No matter how many times I rewatch The Office, I always find hilarious details lurking in the background of scenes that aren’t immediately apparent. The Office is an absolutely iconic show and one of the best sitcoms of all time. As a personal favorite, I love looking back at the little moments that aren’t the main focus of the shot but contribute to the overall story.

The Office cast is incredibly talented because of what they each bring to their respective characters. No matter how big or small their role is in the show, they always make me laugh. It’s a brilliant example of a TV show that knows how to layer in character development through subtle and indirect details, from the pilot to The Office’s ending scene. With every rewatch of The Office, I’m always delighted to discover new, funny things happening in the background.

10

Michael’s Waitress Mix-Up & Creed’s Karaoke

Season 3, Episodes 10 & 11 – A Benihana Christmas

The season 3 story “A Benihana Christmas” is full of small gags, but two stand out in particular. While I always find Michael’s lack of tact hilarious, his interactions with the waitresses show just how out of touch he is at times. Michael and Andy’s new, supposed, girlfriends may come back to Dunder Mifflin with them, but they aren’t the same women they originally met. However, this highlights how much attention Michael actually pays to his surroundings, as well as how quickly he believes himself to be in love.

I know Michael Scott isn’t the most politically correct in The Office, but it’s wild how easily he mixes Asian women up. In the background of another scene in this episode, Creed is singing karaoke. There’s not a lot of screen time dedicated to this moment, although when I listen carefully, I can’t help but laugh when I hear what song is playing. Creed sings “Spinnin’ N Reelin,” a song by the actor himself from 2003. Creed Bratton’s character meta-ness in The Office is one of my favorite things about him, and this detail is simply brilliant.

9

Michael’s Crime Aid Goal

Season 5, Episode 5 – Crime Aid

The season 5 episode “Crime Aid” has a ridiculous premise anyway, and I always find it unusual that Michael goes to such extreme lengths to keep up appearances. It’s sweet that he wants to make up for all of the items that are stolen, but what makes it funnier is his goal of $1 million. I always appreciate Michael’s dedication to his employees, but this moment also shines a light on how far he takes things.

I think that his decision to set such a high target is really to impress Holly, although he manages to ruin that with the fake Springsteen tickets essentially. However, it may also be because Michael truly believes that his staff deserves that level of compensation. I love that Michael is a big-picture guy, but it does worry me how unrealistic his expectations are sometimes.

8

Creed Steals Michael’s Mug

Season 7, Episodes 25 & 26 – Search Committee

Another great moment from Creed is when he becomes Regional Manager by default. I am always disappointed when Michael leaves The Office in season 7, but I’m delighted again when I realize Creed’s time is coming. Because Dwight fires a gun in the office, which I always feel makes no sense as he’s always so insistent about safety, Creed becomes manager because of his seniority. However, during his talking heads, I think it is brilliant to see Michael’s old Best Boss mug sitting on Creed’s desk.

Hilariously, Michael mentions that it is his own purchase, which makes Creed stealing it out of the trash even better. Creed doesn’t acknowledge the mug at all, but I love how seriously he takes his new role and that he never questions why he’s there in the first place. I think Creed is such a brilliant character, and he’s one that I never get tired of watching.

7

Meredith Hits On The Firefighters

Season 2, Episode 4 – The Fire

One of my favorite parts of Meredith’s character is that she is completely shameless and frequently acknowledges it. Although Meredith’s provocative behavior isn’t as apparent in every season of The Office, one scene in the season 2 episode “The Fire” proves that this trait has been present from the beginning of the show. While everyone is playing Desert Island, I find myself tuning out the conversation and focusing on the background, where Meredith is flirting with the fire marshalls.

Meredith happily hits on whoever she finds attractive, which I think is one of the better qualities of her character. Even though she is often shamed for being so open about sex, I really appreciate it and wish for more characters like this. While they all wait outside for the fire to be put out, rather than waiting patiently, Meredith shoots her shot instead. What makes this moment even better, however, is that in season 5, Meredith sets her hair on fire, which always makes me wonder whether she reunites with any of the fire department.

6

Stanley’s Resolution

Season 7, Episode 13 – Ultimatum

While I don’t agree with the storylines that bring attention to Stanley’s infidelity, there is one moment surrounding this topic that always makes me laugh. In the season 7 episode “Ultimatum,” Pam creates a New Year’s resolution board and encourages the others to share their aspiration for the upcoming year. There are plenty of funny responses, such as Andy wanting to learn how to cook for himself because he’s lonely or Kelly wanting more attention, but Stanley’s is hands down the best.

Stanley’s resolution of being a better husband and boyfriend is ridiculous, but I can’t help but respect his commitment to both of his relationships. It’s also hysterical how confidently he balances his affair with his marriage, especially because when Michael tells Stanley’s wife, he loses it and smashes up Michael’s car. At this point in The Office, Stanley taps out and embraces being unfaithful, and his sheer audacity is what makes this small detail so fantastic.

