In a recent interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Bryan Cranston recalled guest-directing The Office's infamous "Work Bus" episode, detailing the complications the cast and crew faced. He credited The Office star Jenna Fischer for alerting him to the smell of the exhaust coming inside the bus and for saving "everyone's life."
Bryan Cranston appeared on Stephen Colbert to promote his new movie Jerry & Marge Go Large which interestingly also stars The Office alum - Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute). Cranston's interview has shone a light on the workspace mockumentary that meticulously balances cringe with physical comedy to draw out laughs from the audience. On the whole, The Office balances both forms of comedy, but Reddit agrees these physical gags are impressive.
Stanley's Dribbling
Reddit user shoulda_been_gone says "Stanley dribbling a basketball" is the funniest physical gag on The Office. In season 1's "Basketball" Michael pits his staff against the warehouse workers in a friendly match. He chooses players based on who he likes the most and his prejudgments. Jim Halpert, Ryan Howard, and Stanley Hudson make it to the team, whereas Kevin Malone who shoots perfect baskets is dropped.
Michael has great faith in Stanley, more so than anyone else, but in reality, he's awful at the sport. Stanley's weak posture, dribbling, and ball-handling skills are downright comical. He slaps the ball with his entire palm and his lack of control and agility make him the weakest player on the team.
Fire Drill
The physical comedy is one of the classic moments in The Office's "Stress Relief." In the episode, Dwight gets a little too realistic as conducts a fire safety drill at the office. He forces all the doors closed and disables the phones before using a cigarette to set fire to a trash can.
Reddit user Saint_Hera says, "The whole of everyone running around during Dwight's fire drill" is the best piece of physical comedy on The Office. It's an easy favorite because Dwight's bizarre teaching technique leads to hilarious pratfalls. The physical comedy is made of unforgettable moments such as Michael throwing a printer out the window, Oscar trying to escape through the ceiling, Angela tossing her office cat Bandit into the ceiling, and Kevin raiding the vending machine.
Kevin's Chili Spill
To Reddit user RoweMyBoat, the "Casual Friday" cold open featuring "Kevin dropping his Kevin’s Famous Chili" is the best physical gag in the show. As it's seen, Kevin carries a gigantic pot full of homemade chili to the office only to accidentally drop it near the reception area.
The real comedy begins when Kevin desperately tries to salvage as much chili back into the pot as possible. The physical humor in the scene is a combination of Kevin's salvaging actions, expressions, and body language. As he uses documents to scoop chili off the floor, he scores himself a memorable silent comedy scene and one of the funniest cold opens in The Office.
Michael And The Flight Attendant
Redditor falloutbi05 mentions a funny bit from "Business Trip" wherein David Wallace sends Michael on a sales call to Winnipeg in mid-November. They write, "One of my favorite small moments that always has me tearing up is the flight attendant hitting Michael in the knee with the cart and his reaction."
Michael is looking forward to his in-flight experience and ordering a business class meal. He angers the flight attendant with his attention-seeking behavior like asking for a menu, and she, in turn, takes advantage of his blindfold and hits him in the knee with her airline catering trolley. The comedy operates on the stewardess' intentional clumsiness and passive-aggressive behavior. To top it all off, Michael's timely "God!" shriek makes the whole gag funnier.
Meredith And The Bat
Redditor itschristmas_letsgo writes, "...Meredith having a bat stuck on her head..." is the show's best physical comedy bit. This exaggerated slapstick comedy is part of season 3's "Business School" and it begins when Dwight pokes the ceiling up and accidentally lets a bat loose in the office.
As the people scurry for cover, Dwight, a total non-professional, insists on removing the bat himself. He traps it on Meredith's head using a garbage bag. Though Dwight does most of the work in the scene, it's Kate Flannery's Meredith who steals the show. She conveys her physical discomfort through her actions and body language to build a connection with the viewers.
Michael's Injury
One of the funniest episodes of The Office, "The Injury" features the jarringly uncomfortable moment when Michael tells the camera crew about his injury. It becomes known that most nights he lays strips of bacon out on his grill, plugs it the next morning, and finally, wakes up to the smell of sizzling bacon. As hilarious as this sounds, it gets funnier when Michael reveals his burnt foot to the camera crew without so much as a tinge of embarrassment.
According to Reddit user Right-Championship30 "Michael burning his foot" like a piece of bacon is The Office's best physical gag. The Redditor's choice is a classic because the shot of Michael's foot is in perfect harmony with his amusing what-went-wrong narration. He explains burning his foot perfectly well and by showing his foot, doesn't leave any detail to the imagination.
Dwight's Martial Arts Demonstration
Reddit user stevewallen says The Office's best physical gag is "Dwight’s "year in martial arts" demonstration that's featured in "Murder." It evolves from a simple karate demonstration to Dwight performing various martial arts moves on himself.
It is a memorable bit because Dwight, on Jim's insistence, punches, and blocks his own attacks. The whole scene spirals into a chaotic comedy and ends with him punching himself in the groin.
Dwight Hides In A Box
Redditor wacksonjagstaff's favorite physical gag is also one of the funniest pranks Jim and Pam pulled on Dwight and it lies in "The Alliance." The episode revolves around Jim leading Dwight on, making him believe that they have joined forces against other members in the wake of the downsizing rumors. The Redditor perfectly describes the funny bit, saying, "...when Dwight is hiding in the box spying on Pam’s phone call. The way he cuts eye holes, then gets so excited he tips the box over."
The physical comedy montage is made of Dwight poking holes in a box and ultimately scooting and tipping himself trying to hear Pam's conversation. Pam can barely hold her laughter by the end, and Dwight deserves a ten on ten for this exaggerated stunt.
Kevin's Fall
The memorable two-parter "Niagara" features Jim and Pam's wedding, and as expected, is made of memorable pratfalls, and wedding shenanigans. The highlight of the episode is when Dwight plays Chris Brown’s Forever on an iPod speaker in a parody of the 2009's YouTube sensation JK Wedding Entrance Dance video.
In the middle of the JK wedding entrance dance sequence lies the unforgettable Kevin "falling into the candle pillar" pratfall that Reddit user RL0290 says is the best. He partners with Oscar, and whilst most of their dance goes smoothly, he adds his personal touch by slipping and tripping. Kevin's special Kleenex shoes, counted among the classic moments in The Office's "Niagara," lead to his memorable slapstick gag.
Pam At The Dundies
According to Redditor CharlieNixon1965, "Pam falling over drunk at The Dundies!" is the best physical gag from The Office. The scene lies right at the end of the annual employee night award ceremony aka the Dundies, held at Chili's.
Pam's fall is the perfect conclusion to "The Dundies," and it lets the fun side of her personality shine bright. She's the most energetic person in the room, thanks to Chili's margaritas. All in all, her joyous persona is an entertaining break from her more serious office demeanor.