Phyllis Smith Shares Hilarious ‘The Office’ Scene That Steve Carell “Couldn’t Get Through”

Phyllis Smith, known for her beloved character Phyllis Vance, joined her former castmates Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer on their ‘Office Ladies’ podcast. The three reminisced about their favourite memories from the NBC sitcom, sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and laughter.

One of Smith’s most memorable episodes was ‘Phyllis’ Wedding’ from season 3. She recalled filming her on-screen nuptials and the hilarious difficulties faced by Steve Carell, who played the bumbling office boss Michael Scott. Smith recounted a particular scene where Carell struggled to deliver a line accusing Phyllis of farting. 

Also Read: ‘The Office’ Cast Recalls Steve Carell’s Unplanned Finale Appearance: ‘We Were Bound to Secrecy’

“The one scene I had a really hard time not laughing through was when Steve came into the bride’s room to give me advice, and we could not get through the word ‘pungent,'” Smith shared, describing Carell’s infectious laughter each time he said the word.

The laughter was so uncontrollable that even the sound crew, who were stationed outside the door, had to be moved down the stairs because they couldn’t contain their giggles. “Every time he would say ‘pungent,’ he would break out in his cackle. He couldn’t get through it and I couldn’t get through it,” Smith continued. She revealed that she managed to get through the scene by holding her breath, joking, “So if I looked a little blue in that scene, that’s the reason.”

Smith’s journey to her role in ‘The Office’ was unique. She was never officially offered a part. Instead, she and the show’s casting director, Allison Jones, received an updated script with ‘Phyllis’ listed as a character. Her official confirmation came when the wardrobe department called her. “I had one line in the pilot. Wardrobe called and said, ‘I understand you’re playing the character of Phyllis.’ And I said, ‘Yes, I am!'” Smith recalled.

Understanding that a call from the wardrobe department constituted a work call under union rules, Smith realised her role was official. “When the wardrobe called, I knew it was to be. And I said yes,” she told Kinsey and Fischer. This serendipitous moment marked the beginning of her unforgettable journey as Phyllis Vance on ‘The Office’.

-Sushmita Sarkar