Who Said It: Michael Scott From The Office Or Leslie Knope From Parks And Rec?
- by Candace Winters
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Just try to think of two more iconic television bosses than Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation and Michael Scott of The Office. Go ahead. We'll wait.
Leslie and Michael may have had seemingly different management styles, but the one thing they did have in common was their relentless optimism. Oh, and their mutual hilarity. In fact, we're so convinced that Leslie and Michael were actually more similar than not that we based an entire quiz around their quotes.
And as an added bonus, this quiz is chock full of trivia about two of the greatest television shows ever produced. Take it and learn some interesting tidbits guaranteed to impress even the biggest television buffs.
Think that it will be easy to tell who said what - Leslie Knope or Michael Scott? Think again. Only the most devoted fans of Parks and Recreation and The Office will be able to assign these hilarious pearls of wisdom to the correct TV boss.
Anyone who considers themselves to be a super fan of Parks and Recreation or The Office needs to step up to the breakfast plate of waffles and take this quiz of Leslie Knope and Michael Scott quotes. We hope it leaves you smiling and satisfied.
(That's what she said.)
Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.
Parks and Recreation filmed around both of star Amy Poehler's real-life pregnancies. In fact, NBC ordered thirteen episodes for the first season, but only six were actually produced because of Amy's pregnancy. Additionally, several of season three's episodes were filmed along with the twenty-four episodes of season two because of Amy's pregnancy. Another fun pregnancy fact: Leslie's pregnancy with triplets on the show was foreshadowed when she dated MRI tech (played by Amy's then real-life husband, Wil Arnett) who commented on her "great oven" and said she could "go triplets right off the bat."
We have to remember what's important in life: friends, waffles and work.
Even though the version of The Office that Steve Carell is best known for is a remake of the UK series that starred Ricky Gervais, he did not model his portrayal of Michael Scott after Gervais's version of the office manager. In fact, he only watched a few minutes of the UK version before he stopped viewing permanently. His cast mate, John Krasinski, on the other hand, was an avid viewer of the show before he landed the role of Jim Halpert.
Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want on any subject. So you know you are getting the best information.
The cast of The Office obviously featured a lot of very funny people, but it also included quite a few multi-talented individuals. By the end of the series' run, several cast members had directed and starred in episodes of the show including B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Ed Helms, Rainn Wilson and Brian Baumgartner. In addition, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski and Ed Helms would go on to receive producer credits on the show.
I love my employees, even though I hit one of you with my car.
Hey, Dunder Mifflin fans, here are some fun facts about the show: Dunder Mifflin is a fictional show, but it's actually a member of the Scranton Chamber of Commerce. Even though Pam Beesley was banned from Chili's after drinking too much at the Dundies, the restaurant recently lifted the ban on social media. And when Meredith Palmer winds up in a cast after an accident in the office parking lot, she singles Jim out to sign it, and John Krasinski signs his real name.
I need you to text me every thirty seconds saying that everything is going to be OK.
Parks and Recreation could have been a completely different show had its producers made different casting choices. Who can imagine what the show would have been like if Jim O'Heir (Gary Gergich) had been offered the role he originally auditioned for of Ron Swanson. Or if Nick Offerman had been given the role of Mark Brendanawicz like he had originally auditioned. In the end, the casting department definitely got it right, especially in casting Ron Swanson, one of the most beloved television characters in history.
What I hear when I'm being yelled at is people caring really loudly at me.
Here's a fun fact about the cast of The Office: Several of the show's secondary characters have the same first name as the actors who portray them. Accountants Angela Martin Shrute and Oscar Martinez are portrayed by Angela Kinsey and Oscar Nunez, respectively. Saleswoman Phyllis Lapin Vance is portrayed by Phyllis Smith. And of course, who could forget Quality Assurance Representative Creed Bratton who is portrayed by Creed Bratton. Additionally, Creed Bratton the actor and Creed Bratton the character share similar backstories.
Do I need to be liked? Absolutely not. I like to be liked. I enjoy being liked. I have to be liked, but it's not like this compulsive need to be liked, like my need to be praised.
Despite having auditioned for the role of Mark Brendanawicz, Nick Offerman was the obvious and best choice for the iconic character of Ron Swanson because he and Ron have so much in common. Nick plays the saxophone and Ron is a secret saxophone player with the alias of Duke Silver. Ron's second ex-wife, Tammy Two, is Nick's real-life wife, Megan Mullalley. And Nick and his television counterpart both share a woodworking hobby. Nick even released an instructional DVD about canoe building and runs a successful fine woodworking business on the side.
I am big enough to admit that I am often inspired by myself.
