51 Across

NYT Daily • August 20, 2025

First receptionist on "The Office"

Answer:

PAM

Hint:

She quietly balanced art, love, and paperwork before moving to the sales floor.

Explanation:

This clue refers to the character Pam Beesly, who was the first receptionist seen in the U.S. version of The Office. The show opens with her working at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, making her the initial face of the reception desk. The answer is simply her first name, "PAM," as crossword answers are often shortened for space. Fans of the series would recognize her immediately from the pilot episode.

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