The Office: Top 5 Episodes of the Hit, NBC, American Comedy

NBC's smash-hit comedy The Office is one of the funniest shows on television. With 76 episodes to date and a new season about to start, the laughs are sure to continue for a long time. Here is a look at the top 5 episodes from The Office.

5. "Diversity Day"- 2^nd episode of season 1

Recap:

The entire Dunder-Mifflin staff is forced to undergo diversity training thanks to a racially charged joke told by manager Michael Scott. Frustrated with the training (and learning that it was administered solely for his purpose), Michael creates his very own seminar which he dubs Diversity Tomorrow. Michael hands out cards labeled with various ethnic groups. Each person must determine what their card says based on how others interact with them.

Also in this episode, Jim loses his largest sale of the year to Dwight.

Best quote:

Pam to Dwight: "Based on stereotypes, that are totally untrue, and I don't agree with, you would maybe not be a very good driver."

Dwight: "Oh man. Am I a woman?"

Why this episode sticks out:

The first episode of The Office was almost verbatim to its British counterpart. Unfortunately it failed to capture the hilarity that seemed to come so easy to David Brent and crew. "Diversity Day" turned the funny up a notch and became its own show.

4. "Office Olympics"- 3^rd episode of season 2

Recap:

With each staff member tasked with the duty of filling out their yearly expense reports, Michael (with Dwight in tow) spends the day away from the office preparing to close on his new condo. While Dwight points out numerous, albeit nonexistent problems with the home, Michael starts to reconsider going through with the purchase. Upon learning that he will lose $7,000 if he walks away, Michael signs the contract.

While the boss is away, Pam and Jim organize the games for the first Dunder-Mifflin Olympiad. The games include basic office sports like wastebasket horse, guess who's getting off the elevator and an office furniture obstacle race. During the closing ceremonies Michael is awarded a gold medal (made from old yogurt lids and paper clips) for closing on his condo.

Best quote:

Dwight: "I have been Michael's #2 guy for about five years. And we make a great team. Were like one of those classic famous teams. He's like Mozart and I'm like Mozart's friend."

Why this episode sticks out:

This episode shows the everyday office drone exactly how to cut lose when the boss is out.

3. "Beach Games"- 22^nd episode of season 3

Recap:

When Michael is invited to interview for a new corporate position, he makes the assumption that the job is already his. Michael wants to find someone in-house to replace him and decides that Jim, Dwight, Andy or Stanley would be best suited for the position. Michael decides that the best way to determine these four men's ability to take his job as Branch Manager is to have them compete in a series of childish games that Michael has dubbed "funtivities".

Disappointed with his staffs performance during the "funtivities", Michael decides to hold a 100 point, winner takes all, joke telling contest between Jim and Dwight. Jim drops a bombshell informing Michael not to consider him as a replacement because he too is going to interview for the same corporate position.

Best Quotes:

Michael: "Jim Halpert. Pros: smart, cool, good looking. Remind you of anybody you know? Cons: not a hard worker. I can spend all day on a project and he will finish the same project in a half hour."

Why this episode sticks out:

The staff's indifference toward the funtivities is laugh out loud funny. Pam's fire walk and sudden burst of confidence is a wonderful change from her normally passive demeanor. But it's Andy falling into Lake Scranton (while still wearing his sumo suit) that puts this episode over the top.

2. "Dinner Party"- 9th episode of season 4

Recap:

After being trapped into accepting a dinner invitation from Michael and Jan, Jim and Pam (along with Andy, Angela and party crasher Dwight) find themselves being treated to front row seats to the breakdown of Michael and Jan's relationship. The party goes from bad to worse as Jan destroys Michael's prized possession, a 10 inch plasma screen television, with one of his Dundie Awards. Later in the evening, at the urging of the police, Michael leaves Jan.

Best quote:

Michael after taking a sip from his glass of wine, "That is sort of oaky afterbirth."

Why this episode stands out:

The uncomfortable exchanges between Jan and Michael are enough to make any viewer squirm. While Michael can be infantile and narcissistic, catching a glimpse of what his home life is like makes the viewer feel true sympathy for the man.

1"Goodbye Toby" 14^th episode of season 4

Recap:

In the fourth season finale, Toby has decided to leave Dunder-Mifflin for a new life in Costa Rica. Michael is beside himself with joy and tasks Angela with throwing g a lavish party in Toby's honor. When Angela balks at the cost of the party, Phyllis takes over as the chair of the Party Planning Committee.

Michael becomes smitten with Holly, who is Toby's replacement. Although, his feelings are challenged, once he learns that his ex-girlfriend Jan is pregnant. Jim plans on proposing to Pam but his attempts are dashed when Andy beats him to the punch and proposes to Angela first. She accepts with a sharp "Okay".

Best Quote: Michael Scott: "I'm going to be... kind of a daddy."

Why this episode sticks out:
There are so many cliff hangers in this episode alone that one can hardly wait for season five. Will Michael choose Jan or Holly? Will Jim get to finally propose to Pam, or will Pam find a new love at the New York art school that she has been accepted to? And what will happen to Ryan now that he has been arrested for fraud?