The U.S. version of The Office stands as one of the most iconic and successful sitcoms in television history. Yet, according to star Steve Carell, its beginnings were far from promising. Reflecting on the initial reception of the pilot episode, Carell recalled thinking it would be as welcome as “rat droppings on a birthday cake.” In fact, he revealed that the show was so poorly received during test screenings that audiences “actively hated” the first episode.
Speaking on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Carell vividly remembered the feedback after the pilot’s debut. “Our pilot was the least test-screened pilot in NBC history,” he stated. “People really hated it. They actively hated it. And I don’t really know how it got legs after that.” Carell also shared an amusing anecdote from the set of Anchorman, where co-star Paul Rudd reportedly advised him against taking on the role of Michael Scott for The Office.
Despite such overwhelmingly negative initial reactions, Carell persevered. The Office US ultimately blossomed into a beloved series that ran for nine seasons, transforming Dunder Mifflin into a household name. Carell himself departed after the seventh season, but his commitment proved early critics wrong, delivering a show that continues to make viewers wince, laugh, and occasionally shed a tear with its unforgettable cast of paper salespeople.