The Office Was Nearly Canceled After Its First 6 Episodes. How The 40-Year-Old Virgin And iTunes Really Saved It

by

Despite the fact that “The Office” is now a cultural phenomenon and widely recognized as one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, its journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. The show, known for its unique blend of endearing charm and uncomfortable situations, almost didn’t make it past its first season, with NBC considering cancellation for its quirky humor. Fortunately, the show was given another chance and ran successfully for nine seasons. However, we can’t solely credit NBC for this decision. We should also express our gratitude to “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and an unconventional move by Apple for helping save “The Office.

To mark the 20th anniversary since the 2005 debut of “The Office”, The LA Times delved into everything related to Dunder Mifflin. Before comedies in mockumentary style became popular – think “Parks and Recreation”, “Modern Family” and the current hit “Abbott Elementary” on the 2025 TV schedule – there was Greg Daniels’ adaptation of the original UK comedy by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais. The show’s influence on the genre is evident now, and overall, it is widely regarded as a classic.

However, it almost didn’t make it past Season 1…

The Office Was On The Verge Of Cancellation After It’s First Season

Despite having an enthusiastic and skilled writing crew, they encountered challenges when adapting a cherished British sitcom. The pilot episode, when shown to a test audience, received a mix of positive and negative feedback. However, it did capture enough interest from younger viewers that the series was commissioned for five additional episodes.

After “The Office” made its small screen debut on TV, my enthusiasm for the show waned following its initial premiere, with ratings dipping as well.

During their 2005 debut, the sitcom about a paper company received a somewhat lukewarm response, leading to discussions about canceling it on NBC. However, fortunately for its fans, the show was granted a second season to continue.

Now, we also know that we have The 40-Year-Old Virgin and iTunes to thank for that decision.

Thanks to Steve Carrell and iTunes, The NBC Series Was Saved

As I reflect on Steve Carell’s illustrious career, it’s fascinating to note that he was simultaneously filming “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “The Office.” Both productions have become cornerstones of his acting journey, with the NBC comedy debuting first, followed by the movie’s release later that summer. The film was a smashing success, catapulting Carell into stardom. Consequently, “The Office,” now boasting a familiar face at its helm, attracted more viewers, amplifying its popularity.

As the summer blockbuster movie continues to attract audiences for its second season, Apple has chosen to make the series available through iTunes. However, you might be curious as to why this is a significant step. Let’s delve into the reasons.

Prior to Video On Demand (VOD) services and streaming platforms becoming commonplace, DVDs were the primary method for binge-watching content. Notably, NBC opted to make episodes of its sitcom available for purchase on iTunes. This decision significantly shifted the landscape: within just a few months, “The Office” was one of the year’s most popular downloads in 2005, with approximately 100,000 purchases.

Since its tenure on NBC, The Office has continued to be a massive streaming sensation (now streamable for Peacock subscribers). This move to iTunes hinted at this lasting popularity, as Jeff Zucker, then-head of NBCUniversal, stated:

It seems to me that they hinted at introducing a novel approach for presenting these programs. If ‘The Office’ had initially premiered on a streaming platform, it likely would have gained immediate popularity.

So, with a big star and a new audience, there was good reason to keep The Office open.

It’s truly heartening that the show didn’t end after just one season. As it gained momentum, it produced countless memorable scenes and internet sensations, catapulting the cast of “The Office” to stardom. Therefore, we should all express our gratitude to Judd Apatow, his 2005 hit, and iTunes, as they might have prevented the premature closure of this beloved show.

Read More

2025-03-20 12:10