Podcast Summary
Behind-the-scenes stories from 'The Office' stars Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey: Director Greg Daniels shares funny anecdotes about editing over Zoom, red carpet premieres, and improvisation in 'The Office' episode 'PDA'
The dynamic duo of Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey, who starred in "The Office," have teamed up to create an ultimate re-watch podcast where they share exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the show. During their discussion of season seven, episode sixteen, "PDA," they welcomed director Greg Daniels into the studio. Daniels, who is currently editing the first episode of season three of "Upload," shared some amusing anecdotes about editing over Zoom and attending the red carpet premiere. He also expressed pride in his work on "The Office," particularly the long scene in the conference room where Gabe scolds the employees about their PDA. Daniels mentioned that there was a lot of improvisation in the episode, such as the scene with monkeys throwing their poop, which ended up being much funnier than what was scripted. Overall, the podcast offers a unique and entertaining perspective on the making of "The Office" from those who were there.
Michael's psychological arc in The Office's seventh season: The writers focused on giving Michael a satisfying conclusion while maintaining authenticity in Jim and Pam's relationship, as they had already explored major milestones.
In the seventh season of "The Office," Michael's psychological arc was a major focus as it was Steve Carell's last year on the show. The writers aimed to give Michael a happy ending by addressing his issues while ensuring Jim and Pam's relationship didn't resort to cheap soap opera moves, as they had already hit the major milestones of getting married and having a child. An episode that stood out was the one where Jim and Pam embarked on a treasure hunt for Valentine's Day without any complications or advances in their relationship. John Krasinski, who played Jim, was back after shooting the movie "Big Miracle," and his limited appearances made Pam's character feel the absence of Jim significantly.
Jim and Pam's Love Storyline in 'The Office': The Business School episode expertly balanced the tension of Jim and Pam's forbidden love with office rules, advanced their relationship, and added to the Valentine's Day theme. Jenna Fischer's real-life pregnancy added emotional depth.
The "Business School" episode of "The Office" (Season 7, Episode 16) was a standout for many reasons, but the Jim and Pam storyline was particularly noteworthy. The writers expertly navigated the tension between their forbidden love and the office's rules against public displays of affection. The episode was also a subtle yet significant advancement in their relationship, despite Steve's departure from the show being imminent. Additionally, this episode served as a Valentine's Day special, adding to the romantic theme. A fun tidbit is that the actress who played Pam, Jenna Fischer, discovered she was pregnant in real life between filming and the episode's airdate, making the scene where she reveals her pregnancy to Jim even more poignant. Overall, the episode showcased the writers' ability to weave deep emotional connections into a seemingly lighthearted comedy.
A Benihana Christmas: Romantic Developments and Unexpected Moments: The Office's 'A Benihana Christmas' episode showcased Jim and Pam's pregnancy reveal and potential romantic developments for other characters, including Meredith and Kevin. The cast discovered hidden cues during filming, adding depth to the scenes, and the episode's ending delivered both humor and emotion.
The hit TV show "The Office" episode "A Benihana Christmas" was not only significant for Jim and Pam's pregnancy revelation but also for potential romantic developments between other characters. The scene where Michael expresses his love for Holly was a pivotal moment, but it seems there might have been an intended hint towards a possible relationship between Meredith and Kevin. The episode was filled with romantic subplots and hidden moments, making it a fan favorite. During the shooting, the cast discovered some unexpected visual and behavioral cues that added depth to the scenes. The ending of Jim and Pam's story, with Michael's bold declaration of love, was a highlight for many, showcasing the show's ability to deliver both humor and emotion.
The importance of timing in relationships and work: Timing matters in expressing love and genuine connection in relationships, while thoughtful consideration and perseverance are essential in professional pursuits.
In relationships, timing can be everything. Michael's expression of love may have seemed too soon to some, but it was exactly what Holly needed to hear. Meanwhile, in the office, Daryl's coworkers' well-intentioned but thoughtless card messages highlight the importance of genuine connection and consideration in our interactions. Additionally, the episode marked significant promotions for writers BJ Novak, Warren Lieberstein, and Halsted Sullivan, and Robert Padnick, the writer for this episode, was nominated for a Writers Guild Award. The failed pitch of their show about a family of singles and Angela's dating misadventures serves as a reminder of the challenges in selling a show and the importance of perseverance in creative pursuits.
