Podcast Summary
Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey re-watch and discuss 'The Office' episodes: Stars Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey share behind-the-scenes stories while re-watching and discussing 'The Office' episodes, with a special interview from Ellie Kemper.
Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey, two beloved stars of "The Office," have teamed up to create a podcast where they re-watch and discuss each episode of the iconic show, sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes stories. In this episode, they discuss season six, episode 22, "Secretary's Day," where Andy tries to make the day special for Aaron, but Michael accidentally reveals a past engagement between Andy and Angela. The duo also shares an interview with Ellie Kemper, who talks about how she got her job on "The Office" through a roundabout way, meeting the creators during the development of "Parks and Recreation." Despite Jenna being under the weather with food poisoning, they managed to conduct the interview over Zoom. The podcast offers a unique perspective and insight into the making of "The Office" that only two people who were there can provide.
Unexpected opportunities in the entertainment industry: Being a fan and connecting with the cast during an audition led Ellie Kemper to a larger role on 'The Office' despite initially being brought in for just a few episodes.
The entertainment industry can surprise you with unexpected opportunities. Ellie Kemper shared her experience of auditioning for "The Office" and being cast as a regular character, despite initially only being brought in for a few episodes. She was a fan of the show and felt a connection to the cast, making her first encounter with them surreal. The creators, in turn, were impressed with her audition and decided to expand her role, leading to her becoming a beloved character on the show. This experience highlights the unpredictability of the entertainment industry and the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise.
Working on 'The Office': A Unique and Special Experience: The Office offered a collaborative and normal environment, allowing real life elements to be incorporated into scripts and creating a unique experience for the speaker. She enjoyed her character's dynamic with Michael and felt fortunate to work with a talented cast.
Working on "The Office" was an exhilarating experience for the speaker, especially when she was offered a regular spot on the show after initially performing the role of Aaron in multiple ways due to the writers still figuring out the character. The collaborative nature of the show allowed for elements of real life to be incorporated into the scripts, making it feel like a unique and special environment. The speaker also appreciated the normalcy and lack of drama on set, which made it a pleasant experience. Additionally, she enjoyed the dynamic between her character Erin and Michael, which brought out a different side of him compared to Pam's relationship with him. Overall, the speaker felt lucky to be a part of such a spectacular show and to work with a great group of people.
Pam's role as Michael's caretaker and Erin's unexpected major storyline: The Office explored complex dynamics through Pam's surrogate caretaker role for Michael and Erin's major storyline, showcasing their unique chemistry and adding depth to Michael's character.
The dynamic between Pam and Michael was complex, with Pam acting as a surrogate caretaker towards Michael. Erin, on the other hand, was unexpectedly thrust into a major storyline with Steve Carell directing, which felt both exciting and safe due to her existing relationships with him and Mindy Kaling. The driving scenes between Erin and Michael were a highlight, showcasing their unique chemistry and the absurdity of their conversations. A notable aspect was seeing Michael in a different light, struggling to connect with Aaron, which added depth to his character. Overall, these experiences brought a sense of thrill and security for the actors involved.
The synergy between exceptional writing and talented acting: Brilliant writing allows room for improvisation and adds to the authenticity of a scene when combined with talented actors' delivery.
The collaboration between exceptional writing and talented acting can lead to unforgettable comedic scenes. During the discussion, Jenna Fischer and her co-stars reminisced about a scene in "The Office" where Ellie Kemper's character, Erin, throws a cake at Steve Carell's character, Michael, and the raw emotion displayed by both actors stood out. The writing was brilliant, allowing room for improvisation, and the pressure to deliver a perfect performance added to the authenticity of the scene. The scene's success was a result of the synergy between the actors' delivery and the well-crafted script. Additionally, the actors shared their personal experiences and anxieties during the filming of the scene, adding depth to the behind-the-scenes appreciation for the final product.
