Podcast Summary
Jim's attempt to give Pam a break thwarted by Dwight's bus plan: Cast learned season nine would be their last and had to decide whether to end the show together or gradually lose cast members
Jim tries to give Pam a break by making their office building seem unsafe, but his plan is thwarted when Dwight rents a bus for everyone to work from. Meanwhile, Nellie seeks a recommendation from Andy for an adoption application, and Dwight has a heart-to-heart with Jim. A notable moment from this episode is when the cast learned that season nine would be their last, and they had to decide whether to end the show together or gradually lose cast members. Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey, who played Pam and Angela on The Office, share behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive insights about this episode on their Ultimate Office Rewatch Podcast. They also discuss their favorite words, such as "thwarted," and share personal experiences. This episode is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it a must-listen for any Office fan.
A special farewell season with cast and writers collaboration: The final season of The Office was memorable due to character goodbyes, cast wishes granted, and unique production challenges.
The final season of "The Office" was unique because the cast and writers knew it was the end, allowing them to collaborate on character goodbyes and create memorable moments. This included granting cast members' wishes, like Creed's desire to sing a song and have Devin return. The production also faced challenges, including Ellie Kemper accidentally peeing her pants and two near-death experiences on the set of the "Death Bus" episode. These incidents and the focus on character goodbyes have made this season and this particular episode a fan favorite.
Making The Office on a Moving Bus: Turner Productions went to great lengths to film on a moving bus for two and a half days, including removing the air conditioning unit to fit everyone comfortably. Brian Cranston, star of Breaking Bad, directed an episode during peak success, bringing valuable acting and directing experience to the set.
The production of The Office involved meticulous planning and attention to detail, even when it came to the unconventional filming location of a moving bus. Turner Productions listened carefully to the script's specifications for the bus layout, and the cast and crew went to great lengths to make it work. For instance, they had to remove the air conditioning unit to fit everyone comfortably. The bus facts shared in this podcast highlight the intricacies involved in shooting on a moving vehicle for two and a half days. Another fascinating detail revealed in this discussion was Brian Cranston's involvement as the director for an episode during the peak of Breaking Bad's success. Working with him was an awe-inspiring experience for the cast, as he commanded the room with his friendly and approachable demeanor while maintaining a strong focus on the technical aspects of filmmaking. His experience as an actor translated well into his role as a director, making for a memorable experience on set.
Brian Cranston's Safety-focused Direction on 'The Office''s 'The Dundies': Brian Cranston, known for his safety consciousness from 'Breaking Bad,' ensured a safe set for 'The Office''s 'The Dundies,' despite filming in a hot bus.
Brian Cranston's involvement in the making of "The Office" episode "The Dundies" went beyond just acting. He was a detail-oriented and safety-conscious director who ensured a tight fit for the cast and crew on the small bus set. Despite the irony of working on a show that filmed outside in a bus during a hot week, he had come off from "Breaking Bad," where he had experienced the risks of shooting in an RV. This experience made him highly aware of potential hazards and focused on safety. The episode, which was called "Death Bus" by the cast and crew, saw Cranston directing with utmost focus and concern for everyone's well-being.
The pleasure of others' failures: Schadenfreude: Studies show that people derive more joy from witnessing rivals fail than from celebrating their own successes.
The enjoyment of others' failures, a phenomenon known as Schadenfreude, can be more satisfying than witnessing one's own success. During a rewatch of "The Office," it was revealed that the scene of Ed Helms falling into a pit of sand and spilling a large container of Gatorade on himself was filmed without a stuntman or rehearsal. The scene brought up questions about the origins of the popularity of fail videos and led to the discovery of a study that showed viewers derived more pleasure from watching their rivals fail than from seeing their own team succeed. This concept, known as Schadenfreude, is believed to be rooted in human psychology and can be observed even in young children. The study, conducted by Leah Boker, tracked the responses of German soccer fans and found that they were happier watching their rivals miss penalty kicks than seeing their own team score. The findings shed light on the complex emotions that drive human behavior and the enduring appeal of fail videos. The relationship between Jim and Dwight, as well as sibling dynamics, were also identified as potential sources of Schadenfreude. Additionally, an upcoming prank on Dwight by Jim is teased in the episode.
EMFs in the Workplace and Guilt Gifting: EMFs can cause anxiety despite scientific consensus, and guilt gifting may seem loving but can lead to resentment
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are a real phenomenon, with high-frequency EMFs being potentially harmful and low to mid frequency EMFs, like those found in offices, believed to be harmless. However, concerns about EMFs in the workplace can still cause anxiety for some employees, as seen with Toby in the Office episode discussed. Jim's guilt over keeping a secret from Pam leads him to engage in "guilt gifting," a pattern of behavior where a partner tries to make up for past wrongs with extravagant gifts. While Pam initially seems understanding, she later expresses resentment, highlighting the potential manipulative nature of guilt gifting. In the workplace, Andy's new one-minute speaking policy adds tension to his interactions with employees, particularly Nellie. The script's earlier drafts revealed that this hourglass was specifically for Nellie, but the final version left it ambiguous to maintain fairness and avoid appearing too mean-spirited towards her character.
