In the episode, Michael, Pam and Ryan try to get their new paper company off the ground, but end up bickering among themselves due to the stress and cramped office space.

It included a guest appearance by Idris Elba, who played new Dunder Mifflin vice president Charles Miner.

"Michael Scott Paper Company" received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation.

The office space used to be a closet; water pipes run through the room, so they can hear the toilets flush from the Dunder Mifflin bathrooms above them.

Michael hosts a pancake luncheon to introduce the company to potential clients, but only one person and a few Dunder Mifflin employees show up.

Dwight Schrute and Andy Bernard plan a hunting trip, but their new friendship is tested by their mutual romantic interest in Erin.

[1] "Michael Scott Paper Company" was the fourth of six episodes guest starring Idris Elba, best known as Stringer Bell from The Wire.

"[2] According to the Season 5 DVD episode commentary, B. J. Novak came up with the story idea involving Jim and the "rundown" and worked it into Spitzer's final script.

Wilson said he proposed doing a full studio cover of the song, with Creed Bratton providing backup guitar and vocals, and selling it on iTunes for charity.

[8] The official website for The Office included four cut scenes from "Michael Scott Paper Company" within a week of the episode's original release.

[9] A second one-minute clip includes Pam and Ryan fighting around the new office until they are interrupted by a janitor who believes the room is still a closet and leaves water jugs on the floor.

[16] In its original American broadcast on April 9, 2009, "Michael Scott Paper Company" was watched by 8 million overall viewers, according to Nielsen ratings.

Club said he liked the plot aspects involve the new company, particularly the pancake breakfast and the first successful sales call: "I know the series probably has to revert to something like the old status quo at some point, but I almost wish it could stay in that dank little corner a little longer.

[1] Steven Mullen of The Tuscaloosa News called the episode "stellar" and particularly praised the comedic chemistry between Andy and Dwight.

"[4] Margaret Lions of Entertainment Weekly said, "This episode wasn't one of my favorites … No bombs, no bits that failed, and by The Office's standards, nothing even particularly cringe worthy.

[22] This episode received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation.