Pam Beesly-Halpert is Officially Welcome Back at Chili’s!
By Emily Scott
Breaking news, Office fans! After an 11-year ban, Pam Beesly-Halpert is officially welcome back at Chili’s restaurants.
It’s been almost four years since the series finale of The Office, but that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten it. The NBC comedy’s many memorable characters still have a place in the hearts of many. Today, we discovered, that includes Kelli Valade, President of Chili’s Grill and Bar.
Brinker International, which owns the Chili’s brand, released a short statement yesterday. In it, they announce they are lifting the ban once placed on Pam, actress Jenna Fischer’s character in The Office. “Effective immediately, Chili’s® Grill & Bar has removed the longstanding ban on a Scranton, Pennsylvania woman who allegedly caused a disturbance during a company awards party held at a Chili’s near the Pennsylvania town of Scranton.” The decision was made “after reviewing the good conduct of Pam,” according to Valade.
BREAKING: Chili’s lifts permanent ban on Pam (@JennaFischer), welcomes her back to any #Chilis restaurant: https://t.co/jw76381O8K
— Chili's Grill & Bar (@Chilis) February 7, 2017
Of course, this is all in reference to the second season The Office episode titled “The Dundies.” In the episode, the Scranton branch of Dunder-Mifflin holds its annual awards ceremony at a Chili’s restaurant. After an argument with her then-fiancé Roy as he left, Pam decided to stay and get drunk.
After winning the Dundie for “Whitest Sneakers,” Pam delivered an iconic drunken acceptance speech. “I have so many people to thank for this award. Okay, first off, my Keds, because I couldn’t have done it without them. Thank you…So, finally, I wanna thank God, because God gave me this Dundie, and I feel God in this Chili’s tonight.” At the end of the episode, a Chili’s employee told the camera that Pam had been stealing drinks from other tables. He Xeroxed her driver’s license and proclaimed that she’d never be allowed in a Chili’s again. That is, until today!
Wherever Jim and Pam are now – which, based on the series finale, is probably Houston – we hope they get a babysitter for Cece and Philip and have a celebratory drink at Chili’s. You deserve it, Pam!