Hot Take: The Later Seasons Of ‘The Office’ Are Way Underrated

When The Office first premiered in 2005, no one expected it to take over the cultural atmosphere the way it did. It defined a generation of millennials, who grew up watching The Office’s kooky, complex, and lovable (or detestable) characters, forming humor around memorable quotes like, “That’s what she said,” and, “Identity theft is not a joke, Jim!” 

Even still, many fans of The Office often agree that after Steve Carell leaves his post as Michael Scott in Season 7, the show went downhill. As Dunder Mifflin seeks a new regional manager for their Scranton branch, the inner workings of the company start to go haywire, leading to several new absurd characters and what some fans call “tired” plotlines. But we have to disagree. Some of The Office’s best moments actually come in its later seasons. While the show is noticeably different after Steve leaves, it’s not nearly as bad as fans insist. 

There’s a wide array of quirky guest stars, cameos, and new characters.

After Dunder Mifflin is taken over by Sabre, Kathy Bates comes in as Jo Bennett. She stays on as CEO after Michael leaves, heading up the search for a new regional manager from afar. An Oscar and Emmy-winning actress, Kathy is a true gift in her 8-episode turn on The Office. Season 7’s “Search Committee” episode is almost historic in its number of comedy legends who appear: Ray Romano, Jim Carrey, Will Arnett, Warren Buffett, Hugh Dane, and even Ricky Gervais, reprising David Brent (aka the OG Michael Scott). We also meet James Spader’s absurd Robert California, whose presence throughout the later seasons is a constant source of a different type of unsettling comedy.

This awkward style of humor is a mainstay in the later seasons, between Robert California, Zach Woods’s Gabe Lewis, and the office’s relationship to Catherine Tate’s Nellie Bertram. While some fans might hate these characters, they remind us of The Office’s earliest days. It’s a show born out of the cringiest moments in life — Michael Scott grew on us, but we can’t forget his offensive characters like Prison Mike, Ping, Michael Klump, and more.

In the final season, we also meet Pete Miller aka “Plop,” portrayed by Jake Lacy, who gives Erin the full-circle plotline she deserves. Josh Groban is perfectly cast as Andy’s talented and pretentious brother and Stephen Colbert hilariously appears as “Broccoli Rob,” Andy’s friendly a cappella nemesis. Add in Roseanne Barr as Andy’s agent, NBA player Dr. J, and MLB player Ryan Howard, and the later seasons become a dessert platter of memorable cameos.

The later seasons of The Office include some of the series’ best jokes.

When we think of The Office’s most memorable moments, we might refer to episodes like “Dinner Party” or Kevin spilling his chili, but some of the show’s best jokes are later in the series. Kevin continues his streak of great moments, such as when he adopts a dog in Season 8’s “Fundraiser,” who his co-workers believe is dead, but she’s just an old, lazy good girl. Jim’s elaborate “Garden Party” prank on Dwight leads to hilarity throughout the episode as Dwight tries to host the “perfect” party. “Pool Party” at Robert California’s house also has some of the show’s best moments, from Jim trying to leave, Oscar and Toby geeking out on the wine, and Gabe falling into the pool. Stanley’s journey to becoming a Florida man and Jim getting Dwight to help him get rid of a “bed bug” are also some moments of true comedy.

The end of The Office goes beyond “happily ever after,” but still has a satisfying finale.

In most television shows, the will-they-won’t-they either extends throughout the series (such as with Ross and Rachel in Friends), or once they are happily together, there are no more problems in their romance. However, Jim and Pam’s marriage takes an unexpectedly troublesome turn, which many fans don’t like. But it’s this turn that makes them even more lovable and even more believable as a couple by the finale. Every couple has obstacles; every couple has moments when it seems like it might not work out. And as couples grow together, more obstacles pop up as they deal with raising children, grief, money, and other more complicated issues. It adds layers of complexity to both characters, and makes the finale that much more satisfying.

Beyond this, the realism brought in by meeting the camera crews and seeing the fallout of the documentary they film throughout the series truly brings The Office full circle. Most shows filmed in this style never actually acknowledge the talking-head device, but The Office justifies both its form and function. It makes sense that the characters in the office would get to know those behind the camera, and seeing this come to fruition as the characters all reach their full potentials makes for a satisfying final season.