Cornellians seem to love The Office (what overeducated white person doesn’t?). Though I think many of us believe that there are Cornell alums either on the writing staff or working as producers of the show. I think that this is actually false. I’m impressed by the number of obscure references to the school which led to the belief that someone on the staff is a Cornellian. One thing that is lacking though is that Andy wasn’t in a frat. Points for A Cappella group membership though. Extra bonus points if he ever hums the alma mater or admits to being a chimes player.

Cornellians seem to love The Office (what overeducated white person doesn’t?). Though I think many of us believe that there are Cornell alums either on the writing staff or working as producers of the show. I think that this is actually false. I’m impressed by the number of obscure references to the school which led to the belief that someone on the staff is a Cornellian. One thing that is lacking though is that Andy wasn’t in a frat. Points for A Cappella group membership though. Extra bonus points if he ever hums the alma mater or admits to being a chimes player.

Don’t forget about Karen Filippelli over in Utica…Rashida Jones went to Harvard

Don’t forget about Karen Filippelli over in Utica…Rashida Jones went to Harvard

I’m not sure why you think the point of these jokes is specifically a “fuck you” to Cornell. In Thursday’s episode, as is typical, the Cornell-specific names aren’t the essence of the jokes, just examples of the “Office” staff striving for attention to detail. Andy’s Ivy background is just a piece of the “preppy douchebag” character, which the writers have made less hacky by developing him as a sweeter and more lovable but still thin-skinned dope. In the spirit of minimizing hackiness, Cornell is a more obscure choice than HYP. That’s pretty much all there seems to be to it.*

That said, I’m sure lots of Cornell kids like the shout-outs, just like we did on “Gilmore Girls,” a show that was never “Office” good or cool.

*The one pointed exception is the “highest rank in the Ivy League” line, which is hilarious.

I’m not sure why you think the point of these jokes is specifically a “fuck you” to Cornell. In Thursday’s episode, as is typical, the Cornell-specific names aren’t the essence of the jokes, just examples of the “Office” staff striving for attention to detail. Andy’s Ivy background is just a piece of the “preppy douchebag” character, which the writers have made less hacky by developing him as a sweeter and more lovable but still thin-skinned dope. In the spirit of minimizing hackiness, Cornell is a more obscure choice than HYP. That’s pretty much all there seems to be to it.*

That said, I’m sure lots of Cornell kids like the shout-outs, just like we did on “Gilmore Girls,” a show that was never “Office” good or cool.

*The one pointed exception is the “highest rank in the Ivy League” line, which is hilarious.

The gist of it is that Kevin Reilly, a Cornell alumnus and former head of NBC Entertainment, was the one who kept The Office on the air after its low-rated first season. So the writers came up with a clever way to thank him for his support.

http://www.metaezra.com/archive/2008/11/cornells_image_on_nbc.shtml

The gist of it is that Kevin Reilly, a Cornell alumnus and former head of NBC Entertainment, was the one who kept The Office on the air after its low-rated first season. So the writers came up with a clever way to thank him for his support.

http://www.metaezra.com/archive/2008/11/cornells_image_on_nbc.shtml

I heartily enjoy the fake a cappella group names.

I heartily enjoy the fake a cappella group names.

When I watched this the other night, all I could think of was how 30 Rock already did this gag a few months back, when Frank dressed up in a Harvard costume to piss Twofer off.

When I watched this the other night, all I could think of was how 30 Rock already did this gag a few months back, when Frank dressed up in a Harvard costume to piss Twofer off.

@ Penn ’09:

yes, and it was funnier.
““Well, I got a squeezer from an Indian girl on a bunk bed, so I think I got the full Harvard experience.””

@ Penn ’09:

yes, and it was funnier.
““Well, I got a squeezer from an Indian girl on a bunk bed, so I think I got the full Harvard experience.””

Does anyone remember that Greek show on ABC, where that one girl dated a guy from Brown and her sorority sisters were SO NOT OKAY with that? To defend her boyfriend the girl says something like, “Um, guys, he goes to an Ivy League school?” And one of her boyfriend’s detractors is all, “He goes to *Brown*” And apparently people actually at Brown totally boycotted the show by, like, not watching it.

Anyone remember that?

Does anyone remember that Greek show on ABC, where that one girl dated a guy from Brown and her sorority sisters were SO NOT OKAY with that? To defend her boyfriend the girl says something like, “Um, guys, he goes to an Ivy League school?” And one of her boyfriend’s detractors is all, “He goes to *Brown*” And apparently people actually at Brown totally boycotted the show by, like, not watching it.

Anyone remember that?

@ D ’02: I was a total Office purist before I discovered 30 Rock. I still watch The Office, but I’m pretty sure that 30 Rock is the best comedy on TV.

@ D ’02: I was a total Office purist before I discovered 30 Rock. I still watch The Office, but I’m pretty sure that 30 Rock is the best comedy on TV.

