<P> "The Carpet" is the first and only episode to feature Howard as Truck . However, the death of the character would serve as the main plot for the third season episode "Grief Counseling". The episode received largely positive reviews from television critics . Upon its original broadcast, "The Carpet" earned a Nielsen rating of 4.6 in the 18--49 demographic, being viewed by 8.6 million viewers . At the time of its release, it was the second most - downloaded episode of a television show on the iTunes store . </P> <P> When someone leaves a disgusting substance on the carpet in Michael Scott's (Steve Carell) office, he spends the day at Jim Halpert's (John Krasinski) desk, relegating Jim to the back room (referred to as the "Annex") to suffer Kelly Kapoor's (Mindy Kaling) constant chattering . She asks Jim to hook her up with Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak). Jim continues to yearn for Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), but her groom - to - be, Roy Anderson (David Denman), is in the office replacing the carpet along with Darryl Philbin (Craig Robinson), and Jim is unable to speak with her . </P> <P> As the day wears on, Michael becomes convinced that what happened to his office is a hate crime and an act of terrorism . Believing it to have been perpetrated by someone in the office, he begins to lose his faith in his employees, whom he considers his friends . Michael tries talking to his former boss Ed Truck (Ken Howard), who tells him that he does not need to have his employees be his friends . But his mood changes drastically when he finds out the prank was carried out by his obnoxious friend Todd Packer (David Koechner). Michael instantly finds the joke hilarious, and his faith in his friends is restored . At the end of the day, Jim is cheered up when he finds that all seven of his voicemail messages were left by Pam throughout the day . Jim is seen driving home, and Pam's voicemails act as a voice - over, closing out the episode . </P> <P> "The Carpet" was written by Paul Lieberstein, who portrays Toby Flenderson on the series, making it his third writing credit after the first season entry "Health Care" and the second - season episode "The Client". The episode was directed by Victor Nelli, Jr . The episode is the first and only to feature Howard as Ed Truck . However, the death of the character would serve as the main plot for the third season episode "Grief Counseling". Actress Kate Flannery later revealed that, for the old 80s picture of Michael and Ed, Carell had to wear a mullet wig . </P>

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