Board 8 > Epyo ranks all of The Office's main characters (with bullet point writeups)

(+) Yeah! (+)

I haven't done any big rankings on Board 8 in a long time =] I did a top 50 board games list like 6 years ago, and, I ranked every WoW zone, back during the WotLK expansion. Those are the last ones I can remember...

So I've decided to get around to doing more of these, because I enjoy writing these things a lot!!

METHOD:

I took all the characters from the Regular Cast section of the Office Characters wikipedia page. Then I added a few more characters, who were in many episodes, in more than one season. I ended up with 31 characters.

I didnt put Nate Nickerson in. I think hes really funny and I like him, but it felt like it required me to put other characters in the list with way more screen time than him, like Val, Carol Stills, Charles Miner, etc, and I didnt really want to try to compare them with the main cast. Its kinda like how Pluto isnt a planet, right? Once you make Pluto a planet, you have to make all sorts of other planets planets.

I guess I coulda made it a top X characters list, and then I could include Nate, but I enjoy lists more when they rank from worst-to-best.

OK let's start the list! I'll post a few every evening or so.

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THE WORST CHARACTERS:

31. Karen Filipelli

Her role was just to contribute to the Jim/Pam season 3 plot, but its a shame they didnt manage to figure out how to make the character interesting in all that screen time!!!

Rashida Jones seems awesome though.

Best Memory: I really cant think of any memory, thats the problem!

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30. Gabe (tall Sabre guy)

I despise this character so much!! As soon as he comes on the screen I consider fast forwarding. His interactions with Erin just make me feel gross, I just feel bad inside and outside of me, not in a good way.

I guess the fun part was supposed to be everyone hating him, but I dont feel like they celebrated that enough.

Hes one of those characters thats always moping! Moping about Erin, or moping about people not respecting him or something. I hate characters like that.

Best Memory: Gabe says, Pams caption contest cant make fun of Sabre. So, all of the characters make revolting captions about him, instead.

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29. Pete (boring new guy that looks like Jim, in Season 9)

Not too useful or interesting. His role ended up just being someone to get Erin to dump Andy for. Although really, I think that breakup plot would have been even better if Erin simply dumped Andy because he sucked, not to date someone else.

Best Memory: Andy asks for Pete's help about figuring out who this Pete is thats texting Erin, not knowing that he's talking to Pete.


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Gabe's actor is incredible.

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pjbasis posted...

Gabe's actor is incredible.

Yeah Zach Woods is really just one of the funniest people acting today; he all but singlehandedly makes Silicon Valley

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Ohhhh right, Silicon Valley! His character there was one of the aspects I did like about Silicon Valley.

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gabe is incredible, disappointed with this ranking
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Tag

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well get ready for plenty more disappointment, 'cause all the characters are pretty good!! but not everyone can be at the top...

THE OKAY CHARACTERS (there are 2):

28. Roy

Probably the hardest to rank character, cause hes so rarely on screen, and he has such a specific plot-driven purpose.

Honestly, not that bad of a character. When he pops in, he usually makes Jim look at the camera, so thats pretty fun.

Adds some good drama to the show, like when he broke everything in that bar. A little drama into a comedy is a good thing IMO.

Reminds me too much of real life people who are just kinda mean.

Best Memory: When he comes in to beat up Jim, and Dwight pepper sprays him.

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27. Stanley

Theres like two versions of Stanley:

Stanley 1: The grumpy character who hates all the goofy stuff going on in the office. I dont like this Stanley, because he often successfully does stop the goofy stuff from ensuing. Let the goofy stuff ensue Stanley! Let the bosses like Jo Bennett be the fun-stoppers.

Stanley 2: The character who hates working, and everything about work. I relate to this Stanley a lot (who doesnt), and I think hes pretty likable. But this side of Stanley isnt in the show that much, I dont think. Bummer.

Florida Stanley is pretty good.

Best Memory: (Step-by-step suggestion) ...and then stick it up your butt!


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And let's get some more in tonight

PRETTY GOOD CHARACTERS (there are 7):

26. Todd Packer

Obviously, youre supposed to love his terrible behavior and jokes, but, personally, I thought he was crude, and immature.

Just kidding! Obviously youre supposed to hate him. Pretty good villain! I love how the entire office is unified against him whenever hes around.

I also love how Michael acts around him, and really looks up to him as a role model! Thats comedy.

The actors performance is amazing, honestly.

However, whenever hes on screen Im anxious because this personality is sooooo real. This personality is all too common in real life and I dont really want to think about it.

