‘The Office’: Jenna Fischer Admits Toby Making a Move on Pam Was Cut Because She Couldn’t Stop Laughing
The actors of The Office often tried new things on the spot to make a scene funnier. But sometimes this made it harder to stay in character. Jenna Fischer, who plays Pam Beesly, admitted to not being able to make it through a scene that was cut.
Toby had a crush on Pam in ‘The Office’
Everyone knew Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam liked each other. But there was another person in the office who liked Pam.
That would be Toby (Paul Lieberstein), who worked as the human resources representative. He did little things to show her his affection by winning her a stuffed animal during an outing with co-workers. Toby would also try to start up conversations with her randomly. He was quick to notice when Pam and Jim started dating because of how they were interacting in the office.
In the episode “Dunder Mifflin Infinity,” Toby sends out a memo against public displays of affection in the office after seeing them kiss. Michael (Steve Carell) demands to know who the complaint was about and he says Jim and Pam. Jim then admits that they have started dating.
They cut Toby trying to hold Pam’s hand
Fischer and her podcast co-host, Angela Kinsey, talked about the episode “Dunder Mifflin Infinity” on Office Ladies. Kinsey pointed out there was another scene that didn’t make it into the episode.
“Jenna, there’s a great scene in the bloopers where at the end of the scene Toby just tries to hold Pam’s hand in front of Jim,” Kinsey said. “And you guys couldn’t get through it. You just start laughing.”
“I remember trying to shoot that. I don’t think we ever got it and that’s why we never included it. But it was also just something we thought was so funny in the moment,” Fischer said. The actor explained Toby’s move was actually improvised.
Toby still touched Pam in other scenes
It looks like the cast tried to catch Toby being awkward in other ways. In the episode “Night Out,” we watch the employees work on a Saturday. They then get locked into the building.
There is a scene where all of the employees are talking. Pam is sitting in between Toby and Jim. Toby cracks a joke that makes Pam laugh. He then places his hand on her knee, which shocks everyone.
Toby is obviously embarrassed so he makes the announcement that he’s moving to Costa Rica. He then hilariously runs out of the office.
Sadly, Toby’s moves on Pam always went horribly wrong. The good thing is that it made for great comedy, some of which couldn’t make it into the show.