Several of the cast members' real life family members appeared on The Office and Parks and Recreation in guest starring roles. Steve Carell's wife, Nancy Carell appeared in several episodes as Michael Scott's girlfriend and realtor, Carol. Nick Offerman's wife, Megan Mullalley appeared as Ron Swanson's unstable ex-wife, Tammy. Jenna Fischer's husband, Lee Kirk appeared as Pam's very hands-on lactation consultant. Paul Lieberstein's brother, Warren Leiberstein appeared as Toby Flenderson's brother in a video chat. (Warren was also a producer on The Office.)
Sometimes, I'll start a sentence and I don't even know where it's going. I just hope I find it along the way.
The Office's John Krasinski and B.J. Novak have quite a lot in common. They both grew up in Massachusetts. They both went to Newton South High School and graduated in 1997. They both even played on the same little league baseball team when they were kids. Additionally, they both took on behind the scenes roles on The Office, having directed and produced episodes of the show in addition to portraying salesman, Jim Halpert and temp, turned salesman, turned VP, turned temp (again), Ryan Howard.
The thing about youth culture is I don't understand it.
If Parks and Recreation seems to share certain similarities to The Office - like its mocumentary setup, workplace setting and genial sense of humor - that is no coincidence. It was originally conceived as a direct spin-off of The Office, but was later re-tooled to be an original workplace comedy with the same mockumentary set-up. One major difference between the two shows' is that the documentary set-up is explained on The Office (they're shooting a PBS-style docu-series), but on Parks and Recreation it's used as narrative device.
The only thing that could make this day better is ice cream.
One of the best things about The Office was the writers' amazing attention to detail. Like when Pam creates a New Years' Resolution board for the Dunder Mifflin office, every single character's resolution is a thing of absolute beauty. Stanley Hudson resolves to be a better husband and boyfriend. Kelly Kapoor resolves to get attention "by any means necessary." Meredith Palmer resolves to cut down to two cigarettes per day. And Gabe Lewis resolves to be less squeamish around people's babies and dogs.
I am Beyonce, always.
The Office had to halt production in 2007 when the Writers' Guild went on strike. Office star, Steve Carell, a member of the guild, obviously supported the writers and refused to cross the picket lines. He even called in sick to the network on the first day of the strike. The show eventually went back into production when the strike was resolved, but it had a lasting impact on season four. Although the network had ordered 30 episodes of the show, only nineteen ended up being actually produced.
I am super chill all the time!
The great thing about filming shows with such talented ensembles in a mockumentary set-up is that both The Office and Parks and Recreation gave their actors amble chances to show of their comedic chops. While both shows sot from actual scripts, they also allowed their actors plenty of additional takes to improvise lines. There was even some flexibility within the scripts. For example, Chris Pratt was so gifted at physical comedy that very often the script would just say, "Andy does something physical."
I would like a glass of red wine, and I'll take the cheapest one you have because I can't tell the difference.
Sometimes great chemistry just can't be denied. Some of the most beloved characters on The Office and Parks and Recreation were only meant to be guest stars or one-offs. Andy was only meant to appear as a guest on the first season of Parks and Rec, but the producers loved his contribution so much that he was upgraded to series regular on the following season. And over on The Office, Toby Flenderson was only supposed to be a one-off, but Paul Lieberstein impressed NBC executives so much he was given more screen time.
I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.
And now for some Jim trivia for all of the Halpert fans out there: Some of the footage in the opening credits of The Office was shot by John Krasinski and his friends. And when he found out that he got the role of Jim Halpert, the first thing John asked the producers was whether Jenna Fischer landed the role of Pam Beesley. (Jenna asked the producers the same thing about John.) Also, because he had to cut his hair for his role in the movie, Leatherheads, John had to wear a wig for the latter episodes of season three.
The worst thing about prison was the dementors.
Ron Swanson is as well known for his libertarian leanings as he is his moustache. And while there is a hilarious irony about an anti-government government official, it was not character quirk dreamed up by the writers on Parks and Recreation. In fact, Ron Swanson's anti-government government bureaucrat was based on an actual government official that the Parks and Rec producers met when they were doing research. The city planner they met admitted that he, "didn't believe in the mission" of his job.
There's nothing we can't do if we work hard, never sleep and shirk all other responsibilities in our lives.
Mayfair Games was contracted to make Ben Wyatt's made up game, Cones of Dunshire look like a real board game, and the game publisher went above and beyond making an actual, playable game with a full set of rules. The game never made it to market because it was so complicated, but it did make it to Gen Con in Indiana where thirty-three people paid $100 for a ticket to play and the Ledgerman position was auctioned off. The event made more than twenty thousand dollars for a local food bank.
Sometimes, you have to take a break from being the kind of boss that's always trying to teach people things. Sometimes, you just have to be the boss of dancing.
