Book Details
Title: The Office- The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s
Author: Andy Green
Publisher: Dutton Books
Publication Date: March 24, 2020
Synopsis:
The untold stories behind The Office, one of the most iconic television shows of the twenty-first century, told by its creators, writers, and actors
When did you last hang out with Jim, Pam, Dwight, Michael, and the rest of Dunder Mifflin? It might have been back in 2013, when the series finale aired . . . or it might have been last night, when you watched three episodes in a row. But either way, fifteen years after the show first aired, it’s more popular than ever, and fans have only one problem–what to watch, or read, next.
Fortunately, Rolling Stone writer Andy Greene has that answer. In his brand-new oral history, The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, Greene will take readers behind the scenes of their favorite moments and characters. Greene gives us the true inside story behind the entire show, from its origins on the BBC through its impressive nine-season run in America, with in-depth research and exclusive interviews. Fans will get the inside scoop on key episodes from “The Dundies” to “Threat Level Midnight” and “Goodbye, Michael,” including behind-the-scenes details like the battle to keep it on the air when NBC wanted to pull the plug after just six episodes and the failed attempt to bring in James Gandolfini as the new boss after Steve Carell left, spotlighting the incredible, genre-redefining show created by the family-like team, who together took a quirky British import with dicey prospects and turned it into a primetime giant with true historical and cultural significance.
Hilarious, heartwarming, and revelatory, The Office gives fans and pop culture buffs a front-row seat to the phenomenal sequence of events that launched The Office into wild popularity, changing the face of television and how we all see our office lives for decades to come.
My Review
A must-read for fans of the show, The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s is more fun than beets, bears, or even Battlestar Gallactica!
I love The Office and I absolutely loved this book! Reading it was like having the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of my favorite fictional friends.
This book was overflowing with fun facts and behind the scenes trivia. For example, did you know that for some episodes, Jim is wearing a very expensive wig to hide the fact that he cut his hair to be in another movie? Or that writer Greg Daniels wanted to have Dwight ride a horse over Niagara Falls after Jim and Pam’s wedding? I was also fascinated to learn that the scene where Angela throws a cat into the air was filmed using two highly trained stunt cats.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was also the fact that within these pages, I got to be a fly on the wall in the writer’s room and learn what makes the show so brilliant. What was the rationale behind how Jim proposed to Pam? How did they make they make a show that was so realistic, but also so smart, funny, and deeply emotional? How much of the show was improv? What was the reasoning behind Steve Carrell’s departure? Reading this book taught me fun facts about my favorite show, but it also taught me important lessons about the craft of storytelling from some incredibly talented writers.
It is clear that the author, who also writes for Rolling Stone, has done meticulous research. He weaves together the oral interviews he conducted in order to make a chronological narrative that is full of heart. I will admit that I got a bit misty eyed when I read about the behind the scenes goodbyes that happened when Steve Carrel left the show or the emotional wrap party that occurred when it was all over.
I couldn’t put this book down. The entire time I was reading it, I kept sharing fun facts that I had learned with my friends (whether or not they were interested). I devoured this book in just a few days, and now I’m ready to rewatch all the episodes of my favorite show. Please excuse me while I go stream The Office while keeping an eye out for all details I learned in this book!
Note: Thank you to Net Galley for a free copy of this book. I received a free digital advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Rev. Rebecca Writes 
Great review!
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