5

The Office Employees Junk

Season 7, Episode 13 – Garage Sale

The employees of Dunder Mifflin Scranton sell some baffling items in the warehouse during the season 7 episode “Garage Sale,” but I love how it highlights their personalities. For example, Kelly sells a few different statues of various Indian Gods, which reminds me of her Diwali party and her confusion over her own religion. However, Michael’s choice of items is some of the best. Michael tries to sell his smashed plasma screen TV, which is a great callback to The Office episode “Dinner Party,” but it’s even funnier that he bothers to keep it in the first place.

In a brief cutaway, the box for the margarita machine from “A Benihana Christmas” and Michael’s tambourine from “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” are also on the table. There’s even a mug from Sandles, Jamaica, where he famously visits with Jan. I always consider these scenes to be foreshadowing Michael’s departure from The Office, as he’s selling all of his most memorable items.

4

Aquariam Screen Savers

Season 6, Episode 8 – Koi Pond

I always find it hilarious when Michael is mocked by his coworkers, as he tends to get away with all kinds of odd behavior, but he isn’t teased for nearly enough of it. However, I truly believe Michael gets his karma in “Koi Pond” and very much deserves the response he receives. While it’s funny enough that Meredith obtains a copy of the security footage of Michael Scott falling into the koi pond, it’s the small details that make it even better.

Around the bullpen, various computer screen backgrounds are changed to look like fish tanks. While it’s only a brief shot and not the easiest to see, it always makes me laugh because of how subtle it is. There are plenty of ways that The Office characters joke about Michael’s unfortunate accident, but I really appreciate how indirect this is, and I always picture Michael walking around the room and spotting it at a later point.

3

Karen Locks Up Her Copier

Season 5, Episode 16 – Lecture Circuit: Part 1

Michael and Dwight drag Jim along to Utica to get revenge on Karen for trying to poach Stanley, but it’s far from one of Michael Scott’s smartest schemes in The Office. I always hate these scenes, as Jim can easily get away from the pair and not contribute to their maddening plot. Rather than actually doing anything useful, Michael and Dwight try to steal Utica’s copier, which I think is a brilliantly stupid idea. Of all things to do to cause chaos, stealing a large piece of machinery is so nonsensical, although it’s very in character for Michael.

However, when Michael and Pam return to Utica in “Lecture Circuit: Part 1,” I found it hilarious to see that Karen has locked her copier up. Although it’s unlikely anyone else bothered to try and steal it, I love that Karen used her knowledge of Michael’s crazed antics to prepare for the future. She knows it’s wild, but she also uses her common sense and knows from her time at Stanford that Michael’s destruction spreads across the Dunder Mifflin branches. I love these scenes, as it shows just how much of an impact Michael Scott has on the entire company.

2

Kevin Defends Pam

Season 3, Episode 18 – Cocktails

Although I don’t feel like the fallout of Pam and Roy’s relationship in The Office is handled very well, especially the way she tells him about her kiss with Jim, it’s really sweet to see others come to her defense. When Roy starts kicking off after Pam’s revelation and screams at her, a brief glimpse of Kevin raising his fists toward him can be seen. Kevin doesn’t need to say anything; he just immediately prepares himself to keep Pam safe, which is simply chivalrous and adorable.

Kevin is always a huge supporter of Jim and Pam’s relationship in The Office. When Roy later returns to collect his final paycheck after trying to hit Jim, Kevin calls to warn Jim of his arrival. Although it’s a little redundant and a bit of a naive moment from Kevin, it’s moments like these that make him such a likable character. I do take issue with how Kevin becomes significantly less smart as The Office progresses. However, his emotional intelligence and dedication to his friendships are two of my favorite character traits of his.

1

Michael Saves The Camera Crew

Season 4, Episodes 3 & 4 – Dunder Mifflin Infinity

Although The Office doesn’t properly acknowledge the existence of the camera crew or the filming of the documentary until the later seasons of the show, I absolutely adore the brief moments in which they are integrated into the episode. One of my favorites, and one that could easily be a plot hole if ignored, is in “Dunder Mifflin Infinity.” After Michael ignores the GPS and drives straight into the lake, he and Dwight scramble back to shore, but not before he lets the camera operator out of the backseat of the car.

Even though the characters speak directly to the crew on a daily basis, it doesn’t usually directly impact the story. The documentary team are simply observers, which is a big reason why The Office’s season 9 Brian twist fails. However, I do think the ending of the scene with the camera shaking around as they get to safety is a brilliant detail in The Office because it notes the presence of the crew, still focuses on the story playing out, and doesn’t redirect my attention to the format of the show.