Office Ladies: An Interview with Timothy Olyphant Release Date: January 22, 2025

Introduction of the Episode and Guest [02:25 - 10:30]

In this episode of Office Ladies, hosts Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey introduce their special guest, Timothy Olyphant. Known for his roles in acclaimed series like Deadwood, Justified, and The Mandalorian, Timothy joins the hosts to discuss his memorable stint on The Office. The hosts express their excitement about finally having Timothy on the podcast, highlighting his charm and the depth he brings to their conversation.

Timothy’s Experience on The Office [14:16 - 47:52]

Role as Danny Cordray

Timothy Olyphant discusses his character, Danny Cordray, a top salesman hired by Michael Scott to compete with existing sales staff at Dunder Mifflin. He reflects on Danny’s portrayal in episodes like "The Sting" and "Costume Contest," emphasizing the complexity and humor his character added to the show.

"[05:32] Jenna Fischer: Tell him. Nothing happened. We went on a couple of dates. He never called me again."

Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes

Timothy shares amusing behind-the-scenes stories, including scenes where he struggled to keep a straight face, particularly when interacting with Steve Carell. He recalls how tightly-knit the cast was and how their camaraderie enhanced the show's dynamic.

"[31:20] Timothy Oliphant: I remember other than I do remember laugh. I'm sure I screwed up what would have been a really good scene because with Carell, where I was, I just couldn't stop laughing because it was so intense and funny."

Deleted Scenes and Character Impact

He talks about deleted scenes, such as Michael sending a camera crew to Danny's house, and the impact these scenes had on his character's presence in the series. Timothy reflects on how The Office continues to resonate with audiences, citing interactions with fans as a testament to the show's lasting legacy.

"[29:01] Timothy Oliphant: I'm in a deleted scene in another episode. You do win the hottest in the office."

Fan Interaction and Questions [27:53 - 45:57]

Surviving the Justified Universe

Listeners posed a question about which Office character would best survive in the gritty world of Justified. Jenna Fischer suggests Creed Bratton, highlighting his unpredictable and elusive nature.

"[44:13] Jenna Fischer: I'm going with Creed. I think he is in that world."

Confusion with Josh Duhamel

Timothy shares a humorous anecdote about being mistaken for fellow actor Josh Duhamel, culminating in a memorable Christmas card featuring both of them.

"[37:35] Timothy Oliphant: So he took a picture with my wife and three kids, and we sent it out as the holiday Christmas card."

Midnight Snacks and Personal Habits

Fans also asked about Timothy's favorite midnight snack, leading to a light-hearted discussion about his preference for peanut butter and bourbon, contrasting with his younger days of indulging in ice cream.

"[66:00] Jenna Fischer: What is your favorite midnight snack? [66:03] Timothy Oliphant: Oh, I'm gonna go with, like, peanut butter."

Personal Stories and Charitable Activities [25:47 - 44:13]

Charity Tennis Event

Timothy announces the first annual OliWas Tennis Charity event, aimed at raising funds for the Center for Reflective Communities, which focuses on mental health for teens and young adults. He describes the event as a fun-filled day of tennis, socializing, and supporting a worthy cause.

"[25:47] Timothy Oliphant: We're raising money for this really great place called the Center for Reflective Communities."

Meeting the Hosts and Building Friendships

He recounts his initial meeting with Jenna and Angela at a birthday party, leading to his participation in the podcast and subsequent friendships. Timothy appreciates the welcoming environment and professional demeanor of the Office cast and crew.

"[10:14] Angela Kinsey: It really was. He's so charming and he hung out with us for over an hour."

Lighthearted Banter and Future Plans [21:03 - 37:15]

Potential Spin-Off Shows

The conversation takes a playful turn as Timothy and the hosts joke about potential spin-off shows, such as "Office Ladies on the Road" or Timothy hosting a "Bread" podcast. They explore creative ideas, showcasing their chemistry and mutual respect.

"[22:30] Angela Kinsey: All right, what's our next question? Oh, wait."

Fashion and Memorabilia

Timothy shares his minimalist approach to keeping memorabilia from his shows, mentioning how he repurposes props like hats from The Office and Justified to fit his everyday style.

"[43:30] Angela Kinsey: Yeah."

Call Sheet Questions Interaction [54:36 - 67:35]

In a segment inspired by on-set call sheets, Jenna and Angela pose personal questions to Timothy, revealing more about his life outside of acting.

First Jobs and Hobbies

Timothy discusses his early jobs, like lifeguarding and swim coaching, and shares his rekindled interest in playing guitar, inspired by his daughter's musical talents.

"[55:32] Jenna Fischer: First question is, what was your first job? ... [55:41] Timothy Oliphant: I think we would be accepting two answers, either lifeguarding or swim coaching."

Favorite Places and Weekend Activities

He expresses a fondness for Carmel, Northern California, and describes his leisurely weekend routines, including swimming, spending time in the art studio with his family, and playing tennis.

"[56:52] Timothy Oliphant: I love the Carmel... I love that area."

Parenting and Chores

Timothy humorously reflects on modern parenting and chore routines, contrasting them with his own upbringing where chores involved more physical labor.

"[60:05] Timothy Oliphant: But I don't. I think there's some areas they kind of screwed up..."

Midnight Snacks

Concluding the call sheet questions, Timothy shares his preference for peanut butter and bourbon as midnight snacks, reminiscing about his past indulgences.

"[66:01] Jenna Fischer: What is your favorite midnight snack? [66:03] Timothy Oliphant: Oh, I'm gonna go with, like, peanut butter."

Closing Remarks and Final Anecdotes [67:09 - 70:22]

Follow-Up Stories

Angela shares her experience attending Timothy's charity tennis event, highlighting the fun and altruistic nature of the gathering. She also mentions Timothy’s visit to see Rainn Wilson’s play, showcasing his ongoing connections within the acting community.

"[68:22] Angela Kinsey: I did. You know, after the interview, we were talking a little bit..."

Future Collaborations

The hosts and Timothy discuss potential future collaborations, joking about expanding the Office Ladies network and exploring new show formats together.

"[36:49] Jenna Fischer: We're building the network show by show right now."

Notable Quotes

• Timothy Oliphant [05:32]: "Tell him. Nothing happened. We went on a couple of dates. He never called me again."

• Timothy Oliphant [31:20]: "I just couldn't stop laughing because it was so intense and funny."

• Jenna Fischer [37:35]: "So he took a picture with my wife and three kids, and we sent it out as the holiday Christmas card."

• Timothy Oliphant [66:03]: "I just love that first aid."

Conclusion

The episode offers an in-depth and engaging conversation between the Office Ladies hosts and Timothy Olyphant, blending professional insights with personal anecdotes. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of Timothy's contributions to The Office, his relationships with fellow cast members, and his activities beyond the show. The hosts and Timothy's camaraderie shine through, providing both entertainment and heartfelt moments for fans.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Timothy Oliphant [05:32]: "Tell him. Nothing happened. We went on a couple of dates. He never called me again."

• Timothy Oliphant [31:20]: "I just couldn't stop laughing because it was so intense and funny."

• Jenna Fischer [37:35]: "So he took a picture with my wife and three kids, and we sent it out as the holiday Christmas card."

• Timothy Oliphant [66:03]: "I just love that first aid."