‘The Office’ Star Rainn Wilson Hopes Fans Will ‘Move On’ From This Aspect of the Series

The Office star Rainn Wilson is hoping fans will “cool it” and “move on” from an enduring inside joke that originated on NBC’s landmark sitcom, according to People.

Wilson recently posted a picture on Instagram from a hotel in Italy where his room service cutlery was delivered ensconced in a jello block, a callback to the first episode of The Office. Wilson told People that while he always appreciates a free dessert, he’s hoping fans will be a bit more original in the future.

"I posted that thing on Instagram about my silverware and Jell-O in Italy. My fear is that I won't be able to go anywhere without stuff being put in Jell-O," Wilson admitted.

The Jello-O pranks of course refer to one of the more memorable running jokes from the comedy’s nine-season run. It began in the 2005 pilot, when Jim (John Krasinski) puts Dwight’s (Wilson) stapler in a jello mold just as their boss (Steve Carell) is making an important office announcement. The same prank recurred many times throughout the series, with the items ensconced in jello becoming increasingly irreverent.

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"I'll go valet park, and then my car keys will be in Jell-O. And I'll go to a baseball game, and the baseball will be in Jell-O,” Wilson explained of being unable to shake the joke nearly 20 years later. “And the list goes on and on. So I hope people cool it with the Jell-O jokes,” the actor continued. “That's all.”

Well, not really. Wilson issued one stipulation to his credo: “Unless it's edible,” he allowed. “I will eat my weight in Jell-O," he cracked.

Otherwise, though, Wilson believes, "I think it's time to move on."

All nine seasons of The Office are currently streaming on Peacock.