Fun with Andy's Phone

Episode
The Return (Season 3, Episode 13)

Pranker
Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly

Target
Andy Bernard

Description
Who knew that once one villain was killed, another more powerful villain who is more evil than the last would rise up in its place…eventually leading to the point where you want the old villain back. Andy is the perfect example. With Dwight gone, he has the advantage on the annoying-the-rest-of-the-office-for-no-reason market. He starts off by testing out his new ringtone, a four-part version of Rockin’ Robin (which took him for-ever), to Jim and lets it ring until Jim might strangle him. A quick pep talk leads to a singing of Benny and the Jets but instead singing Andy and the Tuna. His talents even lead to annoying Michael, who put up with Dwight for seven years. Realizing that the annoyance won’t stop until something is done, Jim goes over to recruit Karen for a prank, but is unable to deliver due to taking over Dwight’s sales load. After trying and failing to recruit Ryan (ask him 10 years ago), Jim goes to Pam who gladly accepts. After clumsily spilling his pens, Jim uses slight of hand to pick up Andy’s phone and takes it over to reception for the lovely Miss Beesly to hold on to. Without speaking, but synching up perfectly, Jim and Pam go over towards the breakroom and make the switch of the phone. As Pam blocks from the watercooler, Jim stands on the breakroom table, removes a tile and throws Andy’s phone above his desk. The only thing left to do is dial.

Reaction
Jim joyously beats along to the tune as Andy searches for his phone; which Pam is calling. The next time, Jim calls as Andy begins to get frustrated. Sensing something is up, Andy begins to get angrier and searches around his desk, even looking in Phyllis’ desk. Continuing to hear the ringtone, Andy searches under the couch pillows and under reception. As Michael is just about to leave with Andy following, Jim saves him by calling his phone for a final time. Andy begins to scream and seems to blow some sort of blood vessel. Looking for an outlet for his anger, he punches a hole in the wall. “That was an overreaction…”

Originality
9 – The high number isn’t so much for the prank itself, but for the flawless and silent choreography and planning from Jim and Pam. As Jim stands from his desk, he doesn’t even look over; he just walks and knows that Pam is close behind. After the phone is placed, Pam makes the call without prompting.

Length Taken
10 – Jim and Pam went far enough to make Andy punch a hole through a half-inch of dry wall. They might have broke his brain.

Special Award
Instant Classic Award – Everything comes together exactly like it should in this one and is a prank for the ages. The preceding events, the silent choreography, the delivery, the reaction and even the impending result; all were perfect.

Jim sets Andy up with Pam

Episode
The Convict (Season 3, Episode 9)

Pranker
Jim Halpert

Target
Andy Bernard and Pam Beesly

Description
Since Jim’s return to Scranton, Pam and he have not been as chummy as they once were. Andy, unaware of the Jam situation, calls on Jim to help him out with his problem of being horny. After turning down questions about Kelly and Angela, Andy suggests Pam and Jim cracks a smile. Later, while coaching Andy about Pam, he suggests Frisbee-based competitions, hunting, Six Flags ads, and Pig Latin, all of which Pam hates. Andy goes up to Pam and frankly lays out all the cards. He does exactly what Jim tells him and Pam is astonished. She turns to see Jim looking very content with himself.

Reaction
“Wow. That was…wow.” Pam is astonished at the level at which Jim has fired the first prank since being back in her direction. Continuing the onslaught, Jim gives Andy a few more pointers. These tips include playing the banjo and singing in a high falsetto voice. As Karen listens in, Jim skirts around the subject of Pam being a prank target. Andy takes Jim’s advice to heart and plays The Rainbow Connection in that sexy falsetto voice as Jim smiles along.

Originality
10 – Not so much for the fact of Jim sicking Andy on Pam, but for the tactics used. Like Jim says, he knows what Pam likes, but equally important, he knows what she hates. From Frisbee-based competitions to banjo playing, Jim has Pam pegged. Also note that Pam recognizes the skills and is in awe.

Length Taken
9 – Oh so close to a ten. The only thing that kept it to nine was the fact that Andy never left the office to pursue Pam. If Jim would have stopped after Andy’s initial attempt, then it would have been lower, but even after Pam realized what was going on, Jim told Andy to try again. Go Halpert!

