Dinner Party Horror Stories

Summary

Office Ladies – Episode: Dinner Party Horror Stories
Release Date: May 7, 2025

Hosts: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

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Introduction to Dinner Party Disasters

In this episode of Office Ladies, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey delve into the notoriously cringe-worthy world of dinner parties gone wrong. Inspired by the classic episode "Dinner Party" from The Office, the hosts explore both their personal experiences and listener-submitted horror stories that echo the awkwardness and chaos reminiscent of Michael and Jan’s infamous soirée.

---

An Amazing Dinner Party Experience

Jenna Fischer (03:28):
Jenna begins by sharing a recent delightful dinner party they attended, celebrating the wrap of Lee's movie, New Year's Rev. Hosted in a private room at a restaurant with 26 attendees, the evening was marked by camaraderie and engaging interactions.

Angela Kinsey (04:10):
Angela recounts how she and Bobby Lee took charge of conversations across the table, fostering connections between actors, producers, and crew members. A memorable moment occurred when Bobby challenged them to join a conversation, leading to Angela’s impromptu toast.

Notable Quote:
Angela Kinsey (04:56):
"Everyone, I worked three days on this film, and so it seems only fitting that I should speak."

This toast broke the ice, encouraging others to engage and resulting in a series of multilingual toasts that highlighted the diverse backgrounds of the attendees. The evening culminated in a harmonious blend of laughter and heartfelt conversations, contrasting sharply with the typical dinner party nightmares.

---

Reflecting on "Dinner Party" Episode

Jenna Fischer (06:50):
Jenna shifts the conversation to recapping their previous deep dive into the "Dinner Party" episode, highlighting its blend of cringe and comedy. They reference a review from The A.V. Club, which praises the episode’s ability to deliver pure comic despair without any subplots.

Notable Quote:
The A.V. Club Review (07:24):
"Just pure comic despair from start to finish."

This reflection sets the stage for exploring how real-life dinner parties can sometimes mirror the discomfort and tension depicted in the episode.

---

Listener-Submitted Dinner Party Horror Stories

The hosts transition to sharing several listener-submitted stories that epitomize dinner party disasters:

1. Shannon B. from Virginia (16:16):
   Shannon describes attending a dinner where hosts served only chicken legs with no sides and proceeded to accuse each other of infidelity while intoxicated, ultimately leading to their breakup.

2. Liz K. from Philadelphia (17:02):
   Liz recounts a cookout with scarce food resources—three hot dogs, two burgers, and one steak for five adults—leading to awkward food distribution and dissatisfaction.

3. Emily R. from Tulsa (17:42):
   Emily shares a childhood memory where her parents hosted a delayed dinner party serving insufficient ribs, culminating in an unsettling scene where a host sucks the leftover bones from guests' plates.

4. Jennifer O. from Cleveland (46:26):
   Jennifer narrates her first dinner with her now-husband’s parents, which turned disastrous when his mother mistakenly poured vinegar instead of water, causing a near choking incident.

5. Grace from Springville, Utah (42:19):
   Grace describes being trapped at a high school friend's dinner party that unexpectedly included a talent show, forcing her out of her comfort zone and leading to an immediate severance of the relationship.

6. Beth from Fredericksburg (49:12):
   Beth recounts witnessing a heated argument between a couple at a friend's dinner party, complete with insults and throwing of objects, resulting in their eventual divorce.

Notable Quote:
Shannon B. (16:16):
"They called the co-worker at the dinner party on speakerphone."

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Personal Dinner Party Horror Stories

Jenna Fischer (27:37):
Jenna shares her own nightmare dinner party experience where she hosted friends who failed to show up on time, leading to confusion, inadequate preparation, and awkwardness when they finally arrived two hours late without apologies.

Notable Quote:
Jenna Fischer (29:51):
"James was furious. He was so furious that when they finally arrived, he said, tell them to go home."

Angela Kinsey (34:51):
Angela reveals her horror story titled "Taboo Gone Wrong," where she and her husband dominated a game of Taboo with a new couple, leading to tension and an uncomfortable atmosphere as the couple became increasingly agitated by their losses.

Notable Quote:
Angela Kinsey (35:07):
"We couldn't get out of there fast enough."

---

Comparisons to "Dinner Party" and Other Media

The hosts draw parallels between their stories and the "Dinner Party" episode, as well as similar scenarios from other shows and movies like Cheers, Fleabag, The Breakup, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? These comparisons underscore the universal theme of social gatherings turning sour due to underlying tensions and miscommunications.

Notable Reference:
Jenna Fischer (09:22):
"I want to hear it."
Referring to the A.V. Club review, emphasizing the episode's impact.

