The Office reunion in the AT&T ad Sleep with Rainn is on-brand
By Sabrina Reed
We all love when cast members from hit series that made a huge impact on the TV landscape, and in pop culture, reunite. It's why the Friends reunion with Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer for an Uber Eats Super Bowl commercial made such a splash with fans of the comedy. It's also why the new AT&T ad promoting the company's Business Next Level Network is going to have fans of The Office excited.
Now, before you think the cast rocked up to a Dunder Mifflin lookalike set and stepped back into their roles for this promotion, let me tell you that's not the case. They're instead playing versions of themselves in a mockumentary-style office setting for the launch of Rainn Wilson's new venture, Sleep with Rainn. I know you chuckled at that title so get ready to be tickled some more because the "product" is a pillow with speakers meant to put you to sleep with Wilson's voice since apparently, as the actor jokes, "For years, my voice has been putting people to sleep — my mom, my wife, my therapist — so I decided to cash in."
The ASMR-esque, sleep app adjacent "product" is absolutely ridiculous as are the bits of the ad Wilson is recording on a phone with the help of Jenna Fischer, Sleep with Rainn's social media manager. Together with Craig Robinson (Chief Technology Officer), Brian Baumgartner (Head of Product), Kate Flannery ("The Fixer"), and Creed Bratton (Intern), are in the middle of launching their site.
In the chaotic spirit of The Office, things begin to spiral out of control with the peak of the ridiculousness hitting when--padded up with pillows--Robinson charges at the "cybersecurity" room door he'd locked them out of not having seen that Flannery had already opened it with a credit card. His reward for the nonsense is a tumble through the door that results in him breaking a computer and tearing electrical wiring out of the wall.
But don't worry! They have AT&T Internet Backup, so the Sleep with Rainn crew are able to launch the site and begin turning a profit. Clocking in at six minutes and 20 seconds, this ad truly leans into what fans hope for when it comes to cast reunions that aren't sit downs at panels or for specials. It's not a 30-60 second TV spot that goes by way too fast, and it also doesn't rehash or overdue material we've already seen. It's new content for a new time and it's funny.
If you're in need of a laugh to pick up your day, watch the Sleep with Rainn AT&T ad and let The Office cast bring you some joy.