"New Boss" is the eighteenth episode of the fifth season of the television series The Office, and the show's ninety second episode overall. It was written by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky who also wrote "Weight Loss" and "The Surplus."
Synopsis
Jim, Dwight, Pam, and Michael try to come up with ideas for Michael's 15 year anniversary. Jim, pranking Dwight after sending a memo about the dress code, wears a tuxedo to anger him, and tries to get Michael's party to be classy. When Dwight offers classy ideas, Jim puts them down and then tells Michael the same idea that Dwight had, angering Dwight and causing him to leave the conference room.
Charles Miner, the new director of sales (Jan and Ryan's job) comes to the office and Michael introduces him. Everyone claps when they see him. Michael shows Charles his C-shaped bagels, which no one eats. Jim is angry that Michael didn't tell them that the new boss was coming today, because Jim has a tuxedo on.
Michael explains that he and Charles Miner are good friends now. Michael likes Charles. Meanwhile, Kelly and Angela notice Charles' good looks. Michael introduces the office and tells Charles about the accountant's sexual history and that Kevin Malone has none. Charles explains that there won't be lay-offs but no parties will be allowed, angering Michael.
Charles asks Jim about his tuxedo. When Jim explains what happened, Charles looks unimpressed and slightly groans. Pam explains that it took 40 mins to get ready.
Michael calls David Wallace to tell him he doesn't like the changes and tells David he likes not being accountable. Michael tries to start a conversation with Charles, however, Charles stops and doesn't tell him anything, except that he used to work at Saticoy Steel. Michael is shocked that he didn't work at paper and tells Charles that he doesn't need to be managed. Michael explains that he liked Ryan and Jan's ways, but Charles says he doesn't want to do that.
Michael, worried, continues to call David. When David doesn't answer, Dwight tells the receptionist, Stephanie that he ("Michael Scotch") has David's son in the car, captive. Michael, shocked, calls back and says that everything is fine.
Charles watches Jim constantly, to which Jim tells the camera not to document him. Michael and Charles start to headbutt and calls David again. Kelly asks Angela if she should seduce him to which Angela says, "no one wants to see that." Michael mocks Charles in front of everyone. Everyone tries to get Michael to stop doing it, and after a while, he does.
The Party Planning Committee continues to plan Michael's party, and Charles dissolves the committee, soon afterwards. Charles reads Jim's ideas for the party, and is angry when it reads, "two-way petting zoo." Charles says Michael doesn't need a party. Michael decides to drive to New York to tell David about Charles.
Jim tries to get things straight with Charles, however when he tells Charles that he is the number two of the office, Charles says that the position is imaginary (see Goofs below). Jim awkwardly leaves. Later, when Charles leaves, Jim tries to say buy, but Charles doesn't answer back.
Michael arrives at corporate and goes into David's office. When David tries to get Michael to calm down and humoring him, David tells Michael that he will move around money to get him his party, Michael abruptly quits Dunder Mifflin.
Kelly tries to get Charles to date him, but sees Angela in the parking lot. Angela says that Charles and Kelly are not meant for each other.
Cultural References
- Charles says that Dunder-Mifflin isn't matching 401K plans. A 401K plan is a retirement plan allowing a worker to save money for old age. Companies can match contributions, if they want.
- When Pam says that Michael does a "Ace Ventura Talking Butt Thing" it refers to a movie called Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, a movie starring Jim Carrey
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries are a popular snack food made by dipping fresh strawberries into a chocolate fountain.
- Using --er, I hardly know her is a popular joke used when a word ends in an "er." For example, when Michael tells Pam, "Miner' ("Mine Her"), I hardly know her, it implies that Pam asked Michael to in fact, "mine her."
Amusing Details
- Since "The Office" is filmed in California, rain is a rarity. However, rain is falling heavily in this episode.
- Idris Elba considers "The Office" as his only comedic acting job. He is also the third actor/actress who has been on the show that was from the drama, The Wire, along with critically claimed Holly Flax, (played by Amy Ryan) and later David Costabile as a banker in the sixth season's, "The Banker."
- When Charles says that he worked at "Saticoy Steel" that is a reference to where The Office is filmed, on Saticoy Street.
Goofs
- The number two position is not fake, to which Jim and Charles imply. In the third season, Jan Levinson tells Jim that he is the number two for Scranton and Jim accepts.
- Though many fans thought that Michael said, "I aqquit," Jenna Fischer's myspace blog confirmed that Michael, in fact said, "I quit."
Quotes
For quotes see: New Boss Quotes.
Trivia
- Michael assumes Charles is married, whereas Kelly and Angela assume he is single. The truth has yet to be revealed.
- When Charles' subs are being brought in they are in a box from Quality Snack Foods.
Cast
Main Cast
- Steve Carell as Michael Scott
- Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute
- John Krasinski as Jim Halpert
- Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly
- B.J. Novak as Ryan Howard (credit only)
Supporting Cast
- Ed Helms as Andy Bernard
- Angela Kinsey as Angela Martin
- Leslie David Baker as Stanley Hudson
- Phyllis Smith as Phyllis Lapin
- Mindy Kaling as Kelly Kapoor
- Brian Baumgartner as Kevin Malone
- Oscar Nunez as Oscar Martinez
- Paul Lieberstein as Toby Flenderson
- Creed Bratton (actor) as Creed Bratton
- Kate Flannery as Meredith Palmer
Recurring Cast
Guest Cast
- Suzanne Watson as Stephanie
- Idris Elba as Charles Miner
- Lisa K. Wyatt as Lynn
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