Who is Andy Bernard in The Office?

Show

The Office

Played by

Ed Helms

First episode

“Gay Witch Hunt”Season 3, Episode 1, aired September 21, 2006

Role

Main cast

Network

NBC

Occupation

Salesman, later regional manager

Show run

2005 to 2013

Also known as

Andrew Bernard, Andrew Baines Bernard, Nard Dog

Andy Bernard is the preppy, people-pleasing salesman who comes to Scranton in the Stamford merger and never stops trying to be liked. Played by Ed Helms, he begins as a comic irritant and grows into one of the show's most surprising leading men.

On The Office, Andy Bernard's story runs through Erin Hannon (Ex-girlfriend), Angela Martin (Ex-fiancee), Dwight Schrute (Rival), Jim Halpert (Coworker), Darryl Philbin (Friend), and Michael Scott (Boss).

Who is Andy Bernard?

Andy is introduced in season three as a salesman at the Stamford branch, where Jim has just transferred. He brags constantly about Cornell, hands out nicknames (Jim becomes "Big Tuna"), and works hard at being everyone's pal. When Stamford merges into Scranton, Andy comes along and immediately starts competing with Dwight to be Michael's favorite.

Under the cheerfulness is a temper. After Jim and Pam hide his phone in the ceiling and keep calling it, Andy punches a hole in the wall in "The Return" and is sent to anger management. He comes back a few episodes later, calmer and more determined than ever to fit in.

Personality and comedy

Andy is a performer at heart. He sings at every opportunity, cherishes his college a cappella group Here Comes Treble, and acts in local theater, including a production of Sweeney Todd. His need for approval drives most of his comedy, along with his privileged background and a family that clearly favors his brother Walter.

Over time the show makes him more sympathetic. His friendship with Dwight thaws, he bonds with Darryl, and his sweet, awkward courtship of receptionist Erin Hannon becomes one of the gentler love stories of the middle seasons.

Key storylines

In season four Andy pursues Angela, not knowing about her secret history with Dwight, and proposes to her at Toby's going-away party. When he learns the truth in season five, he and Dwight face off in a parking lot duel before both men dump her. Andy later falls for Erin, asks her out in "The Delivery," and loses her for a while when she discovers he had been engaged to Angela.

At the start of season eight, new CEO Robert California makes Andy regional manager. He chases Erin to Florida, loses his chair to Nellie Bertram, stands up to Robert California after an angry outburst and gets fired, then wins the job back when David Wallace buys the company. In the final season Andy spends about three months sailing his family's boat to the Caribbean with his brother Walter, Erin leaves him for Pete, and he quits to pursue fame in "Livin' the Dream." A humiliating viral audition follows, and in the finale he has landed a job at Cornell.

Behind the scenes and reception

Andy was originally planned as a short-term character, but the writers liked him so much that he stayed, and Ed Helms was promoted to series regular during season three. He moved up to the top-billed main cast in season six. The character is named after Andrew Bernard, an economics professor at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, and Helms also directed episodes, including "Christmas Wishes" and "Welcome Party."

Critics and fans warmed to Andy over the middle seasons, but his final season, where he neglects the office and Erin, drew criticism for undoing much of his growth. His closing reflection to the camera, about wishing you could know you are in the good old days while you are still in them, is a fan-favorite moment of the finale.

Andy Bernard: frequently asked questions

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