Celebrating 20 Years Of 'The Office'

Summary

Fresh Air: Celebrating 20 Years Of 'The Office'

NPR’s "Fresh Air," hosted by Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley, marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic NBC sitcom "The Office." This special episode delves deep into the show's enduring legacy, exploring its origins, evolution, and the impact it has had on both American and global audiences. Featuring intimate conversations with key cast members, creators, and the original British co-creator, Ricky Gervais, the episode offers a comprehensive celebration of "The Office."

---

Origins and Evolution of 'The Office'

David Bianculli sets the stage by tracing the roots of "The Office" back to its British inception. Co-created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the original series premiered in 2001, featuring Gervais as David Brent, the inept manager of a regional paper supply company. NBC's American adaptation, spearheaded by executive producer Greg Daniels, transplanted the setting to Scranton, Pennsylvania, and reimagined the characters for an American audience.

David Bianculli:
“Adaptive translation retained the documentary format and no laugh track approach of the original, allowing the American version to mature its own identity...”
(00:17)

The American version, starring Steve Carell as Michael Scott, swiftly became a cultural phenomenon, running for nine seasons with 201 episodes. Its unique blend of humor and heart, combined with relatable workplace dynamics, has kept it a staple on streaming platforms, maintaining its popularity two decades later.

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Steve Carell on Michael Scott’s Character

Steve Carell offers a nuanced exploration of Michael Scott, the bumbling yet endearing office manager. Discussing Michael’s emotional blind spots and lack of self-awareness, Carell emphasizes that while Michael is often misguided, his intentions are rooted in genuine care for his employees.

Steve Carell:
"Michael Scott is someone with an enormous emotional blind spot. He truly does not understand how others perceive him..."
(03:11)

Carell draws inspiration from his own experiences with teachers who struggled to connect with students, mirroring Michael’s misguided attempts to be liked and respected in the workplace.

Carell:
"He thinks people think he's cool and funny, but he's really none of those things. He's not a bad guy; he just doesn't always do the best things..."
(07:08)

---

Insights from Greg Daniels and Mindy Kaling

Greg Daniels and Mindy Kaling provide behind-the-scenes perspectives on the show's development. Daniels highlights the unconventional audition process, where actors were paired and tested together to ensure on-screen chemistry. This meticulous approach was pivotal in shaping the ensemble cast that became the heart of the show.

Greg Daniels:
"We took three days and combined all the different finalist actors in different combinations and filmed them improving scenes together..."
(09:36)

Mindy Kaling discusses character evolution, particularly how relationships among characters like Pam and Jim mirrored realistic workplace dynamics, adding depth and authenticity to the series.

Mindy Kaling:
"The chemistry between Jenna and John was undeniable, and it was clear they could bring that authentic relationship to the screen..."
(28:05)

---

John Krasinski’s Journey as Jim Halpert

John Krasinski shares his audition experience and the significance of his character, Jim Halpert. Initially surprised to be cast as Jim rather than Dwight, Krasinski reflects on the importance of honesty during auditions, a trait that ultimately won him the role.

John Krasinski:
"Honesty is the best policy. It’s the reason you got the role..."
(34:00)

Krasinski also delves into the profound on-screen relationship with Jenna Fischer’s Pam, highlighting how their characters’ evolving romance resonated deeply with fans and became a cornerstone of the show’s emotional narrative.

Krasinski:
"Being part of that relationship was a big responsibility, and it’s one of the most special relationships I will have on screen."
(34:38)

---

Rainn Wilson’s Portrayal of Dwight Schrute

Rainn Wilson discusses the creation and development of Dwight Schrute, the ambitious and eccentric salesman. Drawing from Greg Daniels’s description of Dwight’s “adolescent love of hierarchies,” Wilson explains how he infused the character with his own quirks to bring Dwight to life.

Rainn Wilson:
"Dwight is a militant dweeb and an ass kisser, with an intense love for hierarchies and power..."
(43:20)

Wilson also recounts the challenges of interacting with co-star Jenna Fischer, particularly in scenes that required maintaining the character’s intense persona without breaking the comedic flow.

Wilson:
"Rainn Wilson has this absurd conviction that makes every scene he’s in just so perfect."
(47:05)

---

Reflections from Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais, co-creator of the original British version, reflects on the transatlantic adaptation of "The Office." He shares anecdotes from his time as David Brent and offers insights into the differences between the British and American versions.

Ricky Gervais:
"The American adaptation allowed Steve Carell to bring his own unique charm to Michael Scott, which elevated the character beyond what we had in the UK..."
(15:23)

Gervais also highlights the importance of character authenticity and how both versions strive to portray the mundane yet humorous realities of office life.

---

Notable Scenes and Anecdotes

Throughout the episode, "Fresh Air" features clips and discussions of memorable scenes that encapsulate the essence of "The Office." For instance, Steve Carell’s reenactment of a Chris Rock routine leading to a diversity training session showcases Michael Scott’s well-meaning yet inappropriate management style.

Steve Carell (Clip):
"You know what? This is a color free zone here. Stanley, I don't look at you as another race."
(02:28)

Another highlight is the portrayal of Dwight Schrute’s unconventional teaching methods during “Take Your Daughter to Work Day,” emphasizing his unique approach to leadership and education.

Rainn Wilson (Clip):
"That was Greensleeves, a traditional English ballad about the beheaded Anne Boleyn..."
(44:41)

These scenes are dissected to reveal the comedic genius and character depth that have kept audiences engaged for two decades.

---

Legacy and Continued Popularity

As "The Office" celebrates its 20th anniversary, the episode underscores its lasting impact on modern television and popular culture. The show's ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments, its memorable characters, and its pioneering mockumentary style have set a benchmark for workplace comedies.

David Bianculli:
"NBC's 'The Office' is still popular on streaming sites today, a testament to its timeless appeal and universal relatability."
(00:17)

The discussions reveal that "The Office" not only provided laughter but also offered poignant reflections on human interactions and workplace dynamics, making it a beloved series across generations.

