I must admit that I’ve become a huge fan of the office. I really liked the British version, and I managed to catch the first episode of the American version that basically mirrored the British version. I thought it sucked. Then one day, for no apparent reason, I decided to check out a few of the episodes on iTunes. Well, I’ll put it this way, I’ve bought all three seasons! The show got so much better when it tried to do it’s own thing. I’ll share some of my favorite moments here.
Firstly, and this is the best part by far, was the episode, “the Secret.” Basically Michael gets nosy about the Jim/Pam thing because he recently found out. Jim is trying to avoid this, because he’s sure that Michael will spill the beans. In one scene, Michael approaches Jim at the vending machine. Then up comes Stanley (the black guy). After being a bit annoyed by the intrusion (he wants to get the gossip on how it’s going with the two) he starts to try to speak code to Jim. “So how’s the P. situation. You know, the P-A…Oh it’s okay, we’re talking code.”
Stanley puts his money in.
Then he turns to Stanley, “How long does it take for you to pick a drink?”
Jim then says, “I think i’m gonna take off.”
Michael then turns to stanley with an annoyed look, “Still can’t decide?”
Then Michael hits a button on the machine buying a drink.
“Peach Iced Tea…You’re gonna hate it.”
I literally cried when I saw this I laughed so hard. And I don’t mean literally in the way that idiots use it, I was actually tearing up from laughter. So many things about that scene seem so unprovoked and mean! Firstly Stanley doesn’t really do much of anything but work, so he’s a pretty benign figure. It’s so funny to see Michael being so spiteful about Stanley interrupting him! Ahh, I love that scene.
Secondly, what an abuse of his powers as a boss! Thirdly, it seems like a cruel joke to play on someone. I just wish I could use this in real life sometimes!
I live for the pranks. The only thing that got me into even watching the show was Dwight’s complaints about Jim’s pranks - especially the nickels in the phone gag. Genius.
I always smile when I think about Michael going up against Toby in Poker at the Dunder-Mifflin casino night (the final episode from last season). Michael goes all-in with nothing and everyone folds areound to Toby, who calls and wins. Michael is just so annoyed with Toby, like he always is.
BTW, I just found this website. Funny just to read these quotes over and over.
The pranks are the best. Favorites that come immediately to mind: the recent one where Dwight tries to tape-record the meeting for Michael, and Jim starts loudly imploring Dwight to put his pants back on, with others joining in.
The ID episode prank was great: Jim laminated Dwight’s ID as a full-size page, with a card-size ID sealed in a 8 1/2x11 clear plastic sheet. Not to mention that the ID listed Dwight’s middle name as “Fart” instead of “Kurt”, and said he was a security risk…
And the topper, oh how I wish I could do this to someone I dislike: Jim swipes all of Dwight’s stuff and fills the vending machine with it. Then, he gives Dwight a bag of nickels to get it all back.
Besides the pranks, one recent thing that cracked me up was Michael’s little tiny beaded Jamaican braid, which he wore throughout the episode. I mean, seriously, dude…
I liked Jim’s prank of faxing Dwight messages from Future Dwight.
I always loved the episode where Michael and Dwight fight at the dojo.
Pam and Jim egging them on to get them to fight.
Pam to Michael: “Could you have Dwight walk me to my car? He has a brown belt. That’s pretty high.”
Dwight punching Michael in the stomach.
When Jim gets Michael to confront Dwight he follows behind him and does the snapping motion from West Side Story’s Jets-Sharks fight scene.
Michael sitting on top of Dwight at the dojo threatening to spit on him “Open your mouth! Open your mouth!”
Dwight: What was your favorite moment? Michael: Umm… All of them. They were all good. Dwight: What about when Jan said the branch was closing? Michael: Dammit, Dwight!
from “Branch Closing” (paraphrased)
Season 1 favorite: the basketball game. That was the first time I ever saw the show, and it was a hell of an introduction.
Season 2: Creed stealing chips during Casino Night, Creed giving Jim an old shirt for Christmas.
Season 3: The black guy from Stamford failing to bond with Stanley was pretty great. And from tonight’s episode:Andy going berserk and punching a hole in the wall, followed by Jim immediately aborting the prankhad me in tears.
One of my favorite bits came from when Michael and Jim had to take Dwight to the hospital (concussion, I think it was).
Michael, filling out the patient paperwork form in the emergency room:
“Reason for visit…? What would you put?”
Jim says something about Dwight’s symptoms, then sees Michael scratching something out.
“Why, what did you put?”
Michael: “To bring friend to the hospital…”
“The Injury” is one of my favorites, too. (Written by Mindy Kaling, who plays Kelly, btw.)
Pam realizing Dwight (with head injury) is her friend.
Michael putting the property manager on display as an example of a handicapped person, and marvelling that it takes him 30 seconds to brush his teeth: “Oh! That’s like three times as long as it takes me!” And then the guy basically just says, “Yeah, I’m leaving.”
And of course Pam talking to Michael: “No, I didn’t tell them you cooked your foot.”
The Benihana episode wasn’t the best, but I loved Ryan’s reaction when asked to go to the restaurant:
“I’ve got a ton of work here . . . I’m waiting for a call . . . I’m allergic to MSG . . . I ate there last night,”
I can’t remember them all - but then neither can he - he keeps them listed on his phone.
