Rainn Wilson believes The Office would not survive in today's era. The beloved sitcom became famous for its fearless, awkward humor, with silly pranks, outrageous jokes, hilarious antics, and unforgettable characters keeping audiences laughing throughout its run and long after it ended. But the same comedy that made the show iconic over time may not have survived if it aired in this era.

Wilson, who starred in the sitcom believes that today's entertainment landscape would not have enjoyed the series. 

In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Rainn Wilson spoke about The Office and claimed that the show could not have been made in this current era because of its comedy. He explained that The Office had a lot of humor that would now be considered inappropriate especially from his character, Dwight Schrute, and Steve Carell's Michael Scott. Wilson said that although both characters were meant to lack self-awareness, he believes many of their jokes and actions would not be accepted by audiences in 2026. 

“I think that would be too hard to be as politically incorrect as the show was. And I do kind of miss that,” he said.

The actor said something similar during his appearance on The Last Laugh podcast in September 2025. He explained that the show's style of comedy could be considered offensive if it aired today. Wilson even pointed to the 'Benihana Christmas' episode as an example.

Now, television has evolved over the years as audience expectations and perspectives have changed, and what made people laugh in the past might not entertain the current generation. While Wilson’s claim cannot be tested, The Office has remained a fan favorite even now. The sitcom, which ran from 2005 to 2013 on NBC, has a dedicated fandom that still loves to watch and rewatch the show. 

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The show even spawned a spin-off and a sequel series that premiered in 2025.

The Paper is a mockumentary sitcom and a spin-off of The Office, set in the same universe. The series follows the original documentary crew as they discover a struggling Midwestern newspaper. It focuses on the people working there as well as the publisher, as they make every effort to revive the paper. 

The cast includes Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Domhnall Gleeson, Melvin Gregg, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, Gbemisola Ikumelo, and Tim Key. Oscar Nuñez, who starred in The Office, returned for the spin-off sequel series. Interestingly, The Paper has managed to survive and thrive in today's television landscape, even earning a renewal for Season 2.

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What do you think about Rainn Wilson's comment on The Office? Let us know in the comments.