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Pilot (The Office)

April 11, 2024

"Pilot" (alternatively titled "The Office: An American Workplace") is the first episode of the first season of the American comedy television series The Office. The episode premiered in the United States on NBC on March 24, 2005. The episode's teleplay was adapted by Greg Daniels from the original script of the first episode of the British version written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. "Pilot" was directed by Ken Kwapis.

"Pilot"
The Office episode
The first scene, in which salesman Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell) talk over the former's financial quarterlies
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 1
Directed byKen Kwapis
Teleplay by
Cinematography byPeter Smokler
Editing byKathryn Himoff
Production code1001[1]
Original air dateMarch 24, 2005 (2005-03-24)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
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"Diversity Day"
The Office (American season 1)
List of episodes

In this episode, a documentary crew arrives at the Scranton, Pennsylvania offices of Dunder Mifflin to observe the employees and learn about modern management. Manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell) tries to paint a happy picture in the face of potential downsizing from corporate. The office also gets new employee Ryan Howard (B. J. Novak) as a temporary worker, while Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) pranks antagonist Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson).

"Pilot" debuted The Office as a mid-season replacement for the 2004–05 season. The episode was primarily adapted from the first episode of the British series, although it was partially re-scripted in an attempt to "Americanize" the new show. Although the episode was a ratings success, receiving a 5.0/13 in the Nielsen ratings among people aged 18–49, and garnering 11.2 million viewers overall, the episode received mixed reviews, with many critics criticizing it as a complete copy of the original.

Plot edit

The episode introduces Michael Scott (Steve Carell), the regional manager at the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, a distribution company dealing in paper products that is currently under threat of facing downsizing. The news is delivered to him by the Vice President of Northeast Sales, Jan Levinson-Gould (Melora Hardin), who, along with the other employees, can barely tolerate Michael's foolish antics.

Also introduced are a few of the other workers in the office, including Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), a socially awkward salesman and part-time, volunteer sheriff's deputy; Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), another salesman who enjoys playing pranks on Dwight; Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), the receptionist on whom Jim harbors an obvious crush; and Ryan Howard (B. J. Novak), a temporary worker.

Production edit

 
"Pilot" was based on the original first episode of the British version of The Office, created by Ricky Gervais (pictured) and Stephen Merchant.

The episode debuted the series as a mid-season replacement for the 2004–05 season. The pilot is a direct adaptation of the first episode of the British version.[2] Daniels had decided to go through this route because "completely starting from scratch would be a very risky thing to do" due to the show being an adaptation.[2] Although the episode was primarily adapted from the first episode of the British series, it was partially re-scripted in an attempt to "Americanize" it.[3][4] Jokes such as Dwight's stapler being put in Jell-O by Jim were transferred verbatim from the original series, while others were only slightly changed. Although later reshot, a scene in which Jim tapes pencils to his desk was originally filmed as a parallel to a scene in the British version, in which Tim Canterbury stacks up cardboard boxes in front of Gareth Keenan to restrict Keenan's view of Canterbury.[5] "Pilot" was filmed almost six months prior to beginning of filming on the second episode of the season, "Diversity Day".[6] The Office used no laugh tracks in the "Pilot", wanting its "deadpan" and "absurd" humor to fully come across.[7] Production for this episode took place on February 18, 2004.[8]

Casting edit

NBC programmer Kevin Reilly originally suggested Paul Giamatti to producer Ben Silverman for the role of Michael Scott, but the actor declined. Martin Short, Hank Azaria and Bob Odenkirk were also reported to be interested.[9] In January 2004, Variety reported Steve Carell, of the popular Comedy Central program The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, was in talks to play the role. At the time, he was already committed to another NBC mid-season replacement comedy, Come to Papa, but the series was quickly canceled, leaving him fully committed to The Office.[10] Carell later stated he had only seen about half of the original pilot episode of the British series before he auditioned. He did not continue watching for fear that he would start copying Gervais' characterizations.[11] Rainn Wilson, who was cast as the power-hungry sycophant Dwight Schrute, watched every episode of the series before he auditioned. Wilson had originally auditioned for Michael, a performance he described as a "terrible Ricky Gervais impersonation"; however, the casting directors liked his audition as Dwight much more and hired him for the role.[12]

