“The Office”: The 22 funniest pranks Jim ever pulled

No one at Dunder Mifflin Scranton is safe from Jim Halpert's antics, but Dwight Schrute surely bears the brunt.

Clocking in at a paper distribution company in Scranton, Pa., might sound somewhat dull, but with a serial prankster like Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) on the job, no two workdays are ever the same. Across nine seasons of The Office, it's clear the paper salesman has a lot of time on his hands, spending hours readying elaborate schemes to give his co-workers — especially his favorite and easiest target, Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) — the ultimate mind-screw. Though it's hard to keep track of all of Big Tuna's tricks, we made it our mission to seek out his greatest hits, from the wildly creative (the garden party book was pure genius) to the hilariously mean-spirited (the Dwight impersonation was spot-on).

From here, see Jim's most memorable pranks at Dunder Mifflin Scranton.

Jell-Oh no, you didn't

("Pilot," season 1, episode 1)

Say you've lost your stapler, or your calculator, or your "World's Best Boss" coffee mug. Someone probably borrowed it. Maybe you misplaced it. But if you work at Dunder Mifflin Scranton, your office supplies are probably encapsulated in a Jell-O mold, courtesy of Jim Halpert. While it's not his most elaborate or inventive hoax, Jim's inaugural prank is a classic, especially when he denies his guilt while innocently slurping on Jell-O. —Gretchen Hansen

Related: The Office's 15 best episodes, ranked

Practicalitous-Jokitis

("Health Care," season 1, episode 3)

Could someone in your office be suffering from Ebola? Mad cow disease? Leprosy? Flesh-eating bacteria? A government-created killer nano-robot infection? Or, perhaps most deadly of all, Count Choculitis? Dwight's in charge of selecting a new cost-efficient health insurance plan, but runs into some difficulties: How many insurance companies provide coverage for those suffering from hot dog fingers? Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer) and Jim have contracted nearly every infectious disease under the sun, and some not yet discovered, according to the forms they submit to Dwight.

FYI, if your teeth ever turn to liquid and drip down the back of your throat, chances are you're experiencing spontaneous dental hydroplosion. (Bonus disease: pretendinitis. Warning signs: high-pitched noises coming from the receptionist's desk.) —G.H.

Survivor tactics

("The Alliance," season 1, episode 4)

What do you do when there are rumors of downsizing in your office? If you're Dwight Schrute, you form a super-secret alliance with your archenemy, Jim; schedule covert rendezvous in the parking lot to discuss suspicious employee behavior; and volunteer to seal yourself inside a cardboard box to spy on co-workers. While Jim and Pam encourage Dwight's paranoia, this is one prank that Dwight pulls on himself...right down to his disguise for spying on the Stamford branch: peroxide-bleached blond hair. —G.H.

Dude, where's my desk?

("The Fight," season 2, episode 6)

Dwight seems to have misplaced his desk. But, before he can whine to Michael (Steve Carell), Jim begins a game of Hot or Cold, which Dwight — a natural-born hunter, seeker, and ping-pong enthusiast — cannot resist. Dwight's miffed when he finally locates his desk in the men's restroom, but doesn't confront Jim about his new office space. What can you expect from a man who cried at the end of Armageddon (though he claims to only have cried because it was New Year's Eve and it started to snow at exactly midnight)? —G.H.

Friursday

("Performance Review," season 2, episode 8)

Dwight arrives to work on time every day, rain or shine, healthy or sick, showered or covered in beet juice and goose feathers. So, he's understandably upset when his perfect attendance record is marred thanks to Jim, who successfully convinces Dwight that it's Friday, when it is, in fact, Thursday. After a well-placed Apprentice reference, Dwight is completely convinced that he has the following day off. He arrives at the office on Friday, hours late, unshaven, and in rumpled clothes — all of which will be duly noted on his otherwise perfect performance review. —G.H.

Vending my-stuff

("Booze Cruise," season 2, episode 11)

When Dwight's desk paraphernalia goes missing, he probably thinks it's floating in Jell-O. But he's stunned to find his bobblehead, nameplate, and wallet showcased in the office vending machine. You decide which moment is more memorable: Pam buying Dwight's pencil cup or Jim handing Dwight a bag of change so he can buy his stuff back, one nickel at a time. Pencil cup? One dollar. Watching a co-worker buy back his own bobblehead doll? Priceless. —G.H.