---

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jenna and Angela wrap up the episode by reflecting on the shared discomfort and humor found in disastrous dinner parties. They express amusement and solidarity over the cringe-worthy experiences, reinforcing the idea that such social mishaps are almost universal.

Notable Quote:
Jenna Fischer (34:31):
"It was so cringy and awkward once they arrived. It was so cringey and awkward. It was so uncomfortable."

They encourage listeners to continue sharing their stories for future episodes, maintaining a community of The Office fans who can relate to the hilariously uncomfortable situations reminiscent of the beloved sitcom.

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Highlights:

• Engaging Narratives: Personal and listener-submitted stories capture the essence of dinner party disasters with relatable humor and awkwardness.
• Connection to "The Office": Frequent references to the "Dinner Party" episode provide a nostalgic and thematic backbone.
• Humorous Insights: The hosts' playful banter and shared experiences add depth and entertainment value.
• Notable Quotes: Selected quotes with timestamps offer authentic moments from the conversation, enhancing the summary's richness.

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Note: Advertisements and promotional segments have been excluded to focus solely on the episode's main content.

Transcript

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, if there's a Lurky Lurky right outside my window. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

Too late. I already have it.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

We are getting ready to plan some travel for the holidays. And so we've started to look on Airbnb. We love to stay at an Airbnb because when you travel with children and your family, it is nice to have a kitchen. It's nice to have you all in one area. Jenna, I got a hot tip for you.

[Jenna Fischer]

What is it?

[Angela Kinsey]

Do you know that you could make money off of your home while you're away on vacation?

[Jenna Fischer]

Tell me more.

[Angela Kinsey]

I will. While you're away, your home could be an Airbnb.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, really?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Think about someone who's frequently traveling, you know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

While they're away, their home's making them money.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's pretty sweet.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's very shrewd Farms of them. Although Dwight doesn't leave.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's true. And if he did leave, you'd be stuck with Mo's.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. Well, it sounds like Airbnb is a really practical way to earn some extra money.

[Angela Kinsey]

If you've stayed at an Airbnb, wouldn't it be cool to give that experience to others?

[Jenna Fischer]

Your home might be worth more than you think.

[Angela Kinsey]

Find out how [e-mail] host.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm Jenna Fisher.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I'm Angela Kinsey.

[Jenna Fischer]

We were on the Office together and we're best friends. And now we're doing the ultimate Office Lovers podcast just for you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Each week we will dive deeper into the world of the Office with exclusive interviews, behind the scenes details, and lots of BFF stories.

[Jenna Fischer]

We're the Office Ladies 6.0. Hello.

[Angela Kinsey]

Hello. Welcome to Office Ladies 6.0. Today's show is so fun. It is all about dinner parties gone wrong. Inspired by one of our favorite the Office episodes, the Dinner Party. I mean, so many of you love this classic episode. We love this episode.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's maybe my favorite.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love it.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's definitely top five for me. And, you know, we thought it would be fun to hear from you guys about your dinner party stories. And, boy, did you deliver.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yes. You all wrote in with some unbelievably cringy dinner party stories. I can't wait to share them. But first, I want us to share about an amazing dinner party that we were just at recently that I'm still delighted by.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was one of those dinner parties where it was a humongous huge table, like a giant long rectangle of just such fun people.

[Jenna Fischer]

There were probably, what, like, it was 26 of us at a restaurant. We got a little private room. And it was to celebrate the wrap of Lee's movie, New Year's Rev.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. The cast was there. A bunch of the producers were there. Some of the crew.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. So we had just finished shooting at the Palladium with Green Day, and we all go out to dinner, and Angela, you came up for it, and Bobby Lee was there, and the two of you took over this dinner party. It was amazing.

[Angela Kinsey]

Here's the thing. Here's the thing. We sat right in the middle of this long table, and you and Lee were right across from us. And Bobby and I kind of split the table. To his right were all the actors, and to the left were a lot of the crew and producers.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

And him and I were chatting and chatting and chatting, and we would sort of engage with the actors. And then I said to him, I kind of feel bad that we're not talking to anyone on the left side of the table. And he sort of threw down this gauntlet. He was like, oh, no, no, no. He goes, you can't get in there. Look, they're all talking to each other. They don't wanna talk to you. You can't get in there. Good luck getting in that conversation. And I said, oh, yeah. And he was like, yeah, I dare you. Try to get in that conversation. And so I immediately stood up and I took, like, my fork to my wine glass and went, clink, clink, clink, clink.

