Manager and Salesman
Encyclopedia
"The Manager and the Salesman" is the 16th episode of the sixth season
of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show's 116th episode overall. It was written by Mindy Kaling
and directed by Marc Webb
. It originally aired in the United States on February 11, 2010 on NBC
.
In this episode, new CEO Jo Bennett visits the Scranton branch and insists that either Michael or Jim step down from manager to salesman. Jim decides to step down after realizing that he could make more money as a salesman, but Michael soon learns this as well and sweet talks Jo into making him the salesman and Jim the manager. Meanwhile, Andy gets Erin a Valentine's Day card, but gets everyone else in the office one as well to avoid suspicion, and accidentally gives a very romantic card to Kelly, and Dwight and Ryan disagree over how to get Jim demoted.
) to Scranton, and are dazzled by her Southern ways. Jo announces that in addition to paper, the Dunder Mifflin branches will now sell Sabre printers. When Jo finds out about the two branch managers, she says either Michael
(Steve Carell
) or Jim
(John Krasinski
) must go back to being a salesman. Both are initially reluctant to be demoted, but Pam (Jenna Fischer
) points out to Jim in the Sabre manual that since Sabre has multiple incentive programs and no cap on sales commissions, a salesperson could potentially make more than a manager (this is later found to be untrue in the episode WUPHF.com
). She even states that she went over his numbers, and that he would definitely make much more money being demoted back to salesman. Jim tells Michael that he will go back to sales and Michael can keep his sole manager spot, and Michael becomes delighted. However, when Michael learns about the sales commission benefit from Oscar
(Oscar Nunez
), he sweet talks Jo into demoting him instead. She complies to his demands due to his vast experience, and Michael gloats to Jim immediately after.
Meanwhile, Andy
(Ed Helms
) decides to give Erin
(Ellie Kemper
) a Valentine's Day
card as a way to getting her to ask him out. However, to avoid suspicion, he gives one to everyone in the office. Erin receives a friendly one from him, but Kelly
(Mindy Kaling
) accidentally gets a much more romantic one. Kelly is touched and shows Erin, who is surprised and visibly disappointed. Kelly immediately develops a romantic crush on Andy and publicly kisses him. Learning of his mistake, he sends out an email to everyone in the office claiming that he does not like any of them more than a friend. An angered Kelly soon confronts him, and he admits that there is one person whom he likes, but does not say who. Erin is relieved that he does not like Kelly in that way.
As Michael sets up his desk at the sales section, Dwight
(Rainn Wilson
) calls a meeting with Ryan
(B. J. Novak
) to think of ways to take Jim down, where Ryan angers Dwight with his terrible ideas. They ultimately try getting Nick, the new IT worker, to give them information about Jim, but it does not work. Meanwhile, Michael has a difficult time adjusting back to sales, particularly since he does not enjoy the environment where he is sitting and Dwight has to do a little advising for Michael to adjust. He confides to Jim that he wants the manager job back and they both tell Jo, who allows them to switch. At the end of the day, Michael and Erin celebrate his return to his office, and Dwight taunts Jim about his demotion. In a return to his old ways, Jim puts Dwight's tie in his coffee mug as Pam grins.
At the end of the episode, Dwight and Ryan decide to go out for drinks to celebrate Jim's demotion, but they instead end up arguing about where to go.
gave the episode a 7.9 saying it was "Good" and "But again, even with all the episode's strengths, it's impossible not to look at the way it teases at new possibilities with a little frustration and regret. At the very least I would have loved to see Michael on the sales floor for a few more episodes."
The Office (U.S. TV series) season 6
The American television comedy The Office was renewed by NBC for a sixth season on January 15, 2009. The season premiered on September 17, 2009 and concluded on May 20, 2010. The episodes aired on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. EDT as part of Comedy Night Done Right...
of the U.S. comedy series The Office and the show's 116th episode overall. It was written by Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling
Vera Mindy Chokalingam , better known as Mindy Kaling, is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer who plays Kelly Kapoor on the NBC sitcom The Office. Kaling is also a co-executive producer and writer of several of the show's episodes.-Early life:Kaling was born Vera Chokalingam in...
and directed by Marc Webb
Marc Webb
Marc Preston Webb is an American music video, short film and major motion picture director. He directed the 2009 romantic comedy-drama Days of Summer and is currently directing the 2012 Spider-Man reboot The Amazing Spider-Man.-Life and career:Webb was born in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of...
