Bob Odenkirk Reflects on Losing Starring Role in 'The Office' to Steve Carell

Steve Carell‘s portrayal of Michael Scott on The Office is the sort of comedy gold that fans are still talking about years after the show’s conclusion.

However, the role could have gone to a different actor – Bob Odenkirk. During an appearance on the Office Ladies podcast, the Better Call Saul star reflected on losing the role.

He even had a theory about why the project went to Steve instead of him.

Keep reading to find out more…

Bob said that he was “a very earnest person for a person in comedy,” via The Hollywood Reporter. “I am oddly earnest, and … it’s one of the reasons I think Steve Carell is a better, you know — is the one who got the role [in The Office].”

He added that he and Steve likely competed for other roles, saying that the other actor won out “because he’s better at being genuinely fun.”

“I think I bring with me a little bit too much earnest seriousness, and it’s just kinda there. And there’s nothing I can do about it except play other roles where it’s helpful to have that. And, you know, you just don’t believe me as a purely light character. You just are looking for the darkness, and that’s actually great in drama. That’s a plus, you know? But in comedy, it’s not a plus,” he said.

Of course, fans of The Office know that Bob got his chance to appear on the sitcom. He added that he used the role he did get as a chance to “show people what I would have done.”

“Although, I do think that what I was doing was more a tribute to Steve because that’s what I was supposed to be doing,” he added. “My character was meant to be very much a version of what Steve had invented when he played the character.”

Speaking of casting Michael Scott, we rounded up several other stars that were up for the role!