Andy's Play
Encyclopedia
"Andy's Play" is the third episode of the seventh season of the American comedy
television series
The Office, and the show's 129th episode overall. Written by Charlie Grandy
and directed by John Stuart Scott
, the episode aired on NBC
in the United States on October 7, 2010. This episode has received overwhelmingly positive reviews.
On the night of the show, everything starts off smoothly. Jim and Pam are caught sitting in another couples' seats, and are asked to return to their original seats, which are revealed to be next to Michael. Darryl informs Michael the lead role is his plumber, which irritates Michael a great deal since he tried out for the part and didn't make it. During intermission, the director of the play encourages Michael to keep coming back to audition for his shows, which greatly irritates Michael. He decides to swipe a bottle of wine from the concession table. During the second act, Michael, Meredith, Darryl, and Kevin are seen drinking the wine Michael stole, though Michael intended to have all the wine to himself. Andy constantly checks his phone, mid play, for messages from Erin, but doesn't get any. While he is on stage, his phone goes off in his pocket, causing him and the actor playing Sweeney Todd to break character and improvise, much to Michael's delight.
To make matters worse, Michael drops the now empty bottle of wine, and it causes a lot of commotion as it starts rolling underneath the seats towards the stage. The balloons that Michael brought also escape his grip and pop as they reach the ceiling. This then causes a baby to cry, and Pam comments the baby sounds like Cece. As she looks back, she sees Erin standing in the back with Cece, exciting Andy, but angering Pam and Jim at the same time. At the end of the show everyone cheers the actor playing Sweeney Todd except for Michael, who angrily boos him. The actor later confronts Michael at the cast party. Darryl teases Michael by booing him shortly after the actor leaves the conversation.
Meanwhile, Dwight and Angela continue to see each other for their sex sessions as their contract dictates. Angela hints she's trying to win Dwight back during a talking head interview. It is subtly implied that Dwight is slowly falling for Angela again, despite his denial to the camera. During the show she purposely places gum on her dress, giving her an excuse to change into more casual but tight-fitting clothing that one would wear while working on a farm in an attempt to seduce Dwight. Dwight seems to ignore the change of clothing but is seen checking her out during the intermission. As Angela leaves, Dwight tries to seduce her, but Angela has second thoughts and wants to go home, but she decides to count the night as one of their 'sessions' anyways.
Andy and Erin spend some time together backstage, where they "murder" each other with the prop razor blades. While Andy shows Erin her potential seats for the evening, she states how happy she is that they're hanging out outside the office. Sadly, the moment ends when Gabe calls Erin and she has to leave. As a sad Andy sulks backstage, the rest of the office converges on him and cheers him up by complimenting his performance. At the request of his co-workers, Andy sings them another song (Macy Gray
's "I Try
"), as Angela drives home with a smile, Jim and Pam sip Irish Cream, and Dwight casually sings along.
During the credits, Michael's audition (re-acting an entire Law and Order episode) is shown.
, his first directing credit for the show. It was written by supervising producer Charlie Grandy
, his fifth writing credit for the show.
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
The Office, and the show's 129th episode overall. Written by Charlie Grandy
Charlie Grandy
Charlie Grandy is an American stand-up comedian, television writer and producer who has worked on series such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Saturday Night Live and The Office...
and directed by John Stuart Scott
John Stuart Scott
John Stuart Scott is an American television director who has directed episodes for several well-known series including Glee, The Office and Chuck.- Television work :...
