The beep of a copier. The snap of a stapler. The drone of a printer shooting out page after page. All of these sounds are completely ordinary and unremarkable in an office. Instead, what makes a workplace special is the people, as shown by the cultural monolith that is “The Office.”
The remarkable longevity and memorability of “The Office” is mainly thanks to its characters. Each employee has a unique role in bringing the fictional paper company, Dunder Mifflin, to life.
Steve Carell’s portrayal of Michael Scott, the lovable yet sometimes unbearable manager, drives much of the show’s conflict. His relationships with Jim, Dwight, Jan and his arch nemesis, Toby, are central aspects of the show’s comedy and plot. Whether it’s the infamously uncomfortable “Dinner Party” episode, or the laughable escapades of “Threat Level Midnight,” Michael Scott is the beating heart of Dunder Mifflin.
Rainn Wilson plays Dwight Schrute, the peculiar beet farmer who starts as an antagonist towards Jim and a loyal servant to Michael Scott. Throughout the show, he slowly grows into an independent and complex character with hopes, dreams, romances and misfortunes. Eventually, he achieves his goal of becoming the regional manager of Dunder Mifflin, a seemingly unremarkable promotion that delivers an emotionally impactful conclusion.
Jim and Pam, played by John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer, respectively, act as two of the show’s protagonists, as their relationship is a focal point throughout each season. Over time, viewers see the development of an authentic relationship where both characters make mistakes and grow as people.
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The side characters also help bring Dunder Mifflin to life, even if they remain unchanged throughout the series. Kevin is the crude goofball, Creed is the oddball, and Stanley is the office grouch. Each of these characters add to the show’s captivating appeal.
“The Office” was undoubtedly a commercial success, with 42 Primetime Emmy nominations and five wins. Despite low ratings in its first season, the sitcom quickly picked up speed and created memorable moments that still linger in America’s cultural ethos.
Although the show ended nearly 12 years ago, new merchandise has been steadily produced for the past decade. “The Office” aficionados can purchase a LEGO set featuring the main cast, download a mobile app to relive key moments and buy various stickers, clothing and board games all themed around the sitcom.
Even after two decades, the show has maintained its cult following. R/DunderMifflin, an online forum dedicated solely to “The Office,” has 3.5 million subscribers, and its posts still regularly receive thousands of interactions.
“The Office” also had a resurgence in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was the most streamed show of the entire year with an estimated 57 billion minutes streamed. During a time of social distancing, masking and global uncertainty, people found a sense of security in Dunder Mifflin.
Despite turning 20 years old, the cultural significance of “The Office” remains strong. It has transcended its origins as a TV sitcom and firmly embedded itself in America’s pop cultural essence.