Who's up for some Parks and Recreation wedding trivia? Here we go: Donna and Joe are the only characters on the show to have a traditional wedding. Andy and April surprise everyone with a wedding at their house; Leslie and Ben have a spontenous (but still very romantic) wedding at City Hall; and Ron and Diane elope after they find out about her pregnancy. Also, none of the women in the main cast take their husbands' names after they marry. (Although, April opts to hyphenate her last name to Ludgate-Dwyer.)
I could retire. But I wouldn't. I'm going to work until I'm a hundred. And then I'll cut back to four days a week.
Bloopers for The Office can be found online for every season, and one thing is for sure: It's hard to stay in character when you're working with such a funny group of actors. Rainn Wilson had a hard time staying in character as Dwight Schrute when filming scenes opposite funnymen Steve Carell and John Krasinski. Oscar Nunez was the cast member who could stay in character most consistently, but even he had moments when he couldn't help but break out into laughter.
Presents are the best way to show someone you care. It's like this tangible thing that you can point to and say, "Hey man, I love you this many dollars' worth."
Ready for some Dwight Schrute trivia? Fact: Rainn Wilson originally auditioned for the role of Michael Scott. Fact: A Dwight-focused spin-off called The Farm was shot, but the network passed. The pilot ended up airing as part of the final season. Fact: Dwight's cousin, Mose Schrute was played by show writer Michael Schur. Fact: In a nod to his German heritage, Dwight's overcoat is an East German military coat. Fact: Dwight has four bobbleheads on his desk, including the well-known "Dwight Schrute" bobblehead given to him by girlfriend, Angela Martin.
I hate paperwork. I hardly ever do it in my bed on a Saturday night listening to old Spice Girls CD's.
Pawnee's go-to television journalist and host of such compelling programs as "Ya Heard? With Perd!" "The Final Word with Perd," and "Lights, Camera, Perd," Perderick Hapley is portrayed by a real-life journalist. Jay Jackson was an actual print and broadcast journalist in California who got a small part as a reporter on an episode of Dexter after he retired from the news business in the early 2000's. Since then, he's portrayed reporters on several television shows, including Parks & Recreation.
They say that your wedding day goes by in such a flash that you're lucky if you even get a piece of your own cake. I say that's crazy. I say, let them eat cake.
How about some Michael Scott trivia? We all know and love Steve Carell for his spot-on portrayal of the Dunder Mifflin Regional Manager, but he was not the first choice for the role. Paul Giamatti, Martin Short, Hank Azaria and Bob Odenkirk were all considered for the role of Michael Scott. In fact, Bob Odenkirk showed up in an episode in a later season playing a near-identical character as Michael Scott in a different office where Pam has a job interview.
I'm an early bird and I'm a night owl. So I am wise and I have worms.
How about some general Parks and Rec trivia? Season two, episode sixteen and season six, episode seventeen are both titled "Galentine's Day." Ben Wyatt is a huge R.E.M. fan, and the actor who portrays him, Adam Scott's first acting role was as an audience member in an R.E.M. music video. The show's writers had no idea that Nick Offerman could play the saxophone when they made his character, Ron Swanson a secret saxophone player. And Jean-Ralphio was almost written as one of Leslie Knope's love interests. Imagine that!
You're the most unreasonable person I've ever met, and I'm not going to change my mind no matter what anyone says.
Hey, who hasn't spent a boring day at the office playing around on the Internet when they were supposed to be working? The set of The Office was so realistic that the computers were even wired for the Internet, so when cast members appeared in the background, they were very often actually checking their email or surfing the web. And whenever we see a shot of Creed or Meredith's computer screens, they are always playing Spider Solitaire or Klondike, respectively.
I knew exactly what to do, but in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.
How about some April Ludgate trivia? Let's do it: April Ludgate has a younger sister named Natalie, which also happens to be the name of Aubrey Plaza's younger sister who served as her inspiration for portraying April. Also, Aubrey Plaza and Nick Offerman have the same birthday - June 26. And Kulap Vilaysack auditioned for the role of April Ludgate. She didn't get the role, but she did get a guest spot as Ulani, the pregnant girlfriend of Ben Wyatt's father.
Hey, [self]. It's [self]. Hang in there. I love you.
And now, for everyone's reading pleasure: an incomplete list of compliments that Leslie Knope gave her best friend Ann Perkins. She is a "poetic and noble land mermaid." She is a "beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful muskox." Ann is also a "perfect sunflower" and a "rainbow-infused space unicorn," in addition to being a "beautiful, rule breaking moth," as well as a "beautiful, naive, sophisticated baby." Ann is also "the most beautiful sun glowing goddess" and a 'beautiful, sassy mannequin come to life."
There is such a thing as good grief. Just ask Charlie brown.
