Podcast Summary
Breastfeeding at work: The 'Baby Shower' episode of The Office featured a scene of Jan breastfeeding her baby at the office, inspired by an actress's real-life experience of nursing on set.
Key takeaway from this episode of Office Ladies is the discussion about the inspiration behind a scene in the "Baby Shower" episode, where Jan breastfeeds her baby at the office. Malora Hardin, an actress who appeared in the show, shared her experience of nursing her own baby while working on set, inspiring the writers to include a similar scene in the episode. This moment showcased Jan's commitment to her new motherhood and her unapologetic attitude towards multitasking, which resonated with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. The scene, though not making it into the final episode, is a testament to the authenticity and real-life experiences that influenced the writing of The Office.
The Office in 2008: In 2008, The Office experienced significant success with multiple awards and milestones, including Steve Carell's wins and a SAG award, and filmed a memorable baby shower episode with 30 watermelons for the practice birth scene.
The year 2008 was a significant one for the production of "The Office," with multiple awards and milestones being achieved. Steve Carell, who played Michael Scott, won two awards that year, including for TV comedy actor at the Choice Awards, and the show won a SAG award. The episode being discussed was also filmed during this time, and it was a baby shower episode for Jenna Fischer's character, Pam Beesly. Traditional baby showers date back to ancient civilizations, but modern versions include various types such as diaper showers, grandparents showers, sprinkles, and sippnancies. The script for this episode was unusually long, coming in at 49 pages. Phil Shae, the prop master, shared that about 30 watermelons were used for the practice birth scene with Michael and Dwight. Overall, 2008 was a productive and memorable year for "The Office."
The Office improvisation: Improvised ideas like 'Watermelon' cold open in The Office brought memorable humor and relatable situations, inspiring medical students and viewers alike.
The iconic "Watermelon" cold open of "The Office" was an improvised idea by Greg Daniels, and it became a memorable moment not only for its humor but also for the lessons it taught medical students about delivering babies. The scene, which features Michael's office floor being mistaken for a watermelon rind, was inspired by comedian Gallagher's act of smashing watermelons during his performances. The episode also showcases the behind-the-scenes improvisation of Rainn Wilson as Dwight, and the popular M&M bowls with personalized names, which were a hit among the cast and still popular today. Additionally, the episode explores the challenges of long-distance relationships, as Jim struggles to connect with Pam's world while she's away at art school. Overall, "The Office" episode "The Baby Shower" is a testament to the show's ability to blend humor with relatable situations and improvisation.
The Office babies: Cast members shared childhood photos during filming of a baby shower episode, featuring real and fake babies, with Steve Carell being a hit with the real ones.
During the filming of "The Office" episode featuring a baby shower, the cast members shared their actual childhood photos, including Angela's infamous "Mohawk with bangs" photo. Michael, who was preparing for Jan's arrival, was left out of the big moment when she brought her newborn baby to the office instead of being pregnant as expected. The babies on set were a mix of real and fake, with some being the children of writers and crew members. Steve Carell's natural affinity for children made him a hit with the babies on set. A fan question was answered about the babies in the scene, revealing that they were the children of writers and crew members. The episode featured some of Michael's most memorable lines, showcasing his sensitivity and love for babies. Overall, the episode showcased the cast's camaraderie and the unique experience of having their own children on set.
Deleted Office scenes: Humorous deleted scenes from The Office's Jan Levinson baby shower episode, including speculation about the father's identity and a sperm bank mix-up, add to the show's lore and fan enjoyment.
The Office episode featuring a baby shower for Jan Levinson included several humorous and memorable moments, some of which were cut from the final version. These deleted scenes often revolved around speculation about the father of Jan's baby and included a particularly funny exchange about a possible mix-up at a sperm bank. Despite these entertaining moments not making it into the episode, they remain a part of the show's lore and add to the overall enjoyment for fans. The song "Son of a Preacher Man," sung by Malora Marlocke during the episode, was a deliberate choice by Mindy Kaling, who was pushing for its inclusion. Overall, the episode showcased the unique dynamics of the Office cast and their ability to bring humor to everyday situations.
Power of Song: A well-written song can inspire unique interpretations and resonate with various people, showcasing the songwriter's skills and the importance of understanding each other's perspectives.
"The Office" episode "Son of a Preacher Man" showcases the power of a well-written song and the unique interpretations it can inspire in different people. The song's ability to resonate with various characters, despite their distinct arrangements and reactions, highlights the songwriting skills of John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins. Additionally, the episode explores themes of miscommunication and the importance of understanding each other's perspectives. A small detail, like Malora's improvised snapping, can have a significant impact on the overall performance and audience reaction. The episode also showcases the meticulous research and collaboration between the show's producers and product creators, as seen in the use of the Orbit Baby stroller.
Office relationships: Michael's attempts to connect with new parents and small businesses led to complicated romantic feelings for Holly, while Jim and Pam missed each other's calls.
The Office episode discussed showcased Michael's attempts to connect with small businesses and new parents, while also exploring his complicated relationship with Holly. The episode featured a scene where Michael asks Daryl if he can hold the baby to test their connection, which was scripted. Jan, who attended the baby shower, left the event early and gave Michael a final request to not date Holly. Michael eventually expresses his feelings for Holly and asks her out on a date. Meanwhile, Jim and Pam missed each other's calls during the episode. The scene where Jim and Pam leave voicemails for each other was filmed separately and came together in editing. A fan question was answered regarding the stunt driver used for the scene where Michael drives with the stroller tied to the back of his car. The episode was rich in heartfelt moments and explored various relationships within the Office universe.
Baby names, Baby showers: The late 2000s saw popular baby names like Aiden and Emma. Emma and Aiden could potentially end up married. Baby shower themes included 'sip and see' and using M&Ms for name printing. Orbit stroller was recommended.
Learning from this episode of Office Ladies is the discussion about popular baby names from the late 2000s. Aiden and Emma were among the top names during that time, and it was mentioned that it would be fun if an Emma and Aiden ended up getting married. The podcast also touched upon various baby shower themes, including the "sip and see" and the use of M&Ms for printing names. Additionally, the Orbit stroller was recommended as a good option. Overall, the conversation provided a nostalgic look back at the naming trends of the past and offered some practical advice for future parents. The episode was produced by Earwold, Jenna Fisher, and Angela Kinsey, with executive production by Cody Fisher, Cassie Jerkins as producer, Sam Kiefer as sound engineer, and Aimsley Buba Co. as associate producer. The theme song is "Rubber Tree" by Creed Bratton. For ad-free listening, check out Stitcherpremium.com for a free one-month trial using the code "Office."