. It originally aired in the United States on February 11, 2010 on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
.
In this episode, new CEO Jo Bennett visits the Scranton branch and insists that either Michael or Jim step down from manager to salesman. Jim decides to step down after realizing that he could make more money as a salesman, but Michael soon learns this as well and sweet talks Jo into making him the salesman and Jim the manager. Meanwhile, Andy gets Erin a Valentine's Day card, but gets everyone else in the office one as well to avoid suspicion, and accidentally gives a very romantic card to Kelly, and Dwight and Ryan disagree over how to get Jim demoted.
Synopsis
The office is eager to welcome Sabre CEO Jo Bennett (Kathy BatesKathy Bates
Kathleen Doyle "Kathy" Bates is an American actress and director.After several small roles in film and television, Bates rose to prominence with her performance in Misery , for which she won both the Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe...
) to Scranton, and are dazzled by her Southern ways. Jo announces that in addition to paper, the Dunder Mifflin branches will now sell Sabre printers. When Jo finds out about the two branch managers, she says either Michael
Michael Scott (The Office)
Michael Gary Scott is a fictional character on NBC's The Office, portrayed by Steve Carell, and based on David Brent from the original British version. Michael, the central character of the series, was the manager of the Scranton branch of paper and printer distribution company Dunder Mifflin Inc...
(Steve Carell
Steve Carell
Steven John "Steve" Carell is an American comedian, actor, voice artist, producer, writer, and director. Although Carell is notable for his role on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he found greater fame in the late 2000s for playing Michael Scott on The Office...
) or Jim
Jim Halpert
James Duncan "Jim" Halpert is a fictional character in the United States version of the television sitcom The Office, played by John Krasinski. The character is based on Tim Canterbury from the original version of The Office...
(John Krasinski
John Krasinski
John Burke Krasinski is an American actor, film director, and writer. He is most widely known for playing Jim Halpert on the NBC sitcom The Office...
) must go back to being a salesman. Both are initially reluctant to be demoted, but Pam (Jenna Fischer
Jenna Fischer
Regina Marie "Jenna" Fischer is an American actress and director. She is most widely known for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Pam Halpert on the NBC situation comedy and mockumentary The Office, and has also appeared in several films, including Blades of Glory, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,...
) points out to Jim in the Sabre manual that since Sabre has multiple incentive programs and no cap on sales commissions, a salesperson could potentially make more than a manager (this is later found to be untrue in the episode WUPHF.com
WUPHF.com
"WUPHF.com" is the ninth episode of seventh season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the show's 135th episode overall. Written by Aaron Shure and directed by Danny Leiner, the episode aired on NBC in the United States on November 18, 2010...
). She even states that she went over his numbers, and that he would definitely make much more money being demoted back to salesman. Jim tells Michael that he will go back to sales and Michael can keep his sole manager spot, and Michael becomes delighted. However, when Michael learns about the sales commission benefit from Oscar
Oscar Martinez
Oscar Jual Paul Martinez is a fictional character from the US television series The Office. He is played by Oscar Nunez.-Overview:Oscar Martinez is an accountant at the paper distributor Dunder Mifflin. He is a first generation Mexican-American. Oscar is also openly homosexual after being...
(Oscar Nunez
Oscar Nunez
Oscar Nunez , sometimes credited as Oscar Núñez, is a Cuban American actor and comedian.He currently appears as Dunder Mifflin's paper supply accountant, Oscar Martinez, on NBC's The Office.-Career:...
), he sweet talks Jo into demoting him instead. She complies to his demands due to his vast experience, and Michael gloats to Jim immediately after.
Meanwhile, Andy
Andy Bernard
Andrew "Andy" Baines Bernard is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. The character is highly insecure, yet egotistical, constantly mentioning his education at Cornell University...
