The Office: John Krasinski Refuses to Allow Jim to Make a Serious Mistake
In “The Office,” John Krasinski said that he refused to let his character, Jim Halpert, have an affair:
In “The Office,” John Krasinski said that he refused to let his character, Jim Halpert, have an affair. Krasinski stated in his new book, Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office, how the original screenplay had Jim cheat on Jenna Fischer’s Pam when she was pregnant. That’s the only time I can recall putting my foot down… I recall saying things I never imagined I’d say before, like, ‘I’m not going to shoot it,’ “adds the actor. “My sense is that there is a threshold over which you can push our audience,” he continued. They are really committed. We have shown them so much esteem. But there comes a point where if you push them too far, they will never return. I believe that if you show Jim cheating, people will never return. Greg Daniels, who adapted The Office for the United States and acted as the show’s producer, explained why Pam and Jim’s troubles were vital. “That type of concern, I believe, was beneficial to the fans’ participation. I believe they were forewarned of what was to come “He stated. “They were extremely comfortable with the entertainment they were receiving, and I needed to scare them that I may give them a horrible ending so they would be thrilled when they received a nice finish.”
Daniels revealed that the cheating plot was to be featured in the Season 8 episode “After Hours:”
Daniels revealed that the infidelity plot would be included in the Season 8 episode “After Hours.” In this episode, Jim spent more time with Cathy Simms, who was filling in for Pam while she was on maternity leave. Cathy ended up remaining in Jim’s room, sending him various signals that made him feel uneasy. The Office aired for eight years and is still considered one of the most successful comedies of all time. The show is shot in a mockumentary format and follows the management and employees of Dunder Mifflin, a paper company in Scranton, PA. The video team captures all of the struggles and tribulations in the lives of the employees, both within and outside of the office. To mention a few, the main cast members were Steve Carell as Michael Scott, Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute, Angela Kinsey as Angela Martin, Ed Helms as Andy Bernard, Mindy Kaling as Kelly Kapoor, and Ellie Kemper as Erin Hannon. Many high-profile guest stars appeared on the show, including Will Ferrell, Idris Elba, Kathy Bates, and Bob Odenkirk. The book Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of the Office is now available.
Source: Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office, via New York Post
