In the time since it aired, The Office has become one of the most-watched and most commonly referenced shows on TV and available to stream. Its popularity and quality have ensured its spot as one of the best sitcoms of all time.

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Like any long-running show, its tone, quality, and the cast of characters fluctuated over its nine seasons. When Steve Carell left the show, ratings did fall, but the rest of the talented cast and the devoted fanbase ensured that The Office would still go out on a high note. The success of each season from the audience standpoint fluctuated but was often great.

Updated on July 17th, 2021 by Kevin Pantoja: Even with all of its popularity and critical acclaim, it's still difficult to explain just how impactful and influential The Office truly was. Many shows have used its format and some similar plotlines to varied success. That makes it even more interesting to look back upon when the show was truly at its peak, to find out what the best season of The Office was.

Season 8 (2011 - 2012): 7.6

Andy on the phone in The Office

● No. of episodes: 24

Season eight of The Office struggled without Michael. The first episode rehashes a plot that was already used when DeAngelo was manager, and there aren't as many standout episodes as there are in earlier seasons. What remains intact is the heart of the show, with characters like Pam still landing small but touching emotional beats that remind viewers why they came to be so invested in these people to begin with.

Robert California is an interesting addition to the show, and the fact that nobody quite knows what to make of him only makes him funnier. Andy's struggle to find his footing as the new manager makes for some decent stories, but the season does suffer from how much they focus on this one character.

Season 9 (2012 - 2013): 7.9

the office finale on stage

● No. of episodes: 25

The final season was an improvement over season eight, with more memorable storylines and episodes. Andy, whose character grew from an obnoxious kiss-up with anger issues to being a sort-of-lovable dork, did not thrive in his position as manager, and was actually, sadly, just sort of a jerk. Thankfully, the wonderful Erin was able to find Pete, and their relationship worked as a sweet callback to the early days of Jim and Pam.

The friendship that grew between Nellie and Pam was welcome, and it was a relief to see Nellie treated with kindness after how increasingly cruel Andy was to her. What didn't go over as well was the Jim and Pam plot. It was interesting to explore what might happen when this seemingly perfect couple hit a bump in the road, but the way it was carried out was too sad for the tone of the show, which usually balanced its more melancholy moments with more humor and brevity.

Season 1 (2005): 7.9

Michael, Dwight, and Jim play basketball against the warehouse in The Office

● No. of episodes: 6

The premise of The Office is seemingly quite simple: a documentary crew follows the day-to-day lives of employees at a branch of a paper company. This team of salespeople is led by the ridiculously ignorant Michael Scott, who constantly remains the butt of the joke, even as he tries desperately to be in on it.

Other characters that become notable early on are Jim Halpert and Dwight Schrute, whose immature rivalry provides some of the most constant laughs throughout the series. While not every character was quite as defined as they would become in later seasons, the show quickly established its gag of displaying painfully, hilariously awkward situations viewers couldn't help but laugh at.

Season 6 (2009 - 2010): 8.2

Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly, The Office

● No. of episodes: 26

Otherwise known as the season where Jim and Pam get married, season 6 saw the payoff of the series' central romance. Even better than seeing those two finally get where they've always wanted to be is watching Michael dating Pam's mom. Just when fans think there are no more lines he can cross, Michael finds a way. Jim is made co-manager this season, a choice that didn't really make sense for his character or for the show as a whole.

Despite this, there are still a lot of really consistently funny episodes in this season. A new romance develops between Andy and Erin, and the earliest stages of this coupling are by far the sweetest. Dunder Mifflin finally goes under and is bought by Sabre, a company that sells printers and has its own way of doing things that rubs Michael the wrong way.

Season 7 (2010 - 2011): 8.3

Michael Scott, The Office

● No. of episodes: 26

The new leadership at Sabre recognizes Darryl's expertise in company matters, so he's given a promotion and an office upstairs. This means fans get more Craig Robinson, which is always a good thing. Erin is dating Gabe this season, which sets up some great jokes and reminds everyone how hilariously uncomfortable both Andy and Gabe are capable of making things. Holly returns, and Michael is still convinced that she's the love of his life, but she's with someone else.

It's clear though that she and Michael will end up together but the way things play out is still very sweet. Fans also finally get to watch the finished version of "Threat Level Midnight," Michael's movie where he cast himself as the protagonist, a secret agent named Michael Scarn married to Catherine Zeta-Scarn. And season 7 is the one that says farewell to Steve Carell, whose absence was felt strongly throughout the final two seasons in one of The Office's best episodes.

Season 2 (2005 - 2006): 8.4

Jim and Pam kissing in The Office

● No. of episodes: 22

Season 2 was where The Office really found its footing and forged for itself an identity distinct from the original UK show it was based on. From the opening episode, "The Dundies," there was a confidence in that identity that gave the rest of the season sure-footedness that it managed to keep until Steve Carell's departure in season 7.

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The relationship between Jim and Pam was a major focus of season 2 and provided the heart of the earlier seasons. Characters like Jan Levinson-Gould had more screen time and watching Michael stumble into a romantic relationship with his beautiful boss provided viewers with many delightfully awkward scenarios.

Season 5 (2008 - 2009): 8.5

Creed screams as someone falls through the ceiling in The Office

● No. of episodes: 28

Season 5 introduced the Michael and Holly love story, which would pay off in a really sweet way in season 7. Other relationships are going through momentous changes during this season as well, with Dwight and Angela sleeping together despite her engagement to Andy, and Jim finally proposes to Pam.

A highlight of this season is "Stress Relief," an episode in which Dwight has an impromptu fire drill, but fails to tell his coworkers that there isn't actually a fire, causing Stanley to have a heart attack. The ensuing safety training and stress-relieving activities make for one of the funniest episodes of the series. Another notable arc of season 5 is the Michael Scott Paper Company, which allows Pam to find a new career path outside of reception.

Season 3 (2006 - 2007): 8.6

Michael makes his staff eat hotdogs on the beach in The Office

● No. of episodes: 25

The central conflict of season 3 is introduced early on, with Jim working at another branch after Pam's rejection in the season 2 finale. Audiences see that Pam couldn't go through with her marriage to Roy, and, though it's clear she and Jim still have feelings for each other, neither one feels up to confessing; Jim out of fear of rejection, and Pam out of a general shyness that's overcome by the end of the season.

Pam's arc in season 3 is really well-written and portrayed beautifully by Jenna Fischer. Dwight's frustration with his lack of power in the workplace leads him to do some pretty hilarious things, like attempting to stage a coup and prematurely painting Michael's office black (to intimidate people who come in) when he thinks Michael will be moving on.

Season 4 (2007 - 2008): 8.6

Michael and Jan host a dinner party under a neon sign on The Office

● No. of episodes: 19

Season 4 consists of many hour-long episodes and it's been ranked by fans as the best season of The Office. Ryan Howard has received the corporate promotion everyone was vying for at the end of season 3, and he spends most of his time reveling in his newfound arrogance. Michael and Jan are a full-on couple now, and she's completely wreaking havoc on his life. Michael Scott is many things, and what makes him remain sympathetic despite his many blunders is his loneliness.

Michael is insecure, ignorant, and dim-witted; these things make audiences laugh. But it's his loyalty and sincerity that make him a likable character. This season gave fans "Dinner Party," possibly one of the most beloved episodes the show aired.

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