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Steve Carell Reveals Paul Rudd's Advice on The Office

3/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Steve Carell, the actor, said on Amy Poehler's podcast that Paul Rudd advised against auditioning for The Office to avoid backlash.
Carell, who played Michael Scott, avoided watching the original to prevent pressure.
The pilot had the 'lowest testing' on NBC, with viewers initially disliking it.
The Office became a success, leading to The Paper, a spinoff about Domhnall Gleeson's character reviving a struggling newspaper, renewed for a second season.

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Story summary

Steve Carell, the actor, said on Amy Poehler's podcast that Paul Rudd advised against auditioning for The Office to avoid backlash.
Carell, who played Michael Scott, avoided watching the original to prevent pressure.
The pilot had the 'lowest testing' on NBC, with viewers initially disliking it.
The Office became a success, leading to The Paper, a spinoff about Domhnall Gleeson's character reviving a struggling newspaper, renewed for a second season.