There are a lot of things that make the U.S. version of The Office a wonderful show. However, there was one thing that managed to capture the fans' attention from the very beginning: the intro and the theme music. However, did fans know that the show's editors had planned to go with a different theme song?
According to Mashable, they had been planning on using ELO's "Mr. Blue Sky" but had to quickly change it quickly because of another show. It's strange to think that The Office's theme song was then written so quickly afterward, but even that fact makes it all the more special to fans. Considering how the editors, showrunners, and musical directors had worked hard and put a lot of effort in, fans have come to love the song and appreciate all the hidden and minuscule details found in the title sequence.
Updated on February 24th, 2022, by Kayleigh Banks: The Office has got one of the most memorable title sequences of all time. Not only is its theme song one of the most iconic tunes in sitcom history, but the clips the editors also included are quite unique too (especially as they capture the show's quirky comedy perfectly). But how did they come up with it?
In some of the episodes from the Office Ladies' podcast, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey have revealed how the writers and directors came up with the concept and the meaning behind some of clips and objects included too.
There Is A Special Michael Scott Paper Company Title Sequence
While the title sequence didn't change much throughout its nine-year tenure, there was one episode where the writers changed the setting. In the season 5 episode "Michael Scott Paper Company," the sequence now shows the workplace of the new business and hints at what the new dynamics will be like. But how did it come about?
In "Episode 99" of the Office Ladies' Podcast, Jenna Fischer revealed that it was actually Mindy Kaling's idea to film a new title sequence [00:26:31]. The show's directors, Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, were fully committed to the idea and then tried their best to get them to match the style and tone of the original ones. It's certainly worth another look if the fans decide to rewatch it because there is plenty of easter eggs and throwbacks to previous episodes too.
The Managers Moving Their Figurines Says A Lot About Their Personalities
If there is one part of the title sequence that has proven to be quite memorable, it is the shot of the managers fixing their "figurines." But did fans notice the objects they chose and the manner they fixed them to fit their personalities perfectly?
When Michael fixes his Dundie award, he does so with pride (which just shows how much he values keeping up morale and the workplace). For Andy, with him attempting to straighten up his Captain figurine only to drop it, the viewers are able to see how this illustrates his passion for sailing and his clumsy nature. Creed turning his statue the wrong way hints at how he is never paying attention and Dwight's shogun statue reflects his knowledge of Japanese culture and history.
Jim's Lack Of 'Figurine' Shot Foreshadows Him Returning Back To Sales
Interestingly, nearly all the Regional Managers have had a clip in the title sequence where they are seen to fix their 'figurines.' However, for some reason, the showrunners didn't give Jim one.
Given that Jim had been co-manager with Michael in season 6, it does seem strange that he never got one (even Creed got one and he was only in charge of the day). The only reasonable explanation seems to be that the writers knew Jim wouldn't be in the position long-term, ultimately foreshadowing his return to the sales department.
Why The Finale's Intro Ended With A Prolonged Kiss Between Pam & Jim
In the last episode of The Office ("Finale"), the directors made quite a few changes to the title sequence. One significant thing they removed was the "figurine" shot, which they soon replaced with a prolonged shot of Jim and Pam kissing. But what was the reason for this change? In an interview with Office Tally, the show's editor, David Rogers, revealed that the 'kiss' was meant to be an important and significant symbol.
"If the shots of Michael and Andy, and the other characters who have inhabited the manager's desk represent that being at this office is about why they're there in the first place, to do work," he said, "then the Jim/Pam kiss shot that we use to end the main title sequence represents the other number one reason why they're all there - for fun, friends, and love." Given that The Office contained many sweet friendships that fans love rewatching, it is quite a fitting scene.
The Finale Is The Only One That Credits The Entire Cast In The Opening Sequence
In all 201 episodes of The Office, there is only one episode that credits the entire cast. At first, it only credited Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and B.J. Novak. Later on, Ed Helms and James Spader had been tagged in too. However, none of the other actors made it onto the title sequence.
While this was something the fans had debated for years, they finally got the answers they needed in "Episode 80" of the Office Ladies podcast. "The reason that we were featured was because we were the actors who had regular contracts when the series began," Fischer had said. "[...] the rest of the supporting cast are listed as guest stars in the end credits." Although Fischer believed that the others were credited once they became main characters, their names only appeared on the title sequence in "Finale."
