'The Office's Craig Robinson Reveals His Retirement Was A Prank

Newsweek

3 days ago

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If you were sad to learn of Craig Robinson's announcement late last week about his retirement from comedy, we've got good news: "The Office" star was pulling the wool over our eyes. The aforementioned announcement was a prank, and it was all part of a new AT&T ad campaign targeted at small business owners.
AT&T Business released an ad, which you can watch below, featuring Robinson with his former "The Office" co-stars Angela Kinsey, Ellie Kemper, Oscar Nuñez, and Creed Bratton. In the ad, Robinson develops a new AI product called CrAIg, the world's first AI alarm clock.
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The ad also references another AT&T campaign from last year featuring "The Office" stars. The "Sleep With Rainn" pillow mentioned in the newer ad is from a campaign featuring Robinson, Jenna Fischer, and Rainn Wilson.
Craig Robinson performs at The Stress Factory Comedy Club on February 20, 2025 in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Craig Robinson performs at The Stress Factory Comedy Club on February 20, 2025 in New Brunswick, New Jersey.Per The Hollywood Reporter, AT&T Business said about the new ad, "This campaign isn't just a one-off moment — it's a multiyear movement designed to shine a light and celebrate the real journey of small business owners. We wanted to break the mold by bringing beloved cultural icons to the forefront."
"By casting them as themselves — playing versions of their own entrepreneurial journeys — we create authentic, relatable stories that resonate deeply with small business owners."
Robinson told THR, "I know some people with small businesses. I have a cousin in Chicago with a small business, and [I am aware of] the unexpected things that happen with a small business — like, take a pandemic or what have you — a lot of times there's support needed, and it's just a beautiful thing to know that you can lean on somebody."
Last week, Robinson released a video announcing his supposed retirement from comedy. "Just want you to hear it from me," Robinson said in the first video. "I am quitting comedy, but not for nothing. It's been an amazing run, and y'all been amazing and wonderful. But I'm following something bigger. So, you know, thank you so much. I love you, and stay tuned."
In a second video he mentioned hitting a few "bumps in the road," and captioned it with, "Turns out having a dream and building a business with your friends are two VERY different things. I can't go into detail just yet, but for real though any help would be huge."
Turns out those bumps in the road were fictional, but comedy fans everywhere are likely relieved Robinson isn't leaving the trade he's best known for.
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