Best Memory: When he came back during his 12-step program, and apologized for things he did and said, but the apologies were actually just replaying the insulting things he said.

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25. Darryl

Most plots involving Darryl are pretty terrible! Did you remember he dated Kelly for a while? No, because it was pointless!

BUT he had some good stuff sometimes. Good interactions with Michael. Tricking Michael into using fake lingo like catch you on the flippity flip.

Good interactions with Andy, like starting the band. I like that part. Dunno why.

Warehouse plots were pretty good, but they stopped doing those in later seasons.

I can somehow tell I would like the actor a lot more than the character. Hes got a funny way of speaking that I love.

Best Memory: Explaining to everyone how serious the Baler is.

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24. Phyllis

Shes kind of a WTF character, very unpredictable, often says ridiculous or disgusting stuff.

But also, honestly one of the most genuine characters Ive ever seen in a show.

I like how shes kinda weirdly mean to the other characters often? Very realistic IMO.

She reminds me exactly of every elementary school teacher Ive ever had.

Not a fun enough character to carry an episode, but nice to have sprinkled in.

Best Memory: When the cast explains she uses the same idioms every time it rains, and shes like everyones being so nice to me today.


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MORE!

23. Hank (the security guard)

He basically never has any dialogue, and I love that sort of thing.

His role is to stand around looking tough, with his arms folded in complete disdain of all of the main cast. He stares with contempt, as the main characters do something stupidly goofy, like stuff Stanleys drugged sleeping body covered in bubble wrap into Dwights cars front seat.

Simple character who cant be used for much else, but he has a good purpose.

