John Krasinski, Jim Halpert onThe Office, once described one actor in the mockumentary series as the show’s “secret weapon” and claimed it was her secret sauce that gave us one of the show’s best episodes. “What isthe best episode ofThe Office?” is a tough question, with a lot of good answers.
While it’s hard to argue that the best episodes ofThe Officedon’t include Michael Scott(Steve Carell), many of them live and die on the rest of the ensemble cast present in an episode. According to Krasinski, a fantastic player in his own right,one beloved episode was propped up by a specific actress.
John Krasinski Described Melora Hardin As The Office’s Secret Weapon
Jan Levinson Is The Straight Man To Michael’s Clownery
John Krasinski said that Melora Hardin was the key to some of the funniest moments inThe Office(viaRollingStone). He said, “She was really our secret weapon…” and mentioned how challenging it can be to play the straight character in such a ridiculous world. It was a performance that Carell needed, according to Krasinski.
As Krasinski describes her, the character of Jan Levinson, Michael’s boss, then later, lover, then ex, has a lot of ambition and likes power more than anything.It’s the opposite of Michael, so when they’re paired together, they bring out the worst in one another, which happens to be the best for the audience.
Even after she’s fired, her sometimes not-so-silent rage at her lot in life is so funny next to Michael’s blissful ignorance.
It’s a hard claim to deny. Jan is severe in nearly all her appearances inThe Office, and even before she and Michael become an item, their opposite management methods provide a hilarious contrast. Even after she’s fired, her sometimes not-so-silent rage at her lot in life is so funny next to Michael’s blissful ignorance.
Melora Hardin’s Performance As Jen Is Why The Office’s “Dinner Party” Works
Jan’s Energy Is What Makes The Episode So Funny
Melora Hardin’s performance in “Dinner Party”, the 13th episode of season 4, is one of the best performances in the show. It’s the moment Jan’s poorly constructed facade comes crashing down. It’s awkward, embarrassing, and absolutely hilarious. As Hardin herself said in the episode’s oral history,
“To Jan, Michael was this guy who was kind of an idiot, but also represented this possibility for her white picket fence, which is why the dinner party is so resonant.”
Everyone knows Michael is an idiot. Jim, Pam (Jenna Fischer), Andy (Ed Helms), and Angela (Angela Kinsey) were not expecting much when they came to his house for a dinner party. What they could not expect would be that their old boss would be equally, if not more, daffy than Michael.
From the moment they arrive, Jan is struggling, and the huge smile on her face looks like it’s about to shatter at any time. Jim and Pam’s looks of terror (and hunger) are so funny, and only make sense if Hardin is playing her character perfectly. John Krasinski has a real point, calling herThe Office’s secret weapon.
