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Halloween (The Office episode)
Encyclopedia
"Halloween" is the fifth episode of the second season of the American comedy
television series
The Office, and the show's eleventh episode overall. It was written by executive producer
and show runner
Greg Daniels
and was directed by Paul Feig
. The episode first aired in the United States
on October 18, 2005 on NBC
. Guest stars in this episode included Devon Abner, Hugh Dane, George Gaus, Annabelle Kopack, Ava Nisbet and Alec Zbornak.
This episode focuses on the events of Halloween
at the office. Michael struggles with making the decision of whom to fire. Meanwhile, Jim and Pam post Dwight's resume on the internet.
(Steve Carell
) waits until the last day of the month, Halloween
, and still hasn't fired anyone. Meanwhile, Jim Halpert
(John Krasinski
) and Pam Beesly
(Jenna Fischer
) post Dwight Schrute
's (Rainn Wilson
) résumé on the internet, and when a prospective employer calls, Jim pretends to be Michael and gives Dwight a great reference. When the company, Cumberland Mills, calls Dwight to set up an interview, Dwight immediately ruins his chances by arguing with the caller over the importance and relevance of martial arts. Later in the day, Pam suggests that Jim should apply for the Cumberland Mills position. Jim is quietly hurt by the suggestion that Pam would not miss him if he left.
After several failed attempted firings of other employees, Michael calls Creed Bratton
(played by Creed Bratton
as a fictional version of himself) into his office to fire him. Creed, in turn, convinces Michael to let Devon (Devon Abner) go. After Michael fires Devon, Devon angrily rebuffs Michael's attempts to save their friendship, and invites most of the office (everyone except Michael, Creed, Dwight and Angela) to join him at a local bar. As Jim leaves, Pam apologizes for pushing him into taking the Cumberland job and assures him that she would "blow her brains out" if he ever left. Jim admits to the camera that Pam is the only thing keeping him there. When the group leaves the office, Devon smashes a pumpkin over Michael's car in revenge.
At the end of the episode, we see Michael alone at home in front of the television. When trick-or-treaters come, Michael gives them a generous amount of candy.
, and show runner
Greg Daniels. It is the second episode directed by Paul Feig. Feig has previously directed episodes of Arrested Development and episodes
of 30 Rock
as well as other television series.
This episode is the only episode to date to have a quote to play over the Deedle-Dee Productions
title card in the closing credits. The quote features Dwight Schrute exclaiming "Quiet, you!" Deedle-Dee Productions also produces King of the Hill
, in which a catchphrase taken from an episode will be replayed over the closing title card credit. "Halloween" marks the last canon appearance of Devon. Although Devon was only a background character, he is mentioned during "The Dundies
," seen in the background of "The Fire" and is seen in a deleted scene during "Diversity Day
". Devon is later seen in a deleted scene on "Valentine's Day", when Michael passes by a homeless Devon in New York. Devon then chases Michael, presumably still angry over the events of "Halloween." However, because this appearance was in a deleted scene, this is not considered an official appearance, and is thus not considered canon.
system, "Halloween" was viewed by an average of eight million American viewers. The episode achieved a 4.1/10 in key 18–49 demographic. The 4.1 rating refers to 4.1% of all 18–49 years olds in the U.S. that watched the episode, and the 10 share refers to 10% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast that watched the episode.
Michael Sciannamea of TV Squad thought that he "could certainly relate to [the] episode." Sciannamea also said that "great moment was when Michael tells Creed, who is dressed as a vampire, that he can spread his wings and fly to wherever he wants." "Miss Alli" of Television Without Pity rated this episode "B+."
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
The Office, and the show's eleventh episode overall. It was written by executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
and show runner
Show runner
Showrunner is a term of art originating in the United States and Canadian television industry referring to the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a television seriesalthough such persons generally are credited as an executive producer...
Greg Daniels
Greg Daniels
Gregory Martin "Greg" Daniels is an American television comedy writer, producer, and director.-Life and career:...
and was directed by Paul Feig
Paul Feig
Paul S. Feig is an American director, actor and author. Feig is known for playing Mr. Eugene Pool, Sabrina's science teacher, on the first season of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch as well as Tim a camp counselor on the hit kids movie Heavyweights...
. The episode first aired in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on October 18, 2005 on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. Guest stars in this episode included Devon Abner, Hugh Dane, George Gaus, Annabelle Kopack, Ava Nisbet and Alec Zbornak.
This episode focuses on the events of Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
at the office. Michael struggles with making the decision of whom to fire. Meanwhile, Jim and Pam post Dwight's resume on the internet.
Plot
Although informed early in October that he must fire somebody by the end of the month, Michael ScottMichael Scott (The Office)
Michael Gary Scott is a fictional character on NBC's The Office, portrayed by Steve Carell, and based on David Brent from the original British version. Michael, the central character of the series, was the manager of the Scranton branch of paper and printer distribution company Dunder Mifflin Inc...
(Steve Carell
Steve Carell
Steven John "Steve" Carell is an American comedian, actor, voice artist, producer, writer, and director. Although Carell is notable for his role on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he found greater fame in the late 2000s for playing Michael Scott on The Office...
) waits until the last day of the month, Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
, and still hasn't fired anyone. Meanwhile, Jim Halpert
Jim Halpert
James Duncan "Jim" Halpert is a fictional character in the United States version of the television sitcom The Office, played by John Krasinski. The character is based on Tim Canterbury from the original version of The Office...
(John Krasinski
John Krasinski
John Burke Krasinski is an American actor, film director, and writer. He is most widely known for playing Jim Halpert on the NBC sitcom The Office...
