The Office (U.S. TV series) season 3

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The Office Season 3

Tagline: An NBC comedy not for everyone. Just anyone that works.
Country of origin Flag of the United States United States
Network NBC
Original run September 21, 2006 – May 17, 2007
No. of episodes 23
DVD release date September 4, 2007 USA (Widescreen Anamorphic boxed set)
Previous season 2
Next season 4

The third season of the American television comedy The Office premiered in the United States on NBC on September 21, 2006, and concluded on May 17, 2007. Consisting of twenty-three episodes, the third season continued the American adaptation of the British TV series of the same name as a fake documentary portraying the daily lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The third season was the last full season of the show before the effects of the Writers Guild of America strike shut down production midway through the fourth season. It was stated that one of the main points of season three was to further the relationship between Pam and Jim.[1]

The third season of The Office aired on Thursdays at 8:30 PM (EDT). The season was released on DVD in a box set containing four discs. While the DVD features all twenty-three episodes, the episodes "Traveling Salesmen" and "The Return" were condensed into one episode. The DVD was released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Contents

[edit] Production

The third season of the show was produced by Reveille Productions and Deedle-Dee Productions, both in association with NBC Universal Television Studios. The show is based upon the British series created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, and its executive producer is Greg Daniels, along with consulting producers Larry Wilmore[2] and Lester Lewis.[3] The show's writers include Daniels, Gervais, Merchant, Michael Schur,[4] Jason Kessler, Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky, Jennifer Celotta, Brent Forrester, and Justin Spitzer. Steve Carell, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, and B.J. Novak double as writers as well as actors in the show.

Season three featured episodes directed by twelve different directors. The Office features both a "team" of directors, as well as several freelanced. While Ken Kwapis, Ken Whittingham, and Daniels had previously directed episodes, season three featured first time Office directors Roger Nygard, Randall Einhorn, Miguel Arteta, Tucker Gates, Jeffrey Blitz, Harold Ramis, Julian Farino, Joss Whedon, and J.J. Abrams. Abrams, executive producer of Lost and Cloverfield, directed the episode "Cocktails". After being chosen to direct, Abrams stated that "I am obsessed with The Office".[5]

While The Office was mainly filmed on a studio set in Los Angeles, California, the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where the show is set, was also used for shots of the opening theme.[6]

[edit] Cast

The Office cast during the third season. Shown is the entire office staff excluding Karen Filippelli and Andy Bernard.
The Office cast during the third season. Shown is the entire office staff excluding Karen Filippelli and Andy Bernard.

Many characters portrayed by The Office cast are based on the British version of the show. While these characters normally have the same attitude and perceptions as their British counterparts, the roles have been redesigned to better fit the American show. The show is known for its generally large cast size, with many of its actors and actresses known particularly for their improvisational work. Steve Carell stars as Michael Scott, Regional Manager of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch.[7] Loosely based on David Brent, Gervais' character in the British version,[8] Scott is a dim-witted and lonely man, who attempts to win friends as the office comedian, usually making himself look bad in the process. Rainn Wilson portrays Dwight Schrute, who, based upon Gareth Keenan, is the Assistant to the Regional Manager, although the character frequently fails to include "to the" in his title.[9] John Krasinski portrays Jim Halpert, a sales representative and prankster, who is based upon Tim Canterbury, and is in love with Pam Beesly, the receptionist.[10] Pam, who is based on Dawn Tinsley, is shy, but in many cases a cohort with Jim in his pranks on Dwight.[11] B.J. Novak portrays Ryan Howard, who for the first two seasons is a temporary worker, but is promoted to sales representative.[12]

The show includes many minor characters playing roles of office workers, working in various positions around the office. Angela Martin, Oscar Martinez, and Kevin Malone are the office's accountants, and are portrayed by Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nuñez, and Brian Baumgartner, respectively. Schrute, Halpert, Phyllis Lapin, portrayed by Phyllis Smith, and Stanley Hudson, portrayed by Leslie David Baker, compose the sales division of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Midway through the season, Karen Filippelli, portrayed by Rashida Jones, and Andy Bernard, portrayed by Ed Helms both join the sales division as transfers from the Stamford branch. Kate Flannery portrays Meredith Palmer, the promiscuous Supplier Relations Representative, writer-actress Mindy Kaling portrays Kelly Kapoor, the pop culture obsessed Customer Service Representative, writer-actor Paul Lieberstein portrays Toby Flenderson, the sad eyed Human Resources Representative, and Creed Bratton plays a fictionalized version of himself as the office's Quality Assurance Officer. Other characters include Roy Anderson, Pam's former fiance played by David Denman, Warehouse Supervisor Darryl Philbin, played by Craig Robinson, and Jan Levinson, Michael's main love interest, who is portrayed by Melora Hardin.