Pranks and Challenges in Office Life: Unexpected events and office pranks can disrupt work routines, but the Dunder Mifflin crew remains adaptable and resilient.
Office life at Dunder Mifflin brings unexpected challenges and pranks. Nellie's adoption plans hit a roadblock when Jim plays a trick on Dwight, causing him to believe he's sterile. Meanwhile, Dwight arranges for the entire office to work on a bus for a week while he fixes the electromagnetic issue. The idea for a work bus originated from a real-life enterprise bus in China. Despite the unusual circumstances, the Dunder Mifflin crew adapts, showcasing their resilience and sense of humor. However, it's unclear why Dwight had the authority to make everyone work on the bus instead of Andy or the branch manager, Michael.
Appreciating the Reliability of Landlines: Speaker values landline's reliability for emergencies but struggles to maintain one due to technological advancements and phone company policies.
The speaker values the reliability and security of a landline phone, particularly for emergency situations, but faced challenges in maintaining one due to technological advancements and phone company policies. The speaker's attachment to the landline stems from her desire to be prepared for unexpected circumstances, such as being unable to speak during an emergency. Despite her preference for a landline, she found herself accumulating multiple devices due to technological upgrades and her husband's choices. The scene on the work bus, where Phyllis brings a smelly takeout container and everyone tries to work, serves as a humorous contrast to the speaker's phone-related concerns.
Working in cramped conditions on the 'work bus': The Office cast brought humor and camaraderie to set despite uncomfortable conditions, with John Krasinski and Brian Cranston's antics lightening the mood.
Despite the cramped and uncomfortable conditions inside the "work bus," the cast and crew found ways to bring humor and camaraderie to the set. John Krasinski and Brian Cranston's antics lightened the mood during long, hot hours spent filming. The bus was packed with equipment and actors, and even the chairs were kept as mementos. A touching story was shared about Phil Shea, who went above and beyond to help a colleague in need. Meanwhile, tensions rose as characters like Nellie sought help with adoption applications and Clark paced, causing spills and anger. Overall, the scene showcased the unique dynamics of the Office cast and their ability to find levity in challenging situations.
Unexpected consequences and new experiences: Even the best plans can lead to unintended outcomes, but these mishaps can provide opportunities for new experiences and deeper connections.
Even the best-laid plans can go awry, leading to unexpected consequences. In the Office episode discussed, Jim's guilt gifting to Pam resulted in her getting covered in coffee and a ruined week. Meanwhile, Darryl and Clark were left behind due to a misunderstanding. These mishaps led to unintended outcomes and provided opportunities for new experiences and connections. The episode also showcased the importance of friendship and the lengths people will go to for each other, as seen when Jim and Andy went to get pie for the stranded Pam. Additionally, the Shibuya roll call sequence was a fun homage to Spike Lee's movie and added a unique element to the episode. Overall, the episode highlighted the importance of adaptability and the power of unexpected events to bring people closer together.
Happy and Hilarious 'Shibuya Roll Call' Scenes from 'The Office': The 'Shibuya Roll Call' scenes in 'The Office' are known for their camaraderie, humor, and improvisation. Despite unexpected events, the cast and crew maintained a fun atmosphere, resulting in memorable moments like Stanley, Andy, and Oscar's playful lines.
Despite the challenges and unexpected events during the filming of "The Office" episode "Work Bus," the cast and crew managed to maintain a fun and lighthearted atmosphere. This is evident in the playful "Shibuya Roll Call" scenes, where characters like Stanley, Andy, and Oscar delivered humorous lines. Some of these lines were even improvised, such as Oscar's alternative line about his love for nonfiction. The energy and joy from these moments made it one of the happiest days on set, even for those who initially resisted participating. Ellie Kemper shared a story about an incident where she accidentally wet her pants during filming, adding to the day's unforgettable experiences. Overall, the "Shibuya Roll Call" scenes showcase the camaraderie and humor that made "The Office" a beloved television show.
Finding humor in embarrassing situations: Embrace unexpected situations with humor and move on, as Ellie Kemper did when she accidentally wet her pants on the work bus. The cast and crew were able to turn a potentially embarrassing moment into a memorable one.
Even in the most unexpected and embarrassing situations, it's important to find the humor and move on. Ellie Kemper shared a story about wetting her pants on the work bus during filming, and while it was initially embarrassing, her co-stars and the women on the bus took it in stride. The men, on the other hand, were grossed out. The incident became a memorable moment for the cast and crew, and they were able to laugh about it later. Additionally, the filming day was notable for its heat, with John Krasinski and Brian Baumgardner visibly sweating in the scene. Other memorable moments from that day included Dwight picking up Creed hitchhiking and discovering he was playing hooky, and Pam noticing Dwight's odd behavior during a group photo shoot. Overall, the cast and crew were able to make the best of an awkward situation and create memorable moments during their time on set.
John Egett's Unusual Past and Dwight's Privacy Concerns: The episode highlighted John Egett's diverse interests and past experiences, while Dwight raised concerns about cell phone location tracking and privacy.
The discussion touched on various interesting facts about the crew member John Egett, including his love for reading and Lake Tahoe, as well as his unusual past experience as a DJ in a French bordello. Meanwhile, Dwight shared his concern about cell phone location tracking and the potential risks of being framed for a crime. The group also joked about Kevin's sudden math skills and the impending deadline for buying pies from Laverne. A notable fan mail mentioned the inconsistency in the scene where Oscar asked Kevin to calculate the number of pies, and the answer should have been given in units other than pies. Additionally, Dwight expressed his strong preference for a landline phone over a cell phone due to his privacy concerns.
Misunderstanding unitless quantities: Clear communication is crucial to avoid misunderstandings, especially when dealing with unitless quantities. Incorrect assumptions can lead to humorous or serious consequences.
Unitless quantities should not be confused with quantities having specific units. In the discussed scene from "The Office," the mistake of dividing pies by pies instead of pies among people highlights this concept. The scene also showcases the importance of clear communication and the potential impact of incorrect assumptions. Additionally, the scene's development from Dwight and Pam to Dwight and Jim during the production process is an interesting behind-the-scenes detail. Furthermore, Jim's heated conversation with Dwight in the longer version of the scene reveals deeper emotions and conflicts between the two characters.
Filming on a moving bus or high above comes with unique challenges: Rainwater collection, ladder filming, actor emotions, continuity errors - handling these challenges is crucial for successful bus or high angle productions
Filming scenes on a moving bus or high above it comes with unique challenges. For instance, rainwater collection on the bus roof made it difficult to secure actors, and filming from ladders added to the complexity. Additionally, Ellie Kemper, who had to cry in a scene, shared that she couldn't cry on cue. Brian Cranston suggested she drink lots of water to help her cry, but Ellie did not follow this advice. Instead, she used a menthol stick to make her eyes water. The scene's authenticity remains unclear, but it marked a first for Ellie Kemper in her acting career. The production team also had to deal with a continuity error when Jim's watch showed an incorrect time during the pie stand chase scene. If you're planning a production involving buses or high angles, or if you need help with emotional scenes or continuity, contact us for expert advice.
Unexpected events during filming: Always consider potential risks and consequences when planning and executing a scene to prevent chaotic and dangerous situations
Even the most carefully planned scenes can go awry when unforeseen circumstances arise. During the filming of a scene involving a bus swerving on "The Office," the cast and crew discovered that they had failed to secure the loose items inside the bus. When the stunt driver swerved as directed, the entire bus and its contents went flying, resulting in a chaotic scene. Everyone involved was shaken up but ultimately okay. This unexpected turn of events serves as a reminder that it's essential to consider all potential risks and consequences when planning and executing a scene.
Safety incident on Breaking Bad set: Accidental carbon monoxide exposure during filming highlights the need for strict safety protocols on set
Even during challenging production conditions, the cast and crew's safety is of utmost importance. During the filming of a scene on an RV for "Breaking Bad," an air conditioning unit was brought in to alleviate the heat. However, it was accidentally connected to the bus's exhaust pipe, leading to the cast and crew inhaling carbon monoxide. Although they were all checked by medics and deemed okay, the incident served as a reminder of the importance of safety measures on set. Despite the near-death experience, the team remained in high spirits and continued filming, with the pie scene becoming a symbol of their relief and happiness.
The pie scene in 'Work Bus' episode of The Office added depth and charm: The pie scene in 'Work Bus' episode of The Office, despite initial draft changes, added depth to the characters' relationships and showcased the significance of small moments in the show.
The pie scene in "Work Bus" episode of The Office had a significant impact on the characters and their relationships. Although they didn't make it to Laverne's pies in the initial draft, the scene at the gas station with Hostess pies still had meaning as it hinted at the growing bond between Pete and Aaron. Phil Shea, the show's prop master, even allowed the cast to choose their preferred pies ahead of shooting. The final scene with Ed playing the banjo and everyone exhausted after their road trip added to the episode's charm. Additionally, the background conversations between Aaron and Pete throughout the episode foreshadowed their future relationship development. Overall, the pie scene and its associated elements added depth to the episode and showcased the importance of small moments in The Office.