Channeling Mussolini

("Dwight's Speech," season 2, episode 17)

When Dwight receives the highest honor that a Northeastern Pennsylvania-based midsize paper company regional salesman can attain — Salesman of the Year — Jim is more than happy to give him public speaking tips, including a copied speech by World War II-era dictator Benito Mussolini. Jim's prank backfires, however, when Dwight's impassioned speech is a big hit with his audience. ("I say, salesmen...and women, of the world, unite!") The combination of Dwight's fist slamming, arm waving, and mechanical laughter make this botched prank one of the funniest moments in Office history. —G.H.

The Nickeler!

("Conflict Resolution," season 2, episode 21)

No one can truly appreciate the magnitude of Jim's high jinks until taking a look at Dwight's complaint files. Jim boasts an impressive rap sheet: He's paid off his co-workers to call Dwight "Dwayne," replaced Dwight's pens with crayons, put a bloody glove in Dwight's desk, and tried to convince him he was a murderer.

But, perhaps the most elaborate prank in the hefty complaint file is Jim's alleged tampering with Dwight's telephone handset. Jim is charged with incrementally increasing the weight of Dwight's phone with nickels, and then abruptly removing the change. The result? Dwight nails himself in the face with his phone. —G.H.

Fax from the future

("Branch Closing," season 3, episode 7)

When Jim steals some of Dwight's stationery and sends Dwight faxes from "Future Dwight," Dwight isn't the only victim. Stanley Hudson (Leslie David Baker) loses a perfectly good cup of coffee when Dwight bats the "poisoned liquid" out of Stanley's hands.

To: Dwight

From: Future Dwight

Subject: Office coffee

Dwight: At 8 a.m. today, someone poisons the coffee. Do not drink the coffee. More instructions will follow. Cordially, Future Dwight. —G.H.

Highly classified pranking

("A Benihana Christmas," season 3, episodes 10 and 11)

Pam gives Jim the ultimate Christmas gift: classified plans for a long-term prank on a completely oblivious "CIA operative," otherwise known as the assistant to the regional manager, Dwight Schrute. Dwight's mission, as determined by Jim, is to report to Langley headquarters via helicopter for training, followed by an ice cream social. Upon discovering he has been compromised, Dwight aborts the mission and destroys all evidence. In this prank, Dwight not only loses his dignity but also throws a perfectly good cell phone off the roof of Dunder Mifflin. —G.H.

Related: The wildest Office ideas that almost happened

"Rockin' Robin"

("The Return," season 3, episode 14)

Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) never misses an opportunity to remind everyone of three important facts: He went to Cornell University, ("You ever heard of it?"); he was drunk all the time; and, most importantly, he was a member of the a cappella group Here Comes Treble. When Andy records his own ringtone — a four-part a cappella version of "Rockin' Robin" — Jim decides enough is enough. With the help of Pam, Jim hides Andy's phone in the ceiling and then calls it repeatedly. The prank sends the Cornell alumni into an enraged spiral, and straight into anger management classes. ''Tweedly-dee. Tweedle-de-deet-deet....'' —G.H.

Yes, Dwight, that is the real Ben Franklin

("Ben Franklin," season 3, episode 15)

When Jim is assigned to hire a stripper, he calls exactly who you'd think: the Scholastic Speakers of Pennsylvania. When Ben Franklin (Andy Daly) arrives, Jim reveals to Dwight that the man is not an impersonator; he is the real Benjamin Franklin. After trying unsuccessfully to stump "Ben" with a series of historical brain busters, Dwight raises his fists and yells at the sky. "I don't care what Jim says. That is not the real Ben Franklin," says Dwight. "I am 99 percent sure." (Bonus Beesly burn: When Ben tries to flirt with Pam by mentioning that he invented electricity, she reminds him that the real Ben Franklin had syphilis.) —G.H.

Pavlov prank

("Phyllis' Wedding," season 3, episode 16)

Inspired by Pavlov's experiment, Jim trains Dwight to expect an Altoid at the sound of a computer log-in bell. After weeks of conditioning, Jim boots his computer, and Dwight immediately extends his hand. When he doesn't receive a mint, Dwight smacks his lips and wonders aloud why he has such a bad taste in his mouth. Turns out that paying attention in psych class pays off, and Dwight is successfully brainwashed. —G.H.

Scransylvania

("Business School," season 3, episode 17)

Something's wrong with Jim. He feels all tingly. He can't touch garlic bread. His teeth feel...sharper. He's sensitive to sunlight. When it comes to mythical creatures, Dwight has more experience with werewolves, but he can't deny the telltale signs that poor Jim is morphing into a vampire. Besides, as Dwight astutely points out, if a vampire was in the U.S., it would obviously "come to a '-sylvania.' Like Pennsylvania." Obviously. —G.H.

Dwight squared

("Product Recall," season 3, episode 21)

Question. Which Dwight is best: Dwight Schrute or Dwight Halpert? While it's less of a prank and more of a direct insult, Jim's impersonation of Dwight is too memorable — and dead-on — to leave out of our Office prank countdown. With a pair of $4 drugstore glasses, $7 for the rest of the ensemble, a calculator watch, and an unfortunate hair part, you too can become a Dwight look-alike! To be even more convincing as a Schrute, be sure to ask a series of nonsensical questions.

Dwight's revenge: A messy hairstyle, a few goofy smirks, and some unabashed flirting with Karen Filippelli (Rashida Jones) — in other words, an equally hilarious impersonation of Jim. —G.H.

Do not open it till Christmas

("Moroccan Christmas," season 4, episode 12)

Jim Halpert, always thinking of what to get his bullpen-mate for the holidays, decided to wrap Dwight's desk, chair, lamp, computer — basically everything — in Christmas wrapping paper. Or, that's what it looked like. It was the gift that kept on giving...provided you watch it over and over again. —Marc Bernardin

It's 5 o'clock somewhere

("Company Picnic," season 5, episode 28)

Michael falls into a deep food coma after devouring an entire family-sized chicken pot pie for lunch, sacking out on his desk. So, naturally, Jim rallies the rest of his office mates for a simple yet effective prank: They fast forward the office clock to 5 pm to trick Michael into thinking it's quitting time. But they don't just stop there. Jim and Pam stealthily change Michael's watch without waking him, while Dwight — who needs to leave early for a horse doctor appointment (don't ask!) — dashes to his boss' car to adjust its clock. When Michael wakes up, he doesn't question a thing, packing up his briefcase and driving off. Free half-day for Dunder Mifflin Scranton! —James Mercadante

Self-sabatoge

("Murder," season 6, episode 10)

Once a year, Dwight hosts an office seminar on the latest in martial arts — a 1,000-year-old practice that...doesn't...change. When no one volunteers to help Dwight demonstrate a defense move, Jim quickly seizes the opportunity to convince his co-worker that the only worthy adversary in the office is himself. With a series of well-placed questions and fake scenarios, Jim expertly leads Dwight into a full-on self-attack — one that ends in a punch to the groin. —J.M.

Dwight and the Beanstalk

("Garage Sale," season 7, episode 18)

Dunder Mifflin Scranton is holding a public garage sale, and Dwight is on a mission to trade his way from a thumbtack to the priciest item there. At Jim's table, Dwight's eyes lock onto a mysterious package labeled "Professor Copperfield's Miracle Legumes." Jim claims they aren't but they keep reappearing every time he tries to destroy them. With an elaborate backstory and bogus demonstrations, Jim convinces Dwight that these magic beans — sorry, legumes — are legit, ultimately trading them for Dwight's telescope. (To keep the prank going, Dwight waters these seeds in a pot, which Jim swaps out with fully grown plants.) —J.M.

Face the fist

("Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager," season 7, episode 24)

Dwight's temporary stint as the (acting) regional manager goes straight to his head: He installs vintage punch clocks, mandates a morning recital of the Pledge of Allegiance, inserts a piranha tank, and more. Jim — having declined the interim role and thinking it unnecessary — decides to counter these new practices by doing what he does best. Posting flyers, Jim launches a mock social club called "the Fist," excluding Dwight because, you know, they got the whole "Operation Overthrow" and everything that day. Now paranoid about his reputation, Dwight tries to reassert his authority by sporting a belt holster...carrying a loaded gun. Needless to say, his promotion didn't last very long. —J.M.

Related: The 16 best workplace comedies

Host hoax

("Garden Party," season 8, episode 4)

When Andy decides to host a garden party at Schrute Farms, Dwight goes all out to ensure it's a full-blown, upscale affair, and he has one secret weapon: The sole copy of The Ultimate Guide to Throwing a Garden Party, a rare internet find for two bucks. Following the manual's detailed instructions — loudly announcing guests, performing courtly dances, and ending with a grand fire ceremony — Dwight is blissfully unaware that Jim is the true author of this exclusive manual, hiding behind the alias "James Trickington." The jokes write themselves...literally. —J.M.

Dwight gets Truman Show-ed

("Andy's Ancestry," season 9, episode 3)

Having a morning dentist appointment, Jim does not take a day off from pranking and hires his Asian American actor friend, Steve (Randall Park), to fill in for him at work. Immediately on the defense, Dwight is the only one who seems to notice (or care). But as "Jim" confidently shares company secrets, casually kisses Pam (who's in on the conspiracy), and swaps out a family photo with one depicting him and Pam with their biracial children, Dwight has to wonder: Has he been living with racial colorblindness the whole time? —J.M.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.