The Lie That The Office Creators Fed You About The Alliance Episode

While many people who love "The Office" think they know everything there is to know about the Emmy-winning series, several may be surprised to learn that there are certain secrets and misdirects they may not be fully aware of. 

There are most assuredly an array of diehard Dunder Mifflin followers who believe they are experts on Scranton's most popular paper supplier and the unique personas that make up its employment roster. But some would be as disappointed as Scott's Tots to find out that could very well not be the case. Many mysteries surrounding Michael Scott (Steve Carell) are yet to be uncovered by fans who still binge-watch every season of "The Office." Even Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) still holds one or two secrets that a lot of viewers who continue to enjoy the program may not know.

One thing's for sure though, there are a ton of great moments between the Assistant (to the) Regional Manager and his nemesis Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), most of which involve some truly gut-busting pranks. But one of the silly capers the feuding duo experienced in a Season 1 episode was apparently not as it seemed.

In Season 1, Episode 4 ("The Alliance"), Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) tricks Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) into hiding in a box to gain information about a secret alliance. After squirming, sliding, and falling over, the bit ends with the proprietor of Schrute Farms emerging from his hiding place. But the creators pulled a fast one on viewers during the side-splitting sequence.

When discussing the entry on Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey's podcast, "Office Ladies," Fischer — who played Pam Beesly — revealed who was in the box. "Rainn wasn't in the box most of the time. Most of the box acting was done by Phil Shea, except for the end when Dwight busts out." The two "Office" stars gave the show's prop master for all nine seasons a call during the show, and he discussed how he was chosen for the task. "Our line producer didn't think we had enough money to hire a stunt guy, so he assigned me to be in the box, and I remember I had to go out and buy my own elbow pads and knee pads."

According to IMDb, Shea did not receive a stuntman credit, but he did help the show get a laugh, and when discussing Dwight's emergence, Erik Adams from The A.V. Club called it one of the show's first great sight gags. Of the many ways Shea undeniably impacted the show over its successful run, let it be known that one of his earliest triumphs went down in a box.