Ryan Howard, played by B.J. Novak, is a fictional character on the US television sitcom The Office. He was originally a temporary employee at the Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but was eventually hired on as a junior sales representative. He is based upon Ricky Howard from the original version of The Office, but his role is significantly expanded.
| Ryan Howard | |
|---|---|
| File:Bjoffice.jpg | |
| First appearance | Pilot |
| Created by | Greg Daniels |
| Portrayed by | B.J. Novak |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | "Big Turkey" (nickname used by coworker Andy Bernard) or "Temp" (usually used by Michael or Dwight referring to his status as a temporary worker in the first two seasons) |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | Junior Sales Associate |
Ryan is one of the most competent employees, usually a step ahead of his on-staff coworkers. He was a member of a fraternity in college and is continuing his education by attending business school at night, much to the chagrin of his boss, Michael Scott. His dream is to ultimately own a business one day, which he confesses to Michael who derides it as "a terrible idea". Ryan does not wish to stay at Dunder-Mifflin long or even be remembered when he leaves, citing that his ultimate fear is that he will gain a nickname around the office (being "that guy"). This fear came to pass in an episode penned by Novak when Howard activated a smoke alarm by accidentally overcooking some food in the break room, earning him the nickname "Fire Guy." Underscoring his lack of enthusiasm for working at Dunder-Mifflin, Ryan mentions that he could clean out his desk in five seconds and everyone (including him) would forget that he ever worked there.
Ryan has an on-again, off-again relationship with office chatterbox Kelly Kapoor. This began when she expressed interest in him, and he responded favorably to her "junk". He made out with her on the eve of Valentine's Day, resulting in awkwardness between the two next day. He is often uneasy about Kelly mentioning her wishes to marry Ryan and raise children as soon as possible, and Ryan often responds quite harshly to show his disinterest. However, things seem to be starting up between the two again during the office "Casino Night". Ryan and Kelly are later seen dating in episode 3-2, "The Convention". Ryan met Kelly's parents during Diwali, but they were not impressed by his low income and desire to travel, rather than start a family. Michael also seems to have a bit of a man crush on Ryan, which also frightens him at times. Ryan is also inconveniently stuck in the position of being personal assistant to Michael, who immediately summons him to all menial tasks, such as picking up a video for Michael at his mother's house, cleaning out his car with him, and trying to get Ryan to assist him in the bathroom when Michael slips up from his injury. In a complaint filed on him in "Conflict Resolution", Kelly complains to Toby that Ryan doesn't return her calls. Michael reads the complaint aloud to the office, and joins Kelly in the same complaint, as Ryan does not return his calls either. Ryan replies that his voicemail is rather spotty. Lately though, Ryan has begun correcting Michael for embarrassing him as evident by "The Convict", when one of Michael's latest seminars involving prison life has Michael referring to Ryan as "da belle of da ball" if he were in prison. He has a list of excuses he programmed into his cell phone to use if Michael summons him into any of his antics, which impresses Jim. Along with Stanley Hudson and Phyllis Lapin, Ryan consoles the new employees from the Stamford branch on how Michael operates as manager of their branch.
Ryan also knows for sure that there is a definite "more than just friends" relationship between Dwight Schrute and Angela Martin. He discovered the relationship when the two were arguing about what to do about Michael's birthday in the break room.
During Ryan's term as a temporary employee (and even for a few months after his promotion to full-time status), Dwight addresses him as "Temp" and never by his real name.
In "Gay Witch Hunt", Ryan becomes a full-time employee and inherits the job (and desk) vacated by Jim Halpert, who transferred to Dunder-Mifflin's Stamford branch. Despite the promotion, Michael treats Ryan as his personal assistant, assigning him menial tasks such as taking inventory of Michael's possessions for his trip to the convention in Philadelphia or organizing paperwork in his office. Upon Jim's return to Scranton as a result of the branch merger, there is a moment of awkwardness when Jim casually sets up at his former desk, only to learn that it now belongs to Ryan.
Ryan goes to his first sales call in "Initiation", where he is subjected to a series of tests by Dwight, including being stranded on Dwight's beet farm and being tied to a chair while answering questions regarding the company. Dwight later admits to an angry Ryan that he wants to get along with him and be a team, since he and Jim were always at odds. He also points out Ryan's problem, which is that he will not accept that other people can teach him things. Ryan may not be a good salesman—his first client tells him flat out that they do not like him. A sales call with Stanley in "Traveling Salesmen" is also disastrous.
In "The Return", he mocks Jim's query as to whether he will help plan a prank on Andy, making Jim say that he liked him better as "the temp". Ryan replies, "me too."
Trivia
- Ryan's car is a blue Honda Civic sedan.
- He won the "Hottest In The Office" award at the 8th Annual Dundie Awards.
- Ryan shares a name with Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, the 2005 National League Rookie of the Year, and 2006 National League MVP. Coincidentally, the Phillies AAA affiliate was the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in Scranton, PA, where the Phillies' Howard spent time playing in 2004 and 2005 and where The Office is set.
- B.J. Novak quips that he was hired because of his ability to express emotions by staring.[1]
References
- ^ The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, October 3, 2006
External links
- Ryan Howard Quotes - at Dunderball.com