---

Conclusion

"Fresh Air’s" special episode meticulously celebrates the monumental success of "The Office," highlighting the collaborative efforts of its creators and cast. Through in-depth interviews and engaging anecdotes, the podcast encapsulates why "The Office" remains a cherished part of television history, continuing to entertain and resonate with audiences worldwide.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Steve Carell on Michael Scott’s Blind Spots:
  “Michael Scott is someone with an enormous emotional blind spot. He truly does not understand how others perceive him...”
  (03:11)

• John Krasinski on Role Responsibility:
  “Being part of that relationship was a big responsibility, and it’s one of the most special relationships I will have on screen.”
  (34:38)

• Rainn Wilson on Dwight’s Character:
  “Dwight is a militant dweeb and an ass kisser, with an intense love for hierarchies and power...”
  (43:20)

• Ricky Gervais on American Adaptation:
  “The American adaptation allowed Steve Carell to bring his own unique charm to Michael Scott, which elevated the character beyond what we had in the UK...”
  (15:23)

---

This summary captures the essence of "Fresh Air’s" 20th-anniversary episode on "The Office," providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened while preserving the rich details and memorable quotes from the original discussion.

Transcript

[Terry Gross]

This message comes from Capital One. Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank for details. Capital One NA Member FDIC this is FRESH AIR.

[David Bianculli]

I'm David Biancooli. The Office, the long running NBC comedy series based on a British sitcom, turned 20 years old last week. The original version, co created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, premiered in 2001. Starring Gervais as David Brent, the clueless boss of a regional paper supply company. The show's concept was exported to America with executive producer Greg Daniels developing the series for NBC. He relocated the Dunder Mifflin Paper company to Scranton, Pennsylvania, and renamed and recast all the roles of the Office employees. Steve Carell, then a correspondent for the Daily show, got the lead role as Office manager Michael Scott. The rest of the Office was populated by actors and writers who have become much more famous since the NBC version premiered in March 2005. That's partly because the Office, which retained the documentary format and no laugh track approach of the original, quickly matured into its own funny, popular version and kept maturing much longer than its British counterpart. NBC's the Office ran for nine seasons and broadcast 201 episodes, and it's still popular on streaming sites today. In our FRESH AIR anniversary show about the American version of the Office, we'll hear from cast members and from Greg Daniels and Ricky Gervais. Let's start with a taste from one of the earliest episodes of the NBC version of the Office. It's from 20 years ago, but couldn't be more topical. Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, offended some of his employees by reenacting part of a Chris Rock comedy routine. They complained to HR, which ordered that a diversity sensitivity training session be held. Larry Wilmore played the person brought in to run the session, but Michael, instead of sitting with the rest of the staff, decides to stand deliver at Diversity.

[Terry Gross]

Today our philosophy is about honesty and positive expectations. We believe that 99% of the problems in the workplace arise simply out of ignorance.

[Steve Carell]

You know what? This is a color free zone here. Stanley, I don't look at you as another race.

[Terry Gross]

Uh, see, this is what I'm talking about. We don't have to pretend that we're colorblind.

[Steve Carell]

Exactly.

[Terry Gross]

That's fighting ignorance. With more ignorance. No, with more ignorance. Right, Exactly. Instead, we need to celebrate our diversity.

[Steve Carell]

Let's celebrate.

[Terry Gross]

Right? Okay.

[Steve Carell]

Celebrate good times. Come on. Let's celebrate diversity. Right?

[Terry Gross]

Yes, exactly. Now, here's what we're going to do. I've noticed that.

[Steve Carell]

You know what? Here's what we're going to do. Why don't we go around and everybody. Everybody say a race that. That you are attracted to sexually. I will go last. Go.

[Larry Wilmore]

I have two.

[Steve Carell]

Nice.

[Larry Wilmore]

White and Indian.

[Terry Gross]

Actually, I'd prefer not to start that way. Michael, I would love to have your permission to run this session. Can I have your permission? Yes. Thank you very much. And it would also help me if you were seated.

[Steve Carell]

Okay.

[Terry Gross]

Thank you. Okay, so looking through the cards, I've noticed that many of you wrote down the same incident, which is ironic because it's the exact. I was brought in here to respond to. Now, how many of you are familiar with the Chris Rock routine? Very good. Okay.

[Steve Carell]

How come Chris Rock can do a routine and everybody finds it hilarious and groundbreaking, and then I go and do the exact same routine, same comedic timing, and people file a complaint to corporate. Is it because I'm white and Chris is black?

[David Bianculli]

Let's hear from Steve Carell, star of the NBC version of the Office. Terry Gross spoke with him in 2007. And they started with a clip from the show from season two, which once again had Carell as Michael Scott disrupting a workplace sensitivity session. This time it's a seminar for women only, led by corporate officer Jan, played by Melora Hardin. After we hear her begin the session, Jenna Fisher, as Pam, puts it in context for the documentary camera crew that's following all the action. And then Michael intrudes.

[Terry Gross]

So I'm happy to be here.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's very nice to see all of you.

[David Bianculli]

You're all looking well.

[Mindy Kaling]

Today's a women in the workplace thing. Jan's coming in from corporate to talk to all the women about. I don't really know what. But Michael's not allowed in. She said that about five times.

[Jenna Fischer]

Women today, though we have the same options as mentioned, we often face a very different set of obstacles in getting there, so.

[Steve Carell]

Hey, what's going on, Michael? Yeah, I thought we'd read the. I thought about it. I just have a few things I want to say.

[Terry Gross]

What are you doing?

[Steve Carell]

Just hear me out. What is more important than quality? Equality. Now, studies show that today's woman, the Ally McBeal woman, as I call her, is at a crossroads, Michael. And just. You have come a long way, baby. But I just. Just want to keep it within reason. They did this up in Albany.

[Jenna Fischer]

No, not allowed in Albany.

[Steve Carell]

And they ended up turning the break room into a lactation room, which is Disgusting.

[Terry Gross]

Now, you're really not allowed in this session.

[Steve Carell]

Well, I'm their boss, so I'm your boss. Anybody want any coffee or anything?

[Jenna Fischer]

We're fine, Michael.

[Terry Gross]

We just need you to leave, please.

[Jenna Fischer]

Steve Carell, welcome to FRESH air. How would you describe Michael?

[Steve Carell]

Michael Scott is someone with an enormous emotional blind spot. He is someone who truly does not understand how others perceive him. And if he did gain any knowledge, his head would explode. It would not be able to. He wouldn't be able to assimilate. He wouldn't be able to take in all of that information because it's just certain people exist on a different level, and they are only able to exist because they're in a sense of denial about who they are or how other people view them. And I think that's who he is. But he's not a bad guy. I think he's fair. He's a caring person. He wants what's best, but he doesn't always do the best things in order to achieve what he hopes to achieve.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, a lot of people who have worked in offices feel like they've worked with somebody like Michael Scott, but you've never worked in offices. It's just, you know, you're an actor, so who do you draw on for the character? Are there teachers that you had or other people who you knew who were in office?

[Steve Carell]

I think for me, it stemmed mostly from various teachers that I had growing up, because many teachers that I've had, especially fifth, sixth, seventh grade, would be people who were trying to be as cool as the students or wanted the students to think that they were cool, but indeed they were not. And the harder they tried, the less cool they would appear to be. And that's basically what Michael is up against. He thinks people think he's cool. He thinks people like him and think he's funny and charming, but he's really none of those things. And incidentally, when you say everyone knows a Michael Scott, I guess the rule of thumb, Ricky Gervais told me this in regards to the character that he played, David Brent in the BBC version of the Office, is that if you don't know a Michael Scott, then you are Michael Scott.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's really great.

[Steve Carell]

So better than that, that you actually have a frame of reference for a Michael Scott.

[David Bianculli]

Steve carell, star of NBC's the Office, speaking with Terry Gross in 2007. Now we'll hear from two of the writers who worked on the Greg Daniels, who wrote and directed episodes of NBC's The Office and developed it for American Audiences and Mindy Kaling, who both wrote for the series and co starred as Kelly Kapoor, whom Michael Scott described as his most ethnic employee. They both spoke to Terry Gross in 2006.

[Jenna Fischer]

Mindy Kaling, Greg Daniels, welcome to FRESH AIR. One of the things that happens on the Office is that since so since the Office is shot as if it were a documentary about this group of office workers, people are always talking to the camera, like looking away from the action and then talking to the camera in a confidential way, talking about what's really going through their mind. And they're often giving these kind of pained glances to the camera as Michael makes a fool of himself in the Office. And I'm wondering if, like during auditions, Greg, you asked everybody to roll their eyes and give pained looks because that's so much of what they have to do. Everybody's always so embarrassed on Michael's behalf and looking so uncomfortable because of what he's doing.

[Greg Daniels]

Well, we didn't have a normal audition process, or we did have a normal audition process, but afterwards we did screen tests and we actually took three days and combined all the different finalist actors in different combinations and we filmed them improving scenes together. And that was definitely one of the great things that distinguished us. For example, Jana Fisher, the pained looks that she would give to camera.

[Jenna Fischer]

She plays the receptionist, the character Pam.

[Greg Daniels]

Yeah, she plays Pam. And she's really the most put upon of all of them.

[Terry Gross]

And that's a very cool tool because if you notice in the show, only certain characters sort of have the permission to have that familiarity with the camera and the cameraman and other characters who have less self awareness do it less and it works great. Like for instance, Rainn Wilson, who plays Dwight, I think is a kind of character who has less self awareness and he doesn't do it as much as, say, John Krasinski and Jennifer Fisher, who played Jim and Pam, the two, the love interests.

[Greg Daniels]

Yeah, it's kind of saying, does anyone else see how crazy this is? So you have to be kind of a reasonable character to get away with it. Although when Michael Scott does it, it has a different flavor. It's usually, oh, I just blew it again, didn't I? Oh, yes, I did. When he looks to the camera or.

[Terry Gross]

That he's the host of a party and that he wants to keep, you know, he wants to be kind to the camera people as the host of this party. And the party is the Office.

[Jenna Fischer]

In the seasons that the Office has been on, are there ways that the characters have changed that you never would have expected and are there ways that Michael has changed the main character that you didn't plan on it just kind of evolved that way?

[Greg Daniels]

That's a good question. I think Michael has changed a little bit and a lot of it has to do with, with growing away from the British show a little bit and also Steve's movie career. Because when Steve Carell did 40 year old virgin, I think that was eye opening for me and for some of the writers to see him play a romantic lead in that way and how likable he was and helped us includes some of those characteristics in his character of Michael Scott.

[Terry Gross]

You know when you're on the subway and you see this really weird looking loser that's talking really too loudly and they have a girlfriend. To me that was a big change in the second season is that characters who are you're kind of like that person's loved by somebody. They are like, you see, Dwight is loved by somebody and Kelly has love in her own way. And all these people that you're like, that person's so sort of terrible in their own way. Oh. But I guess there's another person out there who understands them and likes them. And most of our characters on the show who are real characters have some kind of love life. And that's realistic, I mean, and sort of unusual in it. And that's a big difference, I think, between our two seasons.

[Mindy Kaling]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And Jen, who you mentioned is Michael's supervisor and he even when they do, when they do maybe maybe not have an overnight relationship because she's drunk and he's drunk and he doesn't. They probably just fell asleep, we think. But he.

[Greg Daniels]

I'm glad you picked up on that. We really discussed that a lot and that's what we think too. We think that she complained about her divorce for hours and then fell asleep on him.

[David Bianculli]

Right.

[Jenna Fischer]

Except he thinks that probably much more happened and he's always acting as if they had this like long passionate fling. Just like another example of him getting just like everything. It must be so much fun to write for a character like that.

[Greg Daniels]

Yeah. He has such little self knowledge and that's what makes a great comedy character, I think, is someone without any self knowledge and he really lacks it in every aspect of his life.

[David Bianculli]

Greg Daniels and Mindy Kaling speaking to Terry Gross in 2006. After a break, we'll hear from the star and co creator of the original Office, Ricky Gervais. This is FRESH air.

[Terry Gross]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Terry Gross]

To create a more informed public and ensures that public radio remains available to everyone.

[Jenna Fischer]

Learn more about safeguarding the future of.

[Terry Gross]

Public media visit protectmypublicmedia.org 99% of the.

[Ricky Gervais]

U.S. population lives within listening range of.

[Terry Gross]

At least one public media station and everyone can listen to NPR podcasts free of charge.

[Ricky Gervais]

That means you get completely unpaywalled access to stories, prize winning reporting and shows that represent the voices in every corner of the country.

[Terry Gross]

Hear the bigger picture every day on npr. Hey, it's hey Martinez. A lot of short daily news podcasts.

[David Bianculli]

Focus on one story, but sometimes you.

[Larry Wilmore]

Need.

[Terry Gross]

For up first on NPR, we bring you the three top world headlines every single day in under 15 minutes.

[David Bianculli]

Because no one story can capture all.

[Terry Gross]

That'S happening in Este Mundo Tangrande on any given morning.