[Jenna Fischer]

You guys. She stood up and did the thing where you're gonna do a toast, like at a wedding. It was so funny. The whole room goes silent, silent. And I'm thinking, what is she doing? And you. It was so funny. Angela. Angela goes, everyone, I worked three days on this film, and so it seems only fitting that I should speak, that.

[Angela Kinsey]

I should give a toast.

[Jenna Fischer]

And it was so funny. And you gave a very funny toast, a very sweet toast as well.

[Angela Kinsey]

I did. I basically was like, this was such a wonderful project to be a part of. Lee, you did such an amazing job, like, just setting the tone for this creative experience. And so when I sat down, the group to the left looks at me and goes, oh. And one of the producers was like, thank you so much for saying that. And look, I am in now with the left side of the table. And I look over at Bobby like, uh huh. And he goes, damn it. And he pops up and he does a clink, clink, clink. And then he goes, I have a toast and I'm gonna say it in Korean.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. And then we were all like, oh. And he does his toast and he sits down.

[Angela Kinsey]

And then Angela, I immediately pop back up and I go, clink, clink, clink. And I said, I lived in Indonesia for 12 years from ages 2 to 14, and I am now gonna give a toast in Indonesian. And everyone was like, wah.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was so great. And then Ignacio, one of the actors, stands up, he gives a speech in Spanish. And then the production designer, Adam, stands up, he gives a speech in Italian. Guys, all I can say was this dueling speeches was one of the highlights of the dinner. Angela kicked it all. It was just such a fun night.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was really fun.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, that is an example of an amazing dinner party that was fun. And there's nothing more fun than an amazing dinner party. Which I think is why when a dinner party goes wrong, there's nothing worse.

[Angela Kinsey]

Because you're just all stuck in it. You're in it.

[Jenna Fischer]

So stuck. So let me now set the tone for today, which is Dinner Party Horror stories with a little refresher. The last time we talked to you all about the Dinner Party episode on Office Ladies, it was in March of 2021. And it really is a fantastic breakdown. We have audio clips from Paul Feig and John Krasinski. We got behind the scenes details from writers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg and Steve Carell even read us the summary.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

I want to hear it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, me too.

[C]

You are cordially invited to Michael and Jan's condo for a last minute couples only dinner party. Attendance is limited. We only have six wine glasses. Join Jim and Pam, Angela and Andy, and eventually Dwight and his former babysitter for an Evening of drinks, games, music, candles, Oso Buco, and a home tour like no other. Snip, snap, snip snap. Let's get to it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I just love it. I know. You know, I went back and we both rewatched this episode and, you know, the dinner party, it's just really a perfect combination of cringe plus comedy. And when it was originally released in 2008, I wanted to read you guys what the A.V. club had to say about it. Ready? Quote. Oh, the agony. The sweet, sweet comic agony. For me, the best episode of the Office in both its British and American incarnation are also the most excruciatingly uncomfortable. On that level, tonight's episode ranks alongside the Deposition for sheer squirm inducing awkwardness. It helps that the show chose a can't miss premise for its triumphant return to the airwaves. After weeks and weeks of politely and not so politely turning down Michael's dinner party invitations, Jim reluctantly acquiesces to spending a sure to be painful evening with Michael, Jan, Andy, Angela and Pam. Tonight's episode honed in on that excruciating evening in the deepest depths of relationship hell with surgical focus. There were no subplots, no random bits of extraneous business to detract from the central gusher of mundane misery. Just pure comic despair from start to finish.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love the phrase comic despair.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Ah, that is great. Well, you know, the idea of making art out of disastrous dinner parties is nothing new. We got a fan letter from Kristin R. In Buffalo, New York, who said there's an episode of Cheers called dinner at 8ish where Frasier and Lilith have Sam and Diane over for dinner and their awkward couple fights ensue. Okay. I was a huge Cheers fan growing up.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

I did not remember this episode, so I had to go back and watch. Oh, it's so fun.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I wanna see it.

[Jenna Fischer]

So Frasier and Lilith are a couple now, but, you know, Frasier and Diane used to be a couple. Oh.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay. They bring Sam and Diane over to their place to host them for this dinner party and they start bragging that they have total honesty in their relationship. They've told one another about every single person they've ever dated. And of course Sam is like, that doesn't seem like a good idea. And Diane is like, oh, yeah, that's, hmm, interesting. But then she's like, oh, but I think it's just wonderful. I think it's wonderful that the four of us could be here. Even though I was once engaged to Frasier, and this is now news to Lilith.

[Angela Kinsey]

Uh oh.