Best Memory: The one explained above.

~~~~~

22. Scranton Strangler

Its just inherently funny. You put those two words together, I laugh.

Best Memory: When he strangles Toby.

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21. Meredith

Part of the fun of The Office is how it feels like a wow wacky unpredictable place wow, and I think Meredith helps a lot with that.

I love how the other characters treat her with such nonstop disdain, disdain is kind of a central theme of the show. But also I love how she doesnt give a shit. Its cool how shes an inspiration for Pam sometimes.

She actually interacts with most of the cast, which isnt true of most characters.

Shes kinda one joke, for nine seasons, yeah.

Best Memory: When she reveals her business dealings involving free Outback steaks.

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20. Kelly

Shes got a lot of hilarious moments. I like it whenever shes mad at someone, and shes all like I hate you to them. Thats great.

Her drama queen side didnt really work in the context of this show IMO, because the only drama she had to work off of, usually, was the Ryan stuff. Couldnt be applied to other plots much.

I think the Ryan/Kelly on/off relationship was really funny even though it was kinda the same joke over and over again for most of the show, it was the type of joke that gets better the more you milk it, I think.

Best Memory: When she plays dumb and asks Jan what Second Base is, because Jan and Michael got to second base. "Is that like...making a business deal?" (Then she winks at the camera!!!)


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Came in expecting Stanley to be too low but not THAT low.

Most underrated character on the show.

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Stanley and Daryl both WAY too low

Roy too high, fuck that guy

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Johnbobb posted...

Yeah Zach Woods is really just one of the funniest people acting today; he all but singlehandedly makes Silicon Valley

This guy fucks.
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Who could like Gabe... he sucks

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Gabe is great except for the last season he's in.

Andy way too high, how is he not already gone?

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I admit another good Stanely moment is when he's yelling at Ryan for talking to his daughter. "Jesus could come through that door and he's not gonna help you if you don't stop sniffing after my child"

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Now a ton of controversial characters that nobody can agree on, but I mostly like 'em:

THE GREAT-ISH CHARACTERS (there are 10 in this tier):

19. Andy

He seems poorly written to me because his personality changes from episode to episode sometimes (right??). But I do have a lot of good memories of him, but maybe thats just because of how much hes in the show.

Love the Cornell and acapella and acting stuff; the annoying side of his character is funny. His incompetence at his job is also always funny. Love that type of thing.

The Andy/Erin relationship plot is kinda meh, in comparison to the other relationship plots of the show.

When he left on the boat in season 9 that was practically show-ruining, right after they built him up so much and you just start to really like him, then hes gone. Im kinda holding a grudge because of that.

Best Memory: When he plays/sings I will remember you toward the end of the show. That was nice.

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18. Holly

Shes really hard to rank because basically her purpose is being a perfect match for Michael. She doesnt really interact with the rest of the cast much, except to talk about Michael.

Still, any episode with her in it is gonna be really good and funny and adorable.

Glad she was put in the show so that Michaels story has an insanely happy ending.

Also good for the cringe/awkwardness angle of the show.

Best Memory: Being tricked into thinking Kevin had a mental handicap, for several episodes.

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17. Nellie

I know shes controversial, but Im a pretty big fan.

A big part of the show is antics, and shes good at generating antics, and generally hatefully trolling people like Andy. One of the most chaotic characters on the show. Her last name is actually Antics according to the wikipedia page. I made that up.

They also cram in some decent sad backstory even though shes only in the show 1.5 seasons, with the wanting to adopt a baby stuff, and not successfully doing it.

Best Memory: Her original job interview where she is terrible at BSing her answers. Very relatable.

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16. Clark (new guy in season 9, nicknamed Dwight Jr.)

I was pretty sure this character sucked, but during my current watchthrough, I realized he generates good plots and his dialogue is actually funny.

His main role in the show is to get hazed and abused repeatedly for being new, and thats great.

Best Memory: In order to get Jan to buy paper, they donate Clark to her, to do whatever she wants with him. He is not seen for several episodes.


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Boo, Andy way too low. Top 5, minimum.

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aw i love Gabe
Ryan, Erin, Michael top 3 easy

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^ Whooa Ryan top 3?? I figured he was pretty unpopular...

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Anyway, more in the great-ish tier below. Man I reaally like these guys, these should maybe have started a new tier:

15. Mose Schrute

I dunno how everyone else feels, but Im all about the farming side-plots of the show.

Theyre just so why the heck did they write this??

Mose is the epitome of that. How the heck did they come up with him?? Hes amazing.

But also, somehow very believable?

Best Memory: I have some memory of him just standing around in a FEAR shirt. Its a great memory.

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14. Ryan

My first time through the show I didnt get him, I thought he was the worst character Id ever seen in a show. Just boring guy who sucks. I didnt get it.

My second time through I understood the character much better, and found his plots pretty hilarious, although not really Ryan himself.

Hes part of a lot of pretty good long plots throughout the show IMO, like his relationship with Kelly (which I find pretty funny), and hes great when hes in the Michael Scott Paper Company (great sequence!), and when he became Michaels boss, etc.

The best era of Ryan is when Michael puts his desk in a closet for like an entire season.

Hes generally not a humor generator though, hes more of a foil to the crazier characters...but I think there are characters with the same role, that are a bit better.

Best Memory: The WUPHF (woof) social network idea.

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13. Oscar

Not that amazing of a character, not a huge humor generator either, but Ive developed a hunch hes really important to the show, because so many characters interact with him, and its always fun. He's kind of a good "voice of reason" that this show doesn't have that much of.