, the episode aired on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
in the United States on October 7, 2010. This episode has received overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Synopsis
Andy is performing in a local production of Sweeney Todd, and wants his co-workers to come. He makes an effort to convince most of them to go, but his main concern is Erin, whom he hopes to win back with a good performance. He personally gives Erin two tickets for her and Gabe, but Erin admits Gabe cannot come, much to Andy's delight. Ultimately though, Erin doesn't show up either, as she agreed to babysit Cece for Jim and Pam so they could come instead.On the night of the show, everything starts off smoothly. Jim and Pam are caught sitting in another couples' seats, and are asked to return to their original seats, which are revealed to be next to Michael. Darryl informs Michael the lead role is his plumber, which irritates Michael a great deal since he tried out for the part and didn't make it. During intermission, the director of the play encourages Michael to keep coming back to audition for his shows, which greatly irritates Michael. He decides to swipe a bottle of wine from the concession table. During the second act, Michael, Meredith, Darryl, and Kevin are seen drinking the wine Michael stole, though Michael intended to have all the wine to himself. Andy constantly checks his phone, mid play, for messages from Erin, but doesn't get any. While he is on stage, his phone goes off in his pocket, causing him and the actor playing Sweeney Todd to break character and improvise, much to Michael's delight.
To make matters worse, Michael drops the now empty bottle of wine, and it causes a lot of commotion as it starts rolling underneath the seats towards the stage. The balloons that Michael brought also escape his grip and pop as they reach the ceiling. This then causes a baby to cry, and Pam comments the baby sounds like Cece. As she looks back, she sees Erin standing in the back with Cece, exciting Andy, but angering Pam and Jim at the same time. At the end of the show everyone cheers the actor playing Sweeney Todd except for Michael, who angrily boos him. The actor later confronts Michael at the cast party. Darryl teases Michael by booing him shortly after the actor leaves the conversation.
Meanwhile, Dwight and Angela continue to see each other for their sex sessions as their contract dictates. Angela hints she's trying to win Dwight back during a talking head interview. It is subtly implied that Dwight is slowly falling for Angela again, despite his denial to the camera. During the show she purposely places gum on her dress, giving her an excuse to change into more casual but tight-fitting clothing that one would wear while working on a farm in an attempt to seduce Dwight. Dwight seems to ignore the change of clothing but is seen checking her out during the intermission. As Angela leaves, Dwight tries to seduce her, but Angela has second thoughts and wants to go home, but she decides to count the night as one of their 'sessions' anyways.
Andy and Erin spend some time together backstage, where they "murder" each other with the prop razor blades. While Andy shows Erin her potential seats for the evening, she states how happy she is that they're hanging out outside the office. Sadly, the moment ends when Gabe calls Erin and she has to leave. As a sad Andy sulks backstage, the rest of the office converges on him and cheers him up by complimenting his performance. At the request of his co-workers, Andy sings them another song (Macy Gray
Macy Gray
Macy Gray is a Grammy Award-winning American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress, famed for her distinctive raspy voice, and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Betty Davis.Gray has released five studio albums, with her fifth studio album, The Sellout,...
's "I Try
I Try
"I Try" is the second single from Macy Gray's debut album On How Life Is, released in North American in January 2000 . It was Gray's biggest hit to date...
"), as Angela drives home with a smile, Jim and Pam sip Irish Cream, and Dwight casually sings along.
During the credits, Michael's audition (re-acting an entire Law and Order episode) is shown.
Production
"Andy's Play" was directed by John Stuart ScottJohn Stuart Scott
John Stuart Scott is an American television director who has directed episodes for several well-known series including Glee, The Office and Chuck.- Television work :...
, his first directing credit for the show. It was written by supervising producer Charlie Grandy
Charlie Grandy
Charlie Grandy is an American stand-up comedian, television writer and producer who has worked on series such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Saturday Night Live and The Office...
, his fifth writing credit for the show.
Reception
In its original American broadcast, "Andy's Play" was viewed by an estimated 6.95 million viewers with a 3.5 rating/10% share among adults between the age of 18 and 49 coming second in its time slot going down 0.2 from last week's episode. This episode has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. James Poniewonzik said, ""Andy's Play" was the kind of strong, character driven episode I've missed from the show—not just good by later season standards but an actual good Office episode, period."External links
- "Andy's Play" at NBC.comNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...