Megan PellegrinoFans from around the country united in a crazed fashion as if it were a John Lennon sighting. “The Office” convention kicked off just two hours north of here the last weekend of Oct. without their boss.
Al Roeker joined the majority of “The Office” cast in Scranton Friday, Oct. 26 to show the event nation-wide on “Today,” while leads like Steve Carell, who plays Michael, the know-it-all boss, were not there.
Rainn Wilson (Dwight), John Krasinski (Jim) and Jenna Fischer (Pam) were also no shows, yet fans from even as far as Los Angeles made it to the weekend long office-palooza.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you must not own a television or are pining over “Grey’s Anatomy” during the shows’ shared timeslot because people around the country are hooked on the hit NBC comedy, “The Office.”
It’s about the daily antics that go on while working in an office. It is based on the British program but has been adapted to fit the American market by setting the office building in none other than Pennsylvania’s finest, Scranton.
The event was a three day ode to the show with local bands attributing songs to the show, question and answers with the cast and even an office version of the Olympics that consisted of menial office tasks such as throwing paper in the trash can.
Didn’t get to attend? Better have a good reason besides maybe your favorite character not attending, since the event was still a hit.
Distance shouldn’t be a factor either. So it’s past the Poconos and that’s considered in the middle of nowhere. Those are lame excuses. It’s a mere two hours by car or bus. Sorry train goers, contrary to an episode last season, there is no train that leads to Scranton.
As you could tell from my Scranton trivia, I’m a native.
Angela, the mean proper blonde played by Angela Kinsey, was at the event and actually seemed approachable, unlike the role she portrays.
Phyllis, played by Phyllis Smith, is lovable both on camera and off. She was more than happy to chat for a moment and smile for a picture, even when I asked for a second one.
I met Kate too, played by Kate Flannery, a highlight of mine. She’s the drunk that got hit by the boss’s car who’s sporting a crotch cast on the television show. Turns out she’s originally from Ardmore and her niece may be a freshman here next year.
Hopefully, this might be Cabrini’s in to having some of the cast stop by, dare I dream.
All in all, the event was a complete success, even without the top four characters there. Who needs ’em?
As said on the television program and throughout the convention, “Ain’t no party like a Scranton party, cause a Scranton party don’t stop,” another truth about Scranton, well sort of.
