The success of The Office holds a special place in the hearts of many. It was a phenomenon that seemed to come out of nowhere, at least according to Brian Baumgartner. This article delves into the significance of the show's holiday episodes and how they became a turning point in its history.

Uncover the Magic of The Office's Christmas Episodes

The Impact of the First Christmas Episode

The actor Brian Baumgartner, known for his role as Kevin Malone on The Office, shared his memories of the hit NBC sitcom's yuletide episodes. He emphasized that the first Christmas episode, which didn't launch the show but became a game-changer, had a lot to do with what was happening outside the world of The Office. "That episode really launched the success of the show," Baumgartner told Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. It drew 10 million viewers and became the show's largest audience since the premiere. After that, things started to happen rapidly. Steve Carell won the Golden Globe three or four weeks later, and the show's popularity soared.This moment marked a turning point for The Office. As Kinsey chimed in, "We turned a corner. At that point, we didn't even have a full order for the season, but it became clear we were gonna be around for a while." The episode not only brought in a huge audience but also set the stage for the show's future success.

The Challenges of Producing Christmas Episodes

Producing the Christmas episodes was no easy feat. As Baumgartner continued, "They were hard to produce, the Christmas episodes, because of the big parties and group scenes. Everybody was involved, and it took a lot of coordination." Fischer remembered these episodes as some of the most "joyous" to make. "We really would be in these group party situations for most of the episode. I'm sure we were very hard to wrangle. We were probably like trying to make a TV show with a room full of 6-year-olds or something, doing all our bits." Despite the challenges, the cast managed to create memorable moments that have become a part of The Office's legacy.

Unruly Scenes and Behind-the-Scenes Moments

One unruly scene from 2009's "Secret Santa" stands out. Carell's Michael Scott dressed up as Santa and had Baumgartner's Kevin sit on his lap. Fischer said that none of the cast could get through the scene without laughing. "If you watch that episode, people are breaking in the background. We never, ever got a take where people held it together the whole time long enough to actually put the show together. I think they just gave up. They were like, 'Forget it. This is what it is.'" These behind-the-scenes moments add to the charm and authenticity of The Office and make the holiday episodes even more special.The Office's holiday episodes have left an indelible mark on television history. They brought together the cast in a way that few shows could, and their success continues to inspire and entertain audiences today.