The Officehas its fair share of iconic long-running jokes, from Jim pranking Dwight to “That’s what she said,” butone of the best is Michael’s hatred of Toby, which can be explained in a season 1 deleted scene.NBC’s mockumentary sitcom is considered one ofthe best shows of the 2000s, partly due to Steve Carell’s Michael Scott. Many unique traits define his character. One of the most prominent and hilarious (and not one of his cringy attributes), though, is his disdain towards Toby.
PerNBC Insider, a spin-off ofThe Office—The Paper— is in development for Peacock. The upcoming series takes place in the same universe asThe Officebut features a new cast, including Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, and Ramona Young. The spin-off also follows a dying Midwestern newspaper instead of a paper company.
Throughout almostall nine seasons ofThe Office(aside from the ones without Carell),Michael expresses how much he hates Toby in many memorable moments.Of course, no one can forget the scene where Toby returns from Costa Rica to replace Holly, much to Michael’s dismay. When Michael sees his nemesis, he hilariously starts yelling, “No,” adding in a “Please, God, no!” There’s also “Casino Night,” when Toby turns down Michael’s idea, who then asks the HR representative, “Why are you the way that you are?” All these moments wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for one deleted scene.
Michael’s Grudge Against Toby Began In Season 1, Episode 4, “The Alliance”
Toby Steals Michael’s Joke
While speaking with theDaily Beast, Paul Lieberstein, who played Toby and was a writer/executive producer forThe Office, revealed that a deleted scene creates Michael’s grudge against Toby.InThe Officeseason 1, episode 4, “The Alliance,” Michael tries to come up with the perfect joke to write on Meredith’s birthday card. However, before he can do so,Toby signs the card with the same joke Michael is about to use.
Michael tells the HR representative, “I was going to put that in my message, Toby! So just cross it off. Cross it offnow.” When Toby abides by Michael’s orders, though, Steve Carell’s character says, “What are you doing? Oh come on, you’re ruining it! Toby, come on. Just, look at that. That’s wrecked.A**.”
The Worst Thing Michael Scott Ever Did In The Office Proves Why Steve Carell’s Character Was Irreplaceable
One episode of The Office season 6 showcases the worst thing Michael Scott ever does in the series and perfectly examines him as a character.
Unfortunately,the scene didn’t make it to the episode’s final cut.But, according to Lieberstein,Michael’s hatred for Toby inThe Officewas born right then and there. He explains:
“I just go in, write something quickly, and leave—that’s the scene. But it takes me a while to physically write it, and I could just feel him watching me, and feel that burning. Steve [Carell] told me afterwards that it was in that moment that he just decided to hate meso much.”
The Office Cutting The Reason Michael Hates Toby Made Their Relationship Even Funnier
The Origin Of Their Feud Is Ambiguous In The Actual Show
Since the aforementioned scene of Michael and Toby didn’t make it intoThe Officeepisodes, fans never truly knew the origins of Steve Carell’s character’s disdain towards him. Of course,many accepted the fact that Toby’s HR job is what makes Michael hate him so much.Michael even dislikes Holly at first because she’s in HR. However, knowing that Toby stealing Michael’s joke starts the feud makes their relationship all the better and more hilarious. It’s quite on par withMichael’s character inThe Office, after all.
