‘The Office’: John Krasinski’s Loose Lips During Jim Halpert Audition Could Have Cost Him the Role
The American version of The Office is so cemented in television history now that it’s hard to imagine that anyone ever had any doubts about it. But when it was first announced that U.S. studios would be trying to replicate the legendary British comedy, critics were very outspoken about their opinion that no American show could ever live up to The Office.
John Krasinski, who ended up playing one of the main characters on the American version of the show, surprisingly revealed himself to be one of the show’s doubters. He accidentally spilled his words of doubt at a very crucial time, and we’re surprised it didn’t cost him the role on The Office.
Who did John Krasinski play in ‘The Office’?
Krasinski has gone on to reach enormous success after The Office, but the comedy show was his first real break, like it was for many of its actors. Although he actually was originally asked to audition for the part of Dwight, he was able to convince the producers to let him read for the role of Jim Halpert, which is the part he eventually was given.
It’s a good thing because we can’t imagine a better Dwight than hilarious Rainn Wilson – and Krasinski is perfect as the lovable and charming Jim.
A major part of Jim’s storyline is his love affair with the office receptionist, Pam (played by Jenna Fischer). While Pam and Jim have an are-they-or-aren’t-they situation for the first several seasons, they finally start dating in season 4 and get married in season 6. Jim is good-natured, sarcastic, and a caring colleague (despite the pranks he constantly plays on Dwight), and Krasinski plays him perfectly.
Was the American version of The Office popular?
Most fans know that The Office was not originally an American show. The mockumentary-style comedy first premiered in the U.K., with Ricky Gervais as its creator and star. The original version of the show achieved such a cult following that many people were skeptical that the American version could live up. However, the American The Office blew everyone away and became one of the most popular TV series in history.
The American version of The Office ran for a total of 9 seasons, all of which were incredibly successful, and won dozens of awards. The awards the show stacked up include five primetime Emmy wins, and the show’s star, Steve Carell, has won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Michael Scott on the show. It seems like the American producers proved the world wrong and were able to create a show that was just as, if not more popular than the original U.K. version.
Krasinski’s blunt honesty about The Office almost cost him his role
We can’t imagine The Office without Krasinski as Jim now, but he’s shared that he almost blew his audition by being just a little too honest about how he felt about the American version of one of his favorite shows.
Krasinski once shared with fans that in the waiting room for his Office audition, he was asked by a man he didn’t recognize whether he was nervous. Krasinski replied that he wasn’t. He could have stopped there, but his nerves made him take it a little bit too far.
“I love the British show so much and Americans have a tendency to just really screw these opportunities up. I don’t know how I’ll live with myself if they ruin it for me,” he reportedly told the man.
Later on in the audition, Krasinski found out that the man he talked to in the waiting room was actually the executive producer! “[H]e’s like, “My name’s Greg Daniels, I’m the Executive Producer.” And I was like [vomit noise]. I actually threw up in my mouth,” Krasinski hilariously shared.
Thankfully, he nailed the audition and got the part anyway!