) and Pam Beesly
Pam Beesly
Pamela Morgan "Pam" Halpert is a fictional character on the U.S. television sitcom The Office, played by Jenna Fischer. Her counterpart in the original UK series of The Office is Dawn Tinsley....
(Jenna Fischer
Jenna Fischer
Regina Marie "Jenna" Fischer is an American actress and director. She is most widely known for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Pam Halpert on the NBC situation comedy and mockumentary The Office, and has also appeared in several films, including Blades of Glory, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,...
) post Dwight Schrute
Dwight Schrute
Dwight Kurt Schrute III is a character on NBC's The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson. He originally exactly resembled Gareth Keenan from the original UK version of The Office. Dwight is the top salesman and former acting manager for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and has won numerous awards for...
's (Rainn Wilson
Rainn Wilson
Rainn Dietrich Wilson is an American actor and comedian. He is primarily known for his role as the egomaniacal Dwight Schrute on the American version of the television comedy The Office...
) résumé on the internet, and when a prospective employer calls, Jim pretends to be Michael and gives Dwight a great reference. When the company, Cumberland Mills, calls Dwight to set up an interview, Dwight immediately ruins his chances by arguing with the caller over the importance and relevance of martial arts. Later in the day, Pam suggests that Jim should apply for the Cumberland Mills position. Jim is quietly hurt by the suggestion that Pam would not miss him if he left.
After several failed attempted firings of other employees, Michael calls Creed Bratton
Creed Bratton (character)
Creed Rowland Bratton a.k.a. "William Charles Schneider" is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. Confusion may arise from the fact that the character is played by and partially based on the musician of the same name, Creed Bratton...
(played by Creed Bratton
Creed Bratton
Creed Bratton is an American actor and musician, a former member of The Grass Roots...
as a fictional version of himself) into his office to fire him. Creed, in turn, convinces Michael to let Devon (Devon Abner) go. After Michael fires Devon, Devon angrily rebuffs Michael's attempts to save their friendship, and invites most of the office (everyone except Michael, Creed, Dwight and Angela) to join him at a local bar. As Jim leaves, Pam apologizes for pushing him into taking the Cumberland job and assures him that she would "blow her brains out" if he ever left. Jim admits to the camera that Pam is the only thing keeping him there. When the group leaves the office, Devon smashes a pumpkin over Michael's car in revenge.
At the end of the episode, we see Michael alone at home in front of the television. When trick-or-treaters come, Michael gives them a generous amount of candy.
Production
"Halloween" is the third episode written by the series developer, executive producerExecutive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
, and show runner
Show runner
Showrunner is a term of art originating in the United States and Canadian television industry referring to the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a television seriesalthough such persons generally are credited as an executive producer...
Greg Daniels. It is the second episode directed by Paul Feig. Feig has previously directed episodes of Arrested Development and episodes
Cleveland (30 Rock)
"Cleveland" is the twentieth episode of the first season of 30 Rock. It was written by one of the season's co-executive producers, Jack Burditt, and one of the season's executive producers, Robert Carlock. It was directed by Paul Feig. It first aired on April 19, 2007 on the NBC network in the...
of 30 Rock
30 Rock
30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
as well as other television series.
This episode is the only episode to date to have a quote to play over the Deedle-Dee Productions
Deedle-Dee Productions
Deedle-Dee Productions is a television production company owned by Greg Daniels. It is known for producing the long running series King of the Hill, The Office and their newest series, Parks and Recreation...
title card in the closing credits. The quote features Dwight Schrute exclaiming "Quiet, you!" Deedle-Dee Productions also produces King of the Hill
King of the Hill
King of the Hill is an American animated dramedy series created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, that ran from January 12, 1997, to May 6, 2010, on Fox network. It centers on the Hills, a working-class Methodist family in the fictional small town of Arlen, Texas...
, in which a catchphrase taken from an episode will be replayed over the closing title card credit. "Halloween" marks the last canon appearance of Devon. Although Devon was only a background character, he is mentioned during "The Dundies
The Dundies
"The Dundies" is the second season premiere of the American comedy television series The Office—the show's seventh episode overall. Written by Mindy Kaling and directed by Greg Daniels, who is also a producer for the show, the episode originally aired in the United States on September 20, 2005 on...
," seen in the background of "The Fire" and is seen in a deleted scene during "Diversity Day
Diversity Day
"Diversity Day" is the second episode of the first season of the American version of The Office. Written by B. J. Novak and directed by Ken Kwapis, it first aired in the United States on March 29, 2005, on NBC. The episode guest stars Office consulting producer Larry Wilmore as Mr...
". Devon is later seen in a deleted scene on "Valentine's Day", when Michael passes by a homeless Devon in New York. Devon then chases Michael, presumably still angry over the events of "Halloween." However, because this appearance was in a deleted scene, this is not considered an official appearance, and is thus not considered canon.
Reception
According to the Nielsen ratingsNielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
system, "Halloween" was viewed by an average of eight million American viewers. The episode achieved a 4.1/10 in key 18–49 demographic. The 4.1 rating refers to 4.1% of all 18–49 years olds in the U.S. that watched the episode, and the 10 share refers to 10% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast that watched the episode.
Michael Sciannamea of TV Squad thought that he "could certainly relate to [the] episode." Sciannamea also said that "great moment was when Michael tells Creed, who is dressed as a vampire, that he can spread his wings and fly to wherever he wants." "Miss Alli" of Television Without Pity rated this episode "B+."
External links
- "Halloween" at NBC.com