The List - The Office (Season 8, Episode 1)

Jim explains to the camera that Robert California was appointed Regional Manager of the Scranton Branch, but on his first day traveled to Florida and convinced Jo Bennett to give him her position as CEO of Dunder Mifflin-Sabre. Robert then appointed Andy as Scranton Regional Manager in his place. Andy makes it his goal for the office to receive a half day off on the Friday before the Columbus Day weekend.

Robert accidentally leaves his personal notebook at Erin's desk, and she notices it contains a list of Scranton's employees on two columns with a line down the middle. Concerned about what the list means, the employees pressure Andy to ask Robert about it. Robert is offended by Andy's inquiry, assuming that he snooped through his notebook. While brushing the list off as "doodles," he conspicuously moves Andy's name from the left column to the right. Later that day, Robert invites the employees on the left column to lunch: Jim, Dwight, Darryl, Angela, Kevin, Phyllis, Toby and Oscar. After they leave, the "right-siders" try to console themselves with a pizza party, but remain despondent about their exclusion.

During lunch (which Toby decides to eventually leave), the "left-siders" pester Robert about the list. Slightly intoxicated, Robert informs them that the left-siders are "winners" while the right side are "losers". Jim is astonished, but the others become cocky. Kevin sends a mass text to the right-siders, mocking them as "losers", and later squirts Meredith with a water pistol. Andy does not like this and confronts Robert with a demand to alter the list. Robert refuses, and then speaks to everyone by admitting to calling certain members of the office losers, but also reprimanding them for fixating so much on someone else's opinion of them, saying he will be working with them a long time and that his opinions on certain people may very well change, finishing with "Winners, prove me right; losers, prove me wrong".

The workers are satisfied, but Andy is not, and lists off the qualities the right-siders have, stating that: Stanley may be a “lazy grump”, he but has the best sales record in the office (something Robert admits to being unaware of); Meredith is persistent and the word "no" is not in her vocabulary; and Pam is "easily the most creative and kind person [he has] ever worked with". Andy concedes to Robert that putting Gabe in the losers' column was "astute". He then demands the Columbus half day and exits, prompting a respecting smile from Robert. Though the office annually gets the half day in any case, they happily wish him good evening as they depart, and Andy looks very pleased with his work as the boss.

Pam is pregnant with her and Jim's second child (revealed to be a boy) and is emotional, easily brought to tears throughout the day. Angela is also pregnant, having married the state senator Robert Lipton over the summer, and says that she's "Little Preg" to Pam's "Big Preg". When Jim picks up his things to leave for the day, he "accidentally" drops a piece of paper. Pam picks it up and sees Jim's personal winners and losers list: Pam, Cece and their new baby are on the left, and the words "everything else" is written on the right. Pam tearfully vows to frame it.

Best Funny Quotes From The Office - The List

Photo of Oscar Martinez
Oh, for God’s sake. notices Erin planking on parking lot curb

Planking is a very stupid and dangerous trend. Basically, you lie like a plank in weird places. That’s it. Sometimes you get run over. Welcome to the Internet.
Photo of Oscar Martinez

Photo of Erin
Planking is one of those things where, eh, you either get it or you don’t. And I don’t. But I am so excited to be a part of it.

exiting elevator After you my good sir.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Dwight Schrute
No, I insist.
I insist.
Photo of Andy Bernard

Photo of Jim Halpert
The Search Committee finally decided, after a lot of deliberation, on Robert California… for the manager position. Who took one look around and left. He drove down to Florida and convinced Joe to make him CEO… CEO… her own job. He talked her out of her own job. And I don’t really know how someone does that. But, anyway, then the position was his to fill. And he chose…

drumroll with hands I… it’s unbelievable. True, I may have been the second choice, but I was the first-choice’s first choice. And, about Dwight, I sensed that he might have some resentment about not getting the job so I sat him down and we had a talk. And I told him, "I need a really strong number two. I want you To be my enforcer." Smart, right?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Kelly Kapoor
(planking on top of cabinet Very smart.
Uh, this has got to stop.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Kelly Kapoor
I can’t get down.

K… Kevin! Kevin planking on Dwight’s desk
Photo of Dwight Schrute

Photo of Dwight Schrute
Yeah, at first, I was really disappointed, but I’ve got a great daily routine going right now. I have upped my karate to eight times a week. I’ve added boxing – lunches and on weekends. I do kickboxing three times a week. Krav Maga four times a week. An hour of meditation every morning at sunrise and again at sunset. So yeah, I’m doin’ great.

K, I’m gonna need some help. Pam?
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Pam Beesley
I don’t think I should.

Oh, yeah. Pregnant.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Right here. Little Michael Scott- points to her belly
No, I told you I don’t like that joke. It is a boy. We found out early.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Much different the second time around. And I have to say; it is nice not being the only pregnant woman in the office.

Look, it’s a ‘Little Pregs’ points to her belly and ‘Big Pregs’ points to Pam’s
Photo of Angela Martin
Photo of Pam Beesley
Wait, when did we start calling it that-
Isn’t it amazing, the difference in our sizes?
Photo of Angela Martin
Photo of Pam Beesley
Well, I am a few months ahead of you.
I am having a child with my husband, the Senator. And Pam is having a child with Jim… the great salesman.
Photo of Angela Martin

Photo of Dwight Schrute
Hoist him aloft. C’mon Darryl. Lift, lift Darryl. trying to lift Kevin off desk
I’m lifting.
Photo of Darryl Phylbin

Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Yeah, I wanted the manager job, but I got somethin’ much better. This soda. This is mine.

It might be easier if you take a deep breath, lift from the knees, and shove it up your butt.
Photo of Stanley Hudson

Photo of Stanley Hudson
I came up with a new thing this summer. I act like I’m telling someone how to do somethin’. I go on with a long description and then I say, "And shove it up your butt." It’s stupid, but it’s my thing now.

No one should be planking at all.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Andy Bernard
Thank you, yes. Dwight, my enforcer, my number two, can you take care of this?
Say no more.
Photo of Dwight Schrute

Photo of Dwight Schrute
starts attacking plankers Kids, don’t try planking. It’s dangerous. knocks Toby off table ‘Specially with me around.

You watching that commercial again? Pam nods Why do you keep watching it, if you know it’s just gonna make you cry?
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Because everything makes me cry, so what’s the difference? This dog, he just wants to protect his bone.
He’s got a bank vault. That’s a start.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Not enough though.

The new CEO works out of the conference room about half the time. But whenever he takes a break, he does these weird walks around the office. And you never know who he’s gonna zero in on for these really intense small-talks. You just hope it’s not you. And yet, you hope it is you too. It’s strange.
Photo of Jim Halpert

Photo of Erin
Here we go.
Hello.
Photo of Robert California
Photo of Erin
Robert California. Let’s have a conversation.
Describe your day so far.
Photo of Robert California
Photo of Erin
Well, I woke up. And I hit the snooze-
And when you recount your day, never say you woke up. It’s a waste of your time. That’s how every day’s begun, for everyone, since the dawn of man.
Photo of Robert California
Photo of Erin
Very smart, very smart. Suddenly, I was awake. And I’ve been doing this thing-
Hey, Robert. We have that 9:30am casual chit-chat scheduled. I emailed you about it last night to confirm. And again this morning.
Photo of Andy Bernard

Photo of Andy Bernard
First item on the agenda: can I get everyone an extra long Columbus Day weekend. Item number two, connect with the guy. Robert California, what does he think of me? Don’t know, super care. Number three, time permitting, we lost our biggest client.

Pam, pam. Psst. Pam. motions her over, both looking at Robert’s notebook
Photo of Erin
Photo of Pam Beesley
Jim. motions him over
motions he is on the phone Can I call you right back? Thank you very much. comes over Okay. sees notebook with two lists of staff names What is this?
Photo of Jim Halpert

Photo of Andy Bernard
The Friday before Columbus Day. Thoughts?
What are your thoughts.
Photo of Robert California
Photo of Andy Bernard
Just making chit-chat. Kind of a medium year for women’s soccer, no?

What are you looking at?
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Jim Halpert
It’s, it’s nothing.
It can’t be nothing.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Phyllis
Yeah, it can’t be nothing.
It’s just a list of our names, split into two columns.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Stanley Hudson
What?
Okay, just wait one second, alright? I will copy it. Do you have a pen?
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Erin
No.
No. Okay. Um, I’ll take a photo of it. Dwight, can you throw me my phone?
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Dwight Schrute
throws hard, Jim doesn’t catch Nice catch.
If he comes out, distract him. takes list to copier
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Kevin Malone
We need a warning signal.
We don’t need a warning signal, Kevin. We can see him right there-
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Kevin Malone
We do.
I promise you, we don’t need a warning-
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Kevin Malone
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
Ahhh! falls out of chair
Photo of Phyllis
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Phyllis! Phyllis! You okay? You okay?
Yeah. Yeah. Oh.
Photo of Phyllis
Photo of Dwight Schrute
… 2, 3! pulls Phyllis up
Thanks guys.
Photo of Phyllis
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Okay, which side of the list am I on?
Left.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Yes!
Why are you- How do you know?
Photo of Jim Halpert

Photo of Andy Bernard
Really great list of names guys. Thank you so much. Good work.
Uh, no, actually. That was in Robert’s notebook.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
He left it at reception and we photocopied it.
Oh, okay. I don’t want any part of this.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Pam Beesley
Maybe it’s a list of people he’s gonna fire.
Okay, it’s not that Pam. You know, I was thinking it reminds me of those lists Dwight used to make.
Photo of Jim Halpert

Photo of Dwight Schrute
This is if we were all on a cruise ship and had to divide into lifeboats. This is if we were on a cruise ship and had to divide into life rafts. Here’s something. Who would eat who in an ‘Alive’ situation. No… that can’t be it.
I gotta say. Kinda seems like the left side’s the side to be on. Me, Jim, Dwight, Darryl. No offense Pam.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Jim Halpert
I don’t think it’s-
‘Scuse me?
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Shhh, Pam. C’mon, don’t be such a right-sider.

Did you guys figure it out?
Photo of Angela Martin
Photo of Andy Bernard
We couldn’t crack it.
Go in there and just ask the man what it means.
Photo of Stanley Hudson
Photo of Andy Bernard
He’ll know that we looked at his private notebook.
C’mon, just say you saw the list by accident.
Photo of Phyllis
Photo of Andy Bernard
I’m already working on this Columbus Day thing for you guys and it’s starting to stack up. Feels like a lot. One thing at a time.
Yeah, that’s all you had to do today was ask about Columbus Day?
Photo of Phyllis

Photo of Robert California
Andy continuously knocking on door Yes, for god’s sake Andy. Yes, come in.
What’s up? Weird thing. Totally awkward, but you left your notebook on the reception desk.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
Great. Thank you.
And it was open. And people saw this. And they’re just kinda going nuts and like wondering what it is.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
What is this?
It’s a photocopy from your notebook.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
You read my notebook? And photocopied it. And distributed it.
No. They did. And they asked me to ask about it.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
Ah, please. Here’s what it is. It’s a doodle.
What?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
Some people doodle at work when they let their mind run. They draw houses, penises. Funny how the houses are always colonials and the penises are always circumcised. Don’t you think? Well, I doodle too, but I’m not an artist. So I draw words and lists.
That is fascinating. And, by the way, I am so glad I asked. People were just sort of- Did you just move my name?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
Might as well have been sketching a cube.

Okay. Robert’s in the annex, everybody think quick. What do these groups have in common?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Meredith Palmer
Maybe we’re s’posed to do it with people in our group.
That’s not it.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Meredith Palmer
People in the other group.
Mmum, still wrong.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Andy Bernard
Stanley, you do puzzles all day. Whatdo we got?
Well, you take the first letter from each name, assign it a number, add ‘em all up, and SHOVE IT UP YOUR BUTT!
Photo of Stanley Hudson
Photo of Andy Bernard
Thank you. A little much needed comic relief, but we really need to figure this out guys.
I know! It’s alphabetical.
Photo of Kevin Malone
Photo of Everyone
separately No.
No, it’s not. Here’s how we find out. Let’s line up and compare the lines, see if we learn anything. Okay, left-siders over here. Right-siders, line up over here. Face each other. Match it by height and relative weight. Let’s just size each other up here and left side of the list… ATTACK!
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Jim Halpert
Wait, wait, wait! Stop! Stop! Stop! Will you stop?! Kelly and Erin screaming as Dwight bashes their heads together, everyone attacking each other and yelling
Dwight!
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Meredith Palmer
Hey!
Warning! Warning! Warning!
Photo of Kevin Malone
Photo of Robert California
enters room, everyone quiets and separates I’d like to invite the following people to join me for lunch: Jim, Dwight, Angela, Darryl, Kevin, Toby, Phyllis, Oscar.
That’s great. Let’s do this guys.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Jim Halpert
Alright, well, I will see you in a bit.
I love you so much. starting to cry
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Jim Halpert
Hey. It’s nothing. Alright? I’ll text you when we get there. Let you know what’s going on.
Okay. turns to computer
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Jim Halpert
Nope. No dog video.
Okay.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Jim Halpert
Okay. See you guys.
Well, we should all be really excited about our very own pizza party. Pizza partay! Pizza! Partay! Pizza! Partay!
Photo of Andy Bernard

Photo of Robert California
Jim, your daughter, Cecilia. What does she think of the street?
Uhhh, the street?
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Robert California
Sesame street.
Oh, I didn’t know anybody called it- She likes it a lot- she, uh, loves Elmo.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Robert California
Elmo, god’s sake, it’s the Elmo era.
Right.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Robert California
Sesame Street was created to reflect the environment of the children watching it. Complete self-absorption of Elmo is brilliantly reflective of our time. Ours is a cultural ghetto. Wouldn’t you agree.
Yeah, she does like Elmo.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Oscar Martinez
Cultural ghetto? Totally- totally agree.
Completely.
Photo of Phyllis
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Apt. Apt analysis, Robert.
The thing that I like about Elmo is the tickling.
Photo of Kevin Malone
Photo of Toby Flenderson
I should not be here. I’m in the- I was in the wrong- I’m- I’m sorry. Uh, just picture me back there. I- I was never here.

Great group! Pizza party!
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Kelly Kapoor
How is this a pizza party?
Well, why don’t you ask me again when the five pizzas get here.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Kelly Kapoor
Yeah, well, that’s just pizza. You need at least one other element for it to be a party.
Okay. You guys ever had Margarita pizza?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Stanley Hudson
What’s that?
Fresh tomato with a dollop of mozzarella cheese.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Stanley Hudson
That’s pizza.
That’s regular pizza.
Photo of Pam Beesley

Photo of Dwight Schrute
You know, I feel comfortable enough now to ask you this question… what made you pick this group?
I just think you guys are winners and I wanted to have lunch with you.
Photo of Robert California
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Okay!
separately Awww.
Photo of Everyone
Photo of Phyllis
Well, what about the other guys.
Losers.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Robert California
No.
C’mon.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Robert California
I don’t- I don’t wanna say-
C’mon, c’mon.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Robert California
No, no.
C’mon.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Robert California
Ha, I guess I think they’re losers.
Ha ha, I knew it! Ha ha! Yes! Woo!
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Robert California
Probably shouldn’t have said that. Jim’s jaw drops

Ah hah! Their interpretation of Margarita pizza. Fans of classic pizza will be psyched.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Pam Beesley
Pam’s phone vibrates Oh, text from Jim. "This Is getting very weird. Will explain later."
Everyone’s phone vibrates Oh, text from Kevin.
Photo of Pam Beesley
Photo of Meredith Palmer
Suck it losers.

Okay, not to point out the glaringly obvious, but doesn’t the fact that I’m in this group make anyone feel just a little bit better? Oh! This crust is sharp!
Photo of Ryan
Photo of Pam Beesley
I used to be young and cute and sorta funny and I could do those cute, little cartoons. And everyone who came through here was like, "Who's that receptionist? I like her." Now I’m just a fat mom. Yeah, and you take one look at me and you’re like, "Oh, loser."
C'mon Pam. Chins up, okay? Bad joke. Look around this room. Does this look like a group of losers? Seriously?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Pam Beesley
Oh. Oh God.
door opens, others enter Oh. Hey guys! We had so much fun. We had Margarita pizza. We all hung out. Got to know each other better. How was your lunch?
Photo of Kelly Kapoor
Photo of Angela Martin
It was excellent.
Good times.
Photo of Darryl Phylbin
Photo of Andy Bernard
Yeah?
Oh, we did. It was the best time. And you know what? Now it’s over. Back to work everyone. You too Andy.
Photo of Dwight Schrute

Photo of Kevin Malone
I knew it. I just knew, my whole life, that everyone was wrong about me. My parents, my teachers, my friends, the doctors. Everyone.

Well, that was certainly an odd lunch. Is everything alright?
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Yeah, I’m fine.

spraying Meredith and Creed with water gun Loser. Losers. Dwight holding up "L" to his forehead
Photo of Kevin Malone
Photo of Meredith Palmer
on the phone, while getting sprayed Just take the casserole out of the- Take it out of the refrigerator and put it in the oven. It’ll be fine, just leave it in for 20 minutes.

When I was a salesman I could just be like "Not my job, not my prob. I’m going to the warehouse to polish my knob." Metaphorically, of course. But now, it is my job and my prob.
Photo of Andy Bernard

Photo of Andy Bernard
Hi, Robert? Can you come out here please it’s really important. Just wanted to clarify something. Some people here are under the misconception that some people may be considered, uh, let’s say top-tier and others would be second-tier.
I never said that.
Photo of Robert California
Photo of Andy Bernard
Thank you. Great. Robert. I said winners and losers. Is that what you’re talking about?
Oh, that, it might- That might actually be what I’m thinking of. Can you clarify that?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
Let me tell you some things I find productive. Positive reinforcement. Negative reinforcement. Honesty. I’ll tell you some things I find unproductive. Constantly worrying about where you stand based on inscrutable social clues. And then, inevitably reframing it all in a reassuring way so that you can get to sleep at night. No, I do not believe in that at all. If I invited you to lunch, I think you’re a winner. If I didn’t, I don’t. But I just met you all. Life is long, opinions change. Winners prove me right. Losers, prove me wrong.
Whew, well. I guess that’s that.
Photo of Phyllis
Photo of Andy Bernard
No. No, no.
Andy, don’t go in there!
Photo of Erin
Photo of Andy Bernard
I’m going in there.

I know that every time I talk to you things just seem to get worse. But, you don’t know these people and I do. And if I let you work with faulty information, well, then I’m not doing my job as regional manager. So, please take this pen and change your list.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
I’m not gonna change my list, Andy, and I don’t use ballpoint pens.
Well, then I will make a new list for you. Stanley… you may think he’s a lazy grump, but did you know that he has the most consistently high sales numbers of anyone in this office? And you may think he’s hard to love, but did you know that he’s in, not one, but two long-term romantic relationships?
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
I did not know about the sales figures.
Meredith Palmer… Supplier relations. The word 'no' not even in her vocabulary. And just to show you that I’m being fair. You had Gabe in the loser column. I think that is astute. Good call. Pam, easily the most creative and kind person I have ever worked with.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Jim, shut the door. This is just gross.
Shhh.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Andy Bernard
Erin Hannon, the receptionist and my closest confidant. A winner if there ever was one.

I like my new group. I liked my old group.
Photo of Erin

Photo of Robert California
Are we done?
Yes. No! The Friday before Columbus Day, we’re gonna take a half-day, so that everyone can get a jump on the long weekend.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
You want a three and half day weekend for Columbus Day?
Yes, I do.
Photo of Andy Bernard
Photo of Robert California
And you are aware that Columbus and his legions committed genocide against an entire civilization of Native Americans.
I don’t care. Robert smiles as Andy exits
Photo of Andy Bernard

Photo of Andy Bernard
Hey guys. So Columbus Day, we got that half-day on Friday.
We get that every year.
Photo of Stanley Hudson
Photo of Andy Bernard
Well, you got it this year too.
Good night, Andy.
Photo of Phyllis
Photo of Andy Bernard
Night.
Bye.
Photo of Angela Martin
Photo of Oscar Martinez
Good night Andy.
Good night.
Photo of Dwight Schrute
Photo of Andy Bernard
Night.

Alright, I’m gonna go warm up the car.
Photo of Jim Halpert
Photo of Pam Beesley
Okay. Oh, uh, you dropped something. Jim?

Okay, I know I’ve been crying easily today, but- shows unfolded paper Jim dropped, shows two lists, "Pam" and "Cece" on one side, "Everything Else" on the other I mean, that’s just pretty killer, right? I mean, maybe it’s stupid. No. starts crying It’s wonderful. I’m gonna frame it. I can always unframe it.
Photo of Pam Beesley

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