[Jenna Fischer]

So it just sets off as you can imagine. Lilith just keeps storming into the bathroom. It's so great. But it made me think of some other dinner parties with amazing. What did the article say? Comic despair from start to finish. And I'm gonna name three of my faves. The opening dinner party for Fleabag season two.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh my gosh. I don't think a dinner party could go worse than that one.

[Jenna Fischer]

Amazing.

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, next to this one.

[Jenna Fischer]

Exactly. You know that movie the Breakup with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston? Remember, he doesn't buy all the lemons for the bowl.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right?

[Jenna Fischer]

For the dinner party.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

And then the dinner party is not great. And that this is what leads to their breakup.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And finally meet the parents.

[Angela Kinsey]

Is that the one where he says he milked the cat?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh my gosh.

[Jenna Fischer]

When he has lied and said he grew up on the farm.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. Uh huh. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And of course there is probably the prize for the ultimate worst dinner party. The Edward Albee play who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? We got a letter about it from Jolynn Y in Cleveland who said, I don't have a dinner party story, but if you're revisiting this episode, can you please discuss the similarities between this and Edward Albee's who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? This is my favorite episode. And when it aired, I immediately thought it must have been inspired by that play. Was it? Well, Jolynn, when we broke down the Dinner Party episode originally, writer Gene Stupnitzki said that the play was a big inspiration and writer Lee Eisenberg shared that. In fact, the original title for the episode was who's Afraid of Jan Levinson Gould.

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, that's a great title. I would have watched it. I mean, I did watch it. Well, let's take a break and when we come back, we have fan favorite moments from Dinner Party. Plus we share our personal dinner party horror stories and yours.

[Jenna Fischer]

I can't wait.

[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, all the time. I kept getting the suggested ad for this special cushion for your butt. Why? I don't know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Those are examples of not reaching your intended audience or your best audience. Someone out there wants that butt cushion.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right?

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

All right, we are back. And Jenna, I watched the superfan version of Dinner Party.

[Jenna Fischer]

Me too.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's so good.

[Jenna Fischer]

So I didn't feel like there were any new scenes, but there were expanded scenes.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's exactly right. So if there was like a moment that was a little bit longer that they didn't have time for, they let it play out.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, there's one. My favorite because I remember shooting it is the expanded tour of James Park's candle room. Yes. There's so much more about her candles that we had to listen to and it's so funny.

[Angela Kinsey]

And also just it meant that Jim was in agony of the smells longer and trying to hold his breath. There's also a moment between Dwight and Angela that's extended as they say goodbye. So good. So if you love Dinner Party and you always wanted a little bit extra, I would check it out.

[Jenna Fischer]

I just want to say once again, we are not sponsored by Peacock or the Superfan episodes.

[Angela Kinsey]

No. But if you want to sponsor Us.

[Jenna Fischer]

But we are available because we are enthusiastic about these episodes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Exactly. Exactly.

[Jenna Fischer]

Give us a call.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Ringy dingy. All right, well, let's go into this mailbag. I have. Oh, my gosh. This one really cracked me up, lady. I want to read it. Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

This is from Shannon B. In Virginia. Shannon says, quote, my husband and I were invited to another couple's house for dinner. They served chicken legs with no sides, then proceeded to get drunk while the husband accused the wife of having a crush on her co worker. As if things weren't awkward enough, they decided to call the co worker in question and talk to him on speaker in front of all of us. To the surprise of no one, they are no longer together. Omg. They called the co worker at the dinner party on speakerphone.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, that's insane. But my favorite part of this letter is the dinner. The chicken legs with no sides.

[Angela Kinsey]

No sides.

[Jenna Fischer]

What is this meal?

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't know. Oh, Shannon, that made me laugh.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, lack of food was a common theme in your dinner party horror stories. Liz K. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said, we were invited over for a cookout and they had no ketchup and thought, nothing wrong with this. And they only served three hot dogs and two burgers and one steak for five adults. How do you divide up that food? I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

How do you divide up? Like, what if everyone wanted a hot dog?

[Jenna Fischer]

I guess you could cut them in half. Everyone could get half a hot dog with no ketchup and some steak and two burgers. Again, no sides.

[Angela Kinsey]

No sides.

[Jenna Fischer]

We also got a fan story from Emily R. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, who said, when I was a kid, my parents hauled my sister and I to a neighbor's dinner party. We arrived around 5, thinking we'd be eating at 6. We learned we'd be having ribs for dinner, but they were behind schedule and we didn't eat until almost 9pm oh my gosh. That remind you of Jan's osso? When dinner was served, they had enough for two ribs per person. My sister and I quickly ate our portion and then sat in hangry moods.

