So, it is the fourth day since your 54th binge of NBC's American remake of The Office on Netflix. You believe that you can finally make it an entire week without giving into your desire to watch the show on repeat, but your resistance is wearing thin. The only solution without cheating: memes!
The Office memes are the closest thing to reveling in the fun of watching the mundane adventures of Michael Scott (Steve Carell), Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), Pam Beasley (Jenna Fischer), and the rest of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch. Some memes are a fun reminder of the series' many inside jokes (which I'd love to be a part of some day) or help you realize how close The Office is to your real life.
I scoured the internet for The Office memes that made me laugh as hard as the show does. These are the best of the bunch:
Dwight Reading Your Mind
Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), Assistant Man- ahem...Assistant to the Regional Manager for Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch is constantly on a one-man mission to prove his superiority. One method he practices to achieve this is by addressing certain random bits of knowledge he has at his disposal, whilst simultaneously pointing out that his co-worker's beliefs are "false."
This standout characteristic of the Office scene-stealer has since inspired a meme that uses Dwight's likeness to sound off useless, obvious facts with the unspoken understanding they must be read with his signature deadpan delivery. This meme in particular exposes that understanding.
You Won't Like Michael Scott When He's Angry
Ah, the pop culture crossover meme. It is always welcome, especially when you can find ways to relate The Office to another wildly different work of fiction. This The Office meme, which also serves as an Avengers: Endgame meme, compares Steve Carell's Michael Scott to Mark Ruffalo's Hulk at two different stages of Dunder Mifflin's human resources department.
Whenever Michael's sworn enemy Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein) ran HR, Michael was always through the roof over him trying "ruin his fun," but whenever Holly Flax (Amy Ryan) took over, she brought out a lighter, more relaxed side of Michael. Bringing Holly, who eventually became Michael's wife, onto The Office was exactly what Michael needed to find perfect balance, much like how Bruce Banner found perfect balance by combining his intellect with his hulking alter ego.
Before It Was A Meme, It Was An Office Subplot
One of the most memorable story arcs throughout the nine-season run of The Office reached its peak in Season 3 when Roy (David Denman), then-fiancé of Pam (Jenna Fischer), finds out that his suspicions of something going on between her and Jim (John Krasinski) were true. Things really turn ugly when Roy charges into the Dunder Mifflin office threatening Jim's life, until Dwight (Rainn Wilson) thankfully steps in.
What makes this meme especially funny is how this important point of The Office's storyline relates to the famous "You vs. the guy she tells you not to worry about" meme. As much as we love Jim and agree that he and Pam are made for each other, this meme exposes that you cannot deny he was the homewrecker of Roy and Pam's relationship.
What A Surprise Indeed
There is a popular meme known as "Things boys do we love," which incorporates a top image featuring a pleasant-looking couple with a sweet caption reflecting a young woman's favorite thing about her significant other. The bottom image is usually a cringe-inducing pop culture reference that follows the topic caption perfectly, as seen here.
The bottom image comes from The Office's Season 3 premiere episode "Gay Witch Hunt," in which Michael Scott, oblivious to accountant Oscar's (Oscar Nunez) homosexuality, makes an insensitive homophobic joke and tries to make up for it by surprising Oscar with a kiss. Fun fact: actor Oscar Nunez had no idea that Steve Carell was going to kiss him, so the look of horror on his face as Michael Scott leans in is genuine.
The Most Epic Yearbook Quote Of All Time, Thanks To The Office
One of the most crucial decisions we make in life is deciding on the perfect high school yearbook quote, one that your fellow students will remember you by for years to come. Some students, however, succeed in getting more than just their student body talking.
Senior, and supposed fan of The Office, Amber Rains wanted to leave her high school career behind with a yearbook quote that would let people know her honest opinion of her school. Instead of speaking her feelings outright, she chose to express it in code by stating the exact moment the above Michael Scott quote is spoken. The result was a viral sensation and one of the most legendary Office memes in existence.
How Dare Netflix Ask If You're Still Watching The Office?
It is no secret The Office is a popular Netflix binge... a really popular Netflix binge, meaning some people don't even watch anything else. Yet, nothing stops them from repeating their cycle of reviewing The Office's best moments again and again, even Netflix itself.
This meme takes one of the most indelible moments in The Office's history, in which Stanley (Leslie David Baker) shuts down Michael Scott egging him on to participate in an office brainstorming session with the immortal words, "Did I stutter?" and uses it to shut down Netflix's inherently shameful automated message. Of course, the user is still watching The Office. What else?
The Office has solidified itself as both sitcom royalty and a figure of authority in meme culture. Maybe celebrate this retrospective of the best The Office memes with a Netflix binge?
