‘The Office’ Secrets Every True Fan Should Know
NBC Used ‘The Office’ Clips in Real Harassment Training
During later seasons, NBC held annual sexual harassment seminars for The Office cast and crew in the warehouse. By Season 4 or 5, the training videos included clips from The Office itself, particularly scenes from “Diversity Day”, as examples of what not to do in a workplace.
Angela Got Bored and Accidentally Created Sprinkles
Angela Kinsey didn’t just play a cat lover, she went full method and invented one. During a slow day on set, she doodled a cat, named it Sprinkles, and wrote Jenna Fischer a note inviting her to its birthday party. Fischer stuck it on Pam’s monitor, joked about it on camera, and Greg Daniels ran with it.
‘Diversity Day’ Wasn’t Just Cringe
Believe it or not, the painfully awkward “Diversity Day” episode came from a true story. A writers’ assistant named Tom shared a college exercise where students wore notecards with ethnicities and treated each other using stereotypes. Yes, it was as awful as it sounds.
Meredith Was Originally Played by a Different Actor
In the pilot episode of The Office, observant viewers may notice that Meredith looks slightly different. That’s because Henriette Mantel portrayed Meredith Palmer before Kate Flannery officially took over the role from episode two onward. The character's presence is limited in the pilot, making the casting change easy to miss.
Jim’s Teapot Note Contained a Real Message
The note Jim included with the teapot he gifted Pam in Season 2 remained a mystery until Season 9, when he finally gave it to her. Jenna Fischer later revealed that Greg Daniels suggested John Krasinski write a personal message to her, not Pam, reflecting on their years together as filming ended. Fischer opened the real note during the scene and became emotional, resulting in genuine tears.
‘The Convention’ Was Filmed on a Real Train
In Season 3’s “The Convention,” Michael and Dwight travel by train—a scene that viewers might assume was shot on a set or green screen. Instead, the production filmed on a real Amtrak train traveling from Simi Valley to Burbank. Amtrak allowed filming for free under the condition that the schedule not be disrupted. The crew boarded a caboose car at 10:30 a.m., captured footage during transit, and disembarked at Burbank Airport station 24 minutes later.
Season 3 Finale Had an Alternate Ending
“The Job,” the Season 3 finale, famously ends with Jim interrupting Pam’s talking head to ask her to dinner. But another version was filmed where Jim openly sabotaged his corporate interview. In that alternative, viewers would hear him joke around, prompting David Wallace to ask if he truly wanted the job. Meanwhile, Pam leaves for the day, only to find Jim waiting at the elevator.
Pam’s Coal Walk Hurt for Real, Just Not from Heat
Pam’s dramatic fire walk in “Beach Games” used cooled materials, not real burning coals. However, Jenna Fischer revealed that the pain on her face was genuine. After repeated takes, her feet became bruised and sore from walking across uneven lava rock. Although no actual fire was involved, the terrain created discomfort.
Jim and Pam Didn’t Run in ‘Fun Run’ Due to Injury
In Season 4’s “Fun Run,” Jim and Pam walk casually during Michael’s charity race. Fans often assumed it symbolized their new relationship phase. However, Jenna Fischer later explained that she had injured her back in real life and was medically restricted from running. To accommodate this, writers adjusted their scenes so the couple would walk rather than jog.
Elizabeth the Stripper’s Nurse Costume Was Custom-Made
In “Fun Run,” Elizabeth the stripper appears in a nurse costume delivering a $340 check to “SCIENCE.” That costume featured a red circle with a white cross; intentionally altered because the Red Cross prohibits use of its emblem in fictional media. The outfit was custom-made to avoid trademark conflict.
Andy Floated for Real During ‘Beach Games’
In “Beach Games,” Andy falls into the lake in a sumo suit and drifts away. Ed Helms chose to perform the stunt himself, without a double. Production filmed both day and night shots, requiring Helms to float in the water for more than 45 minutes each time. The bulky suit limited his mobility, making the scene more difficult than it appeared.
The ‘Fun Run’ Finale Was Filmed on Los Angeles Streets, Not Scranton
Despite being set in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the Season 4 “Fun Run” finale was actually filmed across real streets in Los Angeles. The 5K race route and finish line were shot in areas like Panorama City, Sherman Oaks, and near the North Hollywood Recreation Center, where Michael famously gets sick. Fans have noted telltale signs of California, such as visible palm trees and 818 area codes in the background.
Three Different Bats Were Used in ‘Business School’
The infamous bat episode required multiple bat types to achieve realistic scenes. Production used one real bat, one mechanical bat, and one CGI version. The real bat appeared only in specific shots, such as when Dwight peers into the ceiling or during static ceiling scenes. The mechanical bat was used when it was placed over Meredith’s head in the bag, ensuring safety.
The Watermelon Stunt Nearly Relied on CGI
In Season 3’s “Safety Training,” Michael tests a hypothetical stunt by throwing a watermelon off the roof onto a trampoline. The goal was for the watermelon to bounce safely, but during filming, most attempts failed. Greg Daniels considered using CGI after 10 or 11 unsuccessful throws. Finally, one watermelon bounced off the trampoline and hit a Chrysler 300 in the parking lot.
The Hot Dog Contest Was Difficult to Film
In Season 3’s “Beach Games,” Michael presents 800 hot dogs for a competitive eating challenge. Filming these scenes was physically taxing for the cast, especially male actors tasked with repeated bites. Though spit buckets were provided, they were not always accessible, leading to discomfort and gagging. The extended duration of the shoot made the sequence particularly unpleasant.
Real Injuries Occurred During the Sumo Scenes
The inflatable sumo wrestling sequences in “Beach Games” led to two genuine injuries. Leslie David Baker (Stanley) suffered sand irritation in his eye, which could not be flushed on set and required medical treatment. Ed Helms (Andy) sustained a painful fingernail injury during his tussle with Dwight. Rainn Wilson and Helms collided while flailing in costume, resulting in Helms’ nail tearing badly.
Steve Carell’s Skating Skills Were Real
In the Season 2 episode “Michael’s Birthday,” viewers see Michael Scott confidently skating on ice. This wasn’t a stunt; Steve Carell is a skilled ice skater who played hockey in his youth and continued playing recreationally as an adult. Writers had long wanted to showcase his ability and kept a note in the writers’ room awaiting an opportunity. Beyond the birthday episode, Carell’s skating was later featured again in Threat Level Midnight.
Dwight’s Award Speech Included 100 Audience Dummies
While filming “Dwight’s Speech,” production filled a hotel auditorium with 400 extras and 100 life-sized dummies dressed in suits. Five dedicated “dummy wranglers” were tasked with arranging and relocating the mannequins to blend seamlessly with the real crowd. This method helped create a full audience without exceeding budget or coordination limits.
Real Inspiration Behind ‘Office Olympics’ Episode
The Season 2 episode “Office Olympics” was based on true events from Greg Daniels’ King of the Hill writers’ room. Assistant Tim Croston organized elaborate office games, complete with an opening ceremony, team banners, special shirts, and even symbolic doves. The production team adapted these details into the Scranton branch’s playful competitions.
Jim’s Fitness Orb Pop Was an Accident
In the “Performance Review” cold open, Jim stabs Dwight’s exercise ball, causing it to deflate. In earlier takes, the ball deflated slowly, but during an additional unscripted attempt, John Krasinski accidentally struck the seam, causing it to explode. Rainn Wilson dropped suddenly, visibly shocked. Krasinski briefly broke character before turning away.
Jim and Pam’s Relationship Was Not Always Guaranteed
Though fans now view Jim and Pam as inevitable, early writers’ room discussions explored alternate outcomes. According to Jenna Fischer, there was real consideration that Pam might reunite with Roy, especially during Jim’s time in Stamford. Another idea suggested that Jim and Pam might not end up together, instead inspiring each other to find different long-term partners.
A Homer Simpson Doll Nods to Greg Daniels’ Past
One subtle Easter egg in The Office can be spotted near Phyllis’ desk, a small Homer Simpson doll. This detail pays homage to showrunner Greg Daniels, who previously wrote for The Simpsons. It’s a quiet acknowledgment of his earlier work and a tribute to his comedy roots. The inclusion reflects how The Office incorporated hidden references for attentive fans.
Dwight’s Warehouse Box Was Mostly a Stunt
In “The Alliance,” Dwight hides inside a large box in the warehouse, seemingly for an extended period. However, Rainn Wilson was not inside for most of those scenes. Instead, prop master Phil Shea acted as a stunt performer, equipped with knee and elbow pads and guided via walkie-talkie as he maneuvered the box. Only after the difficult shots were completed did Wilson step in for the final reveal.
Jim and Pam’s Phone Call Was Filmed in Real Time
In Season 3’s “Initiation,” Jim and Pam reconnect over a long-distance phone call. Unusually, Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski were truly speaking to each other during the scene, and both sides were filmed simultaneously. Director Randall Einhorn requested this setup for authenticity. Production required technical coordination since the Stamford and Scranton sets were in separate buildings, connected via cables, phone lines, and a central monitoring tent outside.
Call of Duty Became a Real On-Set Obsession
The Call of Duty storyline in Season 3 was drawn from real-life cast and crew habits. After Season 1 wrapped, producer Kent Zbornak installed the game on editing room computers so the post-production team could relax during long sessions. When they moved to new stages for Season 2, he installed it again; this time including the writers’ offices. Soon editors and writers were playing in dark rooms, organizing team matches just like the Stamford branch.