John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer were virtual unknowns before being cast in their respective roles as Jim and Pam, the central love interests. Krasinski had attended school with, and was a friend of B. J. Novak. Krasinski recalled accidentally insulting Greg Daniels while waiting to audition for the series, telling him, "I hope [the show's developers] don't screw this up." Daniels then introduced himself and told Krasinski who he was.[13] Fischer prepared for her audition by looking as boring as possible, creating the original Pam hairstyle.[14] In an interview on NPR's Fresh Air, Fischer recalled the last stages of the audition process for Pam and Jim, with the producers partnering the different potential Pams and Jims (four of each) together to gauge their chemistry. When Fischer finished her scene with Krasinski, he told her that she was his favorite Pam, to which she reciprocated that he was her favorite Jim.[15] Many actors originally filmed as extras in this episode would go on to become supporting cast members in later episodes, and the two women wearing blue sweaters towards the back of the room at the staff meeting scene were actual accountants that worked on the production staff.[5]

Reception edit

Ratings edit

"Pilot" premiered on NBC on March 24, 2005.[16] The episode received a 5.0/13 in the Nielsen ratings among people aged 18–49, meaning that 5.0 percent of all 18- to 49-year-olds viewed the episode.[17] The episode garnered 11.2 million viewers overall.[18] "Pilot" ranked as the number one show in the key 18–49 demographic, outperforming all five of its network competitors.[17] In addition, the episode ranked as the third most-watched show for that evening.[19] With over 11 million views, it is the second most watched episode of the series, after the fifth season episode "Stress Relief," which attracted 22.9 million viewers.[20]

Reviews edit

"Pilot" received mixed reviews after its premiere.[21] Many sources deemed it another failed American reincarnation of a British show. A reviewer from the Deseret Morning News said, "Maybe, after The Office dies a quick death on NBC, the network will decide that trying to Americanize British TV comedies isn't such a great idea."[22]The New York Daily News said the show was "neither daring nor funny", adding that "NBC's version is so diluted there's little left but muddy water".[23]

Erik Adams of The A.V. Club gave the episode a C+ and felt that it was a lackluster copy of the original. He noted that "the fatal flaw of this episode—though it could've been a proviso in the licensing agreement signed by Gervais and Merchant—involves dropping reminders of the U.K. Office's pilot left and right", and that "this episode pales in comparison" to the original British version. However, Adams complimented the character of Pam, noting that "she's also the embodiment of a certain grounded, de-glamorized look and tone these early episodes sold well—before subsequent seasons dropped them along with the most obvious concessions to the 'workplace documentary' conceit."[24]

Although many perceived the first episode to have been a failure, some outlets praised the new show. While berating the show for coming across "slowly and painfully", the Boston Globe said that "it is funny".[25] In relation to past failed shows adapted from British shows, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stated "Despite botching the American remake of the Britcom Coupling, NBC makes a pretty good effort in its version of The Office in duplicating the original's ethos while injecting it with an American sensibility."[26]