[edit] Reception

Splitting the action — or inaction — between two offices could have been disastrous. But it made us appreciate clueless Michael (Steve Carell) and his uncorporate family — prodigal son Jim (John Krasinski), receptionist/heartbreaker Pam (Jenna Fischer), power-hungry Dwight (Rainn Wilson), and other eccentric cubicle dwellers — even more.
— Entertainment Weekly magazine[13]

The third-season premiere "Gay Witch Hunt" received a 5.7/9 in the Nielsen Ratings, meaning that on average 5.7 percent of households were tuned in at any given moment and 9 percent of all televisions in use at the time were tuned into the program. The premiere also increased in total viewers and viewers 18 to 49 over the previous season, in doing so eclipsing its lead-in program, My Name Is Earl.[14] Rankings taken at the end of the third season placed it #68 on the list for total viewers. It averaged 8.3 million viewers per episode for the season. The show did improve on its rating with adults in the 18-49 range, with a 4.1/11 rating, good for a ranking of 28th.[15] The third season was the first season to feature hour-long episodes, as both "A Benihana Christmas" and "The Job" were an hour long. Both episodes received favorable reception, with "A Benihana Christmas" garnering 8.5 million viewers.[16] While season 3 featured mainstream songs for its soundtrack, many of the songs were decades old.[17] IGN felt that "In its third season The Office continued to be one of the smartest, funniest and most likable shows on television."[18]

[edit] Honors

The third season of The Office received seven nominations for Primetime Emmys at the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards, and won the award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the episode "Gay Witch Hunt".[19] The Office was also nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, with the award going to 30 Rock. Other nominations included Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Steve Carell for his portrayal of Michael Scott, Outstanding Supporting Actor for Rainn Wilson for his portrayal of Dwight Schrute,[20] Outstanding Supporting Actress for Jenna Fischer for her portrayal of Pam Beesly,[21] Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for Ken Kwapis for directing the episode "Gay Witch Hunt",[22] and another nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Michael Schur for the episode "The Negotiation".[23]

[edit] Episodes

"Series #" refers to the episode number in relation to the entire series. Production Code refers to the episode's individual code, with the 3 referring to the third season, and the two final numbers referring to the order each episode was filmed.

