Andy Bernard

For the economist, see Andrew Bernard.

Andy Bernard
The Office character
Ed Helms as Andy Bernard
First appearance"Gay Witch Hunt" (2006)
Last appearance"Finale" (2013)
Created byGreg Daniels
Portrayed byEd Helms
In-universe information
Family
  • Walter Bernard Sr. (father)
  • Ellen Bernard (mother)
  • Walter Bernard Jr. (brother)
Relatives
  • Ruth Bernard (grandmother)
  • Joseph Dorset (grandfather)
  • Catherine Potter (grandmother)
NationalityAmerican

Andrew Baines Bernard (born Walter Baines Bernard Jr.) is a fictional character portrayed by Ed Helms in the NBC comedy television series The Office.

Character synopsis

Season 3 (2006–2007)

Andy's character is introduced in the season premiere of The Office as the Regional Director of Sales at the Stamford branch of Dunder Mifflin, which subsequently merges with the Scranton branch. After Jim (played by John Krasinski) pranks him repeatedly, Andy is sent to anger management training after punching a hole in an office wall in episode 14[1] and is absent from the show until episode 19.[2] Notably in episode 21, Andy unexpectedly discovers his girlfriend is a high-school student.[3]

Season 4 (2007–2008)

Unaware of her romantic past with colleague Dwight (played by Rainn Wilson), Andy develops an interest in and later a relationship with Angela during season 4, putting him in conflict with Dwight. This culminates in the season finale, in which Andy proposes to Angela. Later that episode however, Angela and Dwight have sex and are witnessed by Phyllis (played by Phyllis Smith).[4]

Season 5 (2008–2009)

Still unaware of Angela's affair with Dwight, Andy begins season 5 planning their wedding. However, Michael (played by Steve Carell) later tells Andy about the affair. Andy later confronts Dwight, although they reconcile upon realizing that Angela lied to them both. Andy cancels his wedding plans and Dwight also ends his relationship with Angela.[5]

Season 6 (2009–2010)

Andy develops an attraction to new secretary Erin (played by Ellie Kemper) during season 6, and asks her out in episode 18.[6][7] However, Erin breaks up with him in episode 22 after discovering Andy's previous engagement to Angela.[8] Andy learns of and records a printer fault in episode 24 and sends a video to the press, attracting the ire of company CEO Jo (played by Kathy Bates), but the approval of Erin.[9]

Season 7 (2010–2011)

Erin begins a romantic relationship with Gabe (played by Zach Woods), devastating Andy. However, she gradually begins to lose interest and eventually breaks up with him, which Gabe blames Andy for. In the season finale, Andy interviews for a regional manager following Michael's departure and refuses Erin after she asks for a relationship with him again.[10]

Season 8 (2011–2012)

Andy introduces his new girlfriend Jessica (played by Eleanor Seigler) in episode 10, causing conflict with Erin.[11] However, he realizes he still loves Erin in episode 18 and travels to Florida to win her back, breaking up with Jessica.[12] Andy is also appointed the new regional manager during season 8, although briefly loses the role to Nellie Bertam (played by Catherine Tate) in episode 19,[13] regaining it in the season finale after convincing David (played by Andy Buckley) to buy out Dunder Mifflin and become CEO.[14]

Season 9 (2012–2013)

Andy sails away in The Bahamas with his brother Walter (played by Josh Groban) in episode 6,[15] not returning until episode 15.[16] Neglected, Erin eventually breaks up with him for her new interest, Pete (played by Jake Lacy). Amid deteriorating relationships with her and the rest of the office, Andy pays talent agent Carla to help him pursue his dream of stardom in episode 19,[17] and successfully gets himself fired in episode 21.[18] In the series finale set one year later, Andy has found a job at Cornell University's Admissions Office, although he has found some fame after his behavior in a singing competition reality TV show was parodied on Saturday Night Live. Andy exits the show with the quote to the camera: "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've left them".[19]