Making of 'The Office' episode 'PDA' with improvised moments and custom puzzles: The 'Office' episode 'PDA' included improvised moments like Daryl's shimmy kiss and Gabe's treasure hunt using custom puzzles from Portrait Puzzles. Portrait Puzzles offers custom puzzles since 2005, ranging from $29.99 to $49.99.
The making of "The Office" episode "PDA" involved several improvised moments, including Daryl and Michael's shimmy kiss and Gabe's romantic treasure hunt for Erin. The shimmy kiss was a spontaneous idea by Amy Ryan, and the treasure hunt included a custom puzzle made by a family-owned business in La Crosse, Wisconsin called Portrait Puzzles. The episode moved quickly, with only nine seconds of opening credits, as there was a lot to fit in. It also featured several love stories, such as Andy's plans to take Rachel out to dinner and Erin's romantic treasure hunt. Behind-the-scenes insights from the DVD commentary included Greg Daniels sharing that Daryl's tear was an impromptu moment on set, and Greg's note to Zach Woods for Gabe's talking head was to imagine him as a UFC fighter. Portrait Puzzles has been in business since 2005 and offers custom puzzles ranging from 16-piece postcard puzzles to 1,000-piece puzzles, with prices from $29.99 to $49.99.
The bond between Jenna and Pam extends beyond the screen: Their email exchange during filming reveals genuine camaraderie between Jenna Fisher and Jenna Fischer, highlighting the authenticity and closeness of relationships formed during The Office production
The friendship between Jenna and Pam, as portrayed in The Office, extends beyond the screen. Their bond is evident in their email exchange during the filming of an episode, where they share personal details, compliment each other, and even discuss recipes. This exchange highlights the genuine camaraderie between the two actors, Jenna Fisher and Jenna Fischer, both on and off-camera. The anecdote also showcases the warmth and approachability of Jenna Fisher, making it no surprise that she left a lasting impression on the interviewer, Lori Sandell, during a magazine interview. Overall, this discussion emphasizes the authenticity and closeness of the relationships formed during the making of The Office.
Improvised drunken scene between Jim and Pam: Unexpected improvisations by Rainn Wilson and Jenna Fischer added depth and humor to the scripted scenes in 'The Office'.
The scene where Jim and Pam's drunken behavior is revealed in "The Office" was not originally scripted that way. Instead, it was improvised on the day of filming by Rainn Wilson (Dwight) and Jenna Fischer (Pam), based on a personal experience of Fischer. The scene where Pam drops her scarf was a spontaneous idea that sold the idea of their drunkenness effectively. Another key moment was the scavenger hunt vs. treasure hunt debate between Jim and Dwight, which was also scripted but with a bigger moment for Jim giving Dwight a Valentine's Day gift in deleted scenes. The scene where Jim accidentally solves Stanley's Sudoku was written by Steve Carell (Michael Scott) for his mother, who loved the character of Stanley and Sudoku. Overall, these improvisations and personal touches added depth and humor to the scripted scenes.
Angela's unexpected diplomacy in the break room about Michael and Holly's PDAs: European viewers were confused by the term 'PDA' and Angela's reluctance to address it. Michael and Holly agreed to a hookup zone to contain PDAs, leading to humorous moments.
In the Office episode, Angela's diplomatic behavior in the break room about Michael and Holly's public displays of affection (PDAs) was an unexpected departure from her usual character. European viewers found it confusing since the term "PDA" was not explained in the scene. Angela's hesitance to speak out against the PDAs might have been to keep the group on her side. During a Valentine's Day meeting, it was revealed that Michael and Holly were the source of the discomfort, leading them to agree to designate a hookup zone to contain PDAs. A highlight of the scene was Michael's unexpected response when Dwight asked about his position on masturbation in the hookup zone. The scene contained many humorous moments, including Pam's yawns and the reveal that everyone in the office had engaged in PDAs.
Pam's desire to join office romance club leads to Jim and Pam's near hookup: The Office's iconic Jim and Pam near hookup scene highlights the show's blend of humor and heart, with funny moments and thoughtful details
The Office's iconic scene of Jim and Pam considering hooking up at work is driven by Pam's desire to be part of the office romance club. The scene is filled with funny moments, like Dwight's spy shot and Craig's persistence in Darryl's office. The episode also features thoughtful details, such as the callback to Michael's photo of Darryl and his daughter. However, the scene ultimately ends with Jim and Pam being caught by Ryan, saving them from a regretful office hookup. The production team went to great lengths to make the glow-in-the-dark stars effect work, using special paint and extra lighting. Overall, the scene showcases the Office's signature blend of humor and heart.
