1. The idea to create a U.S. version of The Office started after TV producer Ben Silverman happened to catch an episode of the UK version while vacationing in London in 2001.
2. Greg Daniels, who adapted the show from the original UK series, originally developed the script thinking it would be for HBO or FX.
3. Paul Giamatti was NBC’s first choice to play Michael Scott; he turned down the role.
4. Before his audition, Steve Carell had only seen about five minutes of the U.K. version of The Office.
5. Seth Rogen auditioned for the role of Dwight.
6. Originally Jim and Pam were an interracial couple.
Jim would’ve been White and Pam would've been African-American. Actress Erica Vittina Phillips would have played Pam.
7. Angela Kinsey originally auditioned for the role of Pam.
8. John Krasinski shot the footage of the Scranton, PA, that appears in the opening credits.
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9. The paper that is highlighted during the opening credits is actually a Los Angeles Department of City Planning (zoning) document.
10. Kate Flannery actually auditioned for the role of Jan before nabbing the role of Meredith.
11. B.J. Novak and John Krasinski have known each other since childhood.
12. Ed Helms (Andy) and Brian Baumgartner (Kevin) also attended high school together in Georgia.
13. Phyllis Smith (who played Phyllis) was actually the casting director for The Office, the producers liked her so much that they created a role for her.
14. Oscar Nunez (Oscar) didn’t think the show would be successful, so he kept his jobs as a server and babysitter after he got the role.
15. B.J. Novak’s character was named after Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Baron baseball player Ryan Howard, who later made a guest appearance on the show.
16. The success of The 40-Year-Old Virgin -- which shot Steve Carell to stardom -- saved The Office from cancellation after its first season.
17. Jenna Fischer’s real-life pregnancy was not an issue with writers as they were already planning for Pam to get pregnant.
18. Dwight was supposed to leave in season nine and have his own spin-off, The Farm.
19. In the episode "The Launch Party," John Krasinski accidentally signs Meredith’s pelvic cast with his name and not Jim’s name.
20. In the episode "A Benihana Christmas," Michael, Andy, and Jim dine at the exact same Benihana restaurant that Andy Stitzer goes to in The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
21. Parks and Recreation was originally supposed to be a spin-off of The Office.
22. Jenna Fischer kept Pam’s engagement ring after the show ended.
23. Although Dunder Mifflin is a fictitious company, it is recognized by the Scranton Chamber of Commerce because of all the tourism it has given the city.