[Angela Kinsey]

No sides.

[Jenna Fischer]

No sides again. The brother of the host then stood up, walked around the table collecting everyone's rib bones off their plates and proceeded to suck the already eaten no off of rib bones to get every last morsel we had. Never met this man in our life. I can't eat ribs anymore. I'm so disgusted by this memory.

[Angela Kinsey]

He got everyone's ribs. What?

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know.

[Angela Kinsey]

And sat there and sucked on them.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, Angela, one Of my big fears when I'm throwing a dinner party is that I'm not gonna have enough food. And I cannot tell you how many times I have planned the food. And then, like, in the last hour before the party is supposed to start, I send Lee to the store to buy more food and I panic, and then I end up with way too much food at the end. Have you ever done this?

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, I think we always do this. I think we're always worried. You know, where I go overboard is like, the munchies before the dinner. Like, Josh is always like, babe, stop. Because I'm like, okay, I have mixed nuts, I have hummus, I have a cheese plate, I have some salami. I have a dip. I have three more dips. Oh, maybe we should have something sweet. He's like, stop with the munchies.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, something I know about going to a party at your house is that I am going to arrive to food.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

So you are very good at having out that, like, pre dinner moment.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, no. Yeah. No, I want food the minute I walk in your house. Like, so if you invite me over, if you don't have food out right away, I'm gonna have a granola bar in my bag.

[Jenna Fischer]

Are you Pam?

[Angela Kinsey]

I'm Pam. I don't care what they think about me. I just want to eat. All right, we've got this other letter from Hannah in Oregon. Hannah wrote in and said, a few years ago, I went to a Hanukkah party where I met my partner's co worker who was the host for the first time. The host was cooking glazed carrots before the meal started. I was standing in the kitchen chatting with them when out of nowhere, they pulled a carrot out of the cooking pot with their bare fingers and bit it in half. But instead of eating the second half of the carrot, I watched in horror as they put the half eaten carrot back in the pot.

[Jenna Fischer]

No.

[Angela Kinsey]

And Hannah's like, were they trying to check for doneness? I mean, what the heck? Then. Then Hannah says after they put the half eaten carrot back in the pot, they licked their fingers.

[Jenna Fischer]

No.

[Angela Kinsey]

I stood there frozen, trying to process what just happened. But before I could form a complete thought, the host did it again.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my gosh.

[Angela Kinsey]

With a new carrot. They stuck their pre licked fingers back in the pot, grabbed a new carrot, bit it in half, and then dropped the remaining half of the carrot back in the pot and stirred it all together. Hannah says I immediately made an excuse to step out. I found my partner and frantically whispered, don't Eat the carrots.

[Jenna Fischer]

I want to know that car ride home. I need to know.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. Hannah says, needless to say, we did not eat the carrots. We left before 9, and we did not go back the next year for many other reasons. And, lady, this made me think of the moment in Dinner Party when Michael comes back from the bathroom and Jan asks if he washed his hands.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he says yes. But then he whispers to Jim and Pam, no. Then he, like, touches everything on the appetizer plate. I mean, I know I just described it, but it's a little longer than the superfan episode. Let's hear it. Did you wash your hands, babe?

[C]

Yes, I did. For you, princess. Even though I only went number one, I didn't really wash my hands. Oh, what have we here? This looks delicious. Wash your hands, but they need to be presented royally. Anyone? Gal. Good stuff.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Pam goes, not the hands, lady. He didn't wash his hands after going number one. Did it make you think of anyone?

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm sorry. Men touch their Mr. Parts.

[Angela Kinsey]

You don't touch your lady biz.

[Jenna Fischer]

No, listen, men, like, handle their penis when they pee, right? Don't they have to touch it and get it out?

[Angela Kinsey]

I'm assuming they have to flop it out.

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know how. Thank you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Thank you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Sorry. I mean, I don't know exactly how it works.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't know the mechanics, but I.

[Jenna Fischer]

Think if your hand has touched your bits, you should wash them.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right? Because then basically, he just touched the appetizers with penis hand. Yes. Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Also, also, I can't believe I still have to defend this. I have said that sometimes after going number one in my own house, I do not wash my hands.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, if I'm at someone else's house, if I am in public, if I'm at the airport, if I'm hosting a dinner party, I wash my hands, everybody.

[Angela Kinsey]

Do you know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

Do you know I. I saw a thing that, like, I don't know, it was on. I forget where. Buzzfeed. One of those kind of things that said, like, 10 celebrities with gross hygiene.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my God.

[Angela Kinsey]

You are on the list. Am I on the list because of the pee story?