References edit

  1. ^ "Shows A–Z – Office, The on NBC". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "In Conversation: Greg Daniels, Executive Producer/Showrunner of The Office (U.S.)". HeyWriterBoy. June 20, 2007. from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  3. ^ "NBC Opens 'Office' in America". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. March 20, 2005. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  4. ^ Goodman, Tim (March 24, 2005). . San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
  5. ^ a b Wilson, Rainn (Actor). 2005. "Pilot" [Commentary track], The Office Season One (US/NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
  6. ^ Novak, B.J. (Actor). 2005. "Pilot" [Commentary track], The Office Season One (US/NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
  7. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (March 24, 2005). "An American-Style 'Office' With a Boss From Heck December 3, 2020, at the Wayback Machine". The New York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2008
  8. ^ Making of The Office: The Pilot | A Peacock Extra, retrieved August 7, 2021
  9. ^ Carter, Bill (September 17, 2006). "The Whole World Is Watching, and Ben Silverman Is Watching Back January 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine". The New York Times. Retrieved on April 12, 2008.
  10. ^ Susman, Gary (January 29, 2004). "Daily Show's Carell May Star in Office Remake February 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on April 12, 2008.
  11. ^ Carell, Steve (Actor). 2005. "Pilot" [Commentary track], The Office Season One (U.S./NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
  12. ^ Wilson, Rainn (Actor). 2005. "Pilot" [Commentary track], The Office Season One (U.S./NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
  13. ^ Krasinski, John (Actor). 2005. "Pilot" [Commentary track], The Office Season One (U.S./NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal
  14. ^ Fischer, Jenna (February 9, 2006). "The Office Presents: 'Valentine's Day' March 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine". TVGuide. Retrieved on April 12, 2008.
  15. ^ "Jenna Fischer, Keeping It Real at 'The Office'". NPR. from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
  16. ^ Gallucci, Nicole (March 23, 2020). "'The Office' cast members share their favorite cold opens for 15th anniversary". Mashable. from the original on March 24, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  17. ^ a b "The Office Nielsen Ratings - March 25, 2005 press release". OfficeTally. October 10, 2008. from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  18. ^ VanDerWerff, Emily (July 22, 2020). "The enduring appeal of The Office in a crumbling world". Vox. from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  19. ^ Wilkes, Neil (March 26, 2005). American 'Office' an early ratings hit April 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Digital Spy. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
  20. ^ Gorman, Bill (February 2, 2009). . TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 26, 2010. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  21. ^ "Office Remake Has its US TV Debut February 11, 2006, at the Wayback Machine". BBC News. March 24, 2005. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  22. ^ Pierce, Scott (March 24, 2005). "NBC is Off Target with The Office October 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine". The Deseret Morning News. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  23. ^ Gibson, Owen (March 23, 2005). "US Version of Office Gets Cool Reception March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine". The Guardian. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  24. ^ Adams, Erik (June 4, 2013). "'Pilot'/'Diversity Day' | The Office (Classic TV) | TV Club". The A.V. Club. The Onion. from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  25. ^ Matthew, Gilbert (March 24, 2005). "It's Not as Warped as the Original, But 'The Office' is Painfully Funny February 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  26. ^ Owen, Rob (March 23, 2005). . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2008.

