Podcast Summary
Ex-AV Club writer joins The Office writing team, causing controversy over Todd Packer episode: Former AV Club writer Amelie Gillette's return to The Office as a staff writer led to a controversial episode featuring the disliked character Todd Packer, resulting in mixed reviews from critics.
The Ultimate Office Rewatch Podcast, hosted by Jenna Fisher (Pam Beasley) and Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin), provides exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and insights from their time on The Office. In episode 18 of season 7, titled "Todd Packer," the gang is upset when traveling salesman Todd Packer (played by Dave Keckner) is offered a permanent sales position, leading Dwight and Jim to join forces to oust him. The episode, written by Amelie Gillette and directed by Randall Einhorn, aired on February 24, 2011. Av Club writer Amelie Gillette, who had previously written about the show for the AV Club, joined the writing staff and received high praise from her former colleagues. However, TV critic Miles McNutt, who took over reviewing the show for the AV Club, gave the episode a B-minus rating due to his dislike for Todd Packer's character.
Dave Kechner's missed opportunity to play Michael Scott: Actor Dave Kechner lost the role of Michael Scott due to his admiration for Ricky Gervais but later perfectly fit the role of Todd Packer in a budget-conscious 'bottle episode'.
Actor Dave "Todd Packer" Kechner originally auditioned for the role of Michael Scott on "The Office," but didn't get the part due to his strong admiration for Ricky Gervais' performance in the British version. When the original Todd Packer actor didn't work out, Kechner was brought in and perfectly fit the role. This episode, "Bottle Episode," was a "bottle show," meaning it primarily took place within the office and required minimal special effects or guest roles, making it the least expensive episode to produce. The budget for each episode was determined before the scripts were even written, requiring careful planning and allocation of resources.
The Importance of Preparation: Extreme preparation can be crucial in unexpected situations, saving one from unpleasant consequences or even disaster.
Preparation and planning, even if it seems extreme, can be crucial in unexpected situations. Dwight's obsession with expiration dates and his stockpile of food may seem excessive, but it proved valuable when disaster struck. Angela, on the other hand, learned the hard way that not checking expiration dates can lead to unpleasant consequences. The discussion also touched on the desire for a bunker or safe haven, with some expressing a longing for one while others saw it as an unnecessary luxury. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of being prepared and the potential consequences of neglecting that preparation.
A funny blooper story from The Office writers: The writers shared an amusing anecdote about an unused blooper and praised the show's relatable characters, even those seen as unsavory.
The writers of "The Office" shared an amusing behind-the-scenes story about an unused blooper from Season 6 involving Creed and Dwight, as well as the return of Todd Packer and his attempt to charm Holly Flax. During the discussion, they also highlighted some memorable lines and moments, such as Todd Packer's comparison of Scranton to a "little pink house" and the double sneer exchange between Pam, Angela, and Phyllis. The group expressed their admiration for the clever writing and relatability of certain characters, even those who may be considered unsavory, like Todd Packer. Overall, the conversation showcased the writers' appreciation for the intricacies of the show and the enduring appeal of its characters.
Product placements and sponsorships in TV shows: Use of specific brands in TV shows can lead to negotiations and potential censorship, but accurate portrayal and attention to detail can delight fans.
The use of specific brand names in TV shows or movies can lead to negotiations and potential censorship from sponsors or networks. In the case of "The Office," a fan noticed Pam's iMac in the office, which raised questions about a potential paid plug for Apple. However, the producers had arranged for free use of Apple products, but had to digitally remove the logo due to NBC selling commercial time to competitors. This incident highlights the complex relationship between product placements, sponsorships, and broadcasting. Despite the removal of the logo, fans appreciated the attention to detail and accurate terminology used in the scene.
Andy misses a yacht race, Holly defends Kevin, and Pam stands her ground: Unexpected kindness shines through in the office as Dwight defends Kevin from Todd Packer's rude behavior, while Pam puts her foot down to protect Andy's new computer.
The Office Ladies discussed the "Regatta in the Mouth" episode of The Office, where Andy gets upset about missing a yacht race in the Solent, a straight between the Isle of White and Great Britain. The regatta is sponsored by Taittinger Champagne and hosted by the Royal Silent Yacht Club. Meanwhile, in the office, Todd Packer displays a rude side towards Holly and Kevin, but Dwight comes to Kevin's defense, creating a heartfelt moment. The scene was praised by critics for its unexpected kindness. Pam is concerned about Andy receiving a new computer and puts her foot down, while Erin asks Holly to bring Dwight and Aunt Farm to her desk. Holly tries to explain to Michael that Todd Packer's behavior is not funny. The Office Ladies also received fan mail about the episode, with some fans expressing surprise about references to outdated concepts like the white and yellow pages and the viral video "Charlie Bit My Finger."
The power of innocence and joy in unexpected outcomes: Two brothers' viral video of Harry complaining about Charlie biting his finger became the most-watched YouTube video, and they later sold it as an NFT. An ant farm from a similar video became a popular children's toy.
The power of innocence and joy can lead to unexpected outcomes. In the early days of YouTube, two young brothers from the UK named Harry and Charlie went viral with a simple video of Harry complaining about Charlie biting his finger. The video, which was initially shared with their godfather, ended up becoming the most-watched YouTube video of all time with 897 million views. Fifteen years later, the brothers sold the video as an NFT for $760,000 to fund their children's education. Meanwhile, an ant farm featured in the episode, an Uncle Milton ant farm, became a staple in children's bedrooms after Milton Levine's Eureka moment in 1956. The success of the ant farm and the brothers' video demonstrate the impact of simple moments of joy and innocence that can resonate with people for years to come. Additionally, the story highlights the potential for monetizing content on platforms like YouTube, which was not fully realized at the time.
