'The Office BFFs': A must-read for fans and a touching tribute to friendship

For years, fans of The Office have debated the greatest relationship to come out of the show. Hopeless romantics and suckers for a slow-burn romance argue it's Jim and Pam. Lovers of wonderfully weird, unconventionally perfect pairings stan Dwight and Angela. "Opposites attract" skeptics root for Michael and Holly. Refrigerator aficionados with old souls might favor Phyllis and Bob Vance. Wholesome weirdos may root for Erin and Andy. And anyone who loves mess will likely follow Kelly and Ryan to the ends of the Earth. (Yikes!)

While each of these dynamic duos is great in its own way, I'm here to report that not a single one is worthy of the top spot. Nope, not even Jam. The greatest relationship to come out of The Office is, without a doubt, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey's friendship.

Need some convincing? The former co-stars and current co-hosts of Stitcher's Office Ladies podcast teamed up once again to co-author a book, aptly titled, The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There. Over the course of 14 chapters and 300+ pages, the two take readers back in time to the days before a silly show about a paper company changed their lives forever.

In Fischer's own words, "This book is several things — a scrapbook, a BFF journal, and a love letter to fans." It's full of memories from the run of the show, never-before-seen photos, and the same charming back and forth banter that fans of the podcast love so dearly. 

As the title suggests, a large chunk of this book is dedicated to discussing The Office. Fischer and Kinsey recall where they were in life right before their auditions and share memories of being cast as Pam Beesly and Angela Martin respectively. They discuss the grueling uncertainty of the month-long wait from pilot to series pickup, standout episodes like "Booze Cruise" and "Casino Night," and what it was like to lose Steve Carell. If you're a regular Office Ladies listener or have read Andy Greene or Brian Baumgartner's oral histories of the series, The Office BFFs doesn't offer an overwhelming cornucopia of new show-related revelations. But along with adding further context to familiar stories from set and sharing some outrageous ones, the book offers a look at the series through a fresh, heartfelt lens. As Fischer and Kinsey take you on their journeys through nine seasons of The Office, they celebrate the many talented people who helped bring the show to life. We're not just talking about the routinely praised cast members. They give fans the full scope of the show by sharing the efforts of off-set crew members in hair, makeup, and wardrobe departments; the writers' room; the catering team; the edit bay; and more. It's an uncommon, delightful, deep dive behind the scenes of a show — one that's sure to enrapture superfans.

If you ever wondered what it was like to BE on The Office, this book paints a pretty detailed picture. But as the title also suggests, The Office isn't the sole focus. The Office BFFs is an unexpectedly touching tribute to Fischer and Kinsey's rock-solid friendship. In sharing how they went from strangers to kindred spirits to each other's rocks over the past 18 years, the two recount their first memories of meeting each other, the Season 1 "Basketball" episode that jump started their BFF journey, trailer lunches, award shows, watch parties, ER trips, hotel stays, holidays, and more. They offer readers an intimate glimpse at their transition from "sexy life" to parenthood, and pour their hearts out to fill pages with honest admissions and off camera experiences. But fear not, the book is full of laughs and even a few "That's what she said!" jokes.

• Steve Carell improvised one of the best lines in Season 5 of The Office

• The Office cast recalls an Emmy-worthy scene that made them break

• The Office stars finally reveal the identity of Jan's sperm donor

• The Office almost had a very different theme song: A legendary pop hit.

Though The Office BFFs does repurpose a number of stories from the podcast, it tells the tales of The Office through more casual, personal voices. Fisher and Kinsey get down to business on Office Ladies, speeding through planned outlines, firing off fun facts, and thoroughly investigating behind the scenes specifics. But in The Office BFFs, the two take their time, savor their stories, and share more of themselves than ever before. Reading the book makes you feel like you're out to lunch (at The Ivy, if we can get a patio table!) listening to your two close friends gab. And it's clear those two friends have such warm regards for their show, their cast and crew, and each other.

In Chapter 4, Kinsey writes, "One time [Jenna and I] were gabbing away on set, and Rainn looked up and exclaimed, 'What more do you have to talk about?!' We both burst out laughing. Apparently, A LOT more."

You might think after two decades spent chatting about The Office and more than 120 Office Ladies podcast episodes these two would run out of things to talk about, but The Office BFFs is a fabulous reminder that Fischer and Kinsey's conversations are effortless; brimming with effervescence, sass, and authenticity; and seemingly inexhaustible.

The Office BFFs is now available for purchase, and thanks to Fischer and Kinsey you can listen to the first chapter below.

You can stream episodes of The Office on Peacock and follow along with the Office Ladies podcast every week on Earwolf, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher.