Summary

Office Space influenced TGI Fridays to remove flair due to jokes made after the movie's release.
Swingline began making red staplers after the movie was released, proving its impact on audiences.
Despite its fanbase, a sequel for Office Space was never made, leaving fans wanting more of the characters.

There are plenty of fun workplace sitcoms to binge watch, but when it comes to a cult comedy film that people still find relatable and hilarious, fans will always have a good time rewatching Office Space. Released in 1999 and written and directed by Mike Judge, the movie has a star-studded cast including Jennifer Aniston, Diedrich Bader, Ron Livingston, Gary Cole, and Stephen Root. It's definitely fun to look back on one of Aniston's first movie roles, and it's also a great exercise in nostalgia to revisit some of the most famous scenes. Is anything funnier than watching Aniston's character Joanna's boss quiz her on the amount of flair she should be wearing on her restaurant uniform?

Just like a Wayne's World joke is funnier on streaming, watching Office Space is even more compelling after learning that two brands made some interesting changes after the movie was released. This speaks to the love that so many people have for this memorable late '90s film.

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By Timothy McClelland

Office Space Influenced Two Big Brands After It Was Released In 1999

Jennifer Aniston as Joanna in Office Space

When fans think about Office Space, they likely remember one main aspect: the flair that the servers at Chotchkie's wear. According to Deadline, writer/director Mike Judge said that the movie led to one interesting shift at TGI Fridays. He explained:

"About four years after Office Space came out, TGI Fridays got rid of all that (button) flair, because people would come in and make cracks about it. One of my ADs asked once at the restaurant why their flair was missing and they said they removed it because of that movie Office Space. So, maybe I made the world a better place."

It's fascinating to hear this, especially since there is such a clever scene in the movie when Chotchkie's manager Stan (Judge) tells Joanna that she should wear more flair. It's a perfect example of Aniston's comedic talent and timing. He says:

"Now, you know it's up to you whether or not you want to just do the bare minimum. Or... Well, like Brian, for example, has thirty seven pieces of flair, okay. And a terrific smile... People can get a cheeseburger anywhere, okay? They come to Chotchkie's for the atmosphere and the attitude. Okay? That's what the flair's about. It's about fun."

Office Space influenced another brand: according to an oral history published in The Ringer in 2019, Swingline began making a red stapler after the movie's release. The senior marketing manager, Theresa Hardy, said, "We’ve been probably officially making different variations of the red stapler for the better part of 10 years now." This is proof that, like the beloved sitcom The Office, Office Space made a big impression on audiences who have had some office or service industry jobs that made them relate to the characters.

Despite The Movie's Fanbase, There Was No Office Space 2

Given the love and nostalgia that many people have for Office Space's, fans definitely expected to see a sequel at some point, especially since legacy sequels have become so popular. However, Mike Judge never made Office Space 2. Just like fans wish Wayne's World 3 had been made, it would be great to see an Office Space sequel and catch up with the characters.

During a panel at South by Southwest in March 2024, writer/director Judge said the last time that he watched all of Office Space, he was working on the movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he explained that while he watched it countless times when working on it the first time around, he hasn't gone back since. He said:

“Not sure why exactly, but every time I’ve started watching it, I just kind of think, ‘Nah I’m gonna go do something else. “It brings back stressful memories, I suppose. There are scenes I like watching, though — like the printer smashing, or all the scenes with Gary Cole. I just feel like I’ve seen it enough.”

Where Can You Watch Office Space?

Gary Cole as Bill Lumbergh in Office Space

Office Space is streaming on Hulu, which also has plenty of comedy shows that have been released recently, including Deli Boys.

It's always a good idea to revisit the 1999 cult comedy, which has a high Rotten Tomatoes score of 81% and is also 93% on the Popcornmeter, and some of the most memorable quotes from any '90s movie. One of the best? When Bob Slydell (John C. McGinley) asks Tom Smykowski (Richard Riehle), "What would you say you do here?" Thankfully, fans can watch it anytime they want on the streaming service.

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