The illustrious actor from "Better Call Saul," Bob Odenkirk, once pursued the starring role in the beloved sitcom "The Office," which captivated audiences from 2005 to 2013. Reflecting on why Steve Carell ultimately secured the role of Michael Scott, Odenkirk offers a revealing insight.
During a recent appearance on the "Office Ladies" podcast, the Emmy-winning actor, who was a strong contender for the lead part, shared his thoughts on the show and his decision to pivot towards more dramatic roles. "In an odd way, I'm a rather sincere individual in the world of comedy," Odenkirk confessed to hosts Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, who portrayed Pam Beesly and Angela Martin respectively. "My sincerity is unique, and... it's one of the reasons I think Steve Carell is the perfect fit—he's the one who landed the role in 'The Office.'"
"There were numerous parts that I auditioned for that Steve ultimately secured, and it's because he excels at being genuinely amusing," continued the "Better Call Saul" star. "I believe I carry a certain seriousness that's a bit too earnest, and it's always there. There's nothing I can do to change that except explore roles where this aspect is advantageous. You just don't see me as a purely light-hearted character. You're constantly searching for the shade, which is actually a boon in drama. But in comedy, it's not an asset."
Fortunately, Odenkirk eventually made his mark on "The Office," appearing in its ninth and final season. In the episode titled "Moving On," he portrayed the manager of a Philadelphia real estate firm, much like Carell's Michael Scott, where Pam was interviewing for a job.
"The concept was that Pam would go for an interview at this real estate office," Fischer reminisced about the storyline. "And they envisioned it as a humorous twist where her life would echo in Philadelphia, with her boss essentially being a Michael Scott." Odenkirk added that his guest role was a chance to "showcase what I would have brought to the part" had he been cast as Michael instead of Carell. "Although, I believe my portrayal was more of a tribute to Steve, as that's what I was aiming for," the "Lucky Hank" actor said. "My character was intended to be a reflection of the version Steve had created while portraying the iconic character."
