Beach Games
Encyclopedia
"Beach Games" is the twenty-third episode of the third season of the US version of The Office, and is the 51st episode aired of the show. It was written by Jennifer Celotta
and Greg Daniels
and directed by film director Harold Ramis
, who previously directed the episodes "A Benihana Christmas
" and "Safety Training
". It is the fourth 28-minute "Supersized" episode of the third season.
In this episode, the office goes to the beach for some "beach games". It is revealed that Michael is being interviewed for a position at Corporate and that the winner of the beach games will become regional manager. Meanwhile, Dwight and Angela sabotage Andy, and Pam spends her day taking notes of the beach games.
The episode first aired in the U.S. on May 10, 2007, attracting 7.17 million viewers. It ranked fourth in its timeslot (behind May sweeps episodes of
Survivor: Fiji, Ugly Betty
, and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
), and 48th in Nielsen's prime-time television rankings for the week.
is invited to interview for a position at Dunder-Mifflin corporate headquarters in New York City
, he assumes he will get the job and decides to hold a Survivor
-like competition at Lake Scranton to determine his successor. The entire office travels to the lake by bus, except for Toby, whom Michael won't allow to attend, much to Toby's disappointment.
Michael selects the "tribe" captains (Jim
, Dwight
, Andy
and Stanley
), and instructs Pam
to take detailed notes on the events of the day, which include events such as egg and spoon race
s and hot dog
eating contests. Initially unaware of the purpose of the exercise, the employees do not all take it seriously. Once the job in New York is revealed, Andy and Dwight step up their efforts, Stanley tries to be enthusiastic but gives up, and Jim decides to interview for the same position that Michael is pursuing. Karen
also applies for the position.
To support her secret lover Dwight
, Angela sabotages Andy, leaving him adrift in the lake in an inflatable sumo wrestling costume.
Michael's final event is a walk across hot coals
. Initially, only Pam volunteers, but Michael refuses to let her walk across because she is not being considered to replace him. Michael cannot even bring himself to do it. Dwight throws himself on the coals, refusing to leave until he is given the job, and he writhes in agony until he is dragged off.
As a last-ditch effort to salvage the day, Michael assembles a "Tribal Council" stand-up comedy competition. Jim declines to participate, and reveals that he has applied for the position in New York. Separated from the group, a barefoot
Pam runs across the hot coals and, empowered by the experience, interrupts the Tribal Council to berate her colleagues for treating her poorly, citing as one example that almost no one attended her art show. She tells Jim that she called off her wedding because of him, that it is "fine" that he is with someone else now, but that she misses the fun that they had as best friends. As she runs to cool her feet in the water, the cameraman turns to Jim who is now in a blank stare, shaken by the confession.
Jennifer Celotta
Jennifer Ann Celotta is an American television producer and writer. Among her credits are Home Improvement, Malcolm in the Middle, Greg the Bunny, Andy Richter Controls The Universe and The Office...
and Greg Daniels
Greg Daniels
Gregory Martin "Greg" Daniels is an American television comedy writer, producer, and director.-Life and career:...
and directed by film director Harold Ramis
Harold Ramis
Harold Allen Ramis is an American actor, director, and writer, specializing in comedy. His best-known film acting roles are as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters and Russell Ziskey in Stripes , both of which he also co-wrote...
, who previously directed the episodes "A Benihana Christmas
A Benihana Christmas
"A Benihana Christmas" is the tenth and eleventh episode of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the thirty-eighth episode overall. It was written by Jennifer Celotta and directed by Harold Ramis...
" and "Safety Training
Safety Training
"Safety Training" is the nineteenth episode of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office. Written by B. J. Novak, who also acts in the show as sales representative Ryan Howard, and directed by Caddyshack and National Lampoon's Vacation director Harold Ramis, the episode...
". It is the fourth 28-minute "Supersized" episode of the third season.
In this episode, the office goes to the beach for some "beach games". It is revealed that Michael is being interviewed for a position at Corporate and that the winner of the beach games will become regional manager. Meanwhile, Dwight and Angela sabotage Andy, and Pam spends her day taking notes of the beach games.
The episode first aired in the U.S. on May 10, 2007, attracting 7.17 million viewers. It ranked fourth in its timeslot (behind May sweeps episodes of
Survivor: Fiji, Ugly Betty
A Tree Grows in Guadalajara
"A Tree Grows in Guadalajara" is the twenty-second episode from the dramedy series Ugly Betty, which aired on May 10, 2007. Originally this was supposed to be the season finale, but ABC extended its full season order to 23, thus the change in the scheduling and the extension in the storylines.-The...
, and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is a television game show format based on asking grade-school level questions to adults, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy...
), and 48th in Nielsen's prime-time television rankings for the week.