A heartfelt moment between Michael and Aaron: Actors shared genuine reactions during the cake incident scene, Ellie took a memento from the set, and the episode ended with a tender moment between Michael and Aaron, adding depth to the characters and the show.
The scene where Michael tries to console Aaron after the cake incident in "The Office" was a heartfelt moment for both the characters and the actors involved. The actors, Angela and Ellie, shared how they genuinely reacted to the scene and how they had forgotten some of the dialogue. Ellie also shared her excitement about taking a memento from the set, Michael Scott's music bulletin board, and how it brought back fond memories of the show. The episode ended with a tender moment between Michael and Aaron, which resonated with the actors and brought up personal experiences of receiving comfort from loved ones. Overall, the episode was filled with memorable moments and behind-the-scenes stories that added depth to the characters and the show itself.
Ellie Kemper shares her favorite 'The Office' moment: Ellie Kemper cherishes the heartfelt connection between cast members, especially Michael Scott's touching moment with her character. The show's unique blend of humor and heart continues to resonate.
The connection between the cast members during the filming of "The Office" created memorable and heartfelt moments, as shared by Ellie Kemper. Ellie's favorite moment was when Steve Carell's character, Michael Scott, rose to the occasion and connected with her character, leading to a special and sweet ending. The show's unique blend of humor and heart is what sets it apart, resonating with audiences then and now. Ellie's current project, "Happiness for Beginners," also emphasizes heart as it's about a woman finding love. The discussion also revealed interesting trivia, such as the cold open being changed in editing and the frequent use of Oscar's desk for watching videos.
The making of 'The Office' episode 'The Chump' involved alternate versions of Oscar's talking head and getting Sesame Street characters' permission: Producing a TV show requires intricacies and persistence, as shown in 'The Office' episode 'The Chump' with alternate takes and securing Sesame Street characters
The making of "The Office" episode "The Chump" involved many alternate versions of a scene where Oscar edits Kevin's voice messages. Jenna Fischer shared that there were several options for Oscar's talking head, including one where he mistakes Kevin's voice for Cookie Monster. Mindy Kaling, the writer and actress, took pride in Ryan's untied bow tie, which added to his smug character. Getting permission to use Sesame Street characters was a lengthy process, but the creators ultimately succeeded with Steve Carell's offer to appear on Sesame Street. This anecdote highlights the intricacies of producing a TV show and the importance of persistence in achieving desired outcomes.
The Office's Snack Election: A Character Study: This episode showcases The Office cast's unique personalities and fan engagement through a simple snack election, revealing character development and fan theories.
The Office cast discussed an episode where they voted on a snack, with pizza winning unexpectedly. This episode showcased the characters' personalities, such as Elmo's excitement, Dwight's eagerness to join, and Kevin's displeasure. Angela, who became more emotional and humanized in later episodes, shared her perspective on this growth. Andy, known for his exuberance, celebrated Secretary's Day. A fan question about inconsistencies in Andy's backstory was addressed, and Pam returned from maternity leave to find her plant dead and discover a deleted scene involving an old box of cupcakes. Overall, this episode highlights the cast's chemistry and the fans' engagement through questions and theories.
Pam's Surprise Return to a Maggot-Infested Desk and Michael's Reluctance to Spend Money on Erin's Secretary's Day: In this episode, Pam finds maggots on her desk and Dwight claims responsibility, while Michael hesitates to spend money on Erin's Secretary's Day leading to a humorous exchange. An unexpected revelation about Michael's past lunch habits for Pam and inconsistencies in the scene add to the episode's charm.
In an episode of "The Office," Pam's desk was left with maggots and fruit flies while she was away, causing quite a surprise upon her return. Dwight claimed the maggots were his, leading to a bizarre explanation. Meanwhile, Michael was reluctant to spend money on Erin's Secretary's Day, leading to a humorous exchange. A deleted scene revealed that Michael had always given Pam $15 for her half of lunch instead of taking her out, which she used to buy herself a day off. A background catch revealed Erin interacting with a stuffed dog through the window, and Michael eventually took her to lunch at a place called Hayworth's. A few inconsistencies in the scene included the front door being closed and open at different points, and a previously unnoticed picture on the wall. Fans noticed Erin wore purple flower earrings in the episode, sparking a fan mail flurry.
