Michael "Cements" his Face

Episode
Did I Stutter? (Season 4, Episode 12)

Pranker
Jim Halpert

Target
Michael Scott

Description
Michael comes in the office needing ideas. After Pam informs him that he needs to elaborate, Michael informs everyone of his lifelong dream of wet cement drying outside and his desire to leave his mark. Kevin suggests his initials of MGS, but Michael interjects that he doesn’t want Mark Greg Sputnik to take credit. Phyllis is bursting with enthusiasm, but between Michael’s pressure and her own memory, nothing is suggested. Andy suggests a picture, but is quickly shot down. Swooping in to save the day, Kelly remembers seeing Will Smith in cement (he looked sooooo good, after all) and after a translation by Pam, Michael falls in love with the idea of putting his hands in the everlasting ground. Jim sees his chance and says that if Michael was a real star he would put his face in it.


Reaction
Michael loves it more. Oscar doesn’t think it’s safe, but that boyish enthusiasm can’t be contained and off Michael goes, with a just-as-giddy Dwight and Kevin in tow. Outside, Jim is giving what sounds like a eulogy, but is just ramming home what his brain-child has given forth. Dwight provides a straw for breathing and Vaseline for…well, I don’t know. Dwight seems like he is smothering him in the cement, but Michael comes up with plenty of cement on his face and a place to show his kids where his daddy left a face-hole.

Originality
4 - Not too much to do with this. Michael wants to mark cement. Kelly suggests hands, Jim suggests face. Michael obliges. He could have gone with a full-body cementing.

Length Taken
6 - Jim’s lofty speech (We’re not here to immortalize a man…) tries his best, but this is pretty standard stuff in Scranton these days. Where were the cheers for a cement angel? I was a little disappointed.

Special Awards
Knowing Your Enemy Award - You knew when Michael ran in that this was going to end badly. Jim bought his time and got the job done
The Simplicity Award - That was just too easy. It took one small push and that was that

Michael is set up with Wendy

Episode
The Chair Model (Season 4, Episode 10)

Pranker
Kevin Malone

Target
Michael Scott

Description
Michael's break-up with Jan has left him desperate for a woman (don't worry, desperate situations yield the quickest results). His eyes wander to whatever smoking hot woman comes about, and that fantasy formulates with the desk chair model in this month's supply catalog. This leads him to go to his friends in the office, to come up with a friend of theirs to fix him up with, using the model as a template. He tries first with Kevin, who is looking more for himself than Michael. Then, he tries his luck with Oscar, who obviously has trusting women friends who have no worry about Oscar getting handsy. Phyllis interrupts and suggests her friend Sandy, who is not up to the Scott-rowboat-capsizing standard. Michael's dating search goes into a "formal" mode, and forces everyone to give a name of an eligible woman with the threat of being fired. Therefore, everyone goes to town on the cards. Phyllis still insists on setting up Michael with Sandy, while Stanley doesn't know anyone he hates that much to put on the card. Jim has an idea, but it's Pam's mom. She doesn't approve. Michael collects the cards and goes to the first name. Wendy, a hot and juicy redhead.

Reaction
Michael's optimistic until he realizes that he has called Wendy's restaurant. The lady on the phone obviously isn't Wendy, but he requests to speak to her. She explains it's a Wendy's restaurant, and Michael figures it out. That still doesn't stop him from ordering a Frosty and a baked potato. It was already ready, so it will be set aside until he gets there.

Originality
9 - Go Kevin! Not only does Mr. Malone save the day as far as the parking situation, but he pulls his first solo prank. His first attempt at getting at Michael was unsuccessful after assists from Pam and Ryan, but he pulls off this one flawlessly. He gets an extra point for the saucy redhead wording and a bonus point for taking no credit and staying silent about it.

Length Taken
9 - If Kevin would have called Wendy's to inform them of the situation and got someone over there in on it, that would have pushed things over the top. But, as it stands, a strong pranks all around.

Special Awards
The Fly on Your Own Award - Kevin goes all in for his first unassisted prank and slams it home.
The Simplicity Award - How much effort did that take, really? Write down Wendy...check. Make saucy redhead comment...check. Look up phone number for Wendy's...check. Hand to Michael Scott...check.
The Humble Pie Award - If not for Michael saying to "Wendy" that he is Kevin's friend, would we have ever known?

Pam, Ryan and Kevin Share their Grief

Episode
Grief Counseling (Season 3, Episode 4)

Pranker
Pam Beesly, Ryan Howard and Kevin Malone

Target
Michael Scott

Description
Michael has had his former boss, Ed Truck, die. He announces it to the office and Kelly wants to know if he’s ok. Sensing that he can get some attention, he invites anyone who wants, to console him in his office. After Creed lets Michael know about the nature of Ed’s death, he goes to Jan to look for answers. Continuing to sulk, everyone in the office looks to get Michael’s mind off the issue. Therefore, Michael calls a meeting in the conference room to get everyone’s feelings of death out in the open. Michael starts out and describes losing Ed. When Roy tries to get Pam out of the session, Michael (like the loving father of the family he is) waits until Pam gets back. Dwight gets the opportunity to express his feelings about the twin Dwight has “resorbed.” Stanley has the opportunity, but passes. Pam finally takes the reigns and explains about her aunt was the Hillary Swank character from Million Dollar Baby without letting Michael know. Ryan enthusiastically wants next as he describes the death of his cousin Mufasa, better known as The Lion King. Kevin begins to understand what is going on and he describes about how one “weekend” his uncle “Bernie” died.