Michael and Holly's PDA and Angela's plant create office drama: Observing Michael and Holly's subtle PDA and Angela's plant watering leads to humorous moments and unexpected connections in the Office Ladies podcast.
The office dynamics between Michael and Holly's PDA and Angela's plant watering create intriguing questions and moments of amusement. The scene where Michael and Holly engage in subtle PDA, while annoying to some, also highlights the importance of Daria's keen observation skills as a viewer. Additionally, the discussion reveals an unexpected connection between a restaurant named Public Display of Affection and potential awkward PDA moments, as well as an experience of an unwanted PDA encounter in a tight airport space. Furthermore, the mention of someone making out on a lift chair while skiing adds another layer of unexpected and humorous office-themed content. Overall, these moments showcase the unique blend of humor, observation, and connection found in the Office Ladies podcast.
Importance of respecting others' personal space: Be mindful of your actions and how they may affect those around you, especially in shared spaces. Respect others' personal space and privacy.
Public displays of affection (PDA) can be uncomfortable and unexpected, even in seemingly anonymous settings like a ski lift. In the discussed scene from "The Office," a man shares graphic details of his previous night's hookup with his seatmates, leaving them in an awkward and uncomfortable situation. This incident highlights the importance of respecting others' personal space and considering the impact of one's actions on those around them. Additionally, the scene showcases the dynamic between Jim and Pam, as they navigate office politics and support each other through uncomfortable situations. Overall, the scene serves as a reminder of the importance of mindfulness and respect in both personal and professional settings.
Standards and Practices vs Improvisation: Standards and Practices can limit improvisation, but the chemistry between actors can lead to memorable scenes.
The chemistry between John and the speaker during their comedy scenes was exceptional, with them being able to finish each other's sentences and having a "jam brain." However, during a scene where they were getting a non-alcoholic sparkling cider from Hanks, standards and practices required the Martinelli's label to be avoided for fear of significant exposure. The speakers disagreed, believing it was important for the audience to know it was sparkling cider and not alcohol. Another moment that received a note from standards and practices was a rhyming line from Hank that was supposed to be bleeped and the lip flap blurred or staged off-camera. The speakers were sad to hear that the role of standards and practices has diminished, as they had received many notes and emails during production. Michael, meanwhile, was feeling down about Holly potentially returning to Nashua, and the group tried to cheer him up with improvised silliness. A fan question revealed that a scene where Michael wanted to see more monkey (Kevin) act like a monkey was improvised, although the initial script only called for Kevin to make funny faces.
Unexpected entrance through the magic door: Creative problem-solving led to Jim and Pam's undetected office entry, resulting in Baby Philip's birth and Michael's new relationship with Holly.
The scene where Jim and Pam are revealed entering the office through the magic door by accounting was not originally planned and required some creative problem-solving on set. The door led to the cast green room, which was rarely used by the cast due to their busy schedules. The decision to use this door added an element of surprise and allowed Jim and Pam to enter the office undetected, ultimately leading to the birth of Baby Philip. Another significant moment was Michael and Holly's announcement that they were moving in together, symbolizing Michael's growing independence from the Dunder Mifflin family. Gabe's over-the-top Valentine's Day gestures and Michael's reluctance to break up with Holly added to the episode's romantic themes. Overall, the episode showcased the creativity and collaboration required to bring the Office's scenes to life.
The Office highlights unique ideas of Valentine's Day and meaningful connections: Find joy in the little things and cherish meaningful connections, everyone's experiences of love are unique and valuable.
Everyone has unique ideas of what makes a perfect Valentine's Day, whether it's extravagant or simple. In the Office episode discussed, characters shared their ideal Valentine's Day plans, ranging from Dwight's multiple reservations to Jim and Pam's understated romantic moment. The episode also featured a heartwarming fan story about a couple who met through their shared love of The Office and have since built a strong connection based on their shared experiences. Ultimately, the episode emphasized the importance of finding joy in the little things and cherishing meaningful connections. Additionally, the episode highlighted the unique dynamic between different Office characters, showcasing their quirks and endearing qualities. Overall, it was a reminder that love and connection can take many forms and that everyone's experiences are valuable.