Office workers cross a line with Kevin's pranks: The office workers' harmless pranks on Kevin escalated, becoming mean-spirited and crossing a line, leading Gabe to intervene and forbid further discussion or sharing of the parody video.
The office workers at Dunder Mifflin recycle old pranks on their colleague Kevin, going too far with a parody video that mocked him. Pam's earrings from a previous episode were used on Aaron for Secretary's Day, and later, they planned to put Meredith's vest on Erin. Kevin became suspicious and went to Gabe for answers. Gabe saw this as an opportunity to assert his authority and forbade anyone from discussing or sharing the video. Despite Gabe's attempt to put a stop to it, the office workers seemed unfazed, and Michael drove them to Aaron's Secretary's Day lunch in silence, hoping to avoid any further distractions. The scene was filmed on a street in Burbank without palm trees, as per production requirements. While the characters found joy in the pranks, it crossed a line and became mean-spirited towards Kevin.
Unconventional filming techniques and unexpected narrator in 'The Office': The making of 'The Office' included unique filming methods and an unplanned narrator, as well as deleted scenes revealing Erin's stressful lunch experience at a Taco Bell Express
The production of "The Office" involved the use of unconventional filming techniques, such as towing cars and using lipstick cameras suction cupped to windshields. These methods were often necessary to capture specific angles or scenes, but could be problematic. Another interesting detail shared was that the editor, Dave Rogers, ended up narrating the book in the episode instead of the suggested actor, David Hyde Pierce. Additionally, deleted scenes revealed Erin's struggle to find conversation topics during a lunch with Michael, which included her mentioning her past experience at a Taco Bell Express. Mindy Kaling revealed that Danny Chun wrote this line, and it was a favorite among fans. The difference between a Taco Bell Express and a regular Taco Bell was explained, with the former being a grab-and-go establishment with a smaller menu and no seating area, making it more stressful for employees like Erin. Overall, the discussion provided insight into the production process and the small details that can make a big impact in the final product.
Appreciating guests' considerate actions in restaurants: Properly disposing of trash in restaurants is a simple act of appreciation that can make a big difference for employees, as shown in 'The Office'. Behind-the-scenes, filming scenes on location involves visiting multiple restaurants to find the best fit, and personal anecdotes add depth to the characters.
Appreciation goes a long way, even in simple acts like properly disposing of trash in a restaurant. The employees were not thanking the employees but the guests for their consideration. Another interesting insight shared during the conversation was the behind-the-scenes process of filming scenes on location, where the team would visit multiple restaurants to decide on the best fit for the scene. The discussion also revealed some personal anecdotes from the characters' pasts, such as Jenna's lack of a desk in her foster home and accidentally bringing her TV remote instead of her blood sugar pills to work. Overall, the conversation provided a unique blend of humor, nostalgia, and insight into the production process of "The Office."
Unexpected opportunities from mundane situations: Seizing opportunities can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes, even if they arise from seemingly mundane situations.
Sometimes unexpected opportunities can arise from seemingly mundane situations. In the case of "The Office," writer Aaron Schur's decision to grow a beard led him to audition for and ultimately land the role of the waiter in a restaurant scene. This unexpected turn of events not only gave Schur a chance to act on the show but also provided some comedic moments for the audience. Additionally, the casting of Schur, who was neither too young nor too old, added an authentic touch to the scene as he was a writer on the show and had experience in the Dunder Mifflin annex. This story highlights the importance of seizing opportunities and how they can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
Actors put in great effort for even small roles: Actors dedicate creativity and dedication to bring small roles to life, seizing opportunities and honoring hard work of others.
