"Every time Steve said the word 'pungent' he would break out into this high-pitched cackle," reveals 'The Office' cast

Remember the scene in 'The Office' when Steve Carell, playing Michael Scott, asks Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) in her dressing room if she broke wind? Well, it turns out that the scene was not only funny for viewers but sent the entire cast and crew into fits of laughter, particularly Carell himself.

"Every time Steve said the word 'pungent' he would break out into this high-pitched cackle," Phyllis Smith shared on the 'Office Ladies' podcast.

The 'Pungent' Scene: A Riot of Laughter on the Set

During a recent episode of the Office Ladies podcast, former co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey chatted with director Ken Whittingham and Smith about the memorable Season 3 episode, "Phyllis' Wedding." A special highlight of the conversation was the recall of a scene that had everyone on set in splits.

"I've never seen him break like that. And we all were just laughing. It took us about an hour to get through it, because we could not stop laughing," Whittingham revealed.

A Joke that Lived On

The infamous scene that induced uncontrollable laughter was initially intended to be a temporary placeholder in the script. "It was just like a joke that, 'Wouldn't it be funny if this happened?' And then it just lived," Whittingham explained.

However, the scene became so loved during filming that it was kept in the final cut of the episode. This is mainly due to Carell's exceptional comedic talent, which left everyone in stitches.

'Pungent': A Word that Shook 'The Office'

The sheer hilarity of the scene was such that the crew struggled to capture a usable take. Recounting the experience, Smith said, "Every time Steve said the word 'pungent' he would break out into this high-pitched cackle. And then I would start laughing."

The entire set was filled with laughter, making the scene one of the most cherished memories for the cast and crew. In fact, the word 'pungent' became synonymous with hilarity on set.

"So when you hear the word 'pungent,' know that all hell broke loose every time we said it," Smith recalled with fondness.

While the notorious 'pungent' scene tickled viewers, the behind-the-scenes tale adds another layer of humor to this beloved moment in 'The Office,' highlighting the cast's camaraderie and shared love for laughter.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)