One major star of The Office US has said that the hit TV show would have had to be a 'very, very different show' if it were made in 2025.
The Office has held a cult-like status among TV fans to the extent that it is a huge part of the cultural zeitgeist of today's adult generation.
The sitcom ran from 2005 to 2013 and provided fans with nine seasons of drama inside the paper company, Dunder Mifflin.
We all believe in Dunder Mifflin’s ethos, Dwight Schrute’s absolute loyalty to Michael Scott, Pam’s love for Jim, and Stanley’s utter lack of motivation.
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However, sometimes it can be hard to admit that our favorite shows might have had some problematic moments, even when we take off our rose-tinted glasses - something Zöe Kravtiz noted about a very beloved 90s sitcom.
And recently, one of The Office's big stars has opened up on how the show could be at times 'jaw-droppingly kind of horrific'.
Rainn Wilson, aka Dwight Schrute, said that this is why, if it were to return in 2025, it would have to be ‘very, very different’.
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In an interview on The Daily Beast's Last Laugh podcast, he referenced the episode 'A Benihana Christmas' in particular, as he said: “Listen, you know, the Benihana Christmas episode where Michael and Andy draw with a sharpie on one of the Asian women that they’ve brought back to the Christmas party is jaw-droppingly kind of horrific.
“And it’s a tricky conversation, you know? They’re clueless and, in their cluelessness, they’re racist and insensitive, and they’re always saying the wrong thing.
"And that’s Michael, Dwight and Andy — and Kevin for that matter. So it’s a show based around clueless, insensitive, racist, sexist people that kind of mirrors the United States in a lot of ways.”
He went on to say: “You want to encourage it, because it’s funny as hell and it also kind of skewers a particular American sensibility. But it definitely goes pretty far if you dig deep.”
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As for whether this would fly nowadays, The Meg star said: “Could it happen today? I think it would have to be very, very different if it were made in this environment.”
As for what could have been, Wilson also revealed that there was supposed to be a Schrute spinoff called The Farm, which unfortunately didn't come to fruition.
The show was expected to pick up Dwight's story of him and his family running a beet farm, which was hinted at during an episode in the final season, also titled 'The Farm'.
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The actor said: "Had they taken The Farm, they would probably have another billion dollars in the bank. Even now, all the people that have seen The Office 20 times they are going to watch The Farm at least once or twice."
Though he added that while it likely wouldn't have been as 'good' as The Office, it would have been 'a good solid comedy', as he thinks they 'really missed out'.
While a reboot of The Office doesn't look to be happening anytime soon, a follow-up show called The Paper is now available on Peacock.
Topics: The Office, Film and TV
Britt Jones