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I don't know. It makes me want to get genuinely in love back in the news cycle. This. I don't know what's worse.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm sorry. I'm just thankful that Ellie Kemper wrote in her book that she also does not always wash her hands after number.

[Angela Kinsey]

One in her own home when she's not hosting.

[Jenna Fischer]

Is it a St. Louis thing?

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, Lord, don't bring St. Louis into it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Louis is like, don't you dare.

[Angela Kinsey]

You're gonna get mail.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right, well, I have a fan story from Stephanie M. In Saskatchewan, Canada. And this letter, Stephanie reminded me of my own dinner party horror story that I will share in a moment. But here is Stephanie's story. Stephanie says this happened more than 10 years ago, and I'm still baffled by the whole thing. My boyfriend's best friend was getting married, and rather than having a giant event, the couple opted for a close friends and family event, only with dinner to be hosted at their house. Because my boyfriend was in the bridal party, I was not invited to the ceremony, but I was invited to the dinner.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

So I guess the ceremony was just literally family and bridal party.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

And then the dinner was a bigger thing.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

I asked my boyfriend, what time should I arrive at the house for dinner? And I was told, 5:30.

[Angela Kinsey]

Great.

[Jenna Fischer]

Stephanie said, no problem. I can do that. I like how Stephanie is not even bumped by not being invited to the wedding.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. She's like, listen, this is his close friends. I don't really know them. It's okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

You do you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right?

[Jenna Fischer]

Just tell me when to be there.

[Angela Kinsey]

And where at the bigger celebration.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Stephanie says, I arrived to the house at 5:20 with a bottle of champagne and the wedding gift to discover that everyone was already seated at the table waiting for me.

[Angela Kinsey]

Uh oh.

[Jenna Fischer]

I was mortified. The bride told me it was nice of me to show up and showed me where to sit.

[Angela Kinsey]

Snark.

[Jenna Fischer]

I figured it was my mistake and I apologized for being late until my boyfriend confirmed that he had been told 5:30 and the bride changed her mind to 5:00. At 5:00.

[Angela Kinsey]

Is she being like a little sabotage? Y. Does she not like Stephanie?

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know. Stephanie says, so we're moving on with dinner and everything's going fine. And then at 8:00, the bride decides she's done and going to bed.

[Angela Kinsey]

At 8:00.

[Jenna Fischer]

At 8:00, the guests were surprised and started cleaning up and getting ready to leave. The bride went around the table hugging everyone and saying good night. And since she had always hugged me every time we saw each other, I offered her a congratulations and a hug. She rolled her eyes and said, I mean, I guess if you want a hug.

[Angela Kinsey]

What?

[Jenna Fischer]

Stephanie said. We left shortly after. It was by far the most bizarre dinner and wedding dinner I've Ever experienced.

[Angela Kinsey]

Stephanie. I have questions about this bride. I feel like she has a vendetta or something. She's got her bullseye on you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Was this bride pregnant or. Because I just feel like if you're doing a small wedding, you're going to bed at 8. Going to bed at 8. You're a little cranky, you're annoyed.

[Angela Kinsey]

Or is it possible that the bride maybe had at one time had a thing for Stephanie's beau?

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

Just saying. Don't know.

[Jenna Fischer]

We don't know.

[Angela Kinsey]

We don't know. If we had been invited, we could have. Mom. Detective the moment we would have asked questions. I really do want to go to a wedding, you guys.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know you guys.

[Angela Kinsey]

Angela, I love a wedding.

[Jenna Fischer]

I want you to know Angela loves all of the wedding invites that you guys send in.

[Angela Kinsey]

I do. I do.

[Jenna Fischer]

And it is her goal that we are one day going to show up at one of these weddings that I've been invited to.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know you weren't gonna pull it off, but I would love it.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

It would make me so happy.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'll do it. I wanna do, like, eventually.

[Angela Kinsey]

I wanna dance. I wanna eat some of the cake. I wanna meet the aunts and uncles.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. That's a wedding. You're describing a wedding.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Sounds great, describing a wedding.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, now I'm so curious. Like you said, Stephanie's story reminds you of your story. What is your dinner party horror story?

[Jenna Fischer]

All right, so here is my dinner party horror story.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay?

[Jenna Fischer]

I was the host.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay?

[Jenna Fischer]

This was many years ago. In fact, I was not with Lee. I was married to my ex, James.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay?

[Jenna Fischer]

And I had done a project and I'd become really close with one of the other actors on the project. We had, like, palled around. We were buddies. Sure, sure. And he was so funny and I just adored him. And we said, when this comes out, why don't we watch it together? And I said, oh, I'll host. Bring your wife over and we'll watch it. Couples night. Yes. And watch the project.

