The Original Script For The Iconic Chili Scene In ‘The Office’ Was A Lot Darker

NBC


When it comes to comfort food television, there is arguably none as universally consumed as The Office.

The Steve Carrell-starring series is a go-to in multiple life situations, including but not limited to those “I don’t know what to watch right now” moments, putting it on as background noise when you’re working or studying, and even when you Netflix & Chill.

But while The Office may be comfort food to us, the audience, that’s not quite the case for the nature of the show itself, as the series — unlike Parks and Rec — is actually quite corrosive. The characters are generally mean and the jokes are inherently rude. And that’s okay! That’s what I love about the series and what makes The Office, The Office — it’s uncomfortable moments are also the funniest.

That said, even the writers of the series knew they had to draw a line somewhere.

Andy Greene, the author of the upcoming book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, recently shared a tidbit on Twitter that revealed that iconic Kevin’s Famous Chili scene was originally much darker.

In the version that made it to air, Kevin brings the pot into the office, falls, and ends up covered in chili. But in the original draft, he throws the pot into a trash can as his co-workers arrive for the day. Erin notes the stains, Andy smells something weird, and Jim even accurately guesses that it’s “Kevin’s famous chili. [via Uproxx]

Just brutal. If there’s one thing worse than having all your food ruined, it’s having it ruined and shit on by all your friends even though no one actually ate it.

***

Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Follow him on Twitter @eric_ital for movie and soccer takes or contact him eric@brobible.com

Eric Italiano BroBIble avatar
Eric Italiano is a NYC-based writer who spearheads BroBible's Pop Culture and Entertainment content. He covers topics such as Movies, TV, and Video Games, while interviewing actors, directors, and writers.