10 Little-Known Facts About 'The Office' In Honor of Its 10th Anniversary

This week marks the 10th anniversary of "The Office," one of the most beloved comedies to ever hit NBC. With so many years of episodes and with it being such a cultural phenomenon, you might think you know all there is to know about this little workplace comedy.

You might be wrong, though!

In honor of the show's 10th anniversary, here are 10 facts that you might not know about "The Office."

1. Steve Carell almost didn't play Michael Scott

Carell wasn't the network's first choice for the role: Paul Giamatti was. Giamatti turned it down, however, which put Carell in the running. He didn't lock it down immediately though, as he was tied down in another sitcom, "Come to Papa," at the time. NBC considered Alan Tudyk, Dave Koecher and "Better Call Saul" star Bob Odenkirk for the role as well.

2. The show could've gone to HBO

When the show was adapted from the U.K. version, writer Greg Daniels pictured it being the kind of comedy to end up on HBO. When you consider that the quiet, faux-documentary style hadn't been done on network TV back then, it's easy to see why Daniels would assume that networks would pass on it in favor of traditional, broader comedies.

3. Jim and Pam were originally going to be an interracial couple

Actress Erica Vittina Phillips was lined up to play Pam originally, and Jim and Pam's relationship would have been an interracial one. However, somewhere along the way those plans changed.

4. John Krasinski and B.J. Novak are old friends

Yep, Jim and Ryan the Intern go way back...they went to the same high school together!

5. Oscar Nunez didn't think the show would make it

He had so little faith that audiences would make the show a hit that he kept his side jobs as a babysitter and a waiter after the show started.

6. That document in the opening credits isn't from Scranton at all

It's actually a Los Angeles City Planning document, which was easily obtainable since the show was shot in LA.

7. John Krasinski accidentally signed his own name on the show

When he signed Meredith's cast, he sign "John Krasinski" instead of "Jim Halpert."

8. "Parks and Recreation" was originally a spin-off of "The Office"

Considering the shows' similar talking-head styles, that's not too surprising.

9. Rainn Wilson auditioned for Michael Scott

Yep, the man who played Dwight was almost the regional manager without even having to jump through all those hoops.

10. And Seth Rogen auditioned for Dwight Schrute

That would've been weird.