<P> The series--presented as if it were a real documentary--depicts the everyday lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company . In the episode, Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) throws a garden party at Schrute Farms to impress Robert California (James Spader), with his parents and brother in attendance . Meanwhile, Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) works to make it a classy event . </P> <P> "Garden Party" features a substantial appearance by Josh Groban; Kaling had asked Groban if he could guest star in the series, through Twitter . The episode received mixed reviews from critics, with criticism towards its repetition of plot ideas . According to Nielsen Media Research, "Garden Party" drew more than 6 million viewers and received a 3.2 rating / 8% share in the 18--49 demographic, staying even with the previous episode, "Lotto". It ranked third in its timeslot, and ranked as the highest - rated NBC series on Thursday . </P> <P> Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) decides to throw a garden party at Schrute Farms to impress his parents and Robert California (James Spader), and exhaustively explains party manners to the office workers . Andy is jealous at the amount of attention his younger brother Walter Bernard, Jr . (Josh Groban) receives from his father, and thinks that by throwing an elaborate party he can ensure his father's blessings . At first, the party goes along smoothly . Andy makes a toast to Robert in order to get his fellow employees to toast him, as if to show to his parents and California that he is valued by his employees . His plan backfires, however, and instead more people toast Robert . To get everybody's mind off of Robert, Andy decides to sing "More Than Words" as a duet with his father . This too goes awry as his father corrects his playing and singing, and ultimately decides to sing a duet with Walter Jr. instead of Andy . Upset, Andy takes his guitar and storms off . His father confronts him privately about his outburst, and when Andy admits to trying to win his father's affection, he reacts with annoyance . This conversation is overheard by the other staff on the baby monitor Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam Halpert (Jenna Fischer) brought for their daughter, and Pam quickly turns off the monitor to let Andy save face . Darryl Philbin (Craig Robinson) and Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nunez) confide to the camera that they now understand why Andy feels he needs to prove himself to everyone . After his family leaves, a dejected Andy, feeling unwanted by his family and co-workers, says goodbye to the office staff as they turn the garden party into a barbecue . Darryl and Oscar, however, convince Andy to stay with a cheeseburger and a beer . </P> <P> Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) wants to make the garden party a classy event to expand Schrute Farms' clientelle . He thoroughly reads a book called The Ultimate Guide to Throwing A Garden Party that he bought online, actually written by Jim under the pseudonym "James Trickington". The book gives outlandish advice such as announcing each guest's name as they arrive in an extremely loud manner, imitating The Last Supper in the middle of a meal, dancing with his party staff, and a fire court dance as the closing ceremonies, all of which Dwight follows to the letter . </P>

Who plays andy's brother in the office