MOOSIC
The extra chair should have given away the secret.
After 13 cast and crew from "The Office" entered PNC Field on Saturday night for "The Office" Wrap Party's Farewell Celebration, one chair stood empty. Seconds later and introduced as Michael Scott, his beloved television alter-ego, actor Steve Carell joined his former castmates on the baseball field in a visit that surprised even them.
A deafening roar crashed around Montage Mountain as the thousands of fans who filled the stands rose to their feet.
Rob Crain, president and general manager of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, called the reaction to Mr. Carell's arrival "unreal."
"I've never heard a ballpark that loud for anything, ever," he said.
The visit capped the end of a whirlwind day that brought people from around the world to Scranton to celebrate the end of "The Office," the award-winning comedy set in the city. The party not only let fans learn more about one of their favorite shows but also gave the stars a chance to thank their followers and say goodbye ahead of the May 16 series finale.
The day opened at the University of Scranton with the Bloggers' Breakfast, which "Office" producer Steve Burgess, director of photography Matt Sohn and co-executive producer Allison Silverman attended.
"I just want to say thank you to you, our most stalwart fans," Mr. Burgess said.
Mr. Sohn worked on the show since the beginning, as a cameraman and later as a director, too, and said the job made him laugh every day.
"I've heard so much about the other events (in Scranton) and how out-of-control they've been, and to get to experience it myself is going to be fun," he said.
A little into the breakfast, actor Andy Buckley (David Wallace) and producer/actor Paul Lieberstein (Toby Flenderson) showed up to much fanfare from the crowd. Mr. Buckley wore a "Suck It" sweatshirt, a nod to an invention that made his character a multi-millionaire and enabled him to buy Dunder Mifflin.
Later Saturday morning, about 1,800 fans filled the university's Byron Center for the Behind-the-Scenes panel featuring some of the key members of the show's crew, including executive producer Greg Daniels and Mr. Lieberstein.
A panel comprised of Times-Tribune reporter Josh McAuliffe, Monica Madeja of WBRE-TV and Jennie Tan, founder of "Office" fan site OfficeTally, asked the group questions about props, jokes, the creative process and more. The crew member showed clips and photographs from the show to illustrate points, including how they could edit a scene different ways and a peek at some of the items stored in the costume and prop warehouse. Prop master Phil Shea said they never threw away anything from the show in case they needed it again, and the NBC archives now have mostly everything they used.
The writers also discussed their favorite characters to write about and gave insight into the script process, explaining how improvisation accounts for around just 5 to 10 percent of the show. Hearing what the cast had to say about their characters also was key, Mr. Daniels pointed out.
"They helped in so many ways to keep us on track," he said.
Mr. Daniels also spoke about his reasons for selecting Scranton as the show's setting. He called Scranton "a wonderful city" and said he is happy he picked it for the locale.
That afternoon, the cast and crew entered the city like royalty, riding from the university to Lackawanna County Courthouse Square for the free, public parade. Fans streamed up and down Linden Street, several people deep, to get a glimpse of the caravan of convertibles carrying the 12 cast members in attendance - Rainn Wilson (Dwight), Jenna Fischer (Pam), John Krasinski (Jim), Ellie Kemper (Erin), Brian Baumgartner (Kevin), Oscar Nunez (Oscar), Kate Flannery (Meredith), Mr. Lieberstein, Phyllis Smith (Phyllis), Creed Bratton (Creed), Craig Robinson (Darryl) and Mr. Buckley.
Fans came from around the world for the party. Faith Evans of Spring Hill, Tenn., and Alicia Dodgion of Nashville, Tenn., drove 15 hours straight overnight from their home to Scranton. They grabbed a prime spot along the parade route at Linden Street and North Washington Avenue.
"I've been watching 'The Office' for nine years now," Ms. Dodgion said. "We just love it."
The cars stopped at Courthouse Square, where Scranton police and county sheriff's deputies helped clear the way for the cast members to take to the stage set up on North Washington Avenue.
Fans screamed to the actors - "We love you, John!" and more - as they walked to the stage. Mr. Wilson and Ms. Fischer took the time to sign the dress of 10-month-old Pippa Hadley, there with parents William and Lori Hadley of Pittston. That kid will have quite the story when she's older.
"This is incredible!" Mr. Robinson shouted upon taking the stage. "We're just getting started! Where's the party tonight?"
Mr. Robinson and the rest of the cast then performed cover songs with members of the band the Scrantones. Mr. Robinson played keyboards and did his best Michael McDonald impression and Mr. Lieberstein kept time on drums. Mr. Bratton, a former member of the '60s band the Grass Roots, played guitar and sang some original tunes. Ms. Flannery delivered a winning version of "I Will Survive."
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty presented the group with a key to the city, while Mr. Daniels offered up an honorary Dundie.
"You've been wonderful to us," Mr. Doherty said. "We're very grateful you made Scranton your home."
After leaving the stage, Mr. Krasinski seemed genuinely awed by the reception.
"This is the most surreal thing I've ever been a part of," Mr. Krasinski said. "The idea that so many people came out of their way to go see us and say hi and have something signed is just incredible."
Ms. Kemper compared the festive atmosphere to the parade scene in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." At a point, she felt herself shaking.
"It's such a special city, and the people could not be nicer," she said. "It's because of Scranton that this show exists."
"This is like the cherry on top of the ending of 'The Office,'â" Mr. Wilson said.
Mr. Wilson also suggested continuing "Office" events in the area as a way to raise money for charity, a mission the wrap party already embraced. St. Joseph's Center will receive part of the proceeds from the wrap party, and ticket sales also covered the event's costs and police overtime.
After the parade and festival wrapped in the late afternoon, fans flocked to PNC Field for the Farewell Celebration. Mr. Daniels and Mr. Burgess came up with the surprise plan to bring Mr. Carell to Scranton, according to wrap party co-coordinator Timothy L. Holmes. After Mr. Carell flew into Newark, N.J., on Saturday afternoon, a car took him to Scranton, just in time for the finale.
"They were telling me it was Ed Helms," said Mr. Holmes, regional director of marketing for Times-Shamrock Communications, one of the wrap party's sponsors. "It was a decoy. The cast had no idea."
Mr. Buckley, who plays David Wallace on "The Office" and served as the cast Q and A moderator, asked Mr. Carell how his character was faring with Holly, the woman for whom Michael left his beloved Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch.
"It's a TV show," Mr. Carell said, teasing Mr. Buckley, before adding, "I assume they're happily married in Colorado."
Asked what he missed about being on the show, Mr. Carell said, "To be completely sincere, I miss the people. They're really good friends."
"And the booze," he added after a beat, for comic effect.
The Farewell Celebration also included screenings of show bloopers, entries from the Biggest Flan Contest and the first 10 minutes of the next "Office" episode. Fireworks capped the night.
When the audience got its chance to ask questions, a guy in the stands told Mr. Carell he was his look-alike. Wanting to get a look for himself, Mr. Carell sprung from his chair, dashed over to seats along the third base line and posed for a picture with the guy.
"He's way more handsome than me," Mr. Carell joked.
Mr. Carell left "The Office" two years ago, and spoke about what he missed about the show.
"I miss them everyday," he said of the people involved in the show, "and I know America's going to miss them in two weeks."
Contact the writers: cheaney@timesshamrock.com, jmcauliffett@timesshamrock.com, @cheaneyTT and @jmcauliffeTT on TwitterCopies of The Times-Tribune and Sunday Times featuring The Office Wrap Party coverage can be obtained at the Times building, 149 Penn Ave., during normal business hours or by calling 348-9190.