Hes all snobby and well, actually so people conspire with him, or Pam and Toby start that snobby club with him.

He gets exasperated at dumb characters like Kevin and Michael.

He gets offended by the offensive characters like Michael.

He fights with Angela all the time like cranky parents of accounting.

Etc I dunno thats my theory, its not very well-formed.

The State Senator plot is pretty great I thought.

Best Memory: When he and Michael had a debate during lunch, in the lobby, with spectators, and the topic was China, as if that was a topic you could have a debate about.

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Dang, Stanley is way way too low.

also tag

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Ryan is definitely top 3. I was similar to you in that the first I watched through I was kinda ambivalent to him. But I rewatched it this summer and he's so good because he changes so much.

He's the best when he works for corporate. One of my favorite parts is when he comes back after his fraud and he's apologizing to Jim.


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Epyo posted...

The best era of Ryan is when Michael puts his desk in a closet for like an entire season.

Pretty sure that was Jim's doing.

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Pokalicious posted...

Pretty sure that was Jim's doing.

It was, just watched that episode about a week ago! On season 8 of my latest rewatch

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Pokalicious posted...

Pretty sure that was Jim's doing.

Ohhhhh riiiight! That's even better

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Last 3 in the "great-ish" tier:

12. David Wallace

His writing isnt that interesting, but the way the actor portrays him cracks me up. I cant describe it. I think its the mannerisms. Hes just so darn likeable. And hes so nice to Michael, you cant hate that.

His role is kinda to be flabbergasted at Michael, but also really nice to him.

I love it when hes trying to share secret business stuff with someone (usually Michael), and they cant keep it a secret, and then he comes in and is like ok well this was supposed to be a secret, but whatever: They use this plot like 20 times, and it feels like real life also.

Best Memory: Suck it!

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11. Toby

Michael+Toby interactions are perhaps the best part of the entire show, IMO. (Besides perhaps Michael+Jan??)

Tobys writing and mannerisms in general crack me up, the monotone and the being a sad wet blanket. Mostly getting in Michael or Andys way, muttering HR stuff, poorly.

Admittedly, any actual plot that involves Toby is bad, very bad. I only like the character.

Best Memory: When Michael finds out Toby is back and screams no god no. Probably the greatest moment in television history.

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10. Creed

Creed gets a lot of the funniest lines in the show.

There should have been more Creed stuff in the show.

Although, I bet that would have ruined it, to know more about him. Maybe part of the charm is that hes only around when theres a really good joke for him. Thats kinda why Im not putting him higher.

Best Memory: When he explains where his distinct old man smell comes from.


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Epyo posted...

24. Phyllis

Shes kind of a WTF character, very unpredictable, often says ridiculous or disgusting stuff.

But also, honestly one of the most genuine characters Ive ever seen in a show.

I dunno if I'm taking the word genuine in the way you mean it, but...

I've been listening to the Brian Baumgartner office podcast (actor who played Kevin) and Phyllis getting casted is really fascinating. Apparently she was an assistant for years to the casting director? producer? and they had her stand in and say lines during the casting process to play off of people they were considering. Greg Daniels found her so funny they created a character for her even though she had no real acting experience or interest in acting. She's maybe the actress that's closest to her character - they just kind of let her exist in the show.

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Jenna and Angela mentioned something along those lines too on Office Ladies.

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RaidenGarai posted...

Jenna and Angela mentioned something along those lines too on Office Ladies.

You should check out the podcast I mentioned. Every episode has a theme, some work better than others, but the one about casting is really great

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if pam gets a new chair shell give me her old chair. then ill have two chairs.

one more to go

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Aecioo posted...

You should check out the podcast I mentioned. Every episode has a theme, some work better than others, but the one about casting is really great

I didnt know he had one before this, but Ill have to give it a listen! Thanks

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Speaking of Phyllis, she is the voice of Sadness in Inside Out, and Mindy Kailing (Kelly) is Disgust.

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Epyo posted...

Creed gets a lot of the funniest lines in the show.

There should have been more Creed stuff in the show.

yes

Epyo posted...

Maybe part of the charm is that hes only around when theres a really good joke for him.

but also yes

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Yeah that is the use of the word genuine I meant! Phyllis seems identical in personality and mannerisms to a lot of older women I've known, including my mom.

I did recently learn that's how she got the part, 'cause I started listening to Office Ladies a month ago and have been catching up. I heard them explain that story, and I was like "oh yeah I figured something like this happened, makes perfect sense."

I totally did not know Brian had another podcast, omg I will definitely catch up on that!!

MysticBrohan posted...

if pam gets a new chair shell give me her old chair. then ill have two chairs.

one more to go

hahahhaha holy crap I looked this up this clip, and I do not remember it, but wow it's good

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Creed is probably my favorite character. He doesnt get a lot of screen time but whenever his mouth opens you know something good is coming.

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1. Michael Scott
2. Dwight Schrute
3. Jim Halpert
4. Erin Hannon
5. Pam Beasley

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Creed's a pretty good choice for favorite character, if someone just asked me on the street who my favorite is, I might say that...but when sitting down to make a list, I couldn't do it, I just know if they tried to give him more moments, they wouldn't be as good as the ones that are in there...

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OK UGH they're so hard to rank now. Entering the "FANTASTIC" tier, there are 6 of these:

9. Robert California

Oh my god, hes so good. Great dialogue, and his delivery is genius.

All of the plots involving him are top-tier IMO.

