Jenna Fischer Recalls Bob Odenkirk's Audition for Michael Scott in 'The Office' Which Nearly Landed Him the Role

When people think of The Office, the first face they see is often Steve Carell as Michael Scott, and while it is difficult to picture anyone else doing that role as perfectly as he did, there were a few very talented actors who were seriously considered for the part.

Mashable reports that Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk not only auditioned to be the boss of Dunder Mifflin, but almost got it. Pam Beesly actress Jenna Fischer revealed on her and Angela Kinsey’s podcast, Office Ladies:

“I was in the Steve Carell test group. I knew Bob Odenkirk when I was auditioning for The Office, and we were both called. I was called to do Pam and he was called to do Michael, so we got together and practiced together.”

Though the two had “worked on a bunch of bits together,” they were ultimately not placed in the group for the call-back. Fischer continued:

“[Bob] did this very funny audition where he brought in his guitar and sang along to Pam. We had worked it all out. We were going to ask if we could do it if we were paired together, but we never were.”

Mashable notes that, per The New York Times, Odenkirk was actually chosen to play Michael for the pilot of the series, however when scheduling conflicts cleared up for Carell, he took the spot. Seems his audition really was rather great.

While there is no doubt Odenkirk would have done well as everyone’s favorite inappropriate boss, there will only ever be one true Michael Scott.