Behind-the-scenes

The character is named after American economist Andrew Bernard, professor of international economics at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.[20] While Andy was initially meant as a temporary character in season 3 of The Office, the character "grew" on Greg Daniels and the writers, and they decided to have Andy return to the office from anger management and become a permanent character.[21]

Reception

Initially considered an abrasive addition to the show, Andy Bernard later became a fan favorite due to his character development throughout the series.[22] Fans reportedly did not enjoy Andy's arc in the final season, which saw him revert to his worst tendencies showed in earlier seasons and treat his co-workers poorly, with some commentators wondering if the show's writers did not know what to do with the character.[23]

Andy was named one of the most annoying TV characters of 2011 by Vulture.[24] Nerve ranked him the second funniest character in the series, behind only Michael Scott.[25] During the final season, Alan Sepinwall of Uproxx described Andy's personality as a "malevolent version of Michael Scott",[26] while Erik Adams of The A.V. Club wrote that "no amount of last-minute humanizing can win the audience back to [Andy's] side".[27]

References

  1. ^ Daniels, Greg (18 January 2007), The Return, The Office, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, retrieved 6 December 2023
  2. ^ Blitz, Jeffrey (5 April 2007), The Negotiation, The Office, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, retrieved 6 December 2023
  3. ^ Einhorn, Randall (26 April 2007), Product Recall, The Office, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, retrieved 6 December 2023
  4. ^ Feig, Paul (15 May 2008), Goodbye, Toby, The Office, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, retrieved 6 December 2023
  5. ^ Holland, Dean (15 January 2009), The Duel, The Office, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, retrieved 6 December 2023
  6. ^ Gordon, Seth (4 March 2010), The Delivery: Part 1, The Office, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, retrieved 6 December 2023
  7. ^ Ramis, Harold (4 March 2010), The Delivery: Part 2, The Office, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, retrieved 6 December 2023
  8. ^ Carell, Steve (22 April 2010), Secretary's Day, The Office, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, retrieved 6 December 2023
  9. ^ Wilson, Rainn (6 May 2010), The Cover-Up, The Office, Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, retrieved 6 December 2023
  10. ^ Blitz, Jeffrey (19 May 2011), Search Committee, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  11. ^ Helms, Ed (8 December 2011), Christmas Wishes, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  12. ^ Sohn, Matt (8 March 2012), Last Day in Florida, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  13. ^ Wilson, Rainn (15 March 2012), Get the Girl, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  14. ^ Novak, B. J. (10 May 2012), Free Family Portrait Studio, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  15. ^ Krasinski, John (8 November 2012), The Boat, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  16. ^ Miller, Troy (7 February 2013), Couples Discount, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  17. ^ Sohn, Matt (11 April 2013), Stairmageddon, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  18. ^ Blitz, Jeffrey (2 May 2013), Livin' the Dream, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  19. ^ Kwapis, Ken (16 May 2013), Finale, The Office, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, retrieved 6 December 2023
  20. ^ Ho, Catherine (4 January 2015). "In real life, Jim Halpert of 'The Office' fame is a D.C. lawyer". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  21. ^ Pastorek, Whitney; EST, 2007 at 05:00 AM (1 February 2007). "Ed Helms no longer a temp at The Office". EW.com. Retrieved 28 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "How 'The Office' Turned Andy Into One of Its Best Characters". No Film School. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  23. ^ "The Office: Why Ed Helms' Andy Was Made So Unlikable In Season 9". ScreenRant. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  24. ^ Paskin, Willa (5 December 2011). "TV's Ten Most Annoying Characters - Vulture". New York. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  25. ^ Kurp, Josh. "Ranked: Every Character on The Office From Least Funny to Funniest". Nerve. Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  26. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (15 February 2013). "Review: 'The Office'—'Moving On'". Uproxx. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  27. ^ Adams, Erik (15 February 2013). "The Office: "Moving On"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 30 August 2021.