Synopsis
When MichaelMichael Scott (The Office)
Michael Gary Scott is a fictional character on NBC's The Office, portrayed by Steve Carell, and based on David Brent from the original British version. Michael, the central character of the series, was the manager of the Scranton branch of paper and printer distribution company Dunder Mifflin Inc...
is invited to interview for a position at Dunder-Mifflin corporate headquarters in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he assumes he will get the job and decides to hold a Survivor
Survivor (TV series)
Survivor is a reality television game show format produced in many countries throughout the world. In the show, contestants are isolated in the wilderness and compete for cash and other prizes. The show uses a system of progressive elimination, allowing the contestants to vote off other tribe...
-like competition at Lake Scranton to determine his successor. The entire office travels to the lake by bus, except for Toby, whom Michael won't allow to attend, much to Toby's disappointment.
Michael selects the "tribe" captains (Jim
Jim Halpert
James Duncan "Jim" Halpert is a fictional character in the United States version of the television sitcom The Office, played by John Krasinski. The character is based on Tim Canterbury from the original version of The Office...
, Dwight
Dwight Schrute
Dwight Kurt Schrute III is a character on NBC's The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson. He originally exactly resembled Gareth Keenan from the original UK version of The Office. Dwight is the top salesman and former acting manager for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and has won numerous awards for...
, Andy
Andy Bernard
Andrew "Andy" Baines Bernard is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. The character is highly insecure, yet egotistical, constantly mentioning his education at Cornell University...
and Stanley
Stanley Hudson
Stanley James Hudson is a fictional character from the US television series The Office. He is played by Leslie David Baker. Stanley's counterpart in the UK series is Malcolm.-Overview:...
), and instructs Pam
Pam Beesly
Pamela Morgan "Pam" Halpert is a fictional character on the U.S. television sitcom The Office, played by Jenna Fischer. Her counterpart in the original UK series of The Office is Dawn Tinsley....
to take detailed notes on the events of the day, which include events such as egg and spoon race
Egg and spoon race
An egg-and-spoon race is a sporting event in which participants must carry an egg or other roundish object on a teaspoon, tablespoon or wooden spoon and race to the finish line without dropping the egg or without running while the egg is not on the spoon...
s and hot dog
Hot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
eating contests. Initially unaware of the purpose of the exercise, the employees do not all take it seriously. Once the job in New York is revealed, Andy and Dwight step up their efforts, Stanley tries to be enthusiastic but gives up, and Jim decides to interview for the same position that Michael is pursuing. Karen
Karen Filippelli
Karen Filippelli is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. She is played by Rashida Jones. She is loosely based on the character of Rachel from the original UK version of the show, in that she transferred during the merger of the two branches, and became romantically...
also applies for the position.
To support her secret lover Dwight
Dwight Schrute
Dwight Kurt Schrute III is a character on NBC's The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson. He originally exactly resembled Gareth Keenan from the original UK version of The Office. Dwight is the top salesman and former acting manager for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and has won numerous awards for...
, Angela sabotages Andy, leaving him adrift in the lake in an inflatable sumo wrestling costume.
Michael's final event is a walk across hot coals
Fire-walking
Firewalking is the act of walking barefoot over a bed of hot embers or stones.Firewalking has been practiced by many people and cultures in all parts of the world, with the earliest known reference dating back to Iron Age India – c. 1200 BC...
. Initially, only Pam volunteers, but Michael refuses to let her walk across because she is not being considered to replace him. Michael cannot even bring himself to do it. Dwight throws himself on the coals, refusing to leave until he is given the job, and he writhes in agony until he is dragged off.
As a last-ditch effort to salvage the day, Michael assembles a "Tribal Council" stand-up comedy competition. Jim declines to participate, and reveals that he has applied for the position in New York. Separated from the group, a barefoot
Barefoot
Barefoot is the state of not wearing any footwear. Being barefoot is regarded as a human's natural state, though for functional, fashion and social reasons footwear is worn, at least on some occasions...
Pam runs across the hot coals and, empowered by the experience, interrupts the Tribal Council to berate her colleagues for treating her poorly, citing as one example that almost no one attended her art show. She tells Jim that she called off her wedding because of him, that it is "fine" that he is with someone else now, but that she misses the fun that they had as best friends. As she runs to cool her feet in the water, the cameraman turns to Jim who is now in a blank stare, shaken by the confession.
Deleted scenes
The Third Season DVD contains a number of deleted scenes. Notable cut scenes include:- Jim receives a call informing him of the job opening.
- After Michael tells Phyllis to "dip it in the water so it slides down your gullet more easily", everyone says in unison, "That's what she said."
- Michael annoys Pam when she's preparing the hot dogs by telling her to grill faster, but after she snaps at him "There are 800 of them!" he shuts up and leaves her alone.
- Ryan offers to take Andy's place, but Michael will not have it.
- Andy fails to flag down a passing car.
External links
- "Beach Games" at NBC.com