Celebrating 20 Years of 'The Office'
A look back at how Michael Scott and his friends at Dunder Mifflin redefined NBC comedy and ushered in an iconic franchise that is beloved by fans across the globe.
March 24, 2025
On March 24, 2005, the U.S. version of The Office premiered, introducing audiences to the hilarious and often cringeworthy antics of Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, and his quirky colleagues at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch. Over the years, the show became a cultural phenomenon, shaping modern television and comedy. Today, it remains a beloved series, continuing to entertain new generations of fans worldwide.
The Office as a Global Sensation
A Historic NBC Run
During its original run on NBC, The Office consistently delivered strong ratings. Season 5’s “Stress Relief,” which aired immediately after the Super Bowl on February 1, 2009, was the highest-rated episode and attracted an impressive 24.6 million viewers. The show’s most-watched season was its fifth, averaging 11 million viewers per episode.
The Office received critical acclaim, winning numerous prestigious awards. It secured five Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2006, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2007 for Greg Daniels' episode “Gay Witch Hunt,” and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series in 2009 for Jeffrey Blitz’s work on “Stress Relief.” Steve Carell was honored with a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy Series in 2006. The show won WGA Awards for Paul Lieberstein and Michael Schur in 2007 for “The Job” and Steve Carell in 2007 for “Casino Night.” Additionally, the show earned PGA, SAG, and TCA awards, further cementing its place as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.
After 201 adventurous episodes across nine seasons, the series concluded on May 16, 2013 with a finale special including a heartwarming return for Steve Carell's Michael Scott.
How The Office Flourished Around the World and On Peacock
The U.S. version of The Office has reached incredible global success, being licensed in over 230 territories. It has aired on numerous television networks and streaming platforms around the world, including in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, India, and Asia, among many others. This widespread availability has ensured that the series continues to attract new viewers across different cultures and regions.
Since its move to Peacock, The Office has become one of the most-watched series on the platform. Over 1.7 billion hours of the show, including its special Superfan episodes, have been viewed. The series accounts for more than 7% of all-time Peacock usage. On average, more than 500,000 accounts watch The Office and its Superfan episodes daily, with over 2 million accounts tuning in each month. The average viewer has watched 59 episodes, proving that fans never get tired of spending time with their Scranton family.
The Cultural Impact of The Office
The US The Office has had a significant impact on pop culture, with numerous ways it has been memorialized over time. Below are just some of the ways The Office has become a lasting part of the cultural zeitgeist. It continues to influence new generations, even years after its conclusion.
The Office in Merchandise
The Office has been memorialized through various merchandise items, including clothing, mugs, games (Uno, Clue), collectibles (LEGO, Funko Pop!, Polly Pocket, Bobbleheads), cookbooks and stationery items, and even children’s toys and books (Little People and Little Golden Books). Shop your favorite Dunder Mifflin-inspired items at the NBC Store.
The Office in Memes
The Office has become a meme powerhouse, with memorable quotes, scenes, and cast reactions often circulating on social media.
The Office Catchphrases
Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica
Iconic lines like "That's what she said," "Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica," "Well, well, well...how the turntables", and "I am Beyoncé, always" have become cultural touchstones.
The Office Pop Culture References
The show is frequently referenced in other TV shows, movies, and commercials, often through its memorable characters and scenarios.
The Office's Impact on Mockumentary Filmmaking
The Office popularized the mockumentary style of filmmaking to a wider audience. This documentary-style format has since been adopted by numerous other TV shows and films, such as NBC's Parks and Recreation and St. Denis Medical.
The Office Themed Parties & Events/Conventions
Fans host The Office-themed parties, where people dress like some of the iconic characters. There's even an annual "Office Convention."
The Office in Books
Several Office-themed books have been released, including The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s and The Office BFFs, written by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, as well as a fun Christmas story inspired by life at Dunder Mifflin and written by Brian Baumgartner: Twas the Night Before Christmas at The Office and The New York Times best-selling illustrated children’s book: The Office: A Day at Dunder Mifflin.
The Office on Social Media & Podcasts
There are numerous social media accounts dedicated to The Office, such as Instagram pages posting behind-the-scenes content, quotes, and fan art. Additionally, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey’s podcast Office Ladies delves into the behind-the-scenes stories from the show.
The Office Mural in Scranton
As of the fall of 2023, fans can step into the world of The Office in Downtown Scranton with The Office: The Story of Us, the only official mural globally recognized by NBC and Peacock and authorized by all 17 actors. Spanning 86 feet wide by 27 feet tall, this stunning tribute captures iconic characters and scenes from the beloved series. A must-visit, it’s part of The Office Self-Guided Tour and the Lackawanna County Mural Trail. Over the past year (March 4, 2024 – March 4, 2025), The Office Self-Guided Tour and map pages have amassed an impressive 347,000 views, with more than 100,000 unique users exploring Office-related content.
The Writers’ Careers After The Office
The brilliant minds behind The Office have continued to create some of the most popular and acclaimed shows in television. Greg Daniels went on to develop and co-create Parks and Recreation with Mike Schur. He is now collaborating with Michael Koman on a new untitled Peacock series connected to The Office.
Mike Schur built a remarkable career, co-creating NBC's Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Peacock's Rutherford Falls, as well as creating NBC's The Good Place and Universal Television's A Man on the Inside. He has also been an executive producer on Universal Television's Hacks and Master of None and will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year. Other notable writers include Justin Spitzer, who created Superstore and co-created St. Denis Medical; Mindy Kaling, who launched The Mindy Project, Never Have I Ever, and The Sex Lives of College Girls; B.J. Novak, who wrote The Premise and directed Vengeance; and Paul Lieberstein, who worked on Space Force, The Newsroom, and Lucky Hank.
How to Watch The Office
Can’t get enough of The Office? Get your official merchandise from the NBC store, and stream all nine seasons, special superfan extended episodes, deleted scenes and more, only on Peacock.