Special Award
Fighting Good with Evil Award – This is the first time Jim has pulled a prank on Pam and it is a doosey. Pam is nothing but sweet or playful to Jim and he sends the most annoying and despicable person in the office to win her affections. I think deep down, Halpert is pure evil.

Karen "Takes" Shots

Episode
Diwali (Season 3, Episode 6)

Pranker
Karen Filippelli

Target
Jim Halpert and Andy Bernard

Description
Once a quarter, the Stamford branch has to stay late to do order-form consolidation (which is even less interesting than it sounds). This is Jim’s first time to do such an activity, but Karen and Andy are regulars. Josh remarks to Karen to keep the tab for dinner under $20, which translates into Andy order shots last time out. When things get started, Andy brings out the Yaegermeister and pours the shots. Everyone’s ready to get things going, but as Andy and Jim drop it down the gullet, Karen pours hers into the trash. It is shown twice, but it probably happens more.

Reaction
Jim passes out on his keyboard and misses the text message from Pam. Andy isn’t passed out but he is lying on the floor while singing an a capella version of “Closer to Fine” for a little bit of unknowing payback. The three coworkers eventually get done with their work and head off. Karen goes out first but Andy pulls out his roomy twin sleeper mattress and sleeps at the office while Jim heads out with his bike. He gets about ten feet before falling into the bushes with a nice thud. Karen rolls up and puts Jim and his bike in her car; exactly as she planned it. Jim can’t understand how Karen can hold her liquor so well.

Originality
6 – Karen definitely isn’t the first one to do this. I’ve done this same thing myself with the difference of shooting water instead of vodka. It’s very effective. Not only are the drunkards oblivious, they are amazed at your amazing power of holding liquor.

Length Taken
8 – I have no doubt that Karen came into that night with the knowledge of Andy’s alcohol and the fact that he would include big tuna. Karen knows how Andy is and she doesn’t know Halpert all that well, so I can only assume that she didn’t want to be drunk and vulnerable around them. We know that Jim would never try anything, but Karen doesn’t. Extra points for the very authentic post-drink face.

Special Award
Hidden Agenda Award – As soon as Jim fell into the bushes, everyone was aware that Karen was picking up Jim to take care of him. Karen has made mention of Jim’s likeability before during the Call of Duty game and when he got her the chips. She knew what she was doing; that saucy minx.

Calculator in Jello

Episode
Gay Witch Hunt (Season 3, Episode 1)

Pranker
Jim Halpert

Target
Andy Bernard

Description
Jim is now working in Stamford. It is new territory for the salesman…new city, new job and new coworkers to prank. It doesn’t take long for Jim to find a Stamford version of Dwight, in the form of Andy. During the day, Andy opens up his desk drawer to find his calculator neatly placed in lime jello. Jim cracks a smile only for the camera to see.

Reaction
Andy wants an explanation and asks the office who the culprit is. When Jim stays silent, Andy becomes more serious and sincerely asks for an answer. Standing up this time, Andy again pleas for the criminal to step up to the crime and take responsibility. We get a glimpse into what Andy’s mind is really like when he again asks, but freaks out, screams and kicks a trash can. Jim looks at the camera and begs not to tell the truth.

Originality
3 – This is the third time in the course of our viewing that Jim has pulled it. It was originally done with the stapler in jello and then with Michael's coffee mug. Just because it is unoriginal doesn’t make it unfunny. Jim does earn an extra point for going to lime jello as opposed to the original lemon flavor. I find that lime sits better with my stomach while lemon gives me heartburn.

Length Taken
5 – This is only this high for the sole purpose of how Jim was able to swipe the calculator, put it in jello and return it so deftly.

Special Award
Classic Award – Ah, office supplies in jello. I would like some statistics on the relationship in the sale of jello and staplers, calculators and coffee mugs.
Backfire Award – Whenever Jim pulled a prank on Dwight, it was always with the knowledge that Dwight would freak, overreact and eventually accept what has happened. Jim does not have this same information about Andy. There was never any thought to Dwight freaking, but now Jim has to take into consideration whether or not Andy is going to kill someone. The Stamford branch could turn into a post office.