[Angela Kinsey]

So fun.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. And we had been kind of like, we wanna be couple friends.

[Angela Kinsey]

Nice.

[Jenna Fischer]

So this was our plan. So I said, great. And when it was time for the show to come out, I sent him a message. And I said, why don't you and your wife come over around six and then we'll have dinner at seven and we'll watch this show at eight.

[Angela Kinsey]

So fun.

[Jenna Fischer]

So fun. So at six o'clock on the night of, James and I are sitting in our living room. I've put out a Charcuterie spread.

[Angela Kinsey]

Look at you go.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, I put a lot of time into it. I had the table set. I had a chicken dinner all ready to go in the oven. It was a one sheet dinner so that I could still visit while the dinner was going and baking and roasting. I'd really thought it out. I was so excited.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. You planned the perfect, like, hangout.

[Jenna Fischer]

And then six o'clock rolls around and they aren't there. They don't show up.

[Angela Kinsey]

Call, text, anything? No, nothing.

[Jenna Fischer]

6:30. Ooh, nothing.

[Angela Kinsey]

What? Later than 6:30?

[Jenna Fischer]

It's almost 7:00.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, no.

[Jenna Fischer]

And they haven't shown up. And James and I are like, what do we do?

[Angela Kinsey]

Like, your charcuterie board's looking a little sad at this point.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, it should probably be back in the fridge. We're also starving, so we've been, like, picking at it but trying not to leave any holes in it so it looks still nice. And also I was like, what do I do? Like, do I put the chicken in the oven? Do I make the chicken?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

So finally we get a text and it says, on way.

[Angela Kinsey]

On way. That's it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Just. That's it. No reason. Nothing En way.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right.

[Jenna Fischer]

Finally, they show up. It's almost 8:00, lady.

[Angela Kinsey]

No.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. And they don't apologize when they arrive.

[Angela Kinsey]

They say nothing.

[Jenna Fischer]

Nothing. No excuse. Not sorry. No acknowledgement that this evening started two hours ago.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jenna Fischer]

And we are completely.

[Angela Kinsey]

You're like, what? What is happening? What is happening?

[Jenna Fischer]

They acted like everything was totally normal. And then my memory is that one of us said something like, well, do you want to still eat dinner?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Because now it's 8:00.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

And they're like, no, we're good in the oven. No, they said, no, we're good.

[Jenna Fischer]

They said, no, we're good.

[Angela Kinsey]

They don't want to eat dinner.

[Jenna Fischer]

They don't want to eat dinner.

[Angela Kinsey]

This is a dinner party.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know. And so I made a plate of chicken for me and James and we sat and awkwardly ate chicken while we watched the show.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like on the sofa, not at the table. You sit.

[Jenna Fischer]

No. Mm.

[Angela Kinsey]

Mm.

[Jenna Fischer]

No.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, man.

[Jenna Fischer]

I really wrestled with, like, did I get this wrong? But I went back and I looked at the text. It was very clear.

[Angela Kinsey]

Six o'clock.

[Jenna Fischer]

See you then.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

No acknowledgement.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, Lord.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my God. James was furious. He was so furious that when they finally arrived, he said, tell them to go home. I was like, I can't tell them to go home.

[Angela Kinsey]

Get out of my driveway. So I Mean, have you run into this person since.

[Jenna Fischer]

I haven't. But here's something crazy. I called James and I said, james, I want to tell this story on the pod. I won't say who it is, because this is. This guy is famous, and he's really famous now. Like, he's super famous.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like, we would all know who this was.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Very much so. And I have weirdly, never run into this person again. And I said, james, I'm gonna tell this story. First of all, James has no memory of it. He's like, oh, my God, That's a hilarious story. I have no memory of that story.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jenna Fischer]

And he's like. And by the way, I just ran into him a few years ago at some, I don't know, industry event, and he's like. And we hit it off. We're great friends. I really like him. And I was like, it didn't come up. The weird dinner party, the awkward, weird night.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jenna Fischer]

He's like, no, he didn't mention it.

[Angela Kinsey]

No memory of it.

[Jenna Fischer]

No memory.

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, I feel like sometimes men can just kind of forget those things and move on, whereas we hold onto it. Like, we're holding a grudge. Like, this person. I don't know who it is. You're gonna have to tell me. Cause now they're gonna be on my list, too. Cause, you know, we do that. Like, your list is my list.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know this is true. I mean, if I ever ran into this person, it would be the first thing I would think of.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, I mean, you can't bring it up. You can't.

