The Subtle Ways Mindy Kaling Pranked B.J. Novak On 'The Office' Set

Those two, right?
Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak.
Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak.
Alberto E. Rodriguez via Getty Images

Multitalented actors B.J. Novak and Mindy Kaling have been friends-slash-soulmates ever since they met by filming "The Office," a show known for its pranks.

In a gushing profile of Novak's many assorted projects published Sunday in The Guardian, we learned how Kaling managed to trick Novak again and again over the course of their work together on the show.

"She would lie to me. She would make up these -- just out of nowhere -- purposeless lies that I believed," Novak told The Guardian.

Among the untruths Kaling spouted was that the casting director for "The Office" had starred in "Cold Mountain," and that one of the "Office" directors used to date showrunner Greg Daniels in college. Novak was therefore reluctant to criticize the director's work on one episode, failing to suggest the changes he wanted to make. Eventually, he learned the truth from Daniels.

"I asked him about it and he was like, 'What are you talking about? She’s 20 years older than I am; we didn’t go to college together!' I realized that Mindy just made it up," Novak said. "It actually affected my work life!"

So, how did he exact revenge? What else did she lie about? What other lies has he not yet noticed?

We hope Novak is saving some of those details for the book he is writing with his best friend on their strange, adorable relationship. A release date has not been set.

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Larry Wilmore

Daily Show Correspondents & Contributors

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