Michael's Frustration with Lois's Guide Dog: The deleted scene between Michael and Lois showcased authentic dialogue and character quirks, resonating deeply with fans and highlighting the writers' ability to create engaging and memorable moments.
The long-running TV show "The Office" has left a lasting impact on audiences with its relatable and humorous characters. A specific scene involving Michael's interaction with Holly's friend Lois, which was originally deleted, resonated deeply with a fan due to its authentic portrayal of a common situation. The scene showcases Michael's frustration at not being able to pet Lois's guide dog while she's on duty. The scene's candid dialogue and Lois's character, with her unique quirks and mannerisms, were so popular that they inspired multiple alternate lines. The scene not only highlights the chemistry between the characters but also demonstrates the writers' ability to create engaging and memorable dialogue. The fan's appreciation for this scene underscores the show's ability to connect with viewers on a personal level and leave a lasting impression.
The Office episode highlights Tasty Cakes' history: An egg salesman and a baker founded Tasty Cakes in 1914, and the company gained popularity with individually wrapped pies and horse-drawn deliveries.
In an episode of "The Office," Dwight tries to give Todd a cup of hot chocolate laced with a laxative, but Jim stops him, leading to a humorous exchange. Meanwhile, the discussion uncovers a fan's love for Tasty Cakes, a Philadelphia-based snack cake company founded in 1914 by an egg salesman and a baker. The company's name came from the wife of one of the founders, who was delighted by a sample of their cake. Tasty Cakes were originally delivered by horse and buggy and gained popularity with individually wrapped pies in lunch boxes. The company expanded beyond Philadelphia in the 1980s but remained largely regional. The scene showcases the show's attention to detail and fan engagement.
Unexpected quirks and rules in the office: The importance of small pleasures and shared humor in building office relationships is highlighted through the discovery of a children's book and the unique mod scheduling system.
The office environment is filled with unexpected quirks and rules, as demonstrated by Andy's mod scheduling system and the discovery of a children's book referenced during a conversation. The texture and taste of the cake brought joy to the characters, reminding us of the importance of small pleasures in everyday life. Additionally, the conversation revealed that some rules in the office, such as the one about musicians in mods, have interesting backstories. The use of improvisation and references to outside sources added layers of complexity to the dialogue, highlighting the richness of the office setting. The discovery of the Oy Frog book also showcased the characters' shared sense of humor and their ability to connect over seemingly trivial things. Overall, the conversation showcased the unique dynamics of the office relationships and the unexpected twists that make the show so engaging.
Michael and Todd's honest conversation at Caffeine Corner: The Office's success comes from authentic conversations and relatable moments between characters, even when they make mistakes or have quirks.
The dynamic between characters in "The Office" is built on authentic and relatable moments. A scene between Michael and Todd at Caffeine Corner showcases this as they have an honest conversation about behavior and expectations. Michael tries to apologize to Kevin on Todd's behalf, but it backfires. Later, Jim and Dwight prank Todd with a job offer, and he is thrilled. A fan question highlights an error in one of Todd's quirks, but the mistake only adds to the charm of the character. The scene where Michael tries to connect Todd with Angela is a memorable moment due to Steve Carell's delivery, even though it didn't make it into the final cut. Overall, the show's success lies in its ability to create genuine connections between characters, despite their flaws and quirks.
Hidden Jokes and Behind-the-Scenes Moments in 'The Office': The Office writers included intentional jokes and behind-the-scenes moments that added depth to the show, such as alternate lines for Todd Packer and Michael's reaction, Jim's attempt to claim a desk, and Pam and Andy's prank on Andy's computer.
The writers of "The Office" likely included intentional jokes that went unnoticed by most viewers. For instance, there were various alternate lines for Todd Packer's monologue about his new job in Tallahassee, some of which were quite outlandish. Michael's reaction to Todd's news marked a significant moment in Michael's character development, as he began to see Todd through others' eyes and matured in his relationship with Holly. Another amusing detail from the shooting script was Jim's attempt to claim the empty desk next to his own, which was ultimately thwarted by Dwight's return. Lastly, Pam and Andy's prank on Andy's computer led to an entertaining exchange between Pam and Daryl in the break room. Overall, these behind-the-scenes details add depth to the show and highlight the writers' attention to detail.
Pam's Unexpected Power and Corruption: Pam, a seemingly innocent character from The Office, has manipulated the system for years and now enjoys the power that comes with her corruption, but the motivation behind it remains unclear.
Pam Beesly, a character from the popular TV show "The Office," had more control and manipulative abilities than we initially thought. She used to manipulate the system when she was the receptionist, and Michael Scott, her boss, would just sign off on it. In her current role, she's now corrupt and part of a cover-up, enjoying the power that comes with it. However, the motivation behind her corruption is unclear. It could be for the thrill of holding power or to help others, like Andy. The discussion also touched upon Todd Packer's appearance on the podcast and the revelation of the "Score Tonight" song from Grease 2. Overall, the podcast episode highlighted Pam's unexpected power and her transition into a corrupt character.