I like how Dwight says Andy’s driven him to apply to the vastly superior Dartmouth.

I like how Dwight says Andy’s driven him to apply to the vastly superior Dartmouth.

I wouldn’t be too quick to take that as a compliment.

Let’s not forget that Jim, in one episode, goes golfing with a Dartmouth alumnus in order to convince him to keep his account with Dunder Mifflin.

I wouldn’t be too quick to take that as a compliment.

Let’s not forget that Jim, in one episode, goes golfing with a Dartmouth alumnus in order to convince him to keep his account with Dunder Mifflin.

No one loves Columbia. Not even our soon-to-be President.

No one loves Columbia. Not even our soon-to-be President.

Who says that Dartmouth is ignored? Meredith Grey from Grey’s anatomy is a Dartmouth grad.

Who says that Dartmouth is ignored? Meredith Grey from Grey’s anatomy is a Dartmouth grad.

Also: Superbad.

Also: Superbad.

Also Michael Corleone and “Stephen Colbert”. Dartmouth seems to be a safe bet when HYP would be too over-the-top, but writers still need a school that sounds like it was originally funded by some rich British dude.

Also Michael Corleone and “Stephen Colbert”. Dartmouth seems to be a safe bet when HYP would be too over-the-top, but writers still need a school that sounds like it was originally funded by some rich British dude.

Thomas Crown also went to Dartmouth.

Thomas Crown also went to Dartmouth.

I think I speak on behalf of most of the students at Cornell when I say that we thoroughly enjoy any and all Cornell references in the Office, especially in the Halloween episode where the writers took it to an entirely new level. We don’t have such huge egos that we can’t take a joke or two about our school, either. Also, I wouldn’t say that Cornell is “hated upon” in the show, I think it’s more of the Ivy League mentality that the writers are making fun of. MY BLOOD RUNS BIG RED!

I think I speak on behalf of most of the students at Cornell when I say that we thoroughly enjoy any and all Cornell references in the Office, especially in the Halloween episode where the writers took it to an entirely new level. We don’t have such huge egos that we can’t take a joke or two about our school, either. Also, I wouldn’t say that Cornell is “hated upon” in the show, I think it’s more of the Ivy League mentality that the writers are making fun of. MY BLOOD RUNS BIG RED!

It seems to me that the writers are ribbing the Cornellian inferiority complex. Especially with the SUNY/Agriculture college stuff. It seems like every Cornell alumnus I meet has to be sure to add that “it’s an Ivy League school.” At least that’s how I’ve always read this since we were first introduced to Andy Bernard two seasons ago.

It seems to me that the writers are ribbing the Cornellian inferiority complex. Especially with the SUNY/Agriculture college stuff. It seems like every Cornell alumnus I meet has to be sure to add that “it’s an Ivy League school.” At least that’s how I’ve always read this since we were first introduced to Andy Bernard two seasons ago.

Cornell is having it’s name put out there.

Better this than saying you go to Penn and being asked if the Nittany Lions are #3 or #4 in the BCS.

Cornell is having it’s name put out there.

Better this than saying you go to Penn and being asked if the Nittany Lions are #3 or #4 in the BCS.

I’m pretty sure that the writers would never have written Andy as an HYP alum – There’s no way a grad from any real ivy league school would be working for Dunder-Mifflin in Scranton. But a Cornell alum? I’d be willing to wager there are plenty of Cornell grads who would fit in well with the inbred losers of Scranton PA. I hear the Cornell career fair is stacked with jobs at paper companies and openings for greeters at wal mart

I’m pretty sure that the writers would never have written Andy as an HYP alum – There’s no way a grad from any real ivy league school would be working for Dunder-Mifflin in Scranton. But a Cornell alum? I’d be willing to wager there are plenty of Cornell grads who would fit in well with the inbred losers of Scranton PA. I hear the Cornell career fair is stacked with jobs at paper companies and openings for greeters at wal mart

Mindy Kaling, writer/actress of The Office, is a Dartmouth ’01. That’s why we often get the positive mentions.

Mindy Kaling, writer/actress of The Office, is a Dartmouth ’01. That’s why we often get the positive mentions.

@ Goldie:
Yeah, because all Wal-Mart greeters graduate from top 20 schools. You’re fucking awesome, man.

@ Goldie:
Yeah, because all Wal-Mart greeters graduate from top 20 schools. You’re fucking awesome, man.

dartmouth gets a lot of fictional character love when they want to portray someone as smart but not lame – ie they hang out. another one: ‘she’s all that’ – the dad wants freddie to go to dartmouth. and gossip girl season 1!

dartmouth gets a lot of fictional character love when they want to portray someone as smart but not lame – ie they hang out. another one: ‘she’s all that’ – the dad wants freddie to go to dartmouth. and gossip girl season 1!

