Official New ‘The Office’ (US) Xmas Special Isn’t Canon With the Show

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Michael Scott (Steve Carell) looking shocked in 'The Office'

Credit: NBCUniversal

The Office US is one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. A reimagining of the original British version of the show starring Ricky Gervais as David Brent, the American “mockumentary” follows the daily lives of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch employees.

But the show’s success wasn’t overnight. Season 1 faced criticism for essentially being a carbon copy of the Gervais series. While subsequent seasons continued to borrow heavily from the UK show, a major overhaul in tone helped The Office US forge its own identity.

Now, a spinoff titled The Paper, set in the world of The Office US, is in development. It stars Domhnall Gleeson (About Time) and Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus). But while no-one from the flagship series is expected to return, we aren’t done with them just yet.

'The Office' (US) cast
Credit: NBCUniversal

Related: ‘The Office’ Has a Secret Employee Hiding Off Camera!

Michael Scott and his employees recently returned in “The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin,” a new storybook co-written by Brian Baumgartner (who plays bumbling accountant Kevin Malone in the series) and Ben Silverman (one of the show’s producers who also played Jim’s Athlead co-worker Isaac), with illustrations by Maël Gourmelen.

This retelling of by Clement Clarke Moore’s poem features all your favorite characters, including non-originals like Andy Bernard (Ed Helms), Erin Hannon (Ellie Kemper), and Gabe Lewis (Zach Wood).

The synopsis reads: “A new Christmas classic for The Office fans of all ages: Spend ‘The Night Before Christmas’ at Dunder Mifflin in this hilarious and timeless original retelling of the beloved poem. Featuring a visit from Michael Scott as Santa and narrated by Kevin Malone.” Dwight also appears as an elf more impish than admirable.

Dwight (Rainn Wilson) celebrating Christmas in 'The Office'
Credit: NBCUniversal

Related: The Secret Episode of ‘The Office’ (US) You Never Knew Existed!

But while you might wonder how this new story fits into the show canonically, you’ll be disappointed to learn that it it doesn’t appear to belong anywhere. The Office has seven Christmas episodes, from Season 2’s “Christmas Party” to Season 9’s “Dwight Christmas”. But the show spans nine seasons, which means that two Christmas episodes are missing.

All the Christmas episodes from the Michael Scott era are as follows:

  • The Office Season 2, Episode 10 – “Christmas Party”
  • The Office Season 3, Episode 10 & 11 – “A Benihana Christmas: Part 1 & 2”
  • The Office Season 5, Episode 11 – “Moroccan Christmas”
  • The Office Season 6, Episode 13 – “Secret Santa”
  • The Office Season 7, Episode 11 & 12 – “Classy Christmas: Part 1 & 2”

But as you can see, Season 1 and Season 4 don’t have any. Season 1 didn’t feature an episode dedicated to Dunder Mifflin’s Holiday antics because it was a short pilot season, and Season 4’s never happened reportedly due to the 2007-2008 Writers Guild strike.

“The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin” could have easily filled that slot in Season 4, but as it features Erin and Gabe, who didn’t appear in the show until Season 5 and Season 6, respectively, it just doesn’t add up. Perhaps we have Kevin Malone’s accounting skills to thank for that!

Nevertheless, it’s still a fun, festive addition to the beloved sitcom that fans are sure to love.

Kevin sat on Santa Michael's lap in 'The Office'
Credit: NBCUniversal

Related: “Alternate” Version of ‘The Office’ Season 7 Gets Imminent Release Date

Where Can I Watch The Office US?

The Office US is available on several streaming platforms, including Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. The Office: Superfan Episodes Season 7 is available on Peacock.

The Office stars Steve Carell (Michael Scott), Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute), John Krasinski (Jim Halpert), Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly), Mindy Kaling (Kelly Kapoor), Ed Helms (Andy Bernard), Ellie Kemper (Erin Hannon), Craig Robinson (Darryl Philbin), Oscar Nunez (Oscar Martinez), Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin), Creed Bratton (Creed Bratton), Leslie David Baker (Stanley Hudson), Jeff Buckley (David Wallace), Zach Woods (Gabe Lewis), Melora Hardin (Jan Levinson), Phyllis Smith (Phyllis Lapin-Vance), Brian Baumgartner (Kevin Malone), Ryan Howard (BJ Novak), and Paul Lieberstein (Toby Flenderson).

The Office Australia is streaming on Prime Video. The Paper will premiere on Peacock in 2025.

Have you read this new The Office companion yet? Let us know in the comments down below!

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