Brian Baumgartner reflects on the Christmas episode of ‘The Office’

According Brian BaumgartnerThe success of “The Office” could simply be its own Christmas miracle.

The actor, best known for his role as Kevin Malone, was joined by former co-stars. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey in a special extra Christmas episode of their “Office Ladies” podcast to remember the holiday episodes of the beloved comedy and the impact they had.

Baumgartner, who starred on the hit NBC series from 2005 to 2013, reflected on how his memories of the show’s Christmas episodes are deeply tied to what was happening “outside” the fictional world of “The Office.”

The actor admitted that he believes the first Christmas episode of “The Office” was a turning point that catapulted the show to mainstream success and solidified its place in television history.

“It’s about what was happening outside. And I’m sure you guys have talked or will talk about that first Christmas episode,” he told Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. “He didn’t launch the show. It was not the first episode of the show. But that episode really launched the success of the show.”

“That episode became our biggest viewership since the premiere,” he added of the season 2 episode, “Christmas Party.” “And from there, you know, Steve (Carell) wins the Golden Globe, like three or four weeks later, everything starts happening.”

“We turned a corner,” interjected Kinsey, who played Angela. “You know, at that time, we didn’t even have a full order for the season. And they began; “After that, it was clear that we were going to be there for a while.”

Fischer, who played Pam, recalled the Christmas episodes as some of the “joyiest” ever made. “We would really be in these group party situations for most of the episode.”

“I’m sure it was very difficult to argue,” she added. “We were probably trying to make a TV show with a room full of 6-year-olds or something, doing all our parts.”

The first Christmas episode of “The Office”, titled “Christmas Party”, aired on December 6, 2005, during the show’s second season. Widely considered a fan favorite, he is credited with helping solidify the series’ popularity.

The episode follows Michael Scott (Steve Carell) as he hosts an office Christmas party that quickly goes off the rails. Initially, the team is set to exchange gifts through a game of Secret Santa, but Michael turns it into a chaotic Yankee Swap (White Elephant) exchange.

This creates tension as some employees had put a lot of effort into their gifts, like Jim (John Krasinski), who gives Pam (Jenna Fischer) a teapot full of memories that reference her inside jokes. Others, like Michael, ignored the $20 gift limit, and Michael gave away a $400 iPod to show his generosity and seek team approval.

The episode highlights the quirky office dynamics, from Angela’s tight control over the Christmas tree to Kevin’s excitement over a foot bath gift. As the party progresses, Michael tries to save the atmosphere by buying liquor for the team, leading to hilariously awkward moments.

The episode strikes a balance between humor and heart, further developing Jim and Pam’s budding romance while also showing Michael’s desperate need for validation. It became a cultural touchstone and remains a Christmas classic.

“Christmas Party” also marked a turning point for the series, demonstrating how “The Office” could turn relatable work scenarios into comedic gold. It earned the show its first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series and played a major role in building momentum during its second season, helping “The Office” become a mainstream hit. .

The trio recalled a chaotic moment from the 2009 episode “Secret Santa,” where Carell’s Michael Scott, dressed as Santa, had Kevin (played by Baumgartner) sitting on his lap. Fischer shared that the cast couldn’t get through the scene without bursting into laughter.

“If you watch that episode, people are breaking up in the background,” Fischer said. “We never, ever had a shot where people stayed together all the time long enough to put on the show. I think they just gave up. They said, ‘Forget it.’ This is what it is.’”