I cant put him higher on the list, because he kinda dominates the scene when hes around, the other characters cant play off him that well. The Office is an ensemble cast, an ensemble show, so he kinda undermines that.

But, still, theyre really good scenes, and really good episodes. Absolutely love the episode where hes trying to stop his wife from getting a job at the office.

Best Memory: Anytime he looks around and does that thing with his mouth and nods.

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8. Kevin

The source of a lot of the funniest jokes of the show.

Acting super dumb is probably my favorite type of comedy. Thats why I like Cheers--80% of the characters are Kevin comedy.

Cant quite put him higher because hes never really deeply involved in any plots.

But he IS good for a lot of interactions, especially with the snobby Angela and Oscar. Or, like when Michael calls a meeting, asks some question, Kevin will say something dumb, and Michael will be like no no, ugh stop it no.

Best Moment: The Chili.

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7. Erin

Same as Kevin, acting really stupid is my favorite type of comedy, and shes amazing at it.

Also the backstory about being an orphan is pretty great, good for a lot of jokes.

But also, unlike Kevin, shes much more involved in actual plots of the show, not just one-off jokes.

Very good Michael-Erin interactions.

Buuut her plot archs arent that great sadly: all her relationship plots are irritating to me. Maybe its Andy and Petes faults. I really want to rank her higher but I cannot do it.

Best Memory: I like when shes passive-aggressive mean to Holly, to her face.

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Erin not quite understanding basic things combined with Ellie Kempers perfect facial expressions really fucking kills me

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Erin in the top ten huh.....

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Erin is amazing

I'm not a huge fan of Kevin... I like him a lot when he's not super dumb. Like in the earlier seasons. I think Erin does the whole dumb/naive thing a whole lot better.

My top three is probably:

1. Ryan
2. Robert California
3. Erin

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Wow Ryan #1!!! I would love to hear more about why...I didn't know people loved him!

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6. Angela

I love a fussy grumpy character, when theyre fussy in such a ridiculous way that you cant even take it seriously, because it just makes you laugh, the absurdity of it.

I love her offended reactions to every other character, elevating each characters personality. Its a lot like Jim staring at the camera, but she doesnt need a camera. She clocks something ridiculous going on and gives a dirty look, or she has any interaction with someone and storms off halfway through.

She causes really fun drama, IMO. The party planning committee drama is fundamentally hilarious, the more I think about it.

A lot of the plots and jokes involving Angela are really WTF or shocking. Like when she hired someone to kill Oscar. Jeez!

Shes got weird mental problems I like. Shes got all this outrageously immoral stuff going on, but then an aggressively puritanical facade to cover it up. I love it.

Best Memory: I think, green is kind of whorish.

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5. Jim

If I think about my favorite aspects of the office, pretty high up there are: Jims antics/pranks, and Jim looking at the camera. I know those things are dumb or corny, but I like em. Theyre one of the main reasons I watch.

Like Pam, he is part of a lot of the touchy-feely moments of the show, with Pam and Michael usually, and that part of the show is pretty important.

That being said, Jim doesnt really get used to his full potential for large stretches of the mid-to-late seasons of the show, so I cant quite put him higher.

Best Memory: Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica. (My sister has a sweater for this.)

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4. Pam

OK, shes not really the source of many jokes.

Pam is the heart of the happy/touchy-feely aspect of the show, which I do think is pretty important to giving the show a soul. You cant have a show thats just jokes, there does need to be some soul in there to go with it. Thats what I think anyway.

Shes the one that kinda becomes friends with every other character and is kinda the glue that makes the office feel like a big family.

She also provides interesting (IMO) life lessons about risk taking and failing and stuff like that, Im into that sort of corny life lesson stuff.

Cant put her much higher on the list cause a lot of her plots are pretty lame in later seasons. Becoming a salesman didnt really go anywhere fun, for example.

Putting Pam above Jim because of Michael Scott Paper Company, thats my tiebreaker

Best Memory: When Michael comes to her art show.

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I honestly don't know how you guys liked Robert California. He sucked.

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Pam was like able before she got engaged to Jim. Then she became horrific.

I feel like she's good again in season 7 for a while! If I remember

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And finally, the "some of the all-time best characters" tier:

3. Dwight

Dwights got a ton of roles in the show and theyre all good. Being a prank victim, sucking up to Michael, being really know-it-all condescending toward every character.

Also gets up to good bullying antics, like setting the office on fire. Or just catching a bat with a trash bag and Merediths head.

My favorite Dwight thing is his weird life outside the office, like the farming stuff, and his weird friends he brings in, like Trevor.

Dwight is good in the show from start to finish, theres not much bad Dwight in there.

Best Memory: Theres a couple times hes genuinely nice to Pam and theyre nice moments.

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2. Jan

One of my favorite characters ever. Shes hilariously terrifying/intimidating and I love it so much!!

Love her mentally unstable spiralling out of control as the show moves forward.

Michael/Jan interactions are probably my favorite part of the show (or maybe Michael+Toby interactions? Tough call!!)

She comes back a couple times in late seasons and those are both great moments.

Pretty unique character in general. Actually, now that Ive watched it, Jan reminds me of Azula from avatar the last airbender. So over the top terrifying/intimidating, that it wraps around and becomes funny. Ive been watching both shows a lot this year, and cant decide which is funnier.

Best Memory: Dinner party.

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1. Michael

Duh!

Best Memory: Any time he goes to improv class, or mentions improv class. Thats my favorite.

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ugh Jan's the worst

and Michael's improv is one of the examples of the worst aspects of him. Specifically the "improv" of the character that just gropes all the women at the improv group


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