Office Star Zach Woods says he never wants to play his character again. The comedy series that popularized the mockumentary format, Office was an NBC workplace sitcom that ran from 2005 to 2013. Inspired by the BBC show of the same name, the series ran for nine seasons and explored the lives of employees at the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Despite its end in 2013, Office found new life on Netflix, and now remains relevant with superfan episodes, including deleted scenes, still streaming on Peacock.
Woods played Gabe Lewis on the show, a newer character who came on board in 2010 when Dunder Mifflin was acquired by a company called Saber. Gabe was Jo’s (former CEO of Saber) right-hand man and stayed in Scranton to make sure the branch was up to their company’s standards for a while. Gabe had an often hilarious run as a supporting character, portraying a quirky and sometimes unsettling corporate costume similar to Woods’ character on Silicon Valley. However, his character was the cause of some division, with fans of the show parting ways with Gabe, who was often seen as a brown nose with little purpose.
By speaking with ComicBook.comOffice star Zach Woods has definitely said he wouldn’t want to return as Gabe. He acknowledged that the role was fun to play, but said that “Being Gabe is not something I would wish on anyone.” See what the actor had to say below:
“I loved playing Gabe, but that was really my first job, a television job. Poor man, I’d be happy never to spend another moment in his shoes again. Although I have a lot of affection for him. It was a fun role to play. because it’s a funny show, but being Gabe is not something that I would wish on anyone, especially Gabe. For me, I played this tiny little role in this little indie movie called Other People where I played Jesse Plemons’ ex-boyfriend,” and for some reason I had such affection for the character. It’s a small blink-and-miss-you kind of role, but there’s something about him. I just really liked it, and sometimes, in the same way that you can learn things from characters, sometimes you can miss characters. And something about this guy, I’m always like, “Oh, I’d like to know more about him.” So if anyone is looking to do spinoffs of little indie films from seven years ago about cancer, then you know who to call.”
Why Gabe from the office was not liked
Woods’ connection to his character on The other people is sweet, showing that sometimes actors become attached to their characters long after their roles have ended. Although he admits great affection for Gabe, it’s clear that the idea of returning to the corporate character makes Woods as uncomfortable as it would make audiences see him again, as the character was widely hated. There are a few reasons for Office with fans not embracing Gabe, first and foremost, it’s always difficult for a new character to blend in with a long-established and tight-knit ensemble cast. Additionally, due to Gabe’s role as the CEO’s right-hand man, he must be serious and professional at all times, but he also had an insatiable need to be liked and respected, which often resulted in awkward interactions within of Office. Finally, Gabe dated Erin (Ellie Kemper) on the show, a seemingly forced relationship that included uncomfortable power dynamics and interfered with the fan-favorite Andy-Erin couple.
Despite his role as the unkind crackpot of Office, which at times turned viewers and apparently even the actor himself against the character, Gabe had some of the show’s funniest and most memorable moments and was sometimes the highlight of later seasons. In particular, his “Shut up with the sun!“The Season 8 tirade stands out as a fun part that has since been immortalized as an internet meme. For those who loved Gabe’s character, Woods currently stars in the HBO comedy series. Avenue 5, whose season 2 begins on October 10.
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