[David Bianculli]

So listen to the UPVERSE podcast from NPR. We're celebrating the 20th anniversary of the popular NBC sitcom the Office. The original British version of the Office, co starring co creator Ricky Gervais as office manager David Brent, was the model for the long running NBC sitcom starring Steve Carel. Terry Gross spoke with Ricky Gervais in 2004 and they began with a scene from his version of the Office. Gervais as Michael Brent is conducting a performance evaluation with his receptionist Don, played by Lucy Davis.

[Ricky Gervais]

Okay, if you had to name a role model, someone who's influenced you, who would it be?

[Jenna Fischer]

What, like a historical person?

[Ricky Gervais]

Nope. Someone in sort of general life. Just someone who's been an influence on you? Well, I suppose my mum, she's just.

[Jenna Fischer]

She's strong, calm in the face of adversity. Oh God, I remember when she had a hysterectomy.

[Ricky Gervais]

If it wasn't your mother though. I mean it doesn't even have to be a woman. It could be a man.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, well, I suppose it was a man. It'd be my father.

[Ricky Gervais]

Not your father. I mean, let's take your parents as. Red, I'm looking for someone in the sort of work related arena.

[Mindy Kaling]

Right.

[Ricky Gervais]

Influence.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, well, I suppose Tim then. He's always.

[Ricky Gervais]

Well, he's a friend, isn't he? Not a friend. Someone in authority maybe. I didn't, you know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well then I suppose.

[Ricky Gervais]

Jennifer, I thought you said not a woman. Didn't we? Or am I?

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, well, I suppose you're the only one who.

[Ricky Gervais]

Embarrassing has backfired, isn't it? Oh dear. Very flattering. Can we put me. I don't know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, Tim then.

[Ricky Gervais]

We said not Tim. So do you want to put me or not? Okay, Right So shall I put strong role model?

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, yeah. You've created this story about life in an office. Have you ever worked in an office?

[Ricky Gervais]

Yeah, I worked in an office for eight years. That's, that's where I got it all from. I was a middle manager. I went to management training seminars where those speakers talked rubbish for two days. Yeah, I worked in an office for seven or eight years.

[Jenna Fischer]

Are any of the storylines in the office based on things that have happened to you?

[Ricky Gervais]

Oh, let me think. Let's see. Well, the episode four in series one where we had the guy come in to train people. I remember the first training session I went to and I remember they did role play. And I remember at the time thinking, this is ridiculous. And it started off, I'd like to complain about my room or I don't care. Well, you should. You're the manager. Well, go to another hotel then. Well, I will. And they went, that's the wrong way to do it. And then they said, okay, now we're doing the right way to do it. And he comes in and says, I'd like to complain about my room. Oh, I'm very sorry, sir. What's up with it? Oh, it's just dirty. Oh, well, I'll have someone clean it and you can have it for free. Brilliant. It was like as black and white as that. And I remember thinking, I don't know what the moral is. So I quite like this spoofing role play.

[Jenna Fischer]

Why don't we hear that scene? In the scene, David Brandt is role playing with the guy who's running the seminar and David Brent is supposed to be playing the customer and the guy running the seminar is the hotel clerk.

[Ricky Gervais]

I'd like to make a complaint, please. Don't care. Well, I am staying in the hotel. I don't care. It's not my shift. Well, you're an ambassador for the hotel.

[Terry Gross]

I don't care.

[Ricky Gervais]

I think you'll care when I tell you what the complaint is. I think there's been a rape up there. I got his attention. Get their attention. Okay, right, so. Well, some.

[Terry Gross]

Some interesting points.

[Ricky Gervais]

Very interesting points up there. It's not, not, not quite the point. I was trying to make different points to be made.

[Terry Gross]

I'm more integrally in customer care.

[Ricky Gervais]

So am I. And the way that we would phase them. Maybe I should as. I thought I should play the hotel manager because I'm used to that. I phased you, but you have a go. See if you can phase me. Okay.

[Terry Gross]

Yeah.

[Ricky Gervais]

Right. Okay. Hello.

[Larry Wilmore]

I wish to make a complaint.

[Ricky Gervais]

Not Interested?

[Terry Gross]

My room is an absolute disgrace.

[Ricky Gervais]

Don't care.

[Terry Gross]

The bathroom doesn't appear to have been cleaned.

[Ricky Gervais]

What room are you in?

[David Bianculli]

362.

[Ricky Gervais]

There is no 362 in this hotel. Sometimes the complaints will be false. Okay, good.

[Jenna Fischer]

David completely misses the point in that. But that's so typical of him, of.

[Ricky Gervais]

Course, because he wants to be top dog. He wants to be the center of attention. He couldn't. You know, he hires this guy, but then he wants to be in charge, so he's just a child. You know, it's his football, and he's gotta be, you know, the most important player.

[Jenna Fischer]

Now, later in the same seminar, David turns the discussion into basically a Q and A about himself. And then he reveals he used to be in a band. And then he takes out his guitar and he starts playing some. Some songs.

[Ricky Gervais]

Awful.

[Jenna Fischer]

Awful. Exactly. In fact, let me play some of the songs.

[Ricky Gervais]

Pretty girl on the hood of a Cadillac, yeah. She broken down on Freeway 9 take a look get her engine started up Live a purring and I roll on 5, 5, 5. Free love on the free love freeway the love is free and the freeway's long. I got some hot love on the hot love highway and going home. Cause my baby's gone.

[John Krasinski]

She's dead.

[Ricky Gervais]

She's not dead. Long time later, see a cowboy crying Says, hey, buddy, what can I do? He says, I lived a good life About a thousand women. I said, well, why the tears? He says, cause none of them was you. What, you? No. He's looking at a photograph of you. No, of his girlfriend. The video was shown. Yes. He sounds a bit gay at the moment. It's not gay. Free love on the free love freeway the love is free and the freeway.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's Ricky Gervais as David Brent in a scene from the British sitcom the Office, which is also now on dvd. Now, Ricky, I know you used to be in a band. Are any of these songs you used to do for real?

[Ricky Gervais]

No, no, no, no. I wrote those.

[Jenna Fischer]

I was really hoping you'd say that.

[Ricky Gervais]

Yeah. No, of course not. No. I wrote those especially for the show. And Free Love Freeway. I'm fascinated when British people who've never been out of their own town start writing songs about what it would be like to cross America. You know, they might as well talk about space travel, though. Again, the joke there wasn't that he was bad or the songs were comical. It was the fact that it was so inappropriate. He's meant to be leading a training session, but he wants to show off. And I love that Same as those people who take a guitar to a party. You know, just like, shut up.

[Jenna Fischer]

The other great thing about this scene is he does all these horrible things that make you so uncomfortable. When a bad performer is singing in a small room, he looks people in the eyes in a dreamy way.

[Ricky Gervais]

Excruciating, isn't it? Exactly, Absolutely excruciating. The white man overbite to show he's really getting into it. Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

He bites his lip to show how sensitive he's being.

[Ricky Gervais]

Yeah, exactly.

[Jenna Fischer]

Now, as a musician yourself, is this something that you've done or that you've.

[Ricky Gervais]

Just stop me there. Failed musician. Let's get it right.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, that's fine.

[Ricky Gervais]

No, I hope I was never like that.

[Jenna Fischer]

But you've seen people that be that.

[Ricky Gervais]

Way and I wasn't 40, so I hope there's enough distance between me and David Brent there.

[David Bianculli]

Ricky Gervais, starring co creator of the original British series the Office, speaking to Terry Gross in 2004. The American version of the Office is 20 years old and today we're featuring interviews with the Dunder Mifflin staff. Next we'll listen Back to a 2008 interview Terry conducted with Jenna Fisher, who played Pam Beasley. She was an original cast member and when she auditioned for the role of the receptionist, she hadn't memorized any lines. She couldn't.

[Mindy Kaling]

My very first audition for the Office, I had to sit in a chair and the producer interviewed me in character. There was no script. He just said, we want you to act like Pam or your idea of Pam, and we're going to interview you like a documentary film crew might. And they asked me a lot of questions about did I like working at a paper company, how long had I lived in Scranton, how did I feel about being filmed by a documentary crew? And my take on the character of Pam was that she didn't have any media training, so she didn't know how to be a good interview. And also she didn't care about this interview. And so I gave very short one word answers and I tried very hard not to be funny or clever because I thought that the comedy would come out of just, you know, the real human reactions to the situation. And it was great. It was great. We clicked quickly and they liked that take on it.

[Jenna Fischer]

So in your one word answers, like, what did you say to the questions you were asked in the audition?

[Mindy Kaling]

Well, it's funny. The casting director, before I went in, I had known her for a few years and she had called me in for other jobs and she gave me Some coaching on the phone. What she said was, don't come in looking pretty. Which, you know, a lot of times when you go in on an audition, they. They want you to look inappropriately sexy or hot for the role. And I used to get called in to play things like, oh, like a third grade school teacher, but look really hot. And so in this instance, when I went in for the office, the casting director said to me, she said, please look normal, don't make yourself all pretty and dare to bore me with your audition. Those were her words, dare to bore me. She said, please do not come in and do a bunch of shtick and try to be funny and clever because it's not that kind of show. So when I went into the audition, the first question that they asked me in the character of Pam, they said, do you like working as a receptionist? And I said no. And that was it. I didn't speak any more than that. And nah. And they started laughing. And then they asked me a few more questions. I mean, my answers were really nothing. They were just yes and no answers. And I felt like the comedy would come in watching me think about what I wasn't going to say instead of in what I said.

[Jenna Fischer]

So when you're giving one of your pained looks or one of your this is absurd looks to the camera, who's the camera person? Is there an actor behind there that you can kind of like interact with, or is it just like the camera with a camera person?

[Mindy Kaling]

Well, there's, there's two different scenarios when we're just shooting the show and it's a scene. The camera operator is this man named Randall Einhorn, and he's our director of photography. And we will look at him. We'll give him the look, or we'll look into the camera at him. And he's become another character or another actor on the show to us. So we do actually act with him. And it's really cute. Whenever Pam smiles at the camera, Randall can't help but smile back. The man, Randall, smiles at you while he's holding the camera. And there are scenes that we've done that have been really touching. And you'll look at Randall and he'll be, you know, sort of teared up. And when we shoot our talking heads, our interview segments, the director of the episode serves as our documentarian for that week. Some of the directors, we have them back again and again and again. And one director we're particularly attached to is Ken Kwapas. He directed our very first episode. And he comes back every year and directs a couple of episodes, and last year he directed the finale. And he's always taken a particular interest in Pam and her journey. So I feel very close to him. And in that moment when Jim burst into the conference room while Pam's giving an interview and he finally asked her out on a date, I turn to the camera and in the moment that they used, I'm sort of tearing up. And the reason that I teared up was because when I looked back at the camera, I saw Ken Kwapas and his eyes were full of tears. And he smiled at me and gave me a little wink, like, that's right. You finally got what you wanted, sweetie. And it just. Oh, it was a really powerful moment between me and the director.

[Jenna Fischer]

Now, how are you cast Officer John Krasinski? Did you have to do a scene together before you were both cast to make sure that there was chemistry between you? And for anyone who doesn't watch the Office, I should mention that he's one of the people who works in the Office and you had a long period of flirtation. But, you know, when the Office starts, you're engaged to somebody else. And even though things aren't working out between you two, you still feel like, you know, you're involved in this relationship and you can't get involved with the John Krasinski character of Jim, but eventually you do get together, so there has to be this chemistry between you. So were you tested out together during the audition?

[Mindy Kaling]

Yes. When it came down to the end of the audition process, they took four PAMs and four Jims and four Dwights and four Michaels, and they brought us into a real office and they filmed us with a camera for two days, mixing and matching us. And over the course of that two days, I was mixed and matched with John several times. And after the second day, we were walking out of a scene and he turned to me and he said, you're my favorite, Pam. I hope you get this job. And I smiled really big and I said, I'm so glad you said that because you're my favorite gym, and I don't think anyone could do it except for you. And when they called and told me that I got the job, I said, please tell me that John Krasinski is playing gym. And they said, he is. And we're so glad to hear you say that because we thought you two had amazing chemistry, and we're glad you think so, too.

[Jenna Fischer]

Do you have a favorite example of one of the times when Michael, the Steve Carell character, came up to your desk and did really bad shtick.

[Mindy Kaling]

Oh, gosh. Well, my, my favorite Pam Michael moment from the entire series happens in season one, actually. He, he comes up to my desk and he wads up a piece of paper and he goes to throw it into the trash can behind me, but instead it hits me in the head. And Pam looks at Michael and she says, please don't throw garbage at me. And I loved that moment because I thought, here's a girl who actually has to say to her boss, please don't throw garbage at me. It's like such a known thing, you know, it's just like such a thing that any normal person would know not to do. But, but I felt like that summed up their entire relationship, that Pam is constantly having to educate Michael on simple human interaction.

[David Bianculli]

Jenna Fisher speaking to Terry Gross in 2008. Coming up, John Krasinski, who played Jim. This is FRESH air.

[Jenna Fischer]

On this week's episode of Wild Card, actress Elizabeth Olsen reflects on being a Marvel superstar. I think I haven't always successfully made choices in my work that are aligned with my personal taste, and that is something I feel like I'm still trying to prove. I'm Rachel Martin. Join us for NPR's Wildcard podcast, the show where cards control the conversation.

[Terry Gross]

Oh, hey there.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm Brittany Luce, and I don't know.

[Terry Gross]

Maybe this is a little out of pocket to say, but I think you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Should listen to my podcast.

[Terry Gross]

It's called It's Been a Minute and I love it. And I think you will, too. Over the past couple months, over 100,000 new listeners started tuning in. Find out why. Listen to the It's Been a Minute podcast from NPR today.

[David Bianculli]

John Krasinski played Jim Halpert, who had two important relationships on the Office. He was the friend and later the love interest of the receptionist Pam, and he was the rival and chief tormentor of his office co worker, Dwight. Dave Davies spoke with John Krasinski in 2016.

[Rainn Wilson]

So how did you get the role? Did you audition?

[John Krasinski]

I did audition, and I remember the process was very wild for me because I was a huge fan of the English version. I watched it all the time. And when they asked me to audition for this, they actually sent the sides for Dwight. And there was something very weird. Again, I hadn't done anything, but there was something in me that just said if I go in, I want to go with my best foot forward. I don't feel like I'm Dwight. I feel like I'm more Jim. And so my manager at the time called and Said, you know, he doesn't want to go in for Dwight. He wants to go in for Jim. And they said, great, then he won't come in at all. And so there was about three weeks there where I thought the role was gone, the opportunity was gone. And then they called and they said, okay, he can come in and read for Jim, which was pretty amazing. And the first audition went pretty well. And then they flew in the producers from LA to New York. And I'll never forget this day. I was sitting in line. It was a. It was a bit of a bizarro alternate universe feeling sitting next to six other people who looked exactly like you. And we were all going in for the role of Jim. And they went through the line of the six guys, and I was the last person. And the casting director came up and said, you know, we're just gonna take a break for lunch. And in my head I thought, oh, just one more would be great. I was so nervous. So I watched, you know, 50 to 60 people go downstairs. It was at 30 Rock. And so they went down to the, to the restaurant, came back up with salads and sandwiches. All these people came back and one guy sat across from and said, are you nervous? And I said, oh, no. You either get these things or you don't. What I'm really nervous about is them screwing up a perfect show. The Americans always have the ability to screw up these amazing British shows, and I'm afraid this is gonna be another one of them. And he said, oh, great. I'm Greg Daniels, I'm the executive producer. And I genuinely almost threw up right on his shoes.

[Rainn Wilson]

You were making a crack. Well, it didn't turn him off.

[John Krasinski]

No. He later said, honesty is the best policy. It's the reason you got the role. Which I, I think he's still just being nice. I won't dare try it again by going into auditions now saying, I think this movie's gonna be horrible, and then see if they give me the role.

[Rainn Wilson]

Your character, Jim and then Pam the receptionist were, you know, important characters throughout the Office. And the relationship evolved and you eventually got together and, you know, had got married, had a kid. You know, it's. What is it like to have a long term fictional romance with somebody that lasts that long?

[John Krasinski]

That's a really good question. I mean, I think we were so honored to be a part of that relationship because, you know, when, you know, we have a weird relationship with our fans because a lot of people say, you know, we owe our fans everything, but we literally get to say that because we were gonna be canceled the first two seasons, definitely every week. I remember this guy, Jeff Engold, who worked at NBC, he came every week to say, listen, I love this show. It's just not working. We're gonna cancel it. And it was at the time of itunes. And I remember our fans were actually buying the show when they could watch it for free, which was a huge revelation, obviously. So because they were buying the show and not watching it on NBC, it showed people that there was a whole new audience that was loving the show so much that they'd actually spend money. So all that to say, we were so involved with our fans from the very beginning. And when I went around and bumped into people who were always so kind about the show, they were genuinely moved by this relationship. There was something that everybody was connecting to this sort of will he, won't he type of thing of whether or not I get up the guts to ask her out in the beginning, and then followed us along as if we were part of their family or living some version of their lives. And so for me, I think it was a big. It was a big responsibility to be a member of that. Of that couple. And I loved every single moment of it. It will always be one of the most, if not the most special relationship I will have on screen.

[Rainn Wilson]

Well, let's hear a scene with the two of you. I mean, this is from an episode in season six that you actually directed. And in this one, you and Pam are together, she's pregnant, and you're visiting a really good daycare center, one that's hard to get into, and you have your hopes up and you want to make a good impression and what's happened before, what we're going to hear is that you and Pam walked into the daycare center. You didn't see anybody there. You're poking around, and you opened the door of the boys room, and there's the daycare center director, played by Joey Slotnik, on the toilet, embarrassed. Oof. And so what we're going to hear is a few minutes later where you and Pam are in the interview with the guy you just surprised, and it's not going so well.

[John Krasinski]

There was one thing we were curious about, your flexibility on things like Easter or Memorial Day, because we might want to change our days around a little bit.

[Terry Gross]

That seems a bit premature, don't you think? I don't even know if I have a space for you yet, and you're already lining up your holiday plans.

[John Krasinski]

Oh, no, sorry. I'm just. We're kind of planners, but we're also flexible, too. So you know what? Maybe we could just discuss it when the time comes.

[Greg Daniels]

Yeah, if the time comes, we can discuss it.

[Mindy Kaling]

Is this because Jim walked in on you going to the bathroom?

[John Krasinski]

What?

[Terry Gross]

Seriously? You told her?

[John Krasinski]

Did it? It might have come up while we were waiting for you.

[Terry Gross]

And you thought that might have something.

[Jenna Fischer]

To do with how the meeting is going?

[John Krasinski]

No.

[Mindy Kaling]

Maybe because it doesn't seem to be going super well.

[Terry Gross]

You didn't consider the fact that it might not be going super well just because it. It might not be going super well?

[Mindy Kaling]

Nope. Cause we're really nice people, but you don't seem to like us.

[Terry Gross]

I'm being perfectly pleasant. Did you ever consider that you might not be as charming as you think you are?

[John Krasinski]

This coming from the guy who still uses a children's toilet. Why didn't you just lock the door, man?

[Terry Gross]

It doesn't lock for the children's safety.

[John Krasinski]

Anybody could have walked in.

[Terry Gross]

Story time.

[Rainn Wilson]

That's our guest, John Krasinski with Jenna Fisher and Joey Slotnick in a scene from the Office.

[John Krasinski]

Wow.

[Rainn Wilson]

You know, you directed this. You know what I love about that is the pacing, the awkwardness, the way you don't rush the lines. You just let the awkwardness build.

[John Krasinski]

Absolutely. I mean, that was the greatest gift. I mean, the show has given me absolutely everything for. From every opportunity because of how amazing that show was. But for me, I learned so much from that show because it was groundbreaking in television, I think. But it was also groundbreaking for me. This was a type of acting that you very rarely will get to do again. It was so up to the actors to decide when you said things, how you said things. And the producers were so supportive of that huge, long awkwardness, which I think is the big fear that everybody had when we took on the show and we did our US Version of it was that, oh, they'll never be able to do that awkwardness that the English show did. And so I was so proud of that. And that specific scene makes me laugh. I'm definitely a nerd because I still laugh at our show, but I remember directing that. And Joey, I'm so glad that you chose that scene because Joey's a very good friend and so unbelievably funny. In that scene, we have to play.

[Rainn Wilson]

A scene of you and your nemesis Dwight, who's played by Rainn Wilson. I don't remember which season this is from, but here's where he's. You've been promoted to the number two guy at the branch. And here You've arrived late for work, and so he confronts you.

[John Krasinski]

Oh, what's this?

[Larry Wilmore]

That is a demerit.

[John Krasinski]

Jim Halpert. Tardiness. Oh, I love it already.

[Larry Wilmore]

You gotta learn, Jim, you are second in command, but that does not put you above.

[John Krasinski]

Oh, I understand. And I also have lots of questions, like, what does a demerit mean?

[Larry Wilmore]

Let's put it this way. You do not want to receive three of those.

[John Krasinski]

Lay it on me.

[Larry Wilmore]

Three demerits and you'll receive a citation.

[John Krasinski]

Now that sounds serious.

[Larry Wilmore]

Oh, it is serious. Five citations and you're looking at a violation. Four of those and you'll receive a verbal warning. Keep it up and you're looking at a written warning. Two of those that'll land you in a world of hurt in the form of a disciplinary review written up by me and placed on the desk of my immediate superior.

[John Krasinski]

Which would be me.

[Larry Wilmore]

That is correct.

[John Krasinski]

Okay, I want a copy on my desk by the end of the day or you will receive a full dysagulation. What's a dis.

[Larry Wilmore]

What's that?

[John Krasinski]

Oh, you don't want to know.

[Rainn Wilson]

It's our guest, John Krasinski with Rainn Wilson in the office. I just love the way Rainn Wilson. Just this absurd stuff that he just goes at with such conviction. It's just so perfect.

[David Bianculli]

John Krasinski speaking with Dave Davies in 2016. Coming up, we hear from Rainn Wilson, who played Dwight Schrute, Jim's nemesis, on NBC's the Office. This is Fresh Air At Planet Money.

[Terry Gross]

We'll take you from a race to make rum in the Caribbean.

[Jenna Fischer]

Our rum from a quality standpoint is.

[Terry Gross]

The best in the world to the labs dreaming up the most advanced microchips. It's very rare for people to go inside two the back rooms of New York's diamond district.

[Ricky Gervais]

What are you looking for?

[Terry Gross]

The stupid guy here.

[David Bianculli]

They're all smart.

[Greg Daniels]

Don't worry about Planet Money from npr.

[David Bianculli]

We go to the story and take.

[Terry Gross]

You along with us wherever you get your podcasts. A couple months ago here at Planet Money, we stumbled across our favorite kind of economic mystery. Jeff, what is this? A deal that seemed way too good to be true. What I'm seeing here, at least, is that it's very high clarity.

[Jenna Fischer]

Join us on our adventure. Talk to me.

[David Bianculli]

Show me what you got to find.

[Terry Gross]

Out exactly how much a diamond is worth. Planet Money from npr, wherever you get your podcasts.

[David Bianculli]

Rainn Wilson is another cast member who was around for every episode since the beginning of NBC's the Office. He plays Dwight Schrute, who started as a flunky to Steve Carell's Michael Scott, but eventually ended up running the Scranton office himself. Terry spoke with Rainn Wilson in 2008.

[Jenna Fischer]

Let me ask you to describe Dwight.

[Larry Wilmore]

Ah, okay. That's a good one. Dwight is hard to put your finger on, and I've spent years trying to describe him in interviews. One of the things that Greg Daniels said to me early on, Craig said Dwight has an adolescent love of hierarchies. And to me, that phrase sums it all up. It's kind of all you need to know. The other thing. So Dwight is a militant dweeb. Ass kisser. Can you say ass kisser on fresh air? All right, good. And then I love the fact that he's. We discover later on that he's a beet farmer. And that makes total sense because you ever meet a farmer, they can't quite ever fit in. They can't really fit into city life no matter how much they try. They're just more in tune with the dirt and the tides and the seasons and the wolves than, you know, human interaction.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, you know, you mentioned that, you know, Greg Daniels told you that he has this, like, almost childish love of hierarchy. And at the beginning of the office, Dwight is the most loyal lieutenant imaginable to Michael, who's the boss of this branch. But then he senses he can have that power, and it looks like Michael's gonna leave and he can become the new Michael. And then, you know, all bets are off. Like, you want that power for yourself.

[Larry Wilmore]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

And you just become like such the commander as opposed to the lieuten. Was that a change in character for you when that change happened to Dwight?

[Larry Wilmore]

No, it wasn't. I think that they're so canny, the writers on our show, because they're always creating new textures for me to play as Dwight.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, I have to play a clip from the office. This is a classic scene. It's take your daughter to work day, and you're like, at the head of what's almost like a little classroom. Like, all the daughters are sitting in chairs and you're in front reading to them and playing your recorder or flutophone recorder. Recorder, yes.

[Larry Wilmore]

Part of my music nerd heritage.

[Jenna Fischer]

And Michael is at the door watching. So here's the scene.

[Larry Wilmore]

That was Greensleeves, a traditional English ballad about the beheaded Anne Boleyn. And now a very special treat, a book my grandmatter used to read me when I was a kid. This is a very special story. It's called Strulpita by Heinrich Hoffman from 1864. The Great Tall tailor always comes to little girls that suck their thumbs. Are you listening, Sasha? Right. And ere they dream what he's about, he takes his great sharp scissors out and then cuts their thumbs clean off. Dwight. Here's a photo.

[Steve Carell]

Dwight, what the hell are you reading?

[Larry Wilmore]

These are cautionary tales for kids.

[Mindy Kaling]

My grandmother used to.

[Steve Carell]

No, no, no, no, no.

[David Bianculli]

They.

[Steve Carell]

No, the kids don't want to hear some weirdo book that your Nazi war criminal grandmother gave you.

[Terry Gross]

Like a Nazi?

[Steve Carell]

What's a Nazi?

[Larry Wilmore]

Nazi was a fascist movement from the 1930s.

[Steve Carell]

Talk about Nazis in front. You know what? They're gonna have nightmares, so why don't you just shut it?

[Larry Wilmore]

I was gonna teach the children how to make corn husk dolls.

[Steve Carell]

Why don't you just leave, okay?

[Ricky Gervais]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Bye, Mr. Poop.

[Steve Carell]

All right, there goes Mr. Poop. Now, who likes Dane Cook?

[Terry Gross]

I do not.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's such a great scene written by.

[Larry Wilmore]

The great Mindy Kaling.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, who's also a member of the cast.

[Larry Wilmore]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

And that was my guest, Rainn Wilson in a scene from the Office. Your character Dwight is always so intense and so inappropriate as he was in his choice of readings. You know, you auditioned for the part of Michael of the boss of the office right before getting the part of Dwight. So what was your audition for the part of Michael? Like, this is the part that Steve Carell plays.

[Larry Wilmore]

They keep wanting to put it on the DVD of my audition as Michael. I was terrible. It was awful. It was never meant to be. It was just one of those things that I just basically did my Ricky Gervais impersonation because I really didn't know what to do with the character.

[Jenna Fischer]

And Ricky Gervais played the boss in the original.

[Larry Wilmore]

Yeah. And I knew I was hungering for Dwight and I knew Dwight was the one that was right in my wheelhouse. I was like, oh, let me at this one. This is. I gotta get this guy. And I remember there was some monologue I was doing about how I could drink my own urine. And I was like, oh, I wanna say that. I wanna say that line so bad. So my Dwight audition, needless to say, was a lot better than my Michael Scott audition got with them.

[Jenna Fischer]

Now, Jenna Fisher, who plays Pam, the receptionist on the show, was recently on our show.

[Larry Wilmore]

Horrible woman.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. She was so dull. Isn't she awful? Yeah. So I want to play you an excerpt of that interview in which she talked about you. So here's the excerpt of the interview with Jenna Fisher. Are there any scenes from The Office that were too funny to get through without laughing. And you had to keep reshooting them.

[Mindy Kaling]

Oh, so many. So many. You know, what happens is I seem to every year get tickled by a new actor in a way where I just. I cannot do a scene with them. And the first year was Rainn Wilson. You know, Pam and Dwight did not have a lot of interaction. And so anytime we did have a scene, one on one, I just. I just couldn't get through it. He. Rainn Wilson, he has this weird way that he stands where he pushes his pelvis and his gut sort of out.

[Jenna Fischer]

So that's Jenna Fisher talking about you on the Office. So how did you start doing that as Dwight's way of standing? And he also. Am I wrong in saying he's often standing a little too close to the person he's talking to?

[Larry Wilmore]

Yes. He's not so good at interpersonal boundaries. And that includes standing that way. I don't know. You know, it's just like you do. It's just what we do as actors. I think, you know, my haircut for Dwight was very important. It was very important to me that I have the least flattering haircut possible to my head, which I designed specifically. Thank you very much. And also the fact that he still wears a beeper, which is about eight years after beepers have been completely discontinued, because probably has some number that someone might still have. But all of these things put together, and then it kind of comes into your body. And I think your job as the actor is to let these impulses flow through you and not stifle them. So if you have, you know, again, he has this love of hierarchies and this love of power. Well, he's gonna assert his power with his pelv, maybe stand inappropriately close to someone, and it's kind of like an alpha male type of thing.

[David Bianculli]

Rainn Wilson speaking to Terry Gross in 2008. NBC's the Office is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the show still is very popular on streaming sites. You can see every episode on Peacock on Monday's show. Scottish actor David Tennant, perhaps best known for his role as the Doctor on Doctor who. Tennant also is considered an excellent Shakespearean actor. His comedy show, staged with Michael Sheen, was one of the few funny things to come out of the COVID pandemic. The third season of his podcast is out now. I hope you can join us. Fresh Air's executive producer is Danny Miller. Sam Brigger is our managing producer. Our technical director and engineer is Audrey Bentham. With additional engineering support by Joyce Lieberman, Julian Herzfeld and Diana Martinez. For Terry Gross and Tanya Moseley, I'm David Dean Cooley.

[John Krasinski]

Want to know what's happening in the world? Listen to the State of the World Podcast.

[Terry Gross]

Every weekday we bring you important stories from around the globe. In just a few minutes, you might.

[John Krasinski]

Hear how democracy is holding up in.

[Greg Daniels]

South Korea or meet Indian monkeys that.

[Terry Gross]

Have taken turn to crime.

[Larry Wilmore]

We don't go around the world, we're already there. Listen to the State of the World podcast from npr.

[Steve Carell]

These days there is a lot of news.

[Terry Gross]

It can be hard to keep up.

[Steve Carell]

With what it means for you, your family and your community. Consider this from NPR is a podcast that helps you make sense of the news. Six days a week we bring you a deep dive on a story and provide the context, backstory and analysis you need to understand our rapidly changing world. Listen to the Consider this podcast from npr. Shortwave thinks of science as an invisible force showing up in your everyday life, powering the food you eat, the medicine you use, the tech in your pocket.

[Terry Gross]

Science is approachable because it's already part of your life. Come explore these connections on the shortwave podcast from NPR.