Craig Robinson’s recent announcement that he was quitting comedy turned out to be an elaborate prank related to a new commercial. The actor-comedian is best known for playing Dunder Mifflin warehouse foreman Darryl Philbin inThe Office. Though not one of the sitcom’s leads,Darryl is a quotable fan-favorite character.
Recently, the Darryl actor posted two videos on Instagram in whichRobinson explained he was quitting comedyto focus on his “true calling” of starting a small business. Many media outlets (includingScreen Rant), fans, and even celebrities took Robinson’s announcement at face value.
However, a new ad fromAT&T Businessdropped today, and it features Robinson explaining that his retirement announcement was a hoax.The commercial sees Robinson playing a version of himself as a small business owner, and he reunites withOfficecast membersAngela Kinsey, Ellie Kemper, Oscar Nuñez, and Creed Bratton. In the ad, Robinson rallies hisOfficeco-workers in a pitch meeting.
It’s forhis new business venture, an AI alarm clock called CrAIg — “The world’s first AI alarm clock, featuring yours truly.“What follows is some humorous confusion amongstThe Officestars as they try to pronounce the product’s name. This was the first commercial in an AT&T Business ad campaign that will see Robinon trying to grow his small business. Watch the video below:
It Was An Inventive Way For The Office Star To Drum Up Publicity
Celebrities have been spokespeople for products practically since the dawn of Hollywood, so Robinson collaborating with AT&T Business is nothing new. However, Robinson’s commitment to the prank — actually announcing on his personal Instagram that he’s quitting comedy — is totally fresh and fun. It’s also brilliant, becausethe fact that he fooled so many people gave everyone reason to watch the two-minute and 45-second ad.
Adding a miniOfficereunion is another stroke of marketing genius because of how big the fandom is. With this commercial being the start of an entire ad campaign,Officefans are sure to be tuning in to other commercials to see who else will pop up. The ad did start with Robinson on the phone with Rainn Wilson, so maybe Dwight Schrute will make an in-person appearance.
Our Take On The Office Cast’s AT&T Reunion
It Makes Us Excited For The Oscar Spinoff
Robinson’s AT&T Business commercial proved one thing — love forThe Officeis alive and well. Many fans are prone torewatches ofThe Office, while Angela Kinsey co-hosts arewatch podcast calledOffice Ladieswith her co-star, Jenna Fischer. It’s hardly a shock that Kinsey appeared in the commercial.
It was also a thrill to see Oscar Nuñez in there, too. Nuñez will be the protagonist ofThe Office’s first-ever spinoff calledThe Paper. In addition to AT&T Business drumming up hype for Robinson’s small business saga and whichOfficeactors will appear next, the ad is also getting us more excited forThe Officespinoff.