# Title Director(s) Writer(s) Original U.S. air date Production code
30 "Gay Witch Hunt"  Ken Kwapis Greg Daniels September 21, 2006 3001
Albeit unintentionally, Michael outs Oscar's homosexuality. After being berated by Jan for doing this, Michael attempts to host his own homosexuality seminar, similar to the racial tolerance seminar seen in the episode "Diversity Day". Meanwhile, at the Stamford, Connecticut branch of Dunder Mifflin, Jim tries to adjust to his new life with his new co-workers Andy and Karen. 
31 "The Convention"  Ken Whittingham Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg September 28, 2006 3006
Josh and Jim from Dunder Mifflin Stamford, as well as Michael and Dwight from Dunder Mifflin Scranton leave for Philadelphia for the annual office supply convention. Michael, angry at both Jim for leaving the Scranton branch, as well as Josh for being superior to him, tries to one-up both Jim and Josh at every opportunity. Meanwhile, Kelly sets up Pam on a double date with one of her friends, only to lead to a disastrous night. 
32 "The Coup"  Greg Daniels Paul Lieberstein October 5, 2006 3002
Michael's managerial tactics lead Angela and Dwight to conspire to take Michael's job. Dwight meets with Jan, who, after listening to Dwight's propositions, later calls to inform Michael that his own employees are conspiring against him. Michael informs Dwight that Jan has promoted him to regional manager in an attempt to make Dwight confess, until Dwight finally admits to going behind Michael's back. Meanwhile, at Dunder Mifflin Stamford, Josh's managerial tactics include playing Call of Duty as a team-building exercise. Unfortunately, Jim is less than competent at the game. 
33 "Grief Counseling"  Roger Nygard Jennifer Celotta October 12, 2006 3003
Michael learns that his former boss Ed Truck was killed, being decapitated in an automobile collision. While mourning, Michael learns that a bird was killed by running into a window earlier that morning, and he decides to have a funeral later in the day for the bird. Meanwhile, at Dunder Mifflin Stamford, Jim and Karen embark on a quest to search for potato chips. 
34 "Initiation"  Randall Einhorn B.J. Novak October 19, 2006 3005
Dwight decides to take Ryan out to the Schrute Familiy Beet Farm for an initiation session before his first sales call. The initiation, involving odd styles of hazing, angers Ryan, who then leaves. Back at the office, many of the employees are overjoyed, as it is Free-Pretzel Day, when each of the employees in the building receive free pretzels from the pretzel vendor downstairs. 
35 "Diwali"  Miguel Arteta Mindy Kaling November 2, 2006 3004
Kelly invites the entire staff to a celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light. At the festival, Michael is inspired by his conversation with Kelly's parents over Hindu marriage customs, and makes an impromptu proposal to his girlfriend Carol, with whom he attended the celebration. Carol awkwardly denies it, and leaves. Then, in Stamford, Jim, Andy, and Karen stay late to do sales figures, which ends up with a heavily intoxicated Jim being driven home by Karen. 
36 "Branch Closing"  Tucker Gates Michael Schur November 9, 2006 3007
Jan informs Michael that the Dunder Mifflin board has voted to close the Scranton branch, and for the Stamford branch to absorb the remnants of Scranton. Michael, upset over this news, announces this to the employees, who begin to debate their futures. To try to save Scranton, Michael and Dwight depart to the company CFO's home, but discover that he isn't there. While Jan is informing Josh and Jim in Stamford of the decision, Josh announces that he is leaving Dunder Mifflin. Jan then confers with corporate, and decides that the Scranton branch will instead absorb Stamford, and Jim will be the new Assistant Regional Manager. Michael and Dwight are informed of the news, believing that it was due to their actions. 
37 "The Merger †"  Ken Whittingham Brent Forrester November 16, 2006 3008
Due to Dunder Mifflin Stamford's closing, six members of the staff: Jim, Karen, Andy, Martin, Tony, and Hannah, move and takes jobs in Scranton. Michael shows an introductory video to the new combined staff, but various members of the two groups soon realize that they have disagreements, both professionally and socially. Michael's attempts to successfully unite the two branches lead to Tony quitting. An angry Michael instead fires him, requiring the company to pay Tony a severance. 
38 "The Convict"  Jeffrey Blitz Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant November 30, 2006 3010
Michael learns that Martin, one of the former Stamford employees, is a former criminal. The staff learns that his time was spent in a white-collar prison (with big-screen TV, college studies, and art classes), and begins to wonder if Martin's prison is better than Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Michael then gives a presentation on the miseries of prison, with most of his ideas fueled from television prisons. At the end of the day, Martin decides to quit. 
39 "A Benihana Christmas‡"  Harold Ramis Jennifer Celotta December 14, 2006 3009
Christmas time at the office leads to depression for Michael, when his girlfriend Carol breaks up with him. Michael, Andy, Dwight, and Jim then go to a local Benihana's, where both Michael and Andy find dates with two of the restaurant's waitresses. Back at the office, Karen and Pam to create their own Christmas party. When the majority of the office decide to go to Karen and Pam's party, Angela becomes upset, and seeing this, Karen and Pam decide to combine the parties. Soon after, Michael and Andy's dates leave them, but Michael nevertheless finds someone to go to Jamaica with him. 
40 "Back from Vacation"  Julian Farino Justin Spitzer January 4, 2007 3011
Michael returns from Jamaica, announcing that he went with Jan. When he tries to send a racy picture to Todd Packer, he inadvertently sends it to the packaging department, and soon the picture is spread throughout the entire company, angering Jan. Then, Jim and Karen have an argument over Karen moving into an apartment close to where Jim lives, until Pam mediates a solution between them. Although she appears to be happy, it is later discovered that she was crying after the day ended. 
41 "Traveling Salesmen"  Greg Daniels Michael Schur, Lee Eisenberg, and Gene Stupnitsky January 11, 2007 3012
Dwight arrives late for an early morning meeting, where Michael announces that the members of the sales staff are teaming up for sales calls, in an Amazing Race-esque challenge. Meanwhile, Kevin announces to Angela that their sales reports weren't mailed to New York, but Angela assures him that the problem was handled. When the teams return, Andy, intent on making Dwight look bad so he can take his position as Number Three, discovers that Dwight's morning tardiness was due to delivering the reports to New York for his girlfriend Angela. Dwight, instead of revealing their relationship, resigns his position, and takes a job at Staples. 
