Office Ladies – “A Look Back on The Paper Pilot”

Podcast: Office Ladies
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Episode Date: December 31, 2025
Episode Theme:
In this episode, Jenna and Angela break down the highly anticipated pilot of The Paper, Greg Daniels’ new series set in "The Office" universe. With exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, interviews with returning and new cast and crew, and an intricate “set tour,” this episode offers fans both nostalgia and fresh excitement.

Episode Overview

Jenna and Angela revisit “The Paper” pilot, which follows a documentary crew (the same that filmed The Office) as they seek a new story, landing at the struggling Midwestern newspaper, the Truth Teller in Toledo, Ohio. They share detailed observations, personal anecdotes, and exclusive cast/crew interviews, connecting The Office legacy to this new chapter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Transitioning from The Office to The Paper

• The documentary crew from The Office is now searching for a new subject, settling on the Truth Teller, a struggling small newspaper owned by Enervate, the conglomerate that now controls Dunder Mifflin.
• Jenna summarizes:

  "The show focuses on the paper’s newly hired publisher, Ned, whose goal is to revive the paper using volunteer reporters." (04:41)

2. Behind-the-Scenes Magic

• Returning Crew & Philosophy: The showrunners intentionally recreated The Office’s on-set “magic” by hiring back writers who also act and using the same crew.
  Angela:

  “We saw a lot of familiar faces… Greg brought back so much of the philosophy of The Office. And I think you see it on screen.” (09:15)

• Writer-Performers: There are four writer-performers in The Paper, echoing The Office’s ensemble spirit.

3. The Premise – Interviews with Greg Daniels & Michael Koman

• Greg Daniels (paraphrased): Enervate buys Dunder Mifflin for its paper products (toilet paper being more profitable than newspapers). Documentarians stumble into the story of reviving an old local paper. (05:56)
• Michael Koman (read by Angela):

  "They keep the newspapers around because they think it’s good for the community, but they’re not really servicing any new stories..." (07:03)

4. Cast & Characters – Office Cameos and New Faces

• Oscar’s Return: Oscar Nunez returns, now head accountant for Enervate, seeking purpose after his failed senatorial run.

  “Oscar’s new journey has a little bit of finer things club and a little bit of his heart for service.” (10:53)

• Bob Vance (Bobby Ray Shafer): Returns for a memorable cameo, shares delight in stepping back onto a perfect replica of Vance Refrigeration (22:28).
• New Lead Ned (Domhnall Gleeson): The idealistic publisher hoping to bring real journalism back (59:22).
• Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore): Scene-stealer as the fiery digital editor—Angela and Jenna are both “obsessed” (45:17).

5. Nostalgic Connections and Set Easter Eggs

• Scranton Business Park Recreated: The old signs, open doors, and small details transport viewers back.

  “Greg told me they restored the Scranton business sign park for that opening establishing shot... some fans even snagged photos.” (27:53)

• On-Set Details:
  • Electric car chargers outside (18:21)
  • Vance Refrigeration's in-jokes, like a post-it note about fridge discounts (20:01)
  • The iconic Froggy 101 sticker is now at Enervate (63:45)
  • Michael Scott’s handmade scarecrow from “Goodbye, Michael” on Oscar’s desk (80:58)

6. Meaningful Cameos & Messages from Cast Members

• Oscar Nunez: Shares how he was gradually recruited by Greg Daniels, the challenge of “keeping the secret,” and his feelings about crossing over into The Paper. (11:40)
• Bobby Ray Shafer (Bob Vance): Reflects on being called “back to Hollywood,” the surreal feeling of “deja vu,” and the appreciation he has for the show’s dedicated fans.

  “As I told the producer, I’ve never said no to Greg Daniels and I’m not going to start now.” (22:28)

• Stephen Socks: (Office's stand-in and now cameo as “the man shaving”) describes the emotional experience of stepping into the elevator bay once again, calling it “closure” and “full of gratitude.” (30:49)

7. The Episode Breakdown - Plot & Notable Scenes

• Opening: Doc crew returns to Scranton, finds the Dunder Mifflin office is now a laser eye surgery/tattoo removal clinic.
  • Bob Vance offers the first talking head, with heartwarming references to Stanley, Phyllis, and… schnauzer-poodle “schnoodles.”
• Transition to Enervate HQ: Set in Toledo, a vast, half-empty office campus—showcasing corporate downsizing and newspaper decline.
• Introduction to the New Cast:
  • Mare (Chelsea Fry): Army vet, writes AP wire stories
  • Esmeralda: Digital-obsessed, chaotically creative
  • Nicole (Ramona Young): Circulation manager
  • Dedrick (Melvin Gregg): Ad sales, possible office romance
  • Barry (Duane Shepherd Sr.): The last real reporter
  • Adalola (Bim Iculomello) & Adam (Alex Edelman): Bumbling accountant pair
  • Travis (Eric Rahill): Softies Toilet Paper rep, office oddball
• Key Conference Scene:
  • Ned announces big plans—only original articles, volunteer reporters, cancellation of wire service, aiming to build “a real newspaper.” (74:29)
  • Esmeralda subverts his authority by sending staff-wide emails (“He’s not been MeToo’d!”), causing confusion and office drama (76:08).

