Though critically praised, the show failed to find a sizeable audience and was canceled after just 22 episodes.

At the same time, Novak kicked off his stand-up career. His first live gig was in October of 2001 at the Hollywood Youth Hostel. As one might imagine, the country’s sense of humor was at a collective low point just one month after the 9/11 terrorism attack. Undeterred, Novak kept at it and took a couple of months off to refine his material. Starting fresh in 2002, Novak honed his comedic chops by working crowds on open mike nights at coffee houses and bars all across Southern California.

Novak’s hard work eventually paid off. By the summer of 2002, Novak had become a crowd favorite and had earned himself a solid reputation as a “nice comic” in the mold of a Jerry Seinfeld. Within months, Novak found himself a fixture at such popular L.A. comedy clubs as the Improv, The Laugh Factory, and even Hollywood’s elite M Bar. That same year, Novak’s career got its biggest boost yet when he was named by Variety as one of the “Top 10 Comedians to Watch in 2003.”

During one of his summer time performances, Novak came to the attention of an MTV producer who brought him in to meet actor and rising producer Ashton Kutcher. Impressed by Novak’s quick wit and poker-faced delivery, Kutcher hired Novak on the spot as a performer on his hit celebrity prankster series “Punk’d” (MTV, 2003- ). Novak participated in many sketches, but his most memorable performance hands down was a segment in which he nearly drove actress Hilary Duff to tears as an overzealous driving instructor.

In 2005, Novak was hired to perform both writing and performing duties for the Americanized version of the landmark British sitcom, “The Office.” Novak’s role was that of Ryan Howard, the reluctant protégé of boss from hell Michael Scott (Steve Carrell). An intelligent, level-headed young temp, Ryan is the sole employee of Dunder-Mifflin who appears to have any semblance whatsoever of office politics.

In May 2006, Novak drew the ire of his higher-ups by making the following comment during the opening days of the critical 2006-07 season “upfronts:” “I may be the highest paid temp on TV, except for [embattled NBC Entertainment President] Kevin Reilly.” Though reportedly less than amused, Reilly gave no public rebuttal to the quip.