Even in seemingly insignificant roles, actors put in great effort to deliver a convincing performance. Erin's experience on the set of "The Office" highlights this, as she shares how she came up with creative solutions to hear her cues and deliver her lines effectively, despite being new to the acting world and having only a few lines. Additionally, she expresses the importance of seizing opportunities and doing one's best to honor the hard work of others in the industry. Her anecdote also showcases the unique challenges actors face when dealing with limited lines and the pressure to make them impactful. Overall, Erin's story demonstrates the dedication and creativity required to bring even the smallest roles to life.
Insights from The Office Ladies podcast reveal intentional props and deleted scenes: The Office Ladies podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at The Office, revealing intentional props and deleted scenes, and sharing personal experiences from the show's cast.
The Office Ladies podcast reveals intriguing behind-the-scenes details from The Office, such as intentional props and deleted scenes. For instance, Michael's damaged seat belt in "The Dinner Party" was a deliberate addition, and Meredith stealing Pam's breast pump was an idea from a writer. These anecdotes add depth to the show and showcase the meticulous planning that goes into producing a beloved sitcom. Additionally, the podcast's hosts, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, share personal experiences that connect them to the show, creating a unique bond with their listeners.
Behind-the-scenes moments from Erin's secretary day party: Unexpected appearances, real-life personality reflections, and attention to detail brought the 'The Office's' secretary day party episode to life.
The "The Office" episode featuring Erin's secretary day party was filled with fun easter eggs and behind-the-scenes moments. During the scene, Oscar's unexpected appearance to the camera was a delightful discovery for the viewer. The conversation between Ryan and Kelly about parody and originality mirrored their real-life personalities. Andy's performance of "Secretary of Love" was intended to include Ed playing the harmonica, but the cake incident prevented it. Mindy Kaling wrote the lyrics for the song, which included references to various secretaries in the office. The cake used in the scene was dense and made a loud sound when thrown, causing the cast's surprised reactions. A fan question about the deliciousness of the cake was answered with confirmation that it was indeed tasty. The episode also included various suspensions, with Gabe suspending Pam, Jim, and even Dwight for slow clapping the suspension. Andy was confused about how his past engagement came up during Michael's restaurant talk. Overall, this episode showcased the attention to detail and behind-the-scenes connections that made "The Office" a beloved TV show.
Honesty and communication in relationships: A workplace dilemma: Honesty is crucial in relationships, especially in a workplace setting. Failing to disclose past relationships can lead to mistrust and embarrassment. Support and consoling words from colleagues are important during difficult situations.
Honesty and communication are crucial in relationships, especially in a workplace setting. In the Office episode, Andy's failure to disclose his past engagement to his new coworker and girlfriend, Erin, led to mistrust and embarrassment. The incident sparked a debate among viewers about whether Andy should have revealed his past relationship sooner. While some argued that it might not be necessary after only three weeks of dating, others believed that the situation was different given that Erin and the ex-fiancée were coworkers. The episode also showcased the importance of support and consoling words from colleagues during difficult situations. Pam and Angel tried to console Erin, while Toby's presence during the exchange added a humorous touch. Additionally, the episode featured unexpected romantic moments between Jim and Pam and Gabe's unfamiliar office setting during a corporate call. Overall, the episode emphasized the significance of honesty and communication in maintaining healthy relationships, both personal and professional.
Unexpected developments in the episode: Improvisations from the cast led to hilarious moments and new storylines, showcasing The Office's unpredictable nature during filming.
The scene changed significantly from the script, with many improvised impressions and reactions from the cast. This led to some hilarious moments, such as Kevin teleporting around the office as he mimicked Gabe. The episode ended with Michael's heartfelt interaction with Erin, while Andy observed from a distance. The unexpected developments in this episode signaled the start of new storylines involving Gabe and the aftermath of the Andy-Erin breakup. Overall, this episode showcased the cast's improvisational skills and the unpredictable nature of filming The Office.
