SNL: John Krasinski Can Never Escape Being The Office’s Jim

Jack Ryan star and A Quiet Place star/director John Krasinski just hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time, but Krasinski is still (and perhaps always will be) best known for his role as Jim Halpert in the 2000’s sitcom The Office. SNL poked fun at the idea that John Krasinski is still so closely tied to the character, but it’s understandable since The Office dominated streaming services during 2020, topping even the biggest new releases like The Witcher, The Queen’s Gambit, The Crown, and Bridgerton.

John Krasinski may be a huge Hollywood star now, but when he first auditioned for the role of Jim Halpert, he had no professional acting experience. However, he managed to win over The Office showrunners and, eventually, millions of fans. Though SNL decided to forgo a full-blown Office sketch, there were several references to Krasinki’s role on the hit show, includingthe host singing the lyrics to The Office theme song.

During John Krasinski’s monologue, Saturday Night Live cast members parodied audience members referring to John as Jim and insisting that he kiss Pam, even though neither Jenna Fischer nor the fictional character she portrayed on The Office, Pam Beesly, were anywhere in sight. Still not satisfied, Kenan Thompson insisted that John/Jim needed to kiss Pam. To appease the rabid Office fans, Krasinski kissed Pete Davidson. It didn’t seem to matter that The Office ended almost a decade ago; whether he likes it or not, whether he runs from it or leans into it, John Krasinski will never escape Jim Halpert.

But fans of The Office will likely be pleased to hear that John Krasinski is more okay with being Jim Halpert than he let on during his SNLhosting gig. In February 2020, Krasinski told Esquire:

“The Office was absolutely everything to me… I mean, it is my beginning and my end. I’m pretty sure at the end of my career I’ll still be known for Jim. That was my first experience with Hollywood. It was the first creative family I’ve ever had. In many ways, they will always be the most important people in that most important experience in my career. So yeah, if they did a reunion, I would absolutely love to do it.”

For nine seasons, Jim and Pam dominated American television with their friendship and romance. But it’s not just Jim’s relationship with Pam that had fans rooting for him. Jim was the character that developed a relationship with the audience. His near-constant fourth-wall-breaking glances at the camera have become so iconic that it’s easy to forget the critical role they play in the show – making the audience feel like they’re ‘in on it’ and a part of the story. It’s arguably that connection with Jim that makes him one of the most beloved characters on The Office and why it’s so hard for fans to see John Krasinski as anyone else but Jim Halpert.

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