(Ed Helms
Ed Helms
Edward Paul "Ed" Helms is an American actor and comedian known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, as Andy Bernard on the US version of the sitcom/mockumentary The Office and for his role as Dr. Stu Price in The Hangover films.- Early life :Helms was born and raised...
) decides to give Erin
Erin Hannon
Kelly Erin Hannon is a fictional character from the U.S. television series The Office. She is the office receptionist for the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, a position previously held by Pam Halpert before she left the company. Erin is played by Ellie Kemper...
(Ellie Kemper
Ellie Kemper
Elizabeth Claire "Ellie" Kemper is an American actress, comedian and writer best known for her role as Erin Hannon in NBC's The Office.-Personal life:...
) a Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
card as a way to getting her to ask him out. However, to avoid suspicion, he gives one to everyone in the office. Erin receives a friendly one from him, but Kelly
Kelly Kapoor
Kelly Rajnigandha Kapoor , is a fictional character from the US television series, The Office. She is played by Mindy Kaling, who is also a writer and producer for the show....
(Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling
Vera Mindy Chokalingam , better known as Mindy Kaling, is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer who plays Kelly Kapoor on the NBC sitcom The Office. Kaling is also a co-executive producer and writer of several of the show's episodes.-Early life:Kaling was born Vera Chokalingam in...
) accidentally gets a much more romantic one. Kelly is touched and shows Erin, who is surprised and visibly disappointed. Kelly immediately develops a romantic crush on Andy and publicly kisses him. Learning of his mistake, he sends out an email to everyone in the office claiming that he does not like any of them more than a friend. An angered Kelly soon confronts him, and he admits that there is one person whom he likes, but does not say who. Erin is relieved that he does not like Kelly in that way.
As Michael sets up his desk at the sales section, Dwight
Dwight Schrute
Dwight Kurt Schrute III is a character on NBC's The Office portrayed by Rainn Wilson. He originally exactly resembled Gareth Keenan from the original UK version of The Office. Dwight is the top salesman and former acting manager for the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company and has won numerous awards for...
(Rainn Wilson
Rainn Wilson
Rainn Dietrich Wilson is an American actor and comedian. He is primarily known for his role as the egomaniacal Dwight Schrute on the American version of the television comedy The Office...
) calls a meeting with Ryan
Ryan Howard (The Office)
Ryan Bailey Howard , played by B. J. Novak, is a fictional character on the US television sitcom The Office. He is based upon Ricky Howard from the original version of The Office , but his role is significantly expanded and he is a main character.-Character profile:Little is known about Ryan's...
(B. J. Novak
B. J. Novak
Benjamin Joseph Manaly “B. J.” Novak is an American actor, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, and director. He is best known for being a writer and co-executive producer for and playing the role of Ryan Howard on the US version of The Office, as well as appearing in Inglourious Basterds...
) to think of ways to take Jim down, where Ryan angers Dwight with his terrible ideas. They ultimately try getting Nick, the new IT worker, to give them information about Jim, but it does not work. Meanwhile, Michael has a difficult time adjusting back to sales, particularly since he does not enjoy the environment where he is sitting and Dwight has to do a little advising for Michael to adjust. He confides to Jim that he wants the manager job back and they both tell Jo, who allows them to switch. At the end of the day, Michael and Erin celebrate his return to his office, and Dwight taunts Jim about his demotion. In a return to his old ways, Jim puts Dwight's tie in his coffee mug as Pam grins.
At the end of the episode, Dwight and Ryan decide to go out for drinks to celebrate Jim's demotion, but they instead end up arguing about where to go.
Reception
In its original American broadcast, "Manager and Salesman" was watched by 7.44 million viewers, with a 3.7 rating and a 10 share in the 18-49 demographic. Dan Phillips of IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the episode a 7.9 saying it was "Good" and "But again, even with all the episode's strengths, it's impossible not to look at the way it teases at new possibilities with a little frustration and regret. At the very least I would have loved to see Michael on the sales floor for a few more episodes."
External links
- "The Manager and the Salesman" at NBC.com