5 Iconic TV Sitcom Cold Opens From The 2010s

The American Office is probably the most beloved sitcom from the 2010s, Steve Carell gave a stunning performance as the ever awkward and cringe inducing boss, Michael Scott. The rest of the incredible ensemble cast was made up of heavy hitters like John Krasinski, Mindy Kaling and Ed Helms. Topping off the cast list was The Office fanbase's favourite: Rainn Wilson. Wilson played the neurotic beet farmer Dwight Schrute to absolute perfection, and it was usually his intense behaviour that got the branch in trouble with corporate.

The Office is another sitcom that has an overflowing portfolio of ingenious cold opens, from Jim pranking Dwight in more and more extravagant ways to Michael awkwardly trying to bond with his employees there is something for everyone. The hands down BEST cold open from The American Office has to come from the iconic episode written by Dunder Mifflin's own Toby Flenderson: Stress Relief.

The two part-er Stress Relief has a ton of laugh-till-you-cry moments, including Dwight ripping of the face of a first aid dummy while everyone sings and dances to Staying Alive by The Bee Gees. But the best moment comes in the episode's first few minutes.

Dwight, who feels unsatisfied by the response he got from a fire safety PowerPoint presentation, takes it upon himself to simulate a fire in the office to teach his co-workers how to act in such a situation... It goes about as well as you would imagine.

Without spoiling the scene too much, it must be noted the reactions from the accounting department are divine: Oscar's escape plan, Angela (and her surprise file-cabinet cat) and Kevin's... alternative response are all hilarious.

Overall, you just have to see it to believe it.