The Footage In The Intro Was Filmed By A Cast Member
Actor John Krasinski, who plays Jim Halpert on The Office, is the person who shot the footage that is shown during The Office's opening credits. After learning he was cast in the show, Krasinski decided to celebrate by going on a trip with a couple of his friends, during which he filmed different shots of Scranton, Pennsylvania (which were later played at the start of every episode).
However, this almost didn’t happen. Three weeks before he landed the role he is most known for, Krasinski came close to quitting acting, but he took his mother’s advice and waited a bit, and he jokes about that these days. As Krasinski told Insider “I give her a lot of love and 10%.”
The Theme Song Was Composed By James Ferguson
The famous music that fans have come to associate with the Office intro was created by composer James Ferguson. If that name sounds a bit familiar, that is because The Office is not the only well-known television show that Ferguson has made music for.
His resumé is rather impressive since he has worked on music for episodes of shows such as NCIS: Los Angeles, Women’s Murder Club, Tales From The Crypt, Going To Extremes, Melrose Place, and Eerie, Indiana. Ferguson has also composed music for popular films as well. Throughout his career, he has worked on music for The Terminator, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, and This Is 40.
The Paper That’s Highlighted In The Opening Credits Has Nothing To Do With Dunder Mifflin
In one version of the opening credits, Jim is seen using a highlighter to circle something on paper. One can only assume that this has some kind of connection to Dunder Mifflin.
But in real life, the paper, as well as what Jim is circling on it, does not actually have much of a connection at all to the fictional company. According to Buzzfeed, the paper is a document that is from the Los Angeles Department of City Planning (which seems a little random, considering the fact that the show doesn’t even take place there). Another odd thing is the fact that he uses a highlighter to circle something, instead of simply highlighting it.
A Few Other Popular Songs Were Considered
“Mr. Blue Sky” was not the only well-known song that almost became The Office's theme song since there were a few others that had a shot at it as well. One of the other potential Office intros was “Better Things” by The Kinks (via EW).
That song came out long before the show, but the upbeat tune does seem to be fitting for the series. Another one that was briefly considered was “Float On” by Modest Mouse. Those songs were pretty awesome choices to pick from, but when it comes to The Office, they aren’t as good as the music that was eventually created for it.
The Theme Song Was Recorded One Week Before The Show Premiered On Television
Choosing The Office's theme song that fit the show was a long journey, but once the creators knew what they wanted, they wasted no time and they recorded the song one week before the show first aired on television (via Mashable). The band, The Scrantones, got together on a Thursday night and created the tune all fans of The Office know and love.
The members of The Scrantones are musicians Dillion O’Brian, Brian Macleod, Hal Cragin, and Bob Thiele Jr. Before they recorded it, a producer of the U.S. version of The Office, Greg Daniels, played Thiele a demo of the theme. Thiele later wrote in his blog how they “both agreed that while Jay’s demo had a really nice, whimsical quality, the recording could be more fully realized.”
Cast Members Helped Decide On The Theme Song
The cast of the American version of The Office was so involved in the creation of the show that they got the chance to help the creators choose what song would become the theme of it. Actor Steve Carell, who played Michael Scott on the show, has talked about how the intro to The Office was chosen, and the fact that the cast got to vote on it.
“Incidentally, we all voted on the theme song. We had four different versions of the theme song from different artists," Carell told IndieWire, "and Greg Daniels, the producer, sent us all versions. And as a cast, we voted on what was going to be our theme song. It’s kind of cool.”
Creed Once Added His Own Lyrics
Actor and musician Creed Bratton, who played a character of the same name on the show, once sang his own version of the Office theme song. With Creed being a part of a band, it tracks for the actor.
As per brobible, Bratton was a part of the band The Grass Roots in the 1960s. A couple of years ago, the talented star went on tour, and while he was touring, he gave fans a bit of a treat by performing his own amusing version of the Office theme song. He even added lyrics that referenced storylines from the series.
Rainn Wilson Made Up Some Lyrics
Creed Bratton is not the only cast member who made up his own lyrics to the Office theme song, since actor Rainn Wilson, who plays Dwight Schrute, also claimed that he came up with a few.
Wilson wrote a memoir, which is called Bassoon King: My Life In Art, Faith, and Idiocy. The actor used some sections in the book to discuss what it was like to make The Office, and he included the fact that he has his own unique version of the theme song. “I’ve written pretend lyrics to it on many occasions." wrote Wilson (via billboard). "Perhaps I’ll sing them to you one day if you’re nice.”