<P> Season one featured episodes directed by five different directors . The Office features both a "team of directors" as well as several directors who are freelanced . Ken Kwapis, directed the first two episodes "Pilot" and "Diversity Day", and would go on to direct another eleven episodes in total . Ken Whittingham, who directed "Health Care" would go on to direct another eight episodes in total . Daniels both produced and directed the episode "Basketball". The Office was almost entirely filmed in an actual office building in Los Angeles, California for its first season . Aside from Los Angeles, the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where the show is set, was also used for shots for the opening theme . </P> <P> Many characters portrayed by The Office cast are based on the British version of the show . While these characters normally have the same attitude and perceptions as their British counterparts, the roles have been redesigned to better fit the American show . The show is known for its generally large cast size, many of whom are known particularly for their improvisational work . Steve Carell stars as Michael Scott, Regional Manager of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch . Loosely based on David Brent, Gervais' character in the British version, Scott is a dim - witted and lonely man, who attempts to win friends as the office comedian, usually making himself look bad in the process . Rainn Wilson portrays Dwight Schrute, who, based upon Gareth Keenan, is the Assistant to the Regional Manager, although the character frequently intentionally omits the "to the" in his title . John Krasinski portrays Jim Halpert, a sales representative and prankster, who is based upon Tim Canterbury, and is in love with Pam Beesly, the receptionist . Pam, who is based on Dawn Tinsley, is shy, but is often a cohort with Jim in his pranks on Dwight . B.J. Novak portrays Ryan Howard, who is a temporary worker . </P> <P> The show includes many supporting characters playing roles of office workers, working in various positions around the office . Angela Martin, Oscar Martinez, and Kevin Malone are the office's accountants, and are portrayed by Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, and Brian Baumgartner, respectively . Schrute, Halpert, Phyllis Lapin (portrayed by Phyllis Smith), and Stanley Hudson (portrayed by Leslie David Baker), compose the sales division of Dunder Mifflin Scranton . Kate Flannery portrays Meredith Palmer, the promiscuous Supplier Relations Representative, writer - actress Mindy Kaling portrays Kelly Kapoor, the pop culture - obsessed Customer Service Representative, writer - actor Paul Lieberstein portrays Toby Flenderson, the sad - eyed Human Resources Representative, and Creed Bratton plays a fictionalized version of himself as the office's Quality Assurance Officer . Other characters include Roy Anderson, Pam's fiance played by David Denman, Warehouse Supervisor Darryl Philbin, played by Craig Robinson, and Jan Levinson, Michael's main love interest, who is portrayed by Melora Hardin . </P> <P> The first episode of The Office scored well in ratings, gaining over eleven million viewers, as well as ranking third in its timeslot on the night of its airing . But the episode aired on a Thursday evening, and between the change from the first episode and the second episode, The Office moved to its regular time slot on Tuesday evenings . The Office tumbled in the ratings, averaging under 6.0 million viewers, just over half that of the previous episode . The first - season finale "Hot Girl" received one of the lowest rating in the show's history, earning just a 2.2 rating with a 10 share . After the lackluster reception of the episode, many critics erroneously predicted that "Hot Girl" would also serve as the de facto series finale . The Office averaged 5.4 million viewers for its entire season, ranking it #102 for the 2004--2005 U.S. television season . </P>

Why is the first season of the office so short