Just for fun, here are the titles of characters on The Office: Michael Scott, Regional Manager. Jim Halpert, Salesman (later, Co-Manager). Dwight Schrute, Salesman (and Assistant to the Regional Manager and later, Regional Manager). Pam Beesely, Receptionist (and later, Salesman, and then, Office Manager.) Ryan Howard, Temp (then, Salesman, then VP, then temp, again). Angela Martin, Oscar Martinez and Kevin Malone, Accountants. Meredith Palmer, Supplier Relations. Creed Bratton, Quality Assurance. Kelly Kapoor, Customer Service. Toby Flenderson, Human Resources. Erin Hannon, Receptionist.
One person's annoying is another person's inspiring and heroic.
Jerry Gergich and Toby Flenderson may have occupied the role of unofficial office scapegoat on their respective shows, but with one major difference. The writers of Parks and Recreation felt so bad about being mean to actor Jim O'Heir that they gave his character an absolutely picturesque home life complete with three beautiful daughters, a gorgeous home and a blissful marriage to his wife Gayle (portrayed by super model, Christie Brinkley). Unfortunately for Toby, all he had was an unsuccessful marriage and an unrequited crush on Pam.
Why don't you explain this to me like I am five.
Who's up for a little trivia about The Office's most dysfunctional couple, Michael and Jan? First of all, in the season four episode, "The Deposition," we find out that Michael Scott really did frame his relationship agreement with Jan Levenson. And when Pam shows up for her first day of work at the Michael Scott Paper Company, it's apparent that Michael never got his plasma TV fixed after Jan threw a Dundie at it in the fan favorite episode, "Dinner Party."
I stand by my decision to avoid salad and other disgusting things.
The Office may have been set at the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of a fictional paper company, Dunder Mifflin, but the show was mindful to include real-life Scranton details. Poor Richards, the pub that The Office employees often visit after work hours is a real bar located in the South Side Lanes bowling alley in South Scranton. The "Welcome to Scranton" sign featured in the opening credits was the real sign located on the Central City Expressway. And Dwight has a Froggy 101 (the number one country western radio station in Scranton) sticker on the filing cabinet next to his desk.
I'm gonna get drunk and then I'm gonna order a three course meal where each course is made of dessert.
Parks and Recreation may have been set in the fictional town of Pawnee, but the show contains a number of shout outs to the real State of Indiana. The map of Pawnee that is frequently displayed on the show is a flipped map of the real town of Muncie, Indiana. And the two statues featured in the show's opening credits are real Indiana landmarks: The first is the Ice Cream Giant at Tin Lizzy, an ice cream shop and the second is the Muffler Man Indian in the center of Montpellier, Indiana.
Calzones are pointless. They're just pizza that's harder to eat. No one likes them.
For everyone who always wanted to know the full names of all the principal characters on The Office but didn't know who to ask, we've got you covered: Michael Gary Scott, Dwight Kurt Schrute III, James "Jim" Duncan Halpert, Pamela "Pam" Morgan Beesley Halpert, Ryan Bailey Howard, Andrew "Andy" Baines Bernard (but he was born Walter Bernard, Jr.), Kelly Erin Hannon, Kelly Rajinaganda Kapoor, and Angela Noelle Martin. Super fans rejoice and spread this newfound Office knowledge far and wide!
I guess the attitude that I've tried to create here is that I'm a friend first and a boss second and probably an entertainer third.
This round of Parks and Recreation trivia is for all of the Chris Pratt fans out there: Andy and Aprils son is named Jack, just like Chris's real life son, Jack Pratt. Season six's first episode, "London parts 1 & 2" references Chris Pratt's dramatic weight loss for his role in Jurassic World when Andy tells Ben that he lost fifty pounds in a month just by kicking his beer habit. And Chris modeled Andy's singing voice after Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam.
I'm cried out, but I want to cry more so I'm re-hydrating.
Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt. Name a more iconic television couple. We'll wait. (Okay, The Office's Jim Halpert and Pam Beesely are definitely heavy competition.) Parks and Recreation's main couple actually almost wasn't. The show's creators originally wanted Leslie to date a lot of different men over the series' run, but after Leslie and Ben became a couple, they felt so much guilt over the idea of breaking the pair up that they decided to have the two get married instead.
I can't go home. I have to get ready for the Chamber of Secrets.
Let's talk about everyone's favorite couple on The Office: Jim and Pam. The actors who portrayed them, John Krasinski and Jenna Fisher had really great chemistry from their initial audition. In fact, both John and Jenna hoped that the other was cast in the show because they enjoyed auditioning with each other so much. And the iconic teapot that Jim gave Pam in the Secret Santa episode of season two, made a cameo appearance at a meeting of "The Finer Things Club." Oh, and Jenna Fischer totally kept Pam's engagement ring as a memento after the show ended.