Character Study – An Office Spec Script
So this is kinda weird for me, but I figure it this way: Fuck it.
This is a spec script I wrote for “The Office.” I don’t think it’s terrible, but I don’t think it’s great either. It was mostly written to teach myself the format, conventions, etc. But now that Michael Scott’s off the show (and they did a theater-heavy plot last season with Andy), I figure this ship has officially sailed. Rather than just leave it to rot on my hard drive, I’ll leave it to rot here, on my WordPress blog. Hope you get a chuckle out of it.
The Justin McElroy Institute 
Wow…that’s really good. Like really. Do you do stuff like this often? Cause if you’re pursuing a career in comedy writing someday and you keep practicing like this I think you have a really good shot. Donald Glover got his job on SNL for writing a Simpsons spec script, so this certainly isn’t useless, not by a long shot.
I’m curious to hear what you don’t like about it. I think some of the individual character moments are borderline…predictable maybe? But it also shows you have a strong sense of each character, and I’m glad Oscar’s bit turned into a fleshed-out sub plot. I LOVED the cold open (laughed out loud at the “peanut…peanut…”) and I think you totally nailed the format of the show. Even down to the V.O. over a scene before transitioning to the talking head. Also, “Behind the Scenes Nasty” is such a Justin McElroy line. Love it.
I’m no comedy expert, I’m just a guy. But for what it’s worth, I really enjoyed this.
Hey Jason, really glad you dug it, means a lot.
As far as what I didn’t like, I think you nailed it with the predictability. Mainly, I dislike the dialogue, I feel like it reads really clunky.
Thanks for taking the time to read it.
If they ever actually picked it up, it’d be one of their better episodes, and I say that as a big fan of the show. Seriously, dude, you got every single character spot-on. Excellent work.
I don’t know if you’re still checking comments on this post, but I read the whole thing and loved it. I don’t disagree with your point about clunky dialogue, but with a good re-write or two just to clean that up a little, I think it would be a really, really good episode. Most importantly I think you captured the characters well, the way each of them is funny (when written well) in a different way. Particularly Michael – it’s been a long time since that character has made me laugh the way this episode would have. I could see all of this happening in my head without trouble, which is a good sign you were on to something, I think (if that makes sense?).
I too am but a man, not a licensed and accredited Television Critic, but there’s a lot to like about that script.
I did many actual lolings throughout the piece. Recent years’ The Offices haven’t made me do this, Justin! You’re funny!
A little bit late I suppose but I thought this was Tops. good on you bro
this quite funny – well done – better than season 8/9
Haha! I’m just an advertising major possibly looking to get into script writing and this is hilarious! Definitely on par with the better episodes of The Office, the Angela bit about DJ Tanner was the most hilarious thing I’ve read or heard all day! Oh the peanut thing was great as well, great tie-in to pop culture with Twitter and it’s role in society.