PHOTOS: Giant Dundie Award presented to Scranton by Peacock and ‘The Office’ stars
Despite airing its final episode in 2013, “The Office” was still the most streamed television show of 2020. This week, Nielsen reported that Americans streamed more than 57 billion minutes of the NBC sitcom last year on Netflix, and now all nine seasons have moved to Peacock starting Jan. 1.
To celebrate and memorialize Scranton as the “Best Hometown of The Office,” NBCUniversal gave the city of Scranton, where the hit comedy is set, the “largest Dundie in the world.” The presentation was held this morning on the steps of city hall with Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, 98.5 KRZ host “Jumpin'” Jeff Walker, and a virtual appearance by “Office” stars Kate Flannery and Oscar Nuñez. The red and gold statue, which appeared much smaller in the first episode of Season 2 in 2005, stood as tall as Cognetti and Walker.
“I think this was a little bigger than we expected – that’s what she said,” Walker joked.
“It is my honor every single day to be mayor of the best hometown of ‘The Office’ – Scranton, Pennsylvania, the Electric City,” Cognetti said through her mask as snow fell on the short ceremony.
“On behalf of the city of Scranton, thank you NBC, thank you Peacock, thank you to all of the ‘Office’ fans out there for continuing to love this show and to love this city.”
As actual city residents know, there is no Chili’s Grill & Bar in Scranton, so the life-sized statue will remain downtown outside city hall for fans to admire and take pictures with.
“Sorry we couldn’t make it to this shindig in person. We really miss the Electric City,” Flannery said in a video played on steps outside.
“Life is amazing, isn’t it? Everything seems to come full circle. Here we are back in Scranton, at least virtually, but you know what? We’ll take it,” Nuñez added.
“Apparently, it’s the biggest Dundie in the world – for now, at least. As official representatives of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, we hereby award Scranton as the best hometown of ‘The Office’ – best fans and best city ever. We love you, and we thank you for being such an important part of ‘The Office’ family,” Flannery concluded.
Peacock said they also gave office supplies and charitable donations to the Outreach Center for Community Resources and Dress for Success Lackawanna and “unleashed a Dunder Mifflin truck fleet that delivered office supplies to other local charities,” including “authentic Dunder Mifflin paper.” Linda Ciampi of the Outreach Center and Mary Ann Iezzi of Dress for Success attended the event to accept the donations as the trucks parked along North Washington Avenue.
“We tried to find Scott’s Tots for a third donation, but apparently they’re all adults now,” Flannery cracked.
In addition, several local restaurants, including a few mentioned by name in various episodes of the show, were given free “Office”-themed gifts that customers can receive with any order (while supplies last). Participating businesses include Cooper’s Seafood House, Alfredo’s Cafe, Backyard Ale House, Pizza by Pappas, Andy Gavin’s Eatery & Pub, and Posh at the Scranton Club.
The first two seasons of “The Office” are available for free with ads on Peacock. The rest of the series, along with new extras and never-before-seen footage in extended “Superfan Episodes,” is streaming on Peacock Premium ($4.99 per month with ads) and Peacock Premium Plus ($9.99 per month ad-free).
First four photos by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Peacock, used with permission from Peacock
Watch a video of the presentation from the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce below:
