The Office provides a treasure trove of iconic moments and unforgettable performances. Among these is the portrayal of Michael Scott by Steve Carell. However, did you know that Bob Odenkirk was also in the running for this role?
On The Office Ladies podcast, Bob Odenkirk shared his insights about why he lost to Carell. “I am, in a strange way, a very earnest person for a person in comedy. It’s one of the reasons I think Steve Carell is a better, you know, is the one who got the role
,” he said during an engaging chat with former co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey.
Odenkirk’s Earnest Nature
Odenkirk acknowledged himself as an “earnest” individual in comedy, which influenced the casting decision. “There were other parts that I was up for that are more comedic parts. I’m good in those parts and those parts would require an earnestness to them too. But I have trouble embracing what Steve and some of the other guys own well
,” Odenkirk explained in the podcast.
Steve Carell became a household name through his performance as Michael Scott on The Office. Despite the close competition between Odenkirk and Carell, Odenkirk’s earnest demeanor might have been a distinguishing factor.
A Glimpse of What Could Have Been
While Odenkirk didn’t land the main role, he did appear in one memorable episode of The Office. He showcased his talent in Season 9, Episode 17 titled “Moving On,” where he played Pam’s potential boss at a real estate firm.
Jenna Fischer offered insight into this fitting role: “The idea was, Pam’s going to go in for an interview at this real estate office … and they thought it would be really funny if it was like her life was going to repeat itself now in Philadelphia. And her boss is basically Michael Scott
.
Tribute to Steve Carell
This cameo mirrored what Odenkirk’s version of Michael Scott could have looked like. Reflecting on this opportunity, Odenkirk mentioned, “You know, although I do think that what I was doing was more a tribute to Steve because that’s what I was supposed to be doing”.
A Successful Journey Nonetheless
Despite not being cast as Michael Scott, Bob Odenkirk found massive success elsewhere. He portrayed Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad from 2009 to 2013 and reprised this iconic role in Better Call Saul from 2015 to 2022.
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