For fans of The Office, re-watching episodes never gets old. But if viewers still find themselves laughing after dozens of viewings, just imagine how difficult it was for the actors to keep a straight face during filming. When it comes to uncomfortable comedy, the show is a league of its own.
But one episode in particular pushed things so far, even John Krasinski couldn’t keep it together. It’s a scene so hilariously inappropriate, so wildly out of pocket, that it actually broke Krasinski out of character. And yes, it involves Michael Scott, pants zippers, and no safe jokes.
The Office scene was so outrageous that it broke John Krasinski on camera
The Office‘s season 3 episode Women’s Appreciation pushed the envelope so far, it didn’t just shock audiences, it broke John Krasinski. In this episode, the Dunder Mifflin crew is shaken when Phyllis is flashed in the parking lot. And Michael Scott, the world’s most inappropriate boss, reacted just the way a boss shouldn’t respond to workplace harassment.
While the rest of the staff reacted with concern, Michael turned the moment into a full-blown comedy. He cracked jokes and eventually resorted to a side gag, sticking his finger through the zipper of his pants to mimic the flasher. It’s cringe, but the worst was yet to come.
Just when it couldn’t get worse, Toby walks in. Bantering for a few minutes with him and accusing him that he might be the flasher, he blurts, “Let’s see your p****.” In the background, he tried to walk it back with, “You know, as that coming out of my mouth, I knew it was wrong.”
In the background, viewers can spot Krasinski completely losing it. His face turns red, he covers his mouth with his hand, and viewers can see him trying not to burst out laughing. Unlike most scenes that might be reshot or edited, this break was left in the episode. And, fans have been pointing out for years.
The Office episode Women’s Appreciation was itself a wild ride
Aside from its legendary blooper-worthy moment, Women’s Appreciation is packed with other unforgettable bits that make it one of the show’s most chaotic and quotable episodes. After Phyllis’s incident, Michael decides the women of the office need cheering up, so naturally, he takes them on a field trip to the mall.
At the mall, Michael shares way too much about his personal life with Jan. He shared with his female workers that he’s always unhappy when he’s with her, and in the end, he realized he wants to break up with her.
Pam draws a sketch of the man who flashed Phyllis. The punchline? The drawing looks suspiciously like Dwight. And Dwight, completely unaware, proudly runs around town posting fliers of… himself.
Back at the office, with the women gone, the guys decide to enter the women’s restroom, and of course appreciate it, with scented candles and magazines, and a Zen waterfall. Creed, meanwhile, revealed he uses the restroom to go number two, but he’s been caught and has paid for it.
Women’s Appreciation is peak Office, equal parts inappropriate and completely unhinged. Even after 20 years, it resonates with fans. It’s the episode that made fans laugh, cringe, and, for one brief moment, watch John Krasinski laugh so hard he forgot to be Jim. And honestly, that’s the kind of breakdown we all needed.
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