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Steve Carell Reveals Paul Rudd's Advice on The Office

3/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Steve Carell, actor, said Paul Rudd advised him not to audition for The Office because Hollywood was skeptical and expected the show to fail, especially versus Ricky Gervais' UK version.
During a podcast with Amy Poehler, Carell recalled warning that the pilot would struggle.
The pilot of The Office posted NBC's lowest ratings in history.
Carell will not appear in the spin-off The Paper, though he supports the new cast.

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Story summary

Steve Carell, actor, said Paul Rudd advised him not to audition for The Office because Hollywood was skeptical and expected the show to fail, especially versus Ricky Gervais' UK version.
During a podcast with Amy Poehler, Carell recalled warning that the pilot would struggle.
The pilot of The Office posted NBC's lowest ratings in history.
Carell will not appear in the spin-off The Paper, though he supports the new cast.