC that was based on a TV series that initially aired on the BBC in England. It was originally created for a UK-based audience, but the American version was adapted by Shine America and Deedle-Dee Productions. The show was created in partnership with Universal Television.
When Did The Office Start?
The first episode of The Office aired on NBC in the United States on the 3rd of March in 2005. The series aired on NBC from 2005 until May 16th, 2013. After the show ended, it was put into syndication and it ran across several different basic cable networks like TBS and Comedy Central.
Who Wrote The Office?
The U.K. version of The Office was co-created and co-written by the British actors and comedians, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. The U.S. version of The Office was created by Greg Daniels, one of the writers and producers of such shows as King of the Hill, The Simpsons, and SNL.
While the US adaptation of the sitcom originally featured a pilot episode that was a direct rip-off of its UK-based counterpart, from the second episode onward, the show was an original work.
The creator of the U.S. version of The Office, Greg Daniels, has spoken openly about the show’s creation, discussing how pilot episodes of any sitcom often carry so much risk with them, that he decided to play it safe and not create the sitcom from scratch for the initial episode.
With Daniels behind the writing of The Office's second episode, his production company–Deedle-Dee Productions–hired writers to help with the creation of the show's future episodes.
An interesting technique that Daniels' production company used in order to stimulate creative ideas for the writing involved hiring writers and sending them off to do research within actual American offices. Daniels is well known for using such creative techniques, having done it prior to helping him for such television shows as Parks and Recreation and King of the Hill.
Where Was The Office Filmed?
While The Office storyline takes place within the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the show wasn't actually filmed on the East Coast. The Office was filmed almost entirely within Van Nuys district studios located in the Los Angeles area.
Actual locations that existed in Scranton, Pennsylvania were edited into the show to tie the storyline to the fictional location where the plot was centered. Many real-life Scranton landmarks were used in the show, edited into certain episodes to boost the plot's authenticity. Landmarks in Scranton used included the Pennsylvania Paper and Supply Company Tower, the Scranton Welcome Sign, as well as Scranton Business Park.
How Many Seasons of The Office Were There?
Between the pilot and the series’s final episode, there were a total of 9 seasons of The Office. Season 1 was the shortest season of the series due to the fact that the show was a mid-season replacement for the NBC network.
How Many Episodes of The Office Were There?
Over the course of 9 seasons, The Office ran for 201 episodes. The season with the fewest episodes was Season 1, which only aired 6 episodes. Season 4 featured the most episodes per season, airing 30 half-hour shows.
With the principal cast of The Office featuring actors Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, BJ Novak, and Rainn Wilson, there were frequent cast changes throughout the series' 9 seasons.
The biggest change to the cast came with actor Steve Carell's departure at the end of Season 7. However, there were many other changes and departures within the ranks of the supporting cast over the show’s runs on NBC.
Which Office Episodes Were The Best?
According to Office fans on the internet, the episode that is largely considered to be the best of the series is, “Casino Night.” The episode was the 22nd episode and season finale of Season 2. The script for the episode was written almost entirely by the show’s lead actor Steve Carell, and it contained bits that today are widely considered to be classic.
Casino Night centers on the characters of Jim and Pam and its features Jim telling Pam that he loves her. It also contains a short bit regarding the character of Kevin and his band called Scrantonicity, who are primarily a cover band that specializes in playing songs by the 1980s British band, The Police.
The second best episode of The Office is believed to be the episode entitled “Goodbye Michael.” Episode 20 of Season 7, the episode features the last appearance of Michael Scott. Fans of the show were left speechless when the episode aired initially due to the extraordinary brilliance of Steve Carell's performance in the episode.
The third best episode of The Office is considered to be the episode entitled “The Injury.” The episode initially aired during the show’s second season and it was its 12th episode. The episode focuses on an injury that Steve Carell's character, Michael Scott, must endure after a mishap while using his George Foreman cooking grill. Rushing to assist Michael Scott, Dwight ends up crashing his car and getting a bunch of injuries himself.
The 4th best Office episode is considered to be “Niagara.” The episode was episode 5 of Season 6. The characters Jim and Pam get married underneath Niagara Falls. The reason for this strange wedding location selection is because they are forced to outwit their co-workers who had planned to carry out a dance routine during the ceremony that neither are particularly fond of.
The 5th best episode according to fans, is considered to be the 1st episode of Season 2, “The Dundies.” In the episode, characters attend the Dunder Mifflin's awards, The Dundies. With this episode being the first to air after the initial first 6 episodes had aired, the episode is largely credited for The Office's gaining popularity, fans and topping the Nielsen Ratings.
Which Season of The Office Was Considered The Best?
Office fans agree that the best season of the series is Season 2. This season is also widely regarded as a result of it containing the most popular single episode of the entire series, “Casino Night.”
What Network Was The Office On?
The American version of The Office ran from beginning to end on NBC, a gigantic US-based commercial broadcast television network. NBC is headquartered in New York City, and is considered to be the flagship enterprise under the NBC Universal umbrella.
The Office Halloween Costume Ideas
Fans of NBC’s The Office that are looking for Halloween costume or comic con cosplay outfit ideas can find a variety of The Office-inspired costumes with a quick Google search. Websites like TVStoreOnline.com offer a deluxe Dwight Schrute character The Office TV series Halloween costume as well as dozens of other items for those looking to put together any kind of The Office DIY cosplay costume this year.
Adult The Office Halloween Costume
Fans of the series that are getting a late start on their comic con cosplay costume or Halloween costume this year can get any number of high-quality The Office character costumes on the internet. Fans of Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute can transform into either of these memorable characters this Halloween season without breaking the bank.
The Office Halloween Costume DIY
Putting together a DIY Halloween costume or DIY comic con outfit that’ll turn heads is pretty easy if you’re a fan of the The Office TV series. Whether you want to be a Dunder Mifflin Warehouse Employee like “Craig, or Michael Scott or Dwight Schrute, with some things in your closet and some carefully-chosen accessories for sale on the internet you’ll be the hit of your next Halloween party or comic con meet-up.