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16 "The Office" Cold Opens That Will Never Fail To Make You LOL

Most of these have been living rent-free in my head for a really long time.

Shreya Mali
by Shreya Mali

BuzzFeed Staff

1. Reclyops' wonderful character arc in Season 6, Episode 11, "The Shareholder Meeting".

A man in a costume with another man staring ahead
NBC

They really took us on a rollercoaster ride with this cold open. Recylops started off as a positive Earth Day initiative, gained a desire to punish earth destroyers, and ended up wanting to destroy the earth because, "his fictional planet was attacked by some other fictitious thing". 

2. Stanley's brilliant idea with his fish mask in Season 5, Episode 6, "Employee Transfer"

A man with a mask sleeping at his desk
NBC

This one has so many layers — We start off with Stanley taking a nap at his desk, then we go to Creed in his creepily accurate "Joker" costume with Kevin getting mad. Then there's Andy in his cat costume and Pam at corporate with her Charlie Chaplin costume. Every costume is so on point with the character, it's kind of amazing. 

3. Kevin's the new receptionist in Season 5, Episode 22, "The Dream Team"

A man answering the phone at a receptionist
NBC

The pure panic and confusion as Kevin fails to transfer the call correctly, followed by everyone celebrating as Andy gets some really bad news, is just too great to be ignored. 

4. Oscar trying to record a heartful message for gay people in Season 8, Episode 24, "Free Family Portrait Studio"

A woman applying her makeup in a webcam while a man tries to talk
NBC

Basically, Oscar tried to do something fun and exciting, but Kelly, Phyllis, Dwight, and Robert made it not that way. Poor Oscar! He was just trying his best to make others feel less alone. 

5. Erin takes it one step too far in Season 8, Episode 7, "Pam's Replacement"

NBC

What makes this cold open particularly great is just how proud Erin looks as she delivers the devastating message to Andy. Darryl going off at Andy on the phone while Dwight looks genuinely concerned for him further adds to the awkwardness of the situation. 

6. The meatballs and the plot twist in Season 8, Episode 12, "Pool Party"

A man laughing at his desk
NBC

This cold open has got everything — The classic Jim and Dwight pranks, an adorable dog dressed as Dwight, a very rare case of Stanley laughing, and of course, a wonderful plot twist. In a way, we all got meatballed, 

7. Stanley living in a world of his own in Season 7, Episode 6, "Costume Contest"

NBC

First off, we really need to talk about how Kevin knew the answers to Stanley's crossword. I love how everyone in the office (even Dwight!!) is really interested to see what Stanley won't notice — it really shows their bonding through the years. 

8. Creed Bratton is the new manager in Season 7, Episode 25, "Search Committee"

NBC

Creed has always been the kind of character that appears every once in a while to say something weird and disappear, but this cold open really cements why his character is so awesome — whether it was through the team-building exercises with people who didn't exist, in a meeting that wasn't called, or the "BOBODDY" with the incorrect spelling of business. He's still a better manager than Deangelo Vickers, though.

9. The Lip Sync in Season 7, Episode 1, "Nepotism"

A man holding a board that says "Boogaloo" with a woman beside him
NBC

This is another cold open that's so in tune with everyone's characters. Jim and Pam are having fun, Michael's doing magic tricks that he's very proud of, Dwight is being aggressive and swinging a knife around, Stanley's not bothered, Ryan and Kelly are fighting, Angela wants nothing to do with it, and Kevin's trying his best. 

10. The masters of cheese puffs in Season 5, Episode 24, "Heavy Competition"

A man lying down on the floor with a cheeseball in his mouth
NBC

It's just so great to see the "Michael Scott Paper Company" bonding and also, some of the shots in this one are pretty impressive. 

11. Michael's major confusion in Season 5, Episode 10, "The Surplus"

A man looking confused
NBC

This is pretty high up in my list for the most relatable cold open. Even after Oscar explains the budget and surplus to Michael like he's five, he's still trying to process it, much like most of us in Maths class. Even the moment where Oscar says, "You have one dollar left" and Michael goes, "Woah...slow down", is super relatable.

12. Michael's very detailed phone call in Season 2, Episode 12, "The Injury"

A woman looking terrified as she holds up a phone
NBC

Michael describing the weirdest way to get your foot burned (on a George Foreman Grill, of all things!!!), and that too with such seriousness, is truly amazing. 

13. Michael's most wonderful days in Season 4, Episode 1, "Fun Run"

NBC

This one's probably the most unexpected cold open. Michael's talking about how he's living his life in absolute domestic bliss, while everyone at the office is thriving and then bam! Meredith is on his windshield!

14. The identity theft in Season 3, Episode 21, "Product Recall"

NBC

Of course, Jim's impersonation is spot on, but what makes this even better is that Dwight takes a hot minute to realise that Jim's impersonating him. 

15. Parkour! in Season 6, Episode 1, "Gossip"

NBC

This just radiates pure chaos. 

16. And finally, the fire safety drill in Season 5, Episode 14, "Stress Relief"

A woman pointing at something
NBC

There's not much to say about this cold open, except that it is just perfect. I don't think we'll ever reach this level of perfection again.