42 "The Return"  Greg Daniels Michael Schur, Lee Eisenberg, and Gene Stupnitsky January 18, 2007 3013
Oscar's return from his vacation prompts Michael to host a Mexican-themed party. Meanwhile, Jim and Pam steal Andy's phone, and repeatedly call it, playing his homemade ring tone over and over. Andy begins to anger more and more each time the tone is played, eventually punching a hole in the wall. Michael, distraught over Dwight's resignation in the previous episode, leaves and confronts him at Staples, inviting him back to Dunder Mifflin. The episode ends with Andy entering into anger management. 
43 "Ben Franklin"  Randall Einhorn Mindy Kaling February 1, 2007 3015
The women of the office decide to hold a bridal shower for Phyllis, while the men decide to hold a bachelor's party for her groom-to-be, Bob Vance. After being convinced to hire a stripper for both the men and the women's parties by Todd Packer, he orders Jim and Dwight to choose the strippers. For the men's party, Dwight hires a stripper, while for the womens party, Jim hires a Ben Franklin impersonator. When both parties end badly, Jim's fun is stopped when Pam asks Ryan to set her up with one of his business school friends. 
44 "Phyllis' Wedding"  Ken Whittingham Caroline Williams February 8, 2007 3016
Phyllis lets Michael be a part of her wedding in return for allowing her to take extra time off work for her honeymoon. Michael attempts to dominate the festivities, and acts as the host of their reception. Roy and Pam leave early together, much to Jim's dismay. 
45 "Business School"  Joss Whedon Brent Forrester February 15, 2007 3017
For extra credit, Ryan invites Michael to his business school as a guest speaker. Michael's speech goes badly; he believes that his purpose is to teach the class about business. Michael grows angry with Ryan when he discovers that Ryan said that Dunder Mifflin would be out of business in a few years. Meanwhile, a bat is found in the office, and Jim pranks Dwight by pretending to be turning into a vampire. We learn that Pam and Roy are back together. In the evening, Pam's art show goes badly, until Michael comes and in a moment of sincere kindness, buys one of Pam's paintings to hang in the office. 
46 "Cocktails"  J.J. Abrams Paul Lieberstein February 22, 2007 3018
The Dunder Mifflin CFO David Wallace holds a cocktail party at his house, which Jan, Michael, Jim, Karen and Dwight attend. Karen pranks Jim throughout the evening by telling him that almost every man they talk to is a former boyfriend of hers. Michael's awkward social mannerisms seem to annoy Jan, but in a private moment, are revealed to actually arouse her. While the rest of the staff is at a bar, Pam informs Roy of her kiss with Jim, severely angering him. 
47 "The Negotiation†"  Jeffrey Blitz Michael Schur April 5, 2007 3019
Roy enters the office and attempts to attack Jim, but Dwight's timely intervention with pepper spray saves Jim. Jim then spends the rest of the day trying to thank Dwight, who refuses to accept any of his gifts. Because of the attack, Pam ends her relationship with Roy for good. Meanwhile, Michael, Toby, and Darryl leave for New York for Michael to get a raise from corporate. They ultimately succeed, and return to Scranton, where Toby then forces Dwight to turn in all of his hidden weaponry. 
48 "Safety Training"  Harold Ramis B.J. Novak April 12, 2007 3020
Andy returns to the office from anger management, wishing to be called "Drew". Down in the warehouse, Darryl gives the staff a safety training seminar, where Michael attempts to use the dangerous equipment. Back in the office, Toby's seminar over possible office afflictions proves to be less than exciting, and Michael attempts to find a way in which working in an office is more dangerous than working in a warehouse. He gets on the building roof, and threatens to jump, to prove that "depression" is life-threatening. When the staff sees what he's about to do, they convince him that his job is hard, and that he should come down. 
49 "Product Recall"  Randall Einhorn Justin Spitzer and Brent Forrester April 26, 2007 3021
Papers from Dunder Mifflin Scranton with an obscene watermark left by a disgruntled ex-employee are accidentally sent out, throwing the business into panic. Creed, who "took one year off" of his job as Quality Assurance Officer, and thus could've stopped the distribution of the watermark, is able to save his job by framing a warehouse employee. Jim and Andy visit a local high school in an attempt to save their account, only to discover that Andy's girlfriend, who he thought was in college, is actually a high school student. 
50 "Women's Appreciation†"  Tucker Gates Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky May 3, 2007 3022
After Phyllis is the victim of a flashing in the Dunder Mifflin Scranton parking lot, Michael hosts a seminar on women's issues. When it doesn't go as expected, he takes the women of the office on a trip to the Mall. Meanwhile, Dwight and Andy search for the perpetrator. While riding home with the women, Michael discusses his discomfort in his relationship with Jan. The women advise him to break up with her, and once the group reaches the office again, Michael calls her and informs her of his decision. 
51 "Beach Games†"  Harold Ramis Jennifer Celotta and Greg Daniels May 10, 2007 3023
Dunder Mifflin CFO David Wallace calls and informs Michael that he is a candidate for an opening position in the corporate office in New York. Believing himself the obvious choice for the job, Michael goes about the task of choosing a successor. At the annual beach games, Michael forces the workers to compete in challenges to determine his successor. Meanwhile, David calls Jim and Karen and invites them to interview for the position. At the end of the day, Pam empowers herself, and opens up with her colleagues, especially Jim, on how she feels about their actions. 
52 "The Job‡"  Ken Kwapis Paul Lieberstein and Michael Schur May 17, 2007 3024
Jan returns to Scranton, and although Michael tries to repel her advances, he ultimately cannot. Michael, Jim, and Karen then all travel to New York to interview for the position that is opening in the corporate office. Before he leaves, Michael names Dwight as his successor in Scranton, and Dwight, with Andy has his new number two, immediately goes about changing the appearance and structure of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. In New York, Michael's awkward interview is interrupted when he learns that the position opening is due to Jan's upcoming dismissal. Jan storms out of the office, with Michael following her. During Jim's episode, he is seen to impress the CFO David Wallace, but decides to leave after realizing his love for Pam. Upon arrival in Scranton, he asks Pam on a date. At the end of the episode, Ryan answers a phone call, and learns that he has been chosen to take the job. 