Reaction
Michael catches on to what is transpiring after Kevin describes Bernie’s death. Michael misses on veiled references to Million Dollar Baby and The Lion King, but whenever someone makes mention of Weekend at Bernie’s, nothing gets past. Michael asks if this is some kind of game (Phyllis mentions the inclusion of a ball) and tries to start over. No one wants to continue and many go back to work. This causes Toby to mention a bird that died running into the company door. Michael freaks and wants a funeral for the bird.

Originality
7 – Pam gets high marks for thinking up a character to a movie that Michael definitely hasn’t seen. Ryan skirts the line of Michael’s tastes with a kids movie from the 90s and Kevin goes too far and mentions a film that is, without a doubt, somewhere at Michael’s condo on DVD. Pam and Ryan do a great job of not breaking when describing the death circumstances. As for Kevin, not so much.

Length Taken
6 – For a minute there, I thought Michael would fall for Kevin’s death reference and say something along the lines of, “Wow. That sounds just like Weekend at Bernie’s,” and the fun could continue. Pam and Ryan keep things going for as long as possible to stall for time, so an extra point for effort.

Special Award
Oh, So Close Award – Kevin’s reference was close to get Michael to believe it all and continue with the counseling. If not for a little giggling and too much emphasis on the words “weekend” and “Bernie,” it could have worked. At one point, you can even see Ryan realizing that Michael is going to figure out what is going on.

Jim Sends the Office a Gaydar

Episode
Gay Witch Hunt (Season 3, Episode 1)

Pranker
Jim Halpert

Target
Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute

Description
Oscar’s outing in the office has Michael worried about who else could potentially be of the non-straight persuasion. Dwight makes mention of Jim talking about gaydar when he was still in Scranton. Michael is skeptical but wants to double check with big tuna himself. Bad decision for them. After failing with a prank earlier in the day, Jim takes a second to catch on, but as soon as he does, he can barely contain his excitement. He refers them to Sharper Image and fakes checking online. He says it’s sold out. Undaunted, Dwight wants to check Brookstone. That could have been the end of it, but Jim’s episode with Andy surely warrants an opportunity for redemption. Dwight opens up a package, sent by Jim to the office. Inside is a note from Jim, hoping that it helps and a metal detector with some added labels to make it a full-blown gaydar.

Reaction
Dwight is like a kid at Christmas. Not only is the goal being sought, but the gadget appeals to Dwight’s nature. He immediately checks it out on Oscar, and when he passes his belt, it goes off. Seeing its accuracy, Dwight lazily passes it by his own belt and hears the beep. Dwight begins to doubt himself.

Originality
8 – The term gaydar is nothing new, but Jim puts this to use like no other. Only subjects as gullible as Michael and Dwight believe that a thing such as this exists, much less exists at Shaper Image or Brookstone. The brilliance of a metal detector works as well, for all the men would seemingly test positive while a few, but not all the women would. An extra point for the homo/hetero stickers well-placed by Jim.

Length Taken
7 – The original conversation could have been the end of it, but Jim isn’t about to let a little thing like a sold out gaydar be the end of it. Extra points abound for Jim as he gets one here for putting forth the effort of shipping a metal detector to himself, doctoring it and shipping it over to Scranton.

Special Award
Falling into Your Lap Award – Jim’s prank is completely based on Dwight and Michael’s fears of gays in the office. The term “gaydar” is just a phrase, but Michael and Dwight are much too literal men, therefore Jim steps in as a helpful “guide."

Packer leaves a "Present" for Michael

Episode
The Carpet (Season 2, Episode 14)

Pranker
Todd Packer

Target
Michael Scott

Description
Michael gets into the office, ready for a hard-day’s labor. But, he gets an unwelcome scent as he enters his office and is immediately taken a back. It seems at first that Michael might just be overreacting, but as Pam goes to investigate, it is realized that it is treacherous. Originally identified as a dead bird, members of the office go in and correctly place blame on human feces (Creed just thinks it soup). The cleaning lady cleans up the mess, but the smell still remains. Jim, Ryan, Oscar, P am and Creed don’t accept responsibility, opening Michael up to believe someone in the office did it. He also mentions Packer and his antics back when they were both salesmen (hint, hint). He has not reasoning why someone would do such a thing, so he turns to the only possible solution…an act of terrorism. He then turns to the belief that everyone did it together and gives a timeout to the whole office. Michael even turns to his old boss, Ed Truck, for advice on what to do. Ed relates and gives advice that Michael doesn’t want to here. At the end of the day, a call from Packer puts clarity on the situation.

Reaction
Michael, who was no longer willing to give kidneys to his employees, laughs it out. After finding out the true culprit, he attributes the joke to his advanced sense of humor.

Originality
3 – Michael’s conversation with Ed Truck pointed out that it happened to him as well. I have zero doubt in my mind that Packer was the perpetrator in that crime as well.

Length Taken
4 – Takes less than five minutes depending on what you just ate. Something tells me Packer is a dump and pump kind of guy.

Special Award
“You Don’t Work With Us” Award – Packer used to work for Dunder-Mifflin, but he was probably fired (too many DUIs).
Indirect Effect Award – The prank was obviously intended for Michael, but the impact certainly left a lasting impression on the rest of the office. Kevin probably has nightmares about being locked in that room.

The Fight

Episode
The Fight (Season 2, Episode 6)

Pranker
Pam Beesly and Jim Halpert

Target
Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute

Description
Dwight is taking karate…with kids. He takes it seriously, but Jim can’t help but not do the same. When Jim asks Dwight who he could or couldn’t beat up, Michael enters the equation. Michael doubts Dwight’s abilities, and later puts Dwight into an unprovoked sleeper hold. After Michael offers for Dwight to punch Michael in the stomach, he almost passes out form the pain. After Dwight explains the story of his Nazi grandfather and his obese father, Jim and Pam have all the ammunition they need. Jim asks Pam (for a bag of chips) to ask Michael to fight Dwight at his dojo. After a little provocation, Michael takes the bait.

Reaction
“The Albany branch is working right through lunch to prevent downsizing. But Michael, he decided to extend our lunch by an hour so that we could all go down to the dojo and watch him fight Dwight.” Jim’s words ring true. Refereed by Dwight’s sansei, the salesman gets the first blow, but Michael counters with a recess-style beat down, winning the honor of which friend could beat up the other. This somehow leads to Dwight being promoted to Assistant Regional Manager, though it is just a title.

Originality
4 – These two definitely aren’t the first ones to get two people to start a fight. They might be the first two to get two people who have no business fighting in the first place together.

Length Taken
5 – Not as much as thought. Jim and Pam know that Michael, besides valuing friendship, values his own dignity. Office-wide embarrassment would be all it would take to lure the monster out of its cage. It just needed a little poke.

Special Award
Two Birds with One Stone Award – Never before has a prank been put to use for the purpose of pranking two subjects with the same gag.
Forget Work Award – Not the first time this has happened and certainly not the last. Jim’s words speak louder still as the office faces the threat of downsizing, Michael finds confrontation more important. I have a theory that Jim just wanted to get away from the office, if not for only a day.

"That's What She Said!"

Episode
Sexual Harassment (Season 2, Episode 2)

Pranker
Jim Halpert

Target
Michael Scott

Description
Michael has forced Jan and the lawyer from Corporate to come down to Scranton because of his lewd forwarding of emails. After a quick meeting with the bosses, Michael announces to the office that he will no longer be doing sexually harassing things. Jim wastes little time in asking if this included “That’s what she said” jokes. Michael says yes and Jim goes to work. He begins, “Wow. That is really hard. You really think you can go all day long? Well, you always left me satisfied and smiling. So…” And that’s all it takes

Reaction
The presence of Todd F. Packer is just to much for Michael, resulting in a resounding cry of, “That’s what she said!” Everyone loves it, except for Jan. Jim even gets a fist pump for the effort, realizing that he is, indeed, brilliant.



Michael doesn’t want his words to go unnoticed, so he gives the crowd a kiss as he is being dragged back into the office by Ms. Levinson-Gould.

Originality
5 – It’s only this low because of the reactionary message. Jim, always a quick thinker, saw the situation and said three sentences. Didn’t take much but the effect was made. It’s sole purpose was most likely to get Michael in trouble and it worked brilliantly.

Length Taken
2 – Could have done so much more, but effective if for the quick, momentary laugh.

Special Award
Foot-in-the-Mouth Award – No one does foot-in-the-mouth better than Michael Scott and Jim knows this. Jim pulls a prank that not only is effective, but leaves him out of trouble.

Mug in Jello

Episode
The Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)

Pranker
Jim Halpert

Target
Michael Scott

Description
Just as he did with Dwight, Jim swipes Michael's "World's Best Boss" coffee mug and puts it into a jello mold.

Outcome
Unknown due to the end of the episode.

Originality
4 - After the previous 7 for the original stapler in jello, Jim does a follow up with the boss. This time, Michael's "World's Best Boss" coffee mug (which, unfortunately, can't get destroyed by jello) gets the treatment. Since it's all about originality, definitely gets knocked down...especially since he did the jello to Dwight a couple times before.

Length Taken
3 - Again, not all that difficult. Michael leaves just a little bit early, enabling Jim to do the duty.

Special Award
Repeat Offender - Easy one for Jim since this is easily the fourth or fifth time he's done this.
Classic Award - Nothing like something in a jello mold to revert to classic pranks from "The Office."