Not to nitpick or anything, but Dwight wouldn’t have needed an interview since he wasn’t applying to be a hotelie or an architect. As someone who’s worked for CAAAN for many years, I can fully attest to the fact that these are just contacts, not interviews, and they are completely optional by the applicant.

Yeah, I know, it’s a TV show…

Not to nitpick or anything, but Dwight wouldn’t have needed an interview since he wasn’t applying to be a hotelie or an architect. As someone who’s worked for CAAAN for many years, I can fully attest to the fact that these are just contacts, not interviews, and they are completely optional by the applicant.

Yeah, I know, it’s a TV show…

i go to cornell and even though i know it’s making fun of us, i get a kick out of it. i don’t mind being the butt of the joke sometimes…and in all seriousness, at least i didn’t go to brown (just kidding)

i go to cornell and even though i know it’s making fun of us, i get a kick out of it. i don’t mind being the butt of the joke sometimes…and in all seriousness, at least i didn’t go to brown (just kidding)

Times like this I prefer the lukewarm comfort of being too nationally unknown to be effectively lampooned

Times like this I prefer the lukewarm comfort of being too nationally unknown to be effectively lampooned

I love the Cornell references. They’re jokey enough to be funny, but not offensive in the least. When it rains 3 seasons out of 4, and snows the other, and we still choose to spend four years in Ithaca, I think we have pretty good senses of humor.

I love the Cornell references. They’re jokey enough to be funny, but not offensive in the least. When it rains 3 seasons out of 4, and snows the other, and we still choose to spend four years in Ithaca, I think we have pretty good senses of humor.

I think that the Cornell references are still cool. Plus, people that know a lot about top schools know Cornell is the best ivy for engineering and a lot of specialty stuff but is brought down by the hotel, human ecology, ILR, and agricultural schools is overall prestige (even though they’re good at what they do). After all, everyone knows MIT is #1 in anything related to math/science/engineering anyway and they’re not even ivy.

I think that the Cornell references are still cool. Plus, people that know a lot about top schools know Cornell is the best ivy for engineering and a lot of specialty stuff but is brought down by the hotel, human ecology, ILR, and agricultural schools is overall prestige (even though they’re good at what they do). After all, everyone knows MIT is #1 in anything related to math/science/engineering anyway and they’re not even ivy.

The writers went to “better” ivys – head writers BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling went to Harvard and Dartmouth. The Cornell references are really a jab at those lower Ivy kids who won’t shut up about how they went Ivy.

The writers went to “better” ivys – head writers BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling went to Harvard and Dartmouth. The Cornell references are really a jab at those lower Ivy kids who won’t shut up about how they went Ivy.

I am pretty sure I spent a semester living on West Campus with the real-life Andy, therefore I am unable to laugh at his persona and instead recall the Spring 2007 semester where I slept on a friend’s futon in an attempt to save my sanity while avoiding one of the most socially inept, pompus individuals I have ever met. That being said, I always have to smile when I see anything CU related, I somehow love and miss the ol’ tundra.

By the way, Cornellian, please let me revisit a portion of your comment…

“Plus, people that know a lot about top schools know Cornell is the best ivy for engineering and a lot of specialty stuff but is brought down by the hotel, human ecology, ILR, and agricultural schools is overall prestige (even though they’re good at what they do).”

I agree the Engineering school is nothing to scoff at, but please get over your superiority complex and stop trying to place yourselves at the top of the CU mountain. You reference “specialty stuff” but then deride specialty schools such as the Hotel School (the top Undergrad degree in its field) and the ILR School (again, the top degree in its field and a school that houses one of your required courses). Just call up Miss Coulter now and the two of you can talk at length (if engineering students could actually do that…) about how much better than the rest of the campus you actually are.

/vent

I am pretty sure I spent a semester living on West Campus with the real-life Andy, therefore I am unable to laugh at his persona and instead recall the Spring 2007 semester where I slept on a friend’s futon in an attempt to save my sanity while avoiding one of the most socially inept, pompus individuals I have ever met. That being said, I always have to smile when I see anything CU related, I somehow love and miss the ol’ tundra.

By the way, Cornellian, please let me revisit a portion of your comment…

“Plus, people that know a lot about top schools know Cornell is the best ivy for engineering and a lot of specialty stuff but is brought down by the hotel, human ecology, ILR, and agricultural schools is overall prestige (even though they’re good at what they do).”

I agree the Engineering school is nothing to scoff at, but please get over your superiority complex and stop trying to place yourselves at the top of the CU mountain. You reference “specialty stuff” but then deride specialty schools such as the Hotel School (the top Undergrad degree in its field) and the ILR School (again, the top degree in its field and a school that houses one of your required courses). Just call up Miss Coulter now and the two of you can talk at length (if engineering students could actually do that…) about how much better than the rest of the campus you actually are.

/vent