Kate Flannery Remembers ‘The Office’ Winning an Emmy: ‘My Life Totally Changed’ (Exclusive)

Who says it’s an honor just to be nominated? While hosting the recent IES Abroad Study Abroad Film Festival Event in Chicago, actress Kate Flannery exclusively confessed to Closer Weekly — in the magazine’s latest issue, on newsstands now! — that having her sitcom The Office take home TV’s top prize, an Emmy Award, after its second season back in 2006 was the best day ever.

“Everything felt so different after that because it just felt like there was no going back,” the 54-year-old, who played Meredith Palmer on the program for all nine seasons, said. “I had waited tables through the first season of The Office.”  She explained, “I was still working my restaurant job and I was 40 and I was like, ‘Maybe this is it. Maybe this is my career.’ My life totally changed because of the show.” And while the sitcom wrapped up on NBC in 2013, fans everywhere have since been enjoying every season on Netflix, as it has found an even bigger audience than before.

But Kate isn’t the only star who has fond memories from the show — Jenna Fischer, who, of course, played everyone’s favorite receptionist, Pam Beesly, once revealed that her first TV kiss with costar John Krasinski, also known as Jim Halpert, was more than what she could have hoped for. “When he walked away, I felt completely transported into a new reality,” the actress, 44, wrote in her book, The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide. “I was Pam, I was talking with my mother, and my heart was breaking. I spoke into the phone, telling her I was in love with Jim, but I couldn’t confess my feelings to him. Suddenly, Jim walked in the door. I turned and saw him and my heart felt like it might burst out of my chest. I wanted so much to tell him how I felt, but before I could, he kissed me. It was perfect.”

Sadly, you’ll have to keep watching that iconic The Office scene through syndication today because Steve Carell himself, who launched into mainstream stardom thanks to his role as Michael Scott, recently told the Saturday Night Live audience not to expect a reboot. “It was a great experience, I love all of those people but I just don’t think it’s the best idea … I don’t think it would be as good this time around,” the Oscar nominated actor, 56, said. Darn it.

For more on your favorite celebs, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now — and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more news!