By the time Season 6 of The Office aired, the cast had learned not to expect Steve Carell to adhere strictly to the script, nor to finish scenes in only one take. Over years of filming NBC’s hit workplace comedy, numerous behind-the-scenes stories and bloopers surfaced involving fire drills, CPR training mishaps, and chaotic dinner parties. Among these, one particular scene from the Season 6 holiday episode “Secret Santa” became notoriously difficult to complete due to Carell’s spontaneous improvisation, pushing the cast to their limits.
John Krasinski and Ed Helms both recall how this moment was unlike any other on set, as even their usual ability to hold in laughter failed, turning filming into a challenge fueled by uncontrollable amusement.
John Krasinski’s Battle to Keep Composure During the ‘Secret Santa’ Scene
The scene in question took place during the office Christmas party where Kevin Malone, played by Brian Baumgartner, interacts with Michael Scott, Carell’s character. A seemingly simple gag involving Kevin sitting on Michael’s lap turned chaotic when Carell deviated from the script with an improvised response that sparked unexpected hilarity. Krasinski, known for holding back his laughter, revealed that he actually had to leave the room to regain control.
“It’s the hardest I’ve ever laughed on set,”
—John Krasinski, Actor
Ed Helms later described the same moment during a recent Vulture podcast, saying that the improvised bit was so funny it became nearly impossible to film.
“One of the hardest times I’ve ever laughed in my life,”
—Ed Helms, Actor
This interruption led to numerous retakes since no one could maintain their composure, forcing the production team to scrap multiple attempts before capturing a usable version of the scene.
Steve Carell’s Spontaneous Reaction Turned a Simple Gag into Chaos
“Secret Santa” begins with Michael Scott feeling threatened that Phyllis Smith’s character is cast as Santa at the office party, a role Michael insists on holding himself. After a petty dispute over the Santa chair and costume, Michael awkwardly invites coworkers to sit on his lap to prove “the real thing.”
Kevin’s turn was meant to be a quick joke about the mismatch of his size to the small chair combined with Michael’s discomfort. Kevin’s sincere line,
“Nobody’s ever let me sit on their lap before,”
stood out on its own, but Carell’s unscripted reaction completely derailed the rest of the take, leaving the cast in fits of laughter.
Krasinski explained how Carell’s physical reaction elevated the moment:
“He lost all the air in his body when Brian sat on him. I’ve never laughed harder in my life. And if you’re a fan of the show, you know they used to just swing pan to Jim for a reaction. I looked over to the cameraman and said, ‘Don’t even try it. I’ll be here on the floor laughing my ass off.’”
—John Krasinski, Actor
Helms added insight into how Carell extended the physical comedy beyond the script:
“When Kevin gets up, Steve starts moving around the space because his leg is asleep, and he’s hammering his leg against the desk and then the chair,”
he said.
I think you can see in the shot that I disappear. I duck behind a wall. And that was probably take 12, and I still couldn’t keep it together.”
—Ed Helms, Actor
By this point in the show’s production, the cast had grown accustomed to Carell’s unpredictable improvisations. Rather than simply delaying the scene, these moments often made filming a chaotic ordeal that challenged everyone’s professionalism.
Steve Carell’s Humor Made Bloopers a Frequent Occurrence on Set
Carell’s tendency to break takes was well known among the crew and cast, although it was never intentional. Brian Baumgartner, who plays Kevin, discussed in his podcast the difficulty of keeping a straight face around Carell, especially when he changed up his delivery constantly.
“I’ll crack up as much as anyone, but I try not to because I always feel like, if I laugh… if I crack up, it’s unusable.”
—Brian Baumgartner, Actor
Still, the real challenge for the performers was surviving scenes with Carell without succumbing to laughter. Iconic bloopers such as the “Prison Mike” monologue, Michael’s unexpected kiss with Oscar, and the destruction of a small TV during the dreaded “Dinner Party” showcase how frequently takes spiraled out of control. Each incident turned brief takes into hours of unusable footage and laughter.
The show’s creators embraced this environment, encouraging improvisation and allowing the actors, especially Carell, to explore their comedic instincts freely. As a result, many bloopers became fan favorites, cherished for their genuine spontaneity and humor.
“Secret Santa” stands as a prime example of this dynamic, where the scene’s completion seemed nearly impossible due to relentless laughter. Yet even fifteen years later, fans continue to revisit this moment and the accompanying blooper reels, relishing the candid chaos.
For Krasinski and Helms, the experience marked one of their most uncontrollable laughs on set. For Carell, it was a typical day of undermining his co-workers’ attempts to maintain seriousness. And for The Office as a whole, it highlighted the balance that made the show successful: skilled actors deeply familiar with their characters, a set that welcomed disorder, and a lead actor whose talent for deadpan delivery could unhinge everyone else in the best way possible.
