Saying Goodbye to THE OFFICE – A Show That Changed My Life
May 16, 2013 by Kath Skerry
THE OFFICE changed the trajectory of my life. It’s not often that one can say that about a television show, but in my case it’s true.
Like many others I’ve always enjoyed the escapism that TV provided. I had such a passion for TV that in October 2005 I started this blog as a way to connect with other TV fans.
On November 2, 2005 I wrote my very first post about THE OFFICE (“Why Won’t You Watch The Office?“). With very low readership to my new blog, I was thrilled that I received 10, yes 10 comments, in support of my love of the show. But I found my people and each week I would share my thoughts on that week’s episode and as a group we discussed our favorite quotes, storylines and characters. I was thrilled to be able connect with fellow OFFICE fans in this way.
What I didn’t know at the time was that my tiny little blog had caught the eye of an actual cast member from the show – Jenna Fischer. Imagine my thrill when Jenna mentioned my blog as a ‘go to’ site for OFFICE fans in one of her MySpace blogs. I couldn’t believe it. I messaged Jenna to share my gratitude, and decided to take the leap and ask her if she might be willing to answer a few questions about the show for my site. She graciously agreed and asked if I would mind if John Krasinski answered a few questions as well. Of course I said ‘yes’ and soon after I published not only my first ever celebrity interview but I was honored to post the first ever joint ‘Jim & Pam’ interview. The interview was published just as THE OFFICE was settling in and really finding an audience in S2, and as such my blog became a destination for fellow OFFICE die-hards.
For the next few seasons, I covered as much about the show and the cast as I could. My OFFICE Thursday posts, which served as a round-up of everything OFFICE related for the week, were always my most popular posts without fail. (Which I was thankful for as they took hours over the course of the week to put together). Every Thursday I held OFFICE chats over at BuddyTV where fans of the show could gather to watch and discuss the episode while it was airing. [The most memorable OFFICE chat? When my phone rang and it was John Krasinski. To think I almost didn’t pick up the phone, because seriously…no one interrupted me during THE OFFICE back then.]
That interview with Jenna and John caught the attention of publicists from other networks and shows and in the years that followed my blog went from a small hobby to a passion project that took hold of my life in a big way. I traveled back and forth from Boston to L.A. many times a year to cover red carpets, network events, and to bring my readers behind-the-scenes of their favorite shows.
Me and John Krasinski on the set of THE OFFICE (2007)
On February 27,2007 (one year to the day that we teamed up to start a petition to Supersize the season finale of THE OFFICE – ‘Casino Night’ – a gesture that got me a shout out on the S2 DVD commentary – a fangirl thrill), I lived my ultimate TV fantasy when Jennie (from the hands down best OFFICE site, OfficeTally.com) and I were invited to visit the set of THE OFFICE. Every moment of the day exceed my expectations. To this day it stands as one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s 7.5 years later, tens of thousands of fellow TV lovers are still coming to Give Me My Remote.com every day to discuss their favorite shows. Even though I’m not involved in the site the way I once was, I am so incredibly proud of the experiences I have had while on the journey of building something that is so special to me.
Each choice you make in life causes a ripple effect. If I didn’t write that very first post about THE OFFICE back in 2005 Jenna Fischer would have never found my site. I might not have got the attention of other TV publicists. I definitely wouldn’t have been invited to the first ever blogger’s set visit to VERONICA MARS and as such I wouldn’t have met one of my very best friends and fellow TV Talk Podcast co-host, Dan. I wouldn’t have enjoyed the special experiences that have come from GMMR (I mean, do you really think I would have been invited to hang with Oprah if I wasn’t a TV blogger…the answer is ‘no’.). Bottom line, if I didn’t write what I did back in the day about THE OFFICE I really don’t think my life would look anything like it does today. And I can pretty much guarantee that I’d be back home in Boston doing something completely different. But life happens and so I’m writing this from sunny Los Angeles, where I moved…well, I guess in a way because of THE OFFICE.
So as I sit here writing this overly verbose post, we are just hours away from THE OFFICE airing its final episode. While I’m so sad that the show that has meant so much to me over the years is ending, I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of this amazing and dedicated fandom. I have met incredible people over the years directly and indirectly related to this show. The journey my life has taken over the past 7+ years and the experiences I have had would have NEVER happened if it weren’t for my love of THE OFFICE. I will probably never have the opportunity to thank the cast and creative team for what they have done for me, but I hope they one day realize that their half hour comedy show completely changed the direction of my life.
I’ll miss you, Dunder Mifflin.
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You made me cry. in a good way.
I remember reading that John and Jenna article way back when it was first published on GMMR and have been following your journey ever since. I will be weeping rivers of tears as I watch the episode tonight. While part of me understands that the show has needed to end for a while now it will still leave a very big hole in my Thursday nights.
Beautiful tribute! This is a show that changed my life as well. I found it fairly early on when my husband was deployed to Iraq. I fell in love with the Jim and Pam story line. And of course the laughs really helped during the time. I bought the first two seasons on DVD and shipped them to my husband so I could get him hooked as well. Since he has come home we have continued to watch together. It’s hard to see it come to an end.
Kath – I followed your blog and read those first posts! I can’t believe its over!
Pretty crazy when a TV show affects your life in such a significant way… I know how you feel. Last night was bittersweet… how much did you cry??
Kath, I loved this post. I too was one who came here (and to Office Tally) for scoop in those early days. I think so much has changed in how fans view TV, and while blogs are still very popular, people use Twitter or Tumblr to state their opinions, instead of all coming to one site in particular– Neither way is better than the other, but I always have such excellent memories of coming to GMMR to hash out my opinions on tv episodes, and loved when the site also expanded to include recaps of other shows I was watching at the time (Arrested Development, Gilmore Girls, etc.)
Back at that time, I was in a job I disliked (teaching HS English) and feeling incredibly frustrated. This site was an oasis during a very hard time for me.
When you opened it up to new writers for different shows (early 2008), I volunteered to write about Bones–and I have loved doing it very much. Beginning that writing really gave me the courage I needed to quit my job and pursue a creative life vs. a ‘creative’ job, and I’ll be eternally grateful.
Only saying all of this to hopefully encourage you Kath, that for every person you feel contributed to your (and this site’s) initial success, you have done as much, if not more, for so many people/writers–many of whom have gone on to their own blogs/projects, all because you believed in them and were willing to give them and this site a chance. Thank you for everything–but especially for being willing to share this space with people who also love TV, writing and talking about it.
And thanks to The Office for being creative and funny and great, and at that time, one of the first ‘grassroots’ type shows w/its cast. Well done!
Side note: Korbi, it’s great to see your comment as well. Hope life is treating you right! 🙂
I loved your blog posts. I loved coming to this site the next morning to see what your take was on the previous episode.
I cried last night. It was all so sad and so perfect.
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Hey, I might be a little late. But I never knew there were people out there with the same problem. I have watched all 9 seasons of The Office multiple times now. This show has changed my life permanently, in a good way! I have changed my goal in life on what I wanna be and where I wanna live. I just really hope you reply to me through email. I would really love to communicate about the show and your experiences and how you’re dealing with the show being over! Thanks again!
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