The Best Midseason Replacements

The Office (March 24, 2005)

When NBC premiered The Office to little fanfare in the spring of 2005 — perhaps cautious of past failed American remakes of British hits — the six-episode first season did poorly in ratings and received mixed reviews. The Peacock stuck by the series and, following the summer success of Steve Carell's The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the show became a cult and critical favorite the next season, winning the Emmy for comedy series.