External links edit

  • at NBC.com
  • "Pilot" at IMDb  

April 11, 2024
pilot, office, pilot, alternatively, titled, office, american, workplace, first, episode, first, season, american, comedy, television, series, office, episode, premiered, united, states, march, 2005, episode, teleplay, adapted, greg, daniels, from, original, s. Pilot alternatively titled The Office An American Workplace is the first episode of the first season of the American comedy television series The Office The episode premiered in the United States on NBC on March 24 2005 The episode s teleplay was adapted by Greg Daniels from the original script of the first episode of the British version written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant Pilot was directed by Ken Kwapis Pilot The Office episodeThe first scene in which salesman Jim Halpert John Krasinski and manager Michael Scott Steve Carell talk over the former s financial quarterliesEpisode no Season 1Episode 1Directed byKen KwapisTeleplay byRicky GervaisStephen MerchantGreg DanielsCinematography byPeter SmoklerEditing byKathryn HimoffProduction code1001 1 Original air dateMarch 24 2005 2005 03 24 Guest appearancesMelora Hardin as Jan Levinson David Denman as Roy AndersonEpisode chronology Previous Next Diversity Day The Office American season 1 List of episodesIn this episode a documentary crew arrives at the Scranton Pennsylvania offices of Dunder Mifflin to observe the employees and learn about modern management Manager Michael Scott Steve Carell tries to paint a happy picture in the face of potential downsizing from corporate The office also gets new employee Ryan Howard B J Novak as a temporary worker while Jim Halpert John Krasinski pranks antagonist Dwight Schrute Rainn Wilson Pilot debuted The Office as a mid season replacement for the 2004 05 season The episode was primarily adapted from the first episode of the British series although it was partially re scripted in an attempt to Americanize the new show Although the episode was a ratings success receiving a 5 0 13 in the Nielsen ratings among people aged 18 49 and garnering 11 2 million viewers overall the episode received mixed reviews with many critics criticizing it as a complete copy of the original Contents 1 Plot 2 Production 2 1 Casting 3 Reception 3 1 Ratings 3 2 Reviews 4 References 5 External linksPlot editThe episode introduces Michael Scott Steve Carell the regional manager at the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin a distribution company dealing in paper products that is currently under threat of facing downsizing The news is delivered to him by the Vice President of Northeast Sales Jan Levinson Gould Melora Hardin who along with the other employees can barely tolerate Michael s foolish antics Also introduced are a few of the other workers in the office including Dwight Schrute Rainn Wilson a socially awkward salesman and part time volunteer sheriff s deputy Jim Halpert John Krasinski another salesman who enjoys playing pranks on Dwight Pam Beesly Jenna Fischer the receptionist on whom Jim harbors an obvious crush and Ryan Howard B J Novak a temporary worker Production edit nbsp Pilot was based on the original first episode of the British version of The Office created by Ricky Gervais pictured and Stephen Merchant The episode debuted the series as a mid season replacement for the 2004 05 season The pilot is a direct adaptation of the first episode of the British version 2 Daniels had decided to go through this route because completely starting from scratch would be a very risky thing to do due to the show being an adaptation 2 Although the episode was primarily adapted from the first episode of the British series it was partially re scripted in an attempt to Americanize it 3 4 Jokes such as Dwight s stapler being put in Jell O by Jim were transferred verbatim from the original series while others were only slightly changed Although later reshot a scene in which Jim tapes pencils to his desk was originally filmed as a parallel to a scene in the British version in which Tim Canterbury stacks up cardboard boxes in front of Gareth Keenan to restrict Keenan s view of Canterbury 5 Pilot was filmed almost six months prior to beginning of filming on the second episode of the season Diversity Day 6 The Office used no laugh tracks in the Pilot wanting its deadpan and absurd humor to fully come across 7 Production for this episode took place on February 18 2004 8 Casting edit NBC programmer Kevin Reilly originally suggested Paul Giamatti to producer Ben Silverman for the role of Michael Scott but the actor declined Martin Short Hank Azaria and Bob Odenkirk were also reported to be interested 9 In January 2004 Variety reported Steve Carell of the popular Comedy Central program The Daily Show with Jon Stewart was in talks to play the role At the time he was already committed to another NBC mid season replacement comedy Come to Papa but the series was quickly canceled leaving him fully committed to The Office 10 Carell later stated he had only seen about half of the original pilot episode of the British series before he auditioned He did not continue watching for fear that he would start copying Gervais characterizations 11 Rainn Wilson who was cast as the power hungry sycophant Dwight Schrute watched every episode of the series before he auditioned Wilson had originally auditioned for Michael a performance he described as a terrible Ricky Gervais impersonation however the casting directors liked his audition as Dwight much more and hired him for the role 12 John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer were virtual unknowns before being cast in their respective roles as Jim and Pam the central love interests Krasinski had attended school with and was a friend of B J Novak Krasinski recalled accidentally insulting Greg Daniels while waiting to audition for the series telling him I hope the show s developers don t screw this up Daniels then introduced himself and told Krasinski who he was 13 Fischer prepared for her audition by looking as boring as possible creating the original Pam hairstyle 14 In an interview on NPR s Fresh Air Fischer recalled the last stages of the audition process for Pam and Jim with the producers partnering the different potential Pams and Jims four of each together to gauge their chemistry When Fischer finished her scene with Krasinski he told her that she was his favorite Pam to which she reciprocated that he was her favorite Jim 15 Many actors originally filmed as extras in this episode would go on to become supporting cast members in later episodes and the two women wearing blue sweaters towards the back of the room at the staff meeting scene were actual accountants that worked on the production staff 5 Reception editRatings edit Pilot premiered on NBC on March 24 2005 16 The episode received a 5 0 13 in the Nielsen ratings among people aged 18 49 meaning that 5 0 percent of all 18 to 49 year olds viewed the episode 17 The episode garnered 11 2 million viewers overall 18 Pilot ranked as the number one show in the key 18 49 demographic outperforming all five of its network competitors 17 In addition the episode ranked as the third most watched show for that evening 19 With over 11 million views it is the second most watched episode of the series after the fifth season episode Stress Relief which attracted 22 9 million viewers 20 Reviews edit Pilot received mixed reviews after its premiere 21 Many sources deemed it another failed American reincarnation of a British show A reviewer from the Deseret Morning News said Maybe after The Office dies a quick death on NBC the network will decide that trying to Americanize British TV comedies isn t such a great idea 22 The New York Daily News said the show was neither daring nor funny adding that NBC s version is so diluted there s little left but muddy water 23 Erik Adams of The A V Club gave the episode a C and felt that it was a lackluster copy of the original He noted that the fatal flaw of this episode though it could ve been a proviso in the licensing agreement signed by Gervais and Merchant involves dropping reminders of the U K Office s pilot left and right and that this episode pales in comparison to the original British version However Adams complimented the character of Pam noting that she s also the embodiment of a certain grounded de glamorized look and tone these early episodes sold well before subsequent seasons dropped them along with the most obvious concessions to the workplace documentary conceit 24 Although many perceived the first episode to have been a failure some outlets praised the new show While berating the show for coming across slowly and painfully the Boston Globe said that it is funny 25 In relation to past failed shows adapted from British shows the Pittsburgh Post Gazette stated Despite botching the American remake of the Britcom Coupling NBC makes a pretty good effort in its version of The Office in duplicating the original s ethos while injecting it with an American sensibility 26 References edit Shows A Z Office The on NBC The Futon Critic Retrieved January 25 2013 a b In Conversation Greg Daniels Executive Producer Showrunner of The Office U S HeyWriterBoy June 20 2007 Archived from the original on January 7 2014 Retrieved November 13 2011 NBC Opens Office in America Milwaukee Journal Sentinel March 20 2005 Archived from the original on February 17 2013 Retrieved January 3 2013 Goodman Tim March 24 2005 Miracle time Americanized Office is Good San Francisco Chronicle Archived from the original on May 25 2011 Retrieved February 22 2008 a b Wilson Rainn Actor 2005 Pilot Commentary track The Office Season One US NBC Version DVD Los Angeles CA Universal Novak B J Actor 2005 Pilot Commentary track The Office Season One US NBC Version DVD Los Angeles CA Universal Stanley Alessandra March 24 2005 An American Style Office With a Boss From Heck Archived December 3 2020 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times Retrieved February 22 2008 Making of The Office The Pilot A Peacock Extra retrieved August 7 2021 Carter Bill September 17 2006 The Whole World Is Watching and Ben Silverman Is Watching Back Archived January 18 2018 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times Retrieved on April 12 2008 Susman Gary January 29 2004 Daily Show s Carell May Star in Office Remake Archived February 2 2011 at the Wayback Machine Entertainment Weekly Retrieved on April 12 2008 Carell Steve Actor 2005 Pilot Commentary track The Office Season One U S NBC Version DVD Los Angeles CA Universal Wilson Rainn Actor 2005 Pilot Commentary track The Office Season One U S NBC Version DVD Los Angeles CA Universal Krasinski John Actor 2005 Pilot Commentary track The Office Season One U S NBC Version DVD Los Angeles CA Universal Fischer Jenna February 9 2006 The Office Presents Valentine s Day Archived March 5 2011 at the Wayback Machine TVGuide Retrieved on April 12 2008 Jenna Fischer Keeping It Real at The Office NPR Archived from the original on September 15 2008 Retrieved September 1 2008 Gallucci Nicole March 23 2020 The Office cast members share their favorite cold opens for 15th anniversary Mashable Archived from the original on March 24 2020 Retrieved December 3 2020 a b The Office Nielsen Ratings March 25 2005 press release OfficeTally October 10 2008 Archived from the original on August 5 2020 Retrieved December 3 2020 VanDerWerff Emily July 22 2020 The enduring appeal of The Office in a crumbling world Vox Archived from the original on November 27 2020 Retrieved December 3 2020 Wilkes Neil March 26 2005 American Office an early ratings hit Archived April 11 2008 at the Wayback Machine Digital Spy Retrieved February 28 2008 Gorman Bill February 2 2009 Updated The Office Draws 22 905 Million Viewers Following the Super Bowl TV by the Numbers Archived from the original on May 26 2010 Retrieved February 26 2010 Office Remake Has its US TV Debut Archived February 11 2006 at the Wayback Machine BBC News March 24 2005 Retrieved February 23 2008 Pierce Scott March 24 2005 NBC is Off Target with The Office Archived October 22 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Deseret Morning News Retrieved February 23 2008 Gibson Owen March 23 2005 US Version of Office Gets Cool Reception Archived March 5 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian Retrieved February 23 2008 Adams Erik June 4 2013 Pilot Diversity Day The Office Classic TV TV Club The A V Club The Onion Archived from the original on June 8 2013 Retrieved June 5 2013 Matthew Gilbert March 24 2005 It s Not as Warped as the Original But The Office is Painfully Funny Archived February 23 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Boston Globe Retrieved February 23 2008 Owen Rob March 23 2005 TV Reviews American Office Works For and Gets the Laughs Pittsburgh Post Gazette Archived from the original on June 4 2011 Retrieved February 23 2008 External links edit Pilot at NBC com Pilot at IMDb nbsp Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pilot The Office amp oldid 1217394986, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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