Why Michael Scott Really Hates Toby In The Office (The Answer Is A Deleted Scene From Season 1)

The Office has its fair share of iconic long-running jokes, from Jim pranking Dwight to "That's what she said," but one of the best is Michael's hatred of Toby, which can be explained in a season 1 deleted scene. NBC's mockumentary sitcom is considered one of the best shows of the 2000s, partly due to Steve Carell's Michael Scott. Many unique traits define his character. One of the most prominent and hilarious (and not one of his cringy attributes), though, is his disdain towards Toby.

Per NBC Insider, a spin-off of The Office — The Paper — is in development for Peacock. The upcoming series takes place in the same universe as The Office but features a new cast, including Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, and Ramona Young. The spin-off also follows a dying Midwestern newspaper instead of a paper company.

Throughout almost all nine seasons of The Office (aside from the ones without Carell), Michael expresses how much he hates Toby in many memorable moments. Of course, no one can forget the scene where Toby returns from Costa Rica to replace Holly, much to Michael's dismay. When Michael sees his nemesis, he hilariously starts yelling, "No," adding in a "Please, God, no!" There's also "Casino Night," when Toby turns down Michael's idea, who then asks the HR representative, "Why are you the way that you are?" All these moments wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for one deleted scene.

Michael's Grudge Against Toby Began In Season 1, Episode 4, "The Alliance"

Toby Steals Michael's Joke

While speaking with the Daily Beast, Paul Lieberstein, who played Toby and was a writer/executive producer for The Office, revealed that a deleted scene creates Michael's grudge against Toby. In The Office season 1, episode 4, "The Alliance," Michael tries to come up with the perfect joke to write on Meredith's birthday card. However, before he can do so, Toby signs the card with the same joke Michael is about to use.

Michael tells the HR representative, "I was going to put that in my message, Toby! So just cross it off. Cross it off now." When Toby abides by Michael's orders, though, Steve Carell's character says, "What are you doing? Oh come on, you're ruining it! Toby, come on. Just, look at that. That's wrecked. A**."

Unfortunately, the scene didn't make it to the episode's final cut. But, according to Lieberstein, Michael's hatred for Toby in The Office was born right then and there. He explains:

The Office Cutting The Reason Michael Hates Toby Made Their Relationship Even Funnier

The Origin Of Their Feud Is Ambiguous In The Actual Show

Since the aforementioned scene of Michael and Toby didn't make it into The Office episodes, fans never truly knew the origins of Steve Carell's character's disdain towards him. Of course, many accepted the fact that Toby's HR job is what makes Michael hate him so much. Michael even dislikes Holly at first because she's in HR. However, knowing that Toby stealing Michael's joke starts the feud makes their relationship all the better and more hilarious. It's quite on par with Michael's character in The Office, after all.