The Office Pasta Joke That Almost Was

It's hard to exist these days without having seen at least an episode or two of the hit comedy workplace sitcom "The Office," if not the bulk of the series. Comedy Central has basically aired marathon reruns of the mockumentary on an infinite loop ever since acquiring rights to its nine seasons in 2017 (via Vulture). It's also available anytime to stream on Peacock.

The program, which finished its run in 2013, has maintained a vise-like grip over popular culture and remained part of the cultural zeitgeist, becoming the most streamed show of 2020 back when it was on Netflix (per Variety). Its quirky characters and offbeat brand of humor continue to resonate with a large segment of the public a decade beyond its finale. The New Yorker even once took a deep dive into scrutinizing its enduring popularity.

Some of its actors have ridden the wave of success into the realm of doing "The Office" retrospective podcasts, including Brian Baumgartner (aka Kevin Malone) and Jenna Fischer (Pam) and Angela Kinsey (Angela). The latter two, who are real-life best friends, recently made headlines in Syracuse, N.Y., for referencing "The Office" pasta joke that almost was (via Syracuse.com).

Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey co-host the podcast "Office Ladies," which reflects on their time on the show and features the two re-watching episodes together and offering behind-the-scenes insights. They often bring on fellow actors and writers from the show such as John Krasinski (Jim) to take a stroll down memory lane and relive classic moments (per Office Ladies).

On one of the podcasts, they revisit the season 7 episode "The Seminar" in which Ed Helms' character Andy hosts a business seminar. Fischer and Kinsey highlight a funny line that was included in the draft script but eventually omitted. A guest star named Janet Hoskins, who plays a character named Lu Peachem, is discussing their small business idea and is asked about what it entails. To which she replies, "I don't know exactly, but I know the name: Pastabilities." Fischer and Kinsey both found it hilarious, but the line didn't make the final cut (via syracuse.com).

What the two didn't realize until they were informed later by a fan is that there is in fact a real restaurant called Pastabilities in Syracuse that has been serving up pastas, sauces, and salads for 40 years. It's been featured on the Food Network's hit show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" with Guy Fieri and is best known for its spicy hot tomato oil (per syracuse.com). Fischer and Kinsey said they would pay the restaurant a visit soon so keep an eye out for the duo.