[Jenna Fischer]

At this point, I guess we've decided to collectively forget about it. Which is fine.

[Angela Kinsey]

Maybe there'd be, like, some kind of snark you could do, like, just for, like, gratification. Maybe you could be like, you know what I love is, like, a chicken dinner on my lap.

[Jenna Fischer]

I eat my lap while I watch myself on television.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, I always watch myself on tv. But I wait two hours, and then I eat chicken in my lap, see if anything comes across his face.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was very, very strange.

[Angela Kinsey]

That is strange.

[Jenna Fischer]

And I have a weird recollection of them saying something like. Like a very brief afterthought apology that was like, oh, sorry, we had a babysitter issue. But, like, as if you don't want to call. And then you arrive two hours later, and I've clearly made dinner. It was very strange.

[Angela Kinsey]

Very strange. And you know for sure they have kids I don't even know.

[Jenna Fischer]

I think they do but maybe they don't. Oh, my God. Angela, let me tell you who it is. Okay, hold on, everybody.

[Angela Kinsey]

I need to know who it is.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm going to write it down right here.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, hold it up, lady. What lady? I know that this person does not have any children. No, that's not true. No, no children. Are you kidding? I promise you. I promise you. We can Google that person. I have worked with this person. What? On a different project.

[Jenna Fischer]

Were they nice to you?

[Angela Kinsey]

Super nice. They only worked one day, like, I was on the project, and they did, like, a day play. Right? Okay, this person has no children. I am telling you. Because I talked about my kids, and he was like, yeah, that. That wasn't in the cards for me. I am telling you. I promise. That was a bull excuse.

[Jenna Fischer]

These people clearly did not want to be our friends. Why did they even come?

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Why would you come? Lie about having kids? Not eat our dinner? I mean, just say, I don't. It's not gonna work out unless they're.

[Angela Kinsey]

One of these people where, like, their pets are, like, they got a babysitter for their pet. I don't know.

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, anyway. Okay, that's craziness, lady.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's my dinner party horror story.

[Angela Kinsey]

That is craziness.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was so cringy and awkward once they arrived. It was so cringey and awkward. It was so uncomfortable.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, man.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was fun to reconnect with James about it, though. We laughed really hard.

[Angela Kinsey]

I bet. Well, let's take a break, and when we come back, I have my dinner party horror story. I gave it a name.

[Jenna Fischer]

What is it?

[Angela Kinsey]

Taboo gone wrong?

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, that sounds good.

[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

Here's your chance to take the first step. Smile Generation is offering a $59 new patient special. That's a comprehensive exam. Cleaning and exercise raise a $290 value.

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

Book by December 31, 2025.

[Jenna Fischer]

Visit smilegeneration.com officeladies for full terms and to book now. Mother's Day is almost here and I think I want to go to a fancy tea.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, fancy teas are so fun.

[Jenna Fischer]

Or a brunch.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I do love a brunch.

[Jenna Fischer]

I usually get like a breakfast in bed or something or we've done picnics. But this year I'm feeling a brunch or a tea.

[Angela Kinsey]

I want to play tennis and I want a new tennis outfit. You know where I can get 25% off for mother's Day stuff?

[Jenna Fischer]

Where?

[Angela Kinsey]

Macy's.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, we love Macy's.

[Angela Kinsey]

We do.

[Jenna Fischer]

The Mother's Day sale is the perfect time to pick up last minute Mother's Day gifts. Shop for your mother or all of the important women in your life. By the way, you are an important woman in your life.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's true.

[Jenna Fischer]

You can shop sell yourself at this sale. It's allowed.

[Angela Kinsey]

Pick up something special for your mom and get 25% off Mother's Day gifts when you shop the sale.

[Jenna Fischer]

Shop the Mother's Day gift guide now at Macy's.

[Angela Kinsey]

Sale runs May 6th through the 11th.

[Jenna Fischer]

Lady, your computer is open right now.

[Angela Kinsey]

Mm.

[Jenna Fischer]

You are shopping on quince.com I am.

[Angela Kinsey]

We just came back from lunch and I was looking at these little summer dresses. I have this green one in my cart right now. It's for $49.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, it's really nice.

[Angela Kinsey]

Isn't it cute?

[Jenna Fischer]

That's gonna look good on you.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's like that jersey fit, so it's gonna be real soft for summer. I also have some hand towels.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, that's what's so great about Quince. You can get like a luxurious outfit and then also the hand towels that you need.

[Angela Kinsey]

And there's a really good price point, too.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, by working directly with top artisans and cutting out the middlemen, Quince gives you luxury without the markup. