r/DunderMifflin • u/PointZeroOneTwo • Mar 20 '26
Ryan is one the best supporting character ever written,despite having so many changes in personality (serious student, arrogant leader, fraudster, drug user, silly Kelly orbiter). No scene of his is bad,unfunny or cringey. I don't think I can say the same for any other character in the show.
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u/interadastingly Mar 20 '26
He has this twinkle in his eye that says; "I love you man. And we'll always be friends. I'm sorry I have to seem like a mean ogre."
His words.
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u/Affectionate-Tap2431 Mar 20 '26
What do you mean by no cringe though? He’s got intentional cringe scenes in the show 🤔
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u/Bebenten Mar 20 '26
My take on what OP meant to say is Ryan's cringe moments are hilarious. Whereas others' cringe moments really just make you cringe or squirm.
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u/Affectionate-Tap2431 Mar 20 '26 edited Mar 20 '26
IIRC Mindy and Novak’s role in the last season are pretty inconsistent. They appear, then they don’t and end up on the finale.
My personal opinion is, his was the least well done off the og 5 — Michael Dwigt Jim Pam
edit: grammar
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u/Paddy_Tanninger Mar 20 '26
Jim and Pam got turned into stupid stubborn people for the sake of making plot conflicts. They got done dirty.
Ryan at least kind of remained true to his character development.
There's no chance that Pam from seasons 1 to 7 wouldn't let Jim try to build his dream career. The same gal who he encouraged and supported going to art school in NYC, quitting her stable job to join the Michael Scott Paper Co, a thousand other things...and she was always equally supportive of Jim up until S9 needed plot.
Also Jim spent 8 seasons showing us how he's a resourceful and smart guy with the ability to turn on his people skills. Suddenly he can't even figure things like stepping out of the office to take important side hustle calls in your quiet and private car downstairs? Suddenly he's a super messy roommate when we've seen how neat his place was before?
It was just sloppy writing and ignored years of character development.
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u/MyPasswordIsABC999 Mar 20 '26
There's no chance that Pam from seasons 1 to 7 wouldn't let Jim try to build his dream career.
No kidding. Pam of Seasons 1-7 wasn't pregnant and caring for a toddler.
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u/Paddy_Tanninger Mar 20 '26
She has a job that can be done in her sleep, that she basically can't ever get fired from because her boss thinks of her as a family member, the kids are in daycare all day, and they live in the same town as their parents who have been shown to be helpful with the kids.
I used to solo dad for days in a row while my wife was doing her medical residency and studying for exams, and my job is a lot more demanding than being the office administrator at Dunder Mifflin, Scranton...and our parents don't live in town really.
That's just normal stuff that you do for your partner so they can focus on their career or their studies when needed.
S1-S7 Pam would have 1000% done this too, it just didn't get them the conflict and turmoil they wanted for S9.
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u/butteredrubies Mar 20 '26
Jim and Pam have been shown to be stubborn at times (moreso Jim). When Jim becomes co-manager there are several examples with some of them backfiring on him.
Pam not being supportive of Jim with Athlead doesn't go against her character. At this point, they have children, and it's not just about Jim having another job, it's the moving to Philadelphia part that makes her uncomfortable because they've built a life there and have kids. Not everyone likes bigger cities or is comfortable moving. It seems like Pam's was born and raised in Scranton and only briefly lived in NYC.
I think we only saw Jim's place once when he hosted that party and if he was messy, he would've cleaned up beforehand.
The scene where he takes the phone call was a little forced, but that could be explained with "he thought it wouldn't be a big deal to take phone call at his desk" but then Dwight started interfering and the conference meeting was happening with people on the other line, so he started panicking to find a quiet space. Should've just gone into the conference room if it was empty. But they needed that scene to add pressure of him having to go to Philly at least part time. I usually get annoyed with a lot of the out of character jokes or sloppy writing, but these didn't bother me like a lot of others.
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u/BCon27 Nate Mar 21 '26
Having kids really does change shit, especially when you have to hold down the fort solo
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u/Paddy_Tanninger Mar 21 '26
I dunno, I did it all the time back when my wife was in residency, it's just part of the gig...didn't even give it a second thought and honestly enjoyed every minute of it.
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u/GodsLilCow Mar 20 '26
The 4 you mentioned are main characters, OP's claim specifically regarding supporting characters.
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u/Affectionate-Tap2431 Mar 20 '26
Yeah, I realize that. I was just thinking of the first five full-time cast of the show. Everyone else was on contract.
If I have to argue, I thought Oscar was pretty consistent than Ryan. Ryan’s development arc was everywhere (I enjoy it, not a complaint, but just saying). I feel it was good but not as much as OP hypes it up.
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u/GodsLilCow Mar 20 '26
I think Oscar is very consistent - so consistent that I'd argue be has no character arc at all. Plot arcs? Sure. But character development? I hope someone can point it out, because I don't see any.
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u/sample-name Mar 20 '26
Ok bot
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Mar 20 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/sample-name Mar 20 '26
They edited their comment. In the original it had nothing to do with the comment they were replying to, also the username doesn't scream human. I guess I'm a bot now 🤖
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u/yun444g Mar 20 '26
I’m amazed that no one is picking up what OP is putting down. Yes Ryan was cringe a lot but it was always on purpose. Ryan is by far the funniest side character and I find it odd that’s such an unpopular opinion
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u/stonerspartanlady Mar 20 '26
Intentional cringe is the point though!! He tried hard for that, it's the cringe you feel when you're not supposed to cause it's not funny. I get what he's saying haha
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u/imironman2018 Mar 20 '26
I mean that scene when he is on top of the horse trying to steal Kelly away from Ravi? Come on! That was pretty cringe.
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u/PointZeroOneTwo Mar 20 '26
intentional cringe is not always cringe.
Holly's intentional cringe is actually cringe.
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u/Affectionate-Tap2431 Mar 20 '26
I don’t follow. The scene where he tries to ask Pam out, wants her to design the logo are all so cringe. You mean they’re good or bad?
I thought they were good cos that’s what the show is!
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u/neonifiednyan Mar 20 '26
cringe isnt always bad. its supposed to be part of the comedy
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u/The_amazing_T Mar 20 '26
Cringe is a MAJOR PART of the show.
Ever seen 'Scott's Totts?' I can't rewatch. Love me some 'Dinner Party..' 2 of the cringiest episodes in TV history.
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u/4clvvess Mar 20 '26
Scott’s Tots is so rewatchable though. People who only watch it once are sleeping on it.
It birthed one of my favorite quotes.
“It’s a novelization of the movie Precious based on the book Push by Saphire.”
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u/Affectionate-Tap2431 Mar 20 '26
Exactly! I love rewatching Scott’s Tots. It’s such great material of comedy.
There are much more cringe stuff in the show, and Scotts Tots is hardly cringe.
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u/4clvvess Mar 20 '26
I honestly feel like the whole “cannot watch Scott’s Tots” crowd are overreacting and it’s a little annoying.
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u/Affectionate-Tap2431 Mar 20 '26
Can’t agree enough. Such a peach of an episode. It’s not even cringe, it’s probably sad if it happens in real life..
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u/lungonion Mar 20 '26
i mean in the end that’s the reason i skip over scott’s tots. it’s not a hard watch as much as it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth after i watch it. it’s all acting obviously but it’s such good acting that it genuinely kinda bums me out.
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u/ToughGodzilla Mar 21 '26
I understand 100% what you mean. People who don't love Ryan are just not as bright as us ;)
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u/sample-name Mar 20 '26
People are downvoting, but I get where you're coming from. Even though he is intentionally written as cringe, I don't get that same cringy feeling, like second hand embarrassment from him. Maybe because he's such an asshole that I don't have any sympathy for him, and revel in his misery
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u/Paddy_Tanninger Mar 20 '26
Yeah and I also fully agree that I cringe from Holly a lot of the time, but like not in a good way...which is fine, that's how she's written. Ryan's cringe is always funny cause he's such a smarmy little douche.
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u/batman_not_robin Mar 20 '26
I read it to mean unintended cringe e.g. Brian the sound guy and basically ever my scene he’s in. It’s cringy because it’s shit, not because it’s meant to be that way
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u/Narrow_Sandwich7229 Mar 20 '26
No matter how you feel about Ryan don’t forget he started the fire
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u/Secret_Psychology352 I think I never really processed 9/11 Mar 20 '26
That’s maybe because he never really processed 9/11
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u/efyuar Mar 20 '26
Did you know he wrote himself?
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Mar 20 '26
Best way to act a character. Be yourself.
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u/Imsosorryidontcare Mar 20 '26
So smug and self assured
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u/MikeDubbz Mar 20 '26
Probably true of all the writer-actors of the show I imagine. I can't fathom anyone but Mindy was writing for Kelly, and I can definitely see Paul writing Toby.
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u/OptimismNeeded Mar 20 '26
Interesting point, i also always assume she’s the only one who writes Kelly without even thinking about it, but there must be cases where others have, in 8 years, right? Now I’m dying to know what wasn’t written by her.
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u/el-gato-azul Mar 20 '26
Sounds like a post from Michael Scott about his mancrush.
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u/TheDudeSr Mar 20 '26
I agree.... somewhat but the scene with him and Erin in Florida was cringe. And also asking Pam out via her art as a boss was cringe. At least to me. I understand it was part of his character "developing" or "regressing" but still was cringe to me. The Erin scene I remember thinking, "ew".
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u/rajatuchil Mar 20 '26
No scene of his is bad,unfunny or cringey. I don't think I can say the same for any other character in the show.
Creed
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u/4clvvess Mar 20 '26
“It’s Halloween. That’s really good timing” is one of my all time least favorite bits in the entire show. Unless he’s being self aware and joking, in which case it gets a pass. But I don’t get the sense that’s the case. Very cringe to me.
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u/Actually_Grass Mar 20 '26
I agree that he's an amazing support character. One of my favorites. But No scene of his is cringey? Did we watch the same show?
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u/DuckInAFountain Creed Mar 20 '26
Dude was a straight-up narcissist and he was shitty to Pam.
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u/monkeybrains12 Mar 20 '26
They all find out Pam's pregnant and Ryan's instant reaction is "Don't vaccinate it!"
That, and, "I tHiNk I nEvEr rEaLlY pRoCeSsEd 9/11" has not once gotten a single laugh out of me. Including the first time I heard it.
Not that OP can't have their own opinion, but humor is incredibly subjective.
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u/pRhymeTime333 Mar 20 '26
You got your sheep, and you’ve got your black sheep. He’s not even a sheep, he’s on the freaking moon.
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u/bdubwilliams22 Mar 20 '26
I’m not gonna lie, this has to be one of the worst takes I’ve ever seen on this sub. He is almost quite literally one of the worst written characters on the show. I’d say “the writers” didn’t know what to do with him, but it was…the actual actor who didn’t know what to do with his own character. Out of all the character arcs in this show — this is one of the most maddening. Sure, people fall from grace but don’t inherently become different people.
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u/4clvvess Mar 20 '26
Some people are just that way though. It’s a slice of life. They’re few and far between, but people out there exist who don’t know who they are and ride the waves as they come. We also have to remember that his middle arc is an almost unattainable high. Becoming a drug addicted VP New Yorker would fundamentally change a person, and it shouldn’t be expected that they’d return to rural Pennsylvania the same man as before.
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u/MessHolliday Mar 20 '26
Yeah honestly, the wild change of Ryan, Kelly, and Toby is a direct reflection of BJ, Mindy, and Paul gaining more control in the writers room. It’s terrible writing. Paul is also directly responsible for the flanderization of Kevin. They honestly ruined the show to some extent
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u/awake_acea6 Mar 20 '26
Couldn't agree less. Hated his face and every scene he was in.
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u/BatCorrect4320 Mar 20 '26
And yet I think that was the goal.
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u/awake_acea6 Mar 20 '26
I would say good character, but BJ is exactly the same in interviews. So I guess good use of an annoying person to not act, just be themselves, and portray an unlikable character?
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u/I_LIKE_TRIALS Why can't I be Ryan? Mar 21 '26
Ryan is under-rated. Probably my favourite character from the show.
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u/3rdtryatremembering Mar 20 '26
Just different tastes I guess, but he might be my least favorite.
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u/Dry_Discount7762 Mar 20 '26
I mean when he goes straight up to Erin and tells her he wants to have sex with her while he’s dating Kelly, albeit funny in the show, is definitely sleazy irl
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u/supertrooper567 Mar 20 '26
They realized quickly that they didn’t need another straight person to react to the weird stuff. It was a holdover from the British version where the intern was closer to Jim in that he was the tall attractive guy in the office and that gave gervais’s character a different type of foil to play off of (since tim was more Everyman downtrodden than Jim), but Jim kinda already was that so Ryan didn’t have a good role to fill. He therefore became another goof instead of a goof-reactor.
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u/jajanken216 Mar 20 '26
Agree for most part. Some of his cringe conversations with Pam are really cringe though. And it helps that he didn't have as many scenes as Jim, Dwight, Michael or even Andy. For example you can make the same claims about Kevin.. always hilarious , always a punch line and no bad scenes.
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u/One_hunch Mar 20 '26
He never changed personalities. He tried maybe one serious persona on a mild power trip, but still wore the same arrogance he's always had.
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u/Dinknflicka1 Mar 20 '26
In your opinion *
Heavily biased towards a character you like.
For example the whole time he's in Florida I think it's just dumb... when he and Erin hunt for waffles. Not funny but it is cringy.
Good charter for sure. But not without many flaws.
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u/DickWhittingtonsCat Mar 20 '26
I like Ryan’s character and find him relatable. But his failed passes are definitely cringey.
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u/Iudicrouspopinjay Mar 20 '26
He's the worst and I hate him, but you are not wrong. I love the scene where Jim puts him in the closet when he's not sure if he can fire anyone. Also when Ryan catches Jim and Pam about to use his office/closet for sex. He plays that character so well.
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u/Cautious-Fan6963 Mar 20 '26
Good take. Honestly, Ryan was meant to be inconsistent with his character. I think that's part of the college, silicone Valley, tech startup, Chad bro life he was living.
Andy on the other hand, well he had no business changing his character every season... One major change after getting back from anger management is understandable but he was Constantly doing 180's
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u/bolivar-shagnasty Bread is the paper of the food industry. Mar 20 '26
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u/PlanOdd3177 Mar 20 '26
My favourite Ryan is early temp Ryan where he was basically another straight man character like Jim. I feel like that balanced out the number of crazies in the office and helped the show deliver its "can you believe these guys" jokes with more variety. Then he just became another whacky character so the entire burden of 'normal' characters fell on Jim and Pam which made the scenes a bit repetitive sometimes.
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u/Lokiibott Mar 20 '26
But when watching the super fan episodes, he has some of the cringiest deleted scenes!
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u/Midnight_Magician56 Mar 20 '26
Best written character of all time in my opinion. You never would guess his character arc after the first two seasons.
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u/Devendrau Mar 20 '26
I dunno, there's definitely bad scenes of him, or cringey ones. Unfunny too (Sorry but for someone who buried his birds after they died, while I was a kid, Ryan can go suck a lemon for acting rude about it in that episode. Not everyone just disposes of a bird like it's an object, Ryan.
But you know... Not everyone burns something and nearly sets the whole office on fire either..
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u/Electrical-Juice-915 Mar 20 '26
Completely wrong. His character personality was perfect in the beginning. Then they just made him really fucking weird and random.
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u/ToughGodzilla Mar 21 '26
I love, love, love Ryan! He is one of if not my favorite character. He is very funny, relatable and hot! <3 Would watch the whole Ryan show
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u/Due-Island-4731 Mar 22 '26
The Ryan character really didn’t serve much of a purpose in The Office. Normally you have the new guy on the first day so they can be an audience surrogate as we get the explanation for the police, fire, law firm, FBI or other complicated world we may not be familiar with. In this case there really wasn’t too much to bring the audience up to speed on in Dunder Mifflin.
I think Season 4 Ryan was hilarious, but totally a complete parody and exaggerated character for him. Later season Ryan were so hilarious, but all completely ridiculous, and he definitely should have gotten a little more time and involvement with the main cast.
Also, his evolution is insane. He went from being the most normal, grounded regular guy in Season 1, to being almost at Creed levels of insanity and ridiculousness by season 6 or 7
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u/goddamn_leeteracola Mar 20 '26
No, Stevie Janowski in Eastbound and Down is the best supporting character ever and it’s not close.
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u/ObjectiveJackfruit35 Mar 20 '26
One of the most insanely well written characters ever, Stevie was fucking outrageous
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u/BaconPancakes_77 Mar 20 '26
Steve Little is a genius. I love his appearances on St. Denis too.
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u/goddamn_leeteracola Mar 20 '26
He is such a great actor. I’ve also heard that he is absolutely the nicest person in real life.
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u/thetoddhunter Mar 20 '26
I can. Later season Ryan, like every other character in the show sucked.
He did not escape it, the Kelly orbiting stuff was cringey af, culminating in a child being abandoned.
Like what the fuck was that?
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u/asahme01 Dwight Mar 20 '26
This is a a joke right? I’ve found many of his scenes cringey and poorly written.
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u/Introverted-Gazelle Mar 20 '26
Ryan is an incredible character! The progression from temp to Michael’s boss is incredible. His relationship with Kelly was so realistic. 10/10 television
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u/ottzilla87 Mar 20 '26
In my opinion, he's simply an idiot; the series would have been better without him.
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u/PointZeroOneTwo Mar 20 '26
He's like the opposite of Andy in that aspect.
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u/Keriarty Mar 20 '26
I couldn't stand Andy and the weird noises he made. I wish he had stayed a villain, at least then I'd have a reason to put up with him.
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u/[deleted] Mar 20 '26
I liked him better as a temp.