The Office’s Jan Levinson Scratched a Steinway: Melora Hardin’s Costly Prop Mishap

One beaded dress and a scratched Steinway. Melora Hardin, known for her role as the formidable Jan Levinson, just revealed the high-stakes chaos behind one of The Office's most legendary episodes.

The Incident Atop the Grand Piano

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hardin recalled filming the iconic nightclub scene in Season 7, episode "Threat Level Midnight." Production had her lounging on a rented Steinway baby grand piano, performing as the sultry seductress Jasmine Windsong.

As it turns out, her stunning beaded dress wasn't just heavy—it was destructive. "As soon as I got up, I saw that the beads on my dress had terribly scratched the piano," Hardin shared. Despite her concern, the prop team's reaction was surprisingly nonchalant, leading her to believe they simply had to buy the damaged luxury instrument. It’s a testament to the show's commitment to the bit, even when it cost them a literal piano.

A Cult Classic Six Years in the Making

"Threat Level Midnight" wasn't just another episode; it was a payoff 6 years in the making. First teased in Season 2, Michael Scott’s spy thriller finally came to life in 2011. The full 25-minute film has since garnered millions of views on YouTube, cementing Hardin's performance—and her vocal talents—in the show's hall of fame.