John Krasinski: Will Ferrell Volunteered For ‘The Office’ To ‘Help Relieve The Tension’ As Steve Carell Exits

Earlier this week, a clip emerged of Will Ferrell’s upcoming guest stint on NBC’s “The Office” and series star John Krasinski revealed that the move came about after a suggestion from the “Saturday Night Live” veteran.

”[It] was his idea,” John, who plays Dunder Mifflin paper salesman Jim Halpert, told Parade.com.

John said that Will’s suggestion had to do with Steve Carell’s departure from the long-running comedy.

“He’s such a fan of the show, and he knew we would be in a tight spot, and he wanted to help relieve the tension in a way. So he called our producers, and asked if they could ever use him to step in,” John explained of Will, who also starred with Steve in “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” “It speaks volumes about him as a person. He wants to make sure that the show doesn’t get hurt in this big transition.”

Steve reportedly filmed his last “The Office” episode just last week. John said shooting those scenes with his pal, knowing they were the last ones, made the moments “completely bittersweet.”

“It’s an insanely special relationship we have with each other on the show, and Steve’s leaving is the first time we’ve been snapped out of it and had to think about how much we all rely on each other,” John said. “No one can replace him. That goes for him as an actor, because no one has the sense of humor he does, but also there’s no person who has his incredible positivity and professionalism, and just a really good heart. So we’re losing a friend first and foremost.”

John is also featured on the cover of Parade’s Sunday edition – the “What People Earn” issue — and he told the magazine version of Parade about something else that meant a lot to him on “The Office” set – his TV wedding to Pam (Jenna Fischer).

“Having the family I’ve been with for years out in the audience for the fake wedding was, believe it or not, a really emotional thing,” John said. “The reactions when we kissed, when we said ‘I do,’ were all so genuine. I almost think a company should be started that will exact a fake wedding for you just to get your jitters out.”