The Office’s Rashida Jones Recalls Her First Day Filming The Show And How It Made Her Appreciate Steve Carell’s Work

The Office’s Rashida Jones Recalls Her First Day Filming The Show And How It Made Her Appreciate Steve Carell’s Work

As a huge fan of The Office, I can’t help but be in awe of Steve Carell’s remarkable performance as Michael Scott. Having had the opportunity to work alongside him during my time on the show, Rashida Jones‘ experiences resonate with me deeply.


Regardless of your affection for “The Office,” it’s indisputable that the show has left an indelible mark on television comedy. Following in its footsteps, numerous workplace mockumentaries have emerged, such as “Parks and Recreation,” “Superstore,” and “Abbott Elementary.” Yet, what sets “The Office” (US version) apart is its enduring appeal and longevity. This can be attributed to the show’s side-splitting cast of actors, with Steve Carell’s portrayal of the wittily quotable Michael Scott being a significant contributing factor, as noted by Rashida Jones.

Prior to becoming a prominent cast member on “Parks and Recreation,” Jones featured frequently in “The Office” during Season 3. She made appearances in a few episodes following that period as well. Recently, during an interview on “The Jess Cagle Show,” she was reminiscing about her time spent on the set of “The Office.” When asked to share a favorite memory, the actress from “I Love You, Man” eagerly recounted an encounter with Steve Carell on her very first day of filming. Her tale underscores the impressive comedic abilities of the star of “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.”

In my estimation, it was likely my first day in Scranton as I recall my initial scene involved being part of a conference room setting with Steve at the helm. It brought about a sense of victory, akin to winning a radio contest, as I had been an avid fan of the show for two seasons. Suddenly, I found myself among the cast, and Steve’s performance on set surpassed anything I had seen on television by far. His antics during each take were bold, bizarre, intriguing, and side-splittingly funny. The experience left me utterly astonished as I had never witnessed such captivating acting before.

As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of TV shows, I wasn’t shocked in the least to learn that Steve Carell was nominated for six consecutive years for his role as Michael Scott in both the Emmys and Golden Globe awards. I’ve always found his character to be quite eccentric, constantly testing the boundaries of what’s controversial and awkward. But now that I know that only 10% of Carell’s outrageous behavior as Scott made it to the final cut, my curiosity is piqued, and I can’t help but wonder what other hilarious antics were left on the table.

Carell and Jones worked together on “Angie Tribeca” besides their collaboration in “The Office.” In the 2016 sitcom produced by Rashida Jones and starring herself, Steve Carell co-created the show with his wife Nancy. The series aired for four seasons before being canceled by TBS. Despite its cancellation, it remains one of Jones’ standout performances and is available to watch with a Max subscription.

In praise of Carell’s acting skills, not only his “The Social Network” co-star but also the actors who portrayed Michael Scott and Jim Halpert on “The Office” – that is, Carell himself and John Krasinski – recently collaborated on the new children’s film “IF.” Released in May 2024 with mixed to positive reviews, this reunion left Krasinski equally impressed as before, despite their seven-season stint together on the iconic sitcom. The acclaimed performer from “The Big Short” continued to leave a lasting impression on his former colleague.

For enthusiasts of “The Office,” there’s reason to be optimistic about cast reunions as Peacock is developing a spinoff. However, it seems unlikely that Carell will return as Michael Scott based on current information regarding the storyline. Nevertheless, other characters might make unexpected appearances since some cast members have shown an inclination toward a spinoff. Should this occur, I’ll keep you updated “as soon as possible.” In the meantime, we can only rewatch classic episodes of “The Office” with a Peacock subscription.

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2024-07-14 02:37