Jenna Fischer defends The Office’s post-Carell seasons, finding gems throughout the series’ nine-year run.
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Watching the complete series reminded her how great it truly was – all the way through.
Jenna Fischer recently shared her surprising takeaway after rewatching all 201 episodes of The Office for her podcast.
Despite common belief that the show declined after Steve Carell left, Fischer found herself genuinely enjoying the later seasons.
The actress, who played Pam Beesley throughout the series run, discovered some of her favorite episodes actually came from seasons 8 and 9.
Hidden Gems in Later Seasons
Many fans and even cast members believed the show peaked early on.
Fischer admits there was a shared feeling among the creative team that seasons 3 and 4 represented their best work.
Yet her complete rewatch challenged this notion entirely.
She found herself appreciating storylines that came long after Carell’s departure, proving the show maintained its quality throughout its nine-season run.
Personal Favorites Across All Seasons
Looking back fondly, Fischer highlighted several standout moments from the middle seasons too.
The infamous “Dinner Party” episode from season 4 remains a classic in her eyes.
She also praised the Michael Scott Paper Company arc from season 5, calling it “just great TV.”
These middle-season gems demonstrated the show’s consistent quality that many viewers might have overlooked.
Awards vs. Quality
Fischer noted that award nominations for the show dropped off after season 3.
This external validation, or lack thereof, may have influenced how the cast perceived their own work.
“I think maybe we got in our heads,” she reflected, suggesting they wrongly believed they weren’t creating content as great as before.
Her rewatch proved this assumption completely false.
Mixed Feelings About Her Performance
Watching herself on screen stirred conflicting emotions for Fischer.
Sometimes she’s incredibly proud, thinking she’ll “never do work that good again.”
Other times she cringes at scenes where she struggled.
This honest self-assessment shows her genuine connection to the role that defined much of her career.