The iconic American television sitcomThe Office was a resounding success. An adaptation of the smash-hit British original created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the American makers of the show were bold enough at the time to believe they could replicate its success. In a recent interview, actor Steve Carell, who played the lead protagonist Michael Scott, revealed that some of his peers had actually advised him against taking on the role.
Paul Rudd advised not to audition for the role of Michael Scott, says Steve Carell
In a conversation with comedian Amy Poehler on her show Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Steve Carell discussed the role that launched him into stardom. In fact, audiences loved his portrayal of a desperate, approval-seeking boss so much that The Office went on to run for nine seasons. However, when Carell’s colleagues on the set of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy heard he was being considered for the role, they immediately tried to discourage him from taking the part.
The Office actor also distinctly remembered Paul Rudd saying, “Don’t do it, man. Don’t audition,” which prompted Poehler to jokingly add, “I’m sure, yeah, everyone was like, don’t even touch this, don’t touch this.”
Furthermore, Carell stated the show had a shaky start, recalling that the pilot episode was the lowest-testing one in NBC history. “Our pilot was the lowest testing pilot in the history of NBC. People really hated it. They actively hated it. And I don’t quite know how it got legs after that.”
Despite the initial hiccup, the show went on to become a tremendous commercial and critical success, earning 42 Emmy nominations and winning five Primetime Emmy Awards. Carell himself was nominated six times for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, though he never won.
With all the success and hype surrounding the British original, it was a risky gamble to reinterpret the show for an American audience. Nevertheless, it paid off, and Carell—by deliberately avoiding the original mockumentary—was able to shape the role in his own way.
Which Office is your favorite—the US or the UK version? Let us know in the comments section below.
