This Hilarious Blooper From ‘The Office’ Made John Krasinski Laugh So Hard He Was Unfilmable

The Office‘s humor is unique, and with skilled comedians like Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, and Mindy Kaling, it’s no surprise that the series has remained popular for so long. Although it’s known for its cringe humor, The Office has a little of everything, and some moments are impossible to make it through without cracking a smile, even for members of the cast. Though there are plenty of hilarious scenes, one in particular caused problems for John Krasinski while filming. If you look closely, you may realize that Jim (Krasinski) is distinctly absent from the Season 6 scene where Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) sits on Santa Michael’s (Carell) lap, and for good reason.

John Krasinski Couldn’t Make It Through ‘The Office’ Scene With Competing Santas

The Office has several memorable Christmas episodes, but Season 6, Episode 13, “Secret Santa,” is especially unforgettable. While there is a lot going on with Andy (Ed Helms) gifting Erin (Ellie Kemper) everything mentioned in the “12 Days of Christmas” song and rumors of Dunder Mifflin struggling financially circling, the most memorable element is the dueling Santas. Jim agrees to let Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) dress up this year, and Michael struggles to accept that. Instead, he dresses up too, turning it into a competition. It gets especially amusing when Kevin gets caught in the middle. After being told he’s too large to sit on Phyllis, Kevin asks Michael, who allows him, even though it leaves him in pain.

The scene itself leaves the audience laughing out loud, and fans aren’t the only ones who think so. Krasinski admitted that the scene was so funny he couldn’t film it. Referring to this scene as the hardest he’s laughed in his life, Krasinski points out the lack of a shot where Jim looks into the camera, explaining that he couldn’t do it. Krasinski said, “I looked over to the cameraman, and I said, ‘Don’t even try it. I will not be here.’ So every time he swings, it was to an empty room. I just wasn’t there.” Krasinski had to keep it together through a lot, but Carell’s off-script jokes in this moment were too much for him.

The Rest of ‘The Office’s Cast Struggled to Stay in Character During the Santa Scene

Krasinski wasn’t the only cast member who struggled with this episode. While Carell and Baumgartner had to stay in character, few others managed it. In the scene, the characters in the background can be seen laughing as Andy ducks behind the wall to hide his laughter, and even Kelly (Kaling) can’t help but crack a smile. Much like Krasinski, Helms called the scene “one of the hardest times I’ve ever laughed in my life, “and they aren’t the only two.

When discussing the scene on The Office Ladies podcast, Jenna Fischer, who plays Pam, recalled, “I remember when you [Baumgartner] sit on Steve’s lap as Santa. And I know everyone always brings it up to you, but it was like no one could get through it.” Fischer went on to say that the crew eventually gave up on getting a take where no one broke character, deciding it is what it is. Even without a perfect take, the scene was too good to cut.

‘The Office’s Christmas Episode Is One of Michael’s Funniest Moments

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Image via NBC

Michael is already a highlight of the series, but this scene is undoubtedly one of his funniest moments as his self-interest, rude behavior, and physical comedy prowess all align. It shouldn’t be a surprise that it comes in a Christmas episode, where Michael generally shines as his ego and desire to be loved seem to reach their height, but in Season 6’s Christmas episode, especially, he is in rare form, and both the audience and the cast love to see it.

What stands out about this scene is that, not only is it iconic in the series, but the bloopers are as funny, if not more so. The outtakes show Carell monologuing in character about how his Santa is superior to Phyllis’, to the laughter of the cast. Though not every line he comes up with could make it into the episode, there are additional laughs waiting for anyone with a few minutes to watch.

The Office is streaming on Peacock in the U.S.

The Office

Release Date

2005 – 2013-00-00