Brian Baumgartner reflects on the Christmas episode of The Office

according to Brian BaumgartnerThe success of “The Office” may just be its own Christmas miracle.

The actor, best known for his role as Kevin Malone, has joined his former co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey in a special holiday bonus episode of their podcast “Office Ladies” to look back on episodes of the beloved sitcom and the impact they had.

Baumgartner, who starred on the hit NBC series from 2005 to 2013, spoke about how his memories of the show’s holiday episodes were closely tied to what was happening “outside” the fictional world of “The Office.”

The actor admitted that he believes The Office’s first Christmas episode was a turning point that catapulted the show into mainstream success and cemented its place in television history.

“It’s about what was going on outside. And I’m sure you guys have talked or will talk about that first Christmas episode,” he told Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. “The show didn’t start. It was not the first episode of the show. But that episode really launched the show’s success.

“That episode became our biggest audience since the premiere,” he added of the Season 2 episode “The Birthday Party.” “And from there, you know, Steve (Carell) wins the Golden Globe, and three or four weeks later, everything starts happening.”

“We kind of turned the corner,” said Kinsey, who played Angela, “and you know, at that point, we didn’t even have a full order for the season. And they started, and after that, it became clear that we were going to be around for a while.”

Fisher, who played Pam, remembers the holiday episodes as some of the most “delightful” episodes ever produced. “We’re really going to be in these group party situations for most of the episode.”

“I’m sure it was very difficult to fall out between us,” she added. “We were probably trying to do a TV show in a room full of 6-year-olds or something, and just doing whatever we could.”

The first episode of Christmas “office” Titled “The Birthday Party”, it aired on December 6, 2005 during the show’s second season. It is widely regarded as a fan favorite, and is credited with helping establish the series’ popularity.

The episode follows Michael Scott (Steve Carell) as he throws a Christmas party at his office that quickly goes off the rails. Initially, the team was prepared to exchange thoughtful gifts through a game of Secret Santa, but Michael turned it into a chaotic Yankee Swap (White Elephant) exchange.

This creates tension because some employees put a lot of effort into their gifts, like Jim (John Krasinski), who gives Pam (Jenna Fischer) a teapot filled with mementos that reference their inside jokes. Others, like Michael, ignored the $20 gift limit, giving Michael a $400 iPod to show his generosity and seek the team’s approval.

The episode highlights the strange dynamics of the office, from Angela’s strict control of the Christmas tree to Kevin’s teasing about the gift of a foot bath. As the party progresses, Michael tries to salvage the mood by buying alcohol for the team, which leads to both awkward and funny moments.

The episode strikes a balance between humor and heart, further developing the budding romance between Jim and Pam while showcasing Michael’s desperate need for validation. It has become a cultural touchstone and remains a holiday classic.

“The Birthday Party” also marked a turning point for the series, as it showed how “The Office” could turn relatable workplace scenarios into comedic gold. The series received its first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series, and played an important role in building momentum during its second season, helping “The Office” become a cult hit.

The trio recalled a chaotic moment from the 2009 “Secret Santa” episode, in which Carell’s Michael Scott, dressed as Santa, had Kevin (played by Baumgartner) sitting on his lap. Fisher shared that the cast couldn’t get through the scene without bursting into laughter.

“If you watch that episode, people are breaking into the background,” Fisher said. “We never got a shot where people kept it together the whole time long enough to put the show together. I think they just gave up. They were like: ‘Forget it.’ It is what it is.”