8. Signature Office-Style Humor & Heart

• Esmeralda’s Antics: Flirts with the camera crew, roasts accountants as “boring, boring, and head boring” before Oscar is hilariously revealed—reluctant to be in the documentary again.

  “God, not again. I’m not agreeing to any of this. Don’t you guys have enough? After nine years, nobody wants this.” (56:39)

• Lunchroom Scene: Ned’s quirky method for eating salad—a running joke about “eat alone” piles. (65:34)
• Conference Room Moment: Ken quips about the budget (“I’m going to call 911 because our budget is having a coronary”). Ned’s speech about what a local paper should aspire to be elicits both skepticism and hope (83:38).

9. Set, Props, and Easter Eggs

• Desks and Offices:
  • Esmeralda’s workspace is a “lamp and star” explosion (49:24), Nicole brings her bird to work, Adam’s desk an explosion of toys and nods to Boston, Magic 8 Ball, etc.
  • Desks packed with prop and real-life memorabilia, in both homage and reinvention of The Office’s classic cubicle culture.
• Production Design:
  • Real newspaper offices and basements with historic presses inspired the set. Jenna and Angela praise the authenticity and detail, including giant columns, “1920s” woodwork, and massive antique printing presses (86:12).

10. Emotional Resonance

• Reflections from returning cast:

  “What I felt at that moment was just closure...Art shows us in amazing ways that life has changed...full of gratitude for all that The Office meant to me. And then I got to pivot to this brand new show.” – Stephen Socks (34:22)

• Thematic callback:
  • The finale centers on the truth-telling mission of newspapers, underscored by archival footage and a moving monologue about journalism’s sacred purpose (87:51).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Angela, on the “Office magic”:

  “Greg brought back so much of the philosophy of The Office. And I think you see it on screen.” (09:15)

• Oscar Nunez, on keeping the secret:

  “Angela, as you know…I’m not good at keeping secrets. It was very difficult…But I did it. I think I did it. And then…here we are.” (13:03)

• Esmeralda’s email shenanigans:

  “Did you send an email to everyone here saying I was not MeToo’d?” — “Yes, because I didn’t want you to start off on the wrong foot.” (77:02)

• Esmeralda’s masterful manipulation:

  “You are preaching to the choir. These are simple people. To them, a man leaves his job, moves to a new town, they think: I wonder what was his evil crime? … That’s why I wrote a mass email.” (77:28)

• Stephen Socks, on set nostalgia:

  “I was instantly taken back…the most vivid memory…was Steve Carell’s last day…It was just him and I in the lobby at that point. And I couldn’t help myself, and I just gave him a big hug.” (30:49)

• Tracy Letts’ monologue on the printing press:

  “When you push that button, all of the information they've gathered, the stories they’ve found, all of that gets fed into the machine along with the paper…What comes out this end is the truth. It's a Truth Teller.” (88:31)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:53 | Announcement: Pilot episode breakdown begins for The Paper | | 05:56 | Alex Edelman shares the Enervate and Paper premise | | 09:41 | Behind the scenes: Bringing The Office philosophy back | | 11:40–13:48 | Oscar Nunez tells his story of joining The Paper | | 22:28 | Bobby Ray Shafer recounts his return as Bob Vance | | 30:49 | Stephen Socks’ emotional elevator memory | | 45:37 | Introduction to scene-stealing Esmeralda | | 56:39–57:19 | Oscar’s on-screen re-introduction and protest | | 65:34 | Ned and Mare’s “salad scene” chemistry | | 74:29+ | Conference room scene: Ned’s bold mission for the new Paper | | 77:02–78:03 | Esmeralda’s “not Me Too’d” email chaos | | 80:58 | Michael Scott’s scarecrow on Oscar’s desk — Office Easter egg! | | 83:38 | Ned’s rallying speech to the staff | | 87:51 | Tracy Letts’ moving “truth-teller” monologue | | 89:17 | Tag: Oscar at the copy machine, bleep-filled protest | | Throughout| Desk/cubicle deep-dives, production design, Easter eggs |

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

Jenna and Angela keep their trademark warm, banter-filled tone, openly gushing about the nostalgia, creative decisions, and new cast. There’s a contagious sense of hope—rooted in love for the world of The Office, but open to the new adventures of The Paper and its cast.

“I just hope that this show gets to give them what The Office gave us.” (35:04)

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is an in-depth, heartfelt, and often hilarious look at the pilot of The Paper — a worthy successor to The Office. Old fans will revel in callbacks, Easter eggs, and returning faces; new viewers will find plenty of reasons to get excited for this next chapter.

If you want a blend of nostalgia, industry insight, and pure behind-the-scenes delight, this breakdown is a must-listen—and The Paper seems a must-watch for any Office fan.