[edit] Notes

  • † denotes a forty minute long episode.
  • ‡ denotes an hour long episode.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ask Ausiello TV Guide, retrieved February 2, 2008
  2. ^ Veteran TV Writer Moves in Front of the Camera ABC News, retrieved January 28, 2008
  3. ^ Lester Lewis Yahoo! TV, retrieved January 28, 2008
  4. ^ Fender Bender The New Yorker, retrieved January 28, 2008
  5. ^ Abrams To Direct Episode Of 'The Office' TrekMovie.com, retrieved February 2, 2008
  6. ^ Scranton Embraces the ‘Office’ Infamy The New York Times, retrieved February 2, 2008
  7. ^ Taking 'Office' lessons from the world's greatest (inept) boss USA Today, retrieved January 27, 2008
  8. ^ Jolly Good Show Or Was It?; On TV, Attitude Is More Important Than the Way the Vowels Sound The New York Times, retrieved January 27, 2008
  9. ^ The Man Behind 'The Office's' Favorite Suck-Up, Dwight Schrute ABC News, retrieved January 27, 2008
  10. ^ Office' Transfers to a New Cubicle The New York Times, retrieved January 28, 2008
  11. ^ An American-Style 'Office' With a Boss From Heck The New York Times, retrieved January 28, 2008
  12. ^ Hawaii, The Office & Lost in Space Castings Variety, retrieved February 1, 2008
  13. ^ Meeta Agrawal "The Office: Season 3," Variety. Retrieved on January 27, 2008.
  14. ^ September 21, 2006. ABC Changes 'Anatomy' of Thursday, Zap2it.com
  15. ^ The Hollywood Reporter, 2006–07 primetime wrap, hollywoodreporter.com
  16. ^ Arts, Briefly; Holiday Parties, Holiday Ratings The New York Times, retrieved January 27, 2008
  17. ^ ‘Office’ Songs in the Unhip Keys of Life and Karaoke The New York Times, retrieved January 27, 2008
  18. ^ The Office: Season 3 DVD Review IGN, retrieved January 31, 2008
  19. ^ Greg Daniels NBC, retrieved January 29, 2008
  20. ^ The Week's 10 Best Celeb Quotes People Magazine, retrieved January 29, 2008
  21. ^ Emmy Reactions: Tina Fey Cracks It's 'An Outrage' People Magazine, retrieved January 29, 2008
  22. ^ Ellis, Lopez, Marx, Stritch, McKellen and More Among 2007 Emmy Nominees Playbill, retrieved January 29, 2008
  23. ^ Michael Schur VH1, retrieved January 29, 2008


[edit] See Also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
The Office (U.S. TV series)
Episodes
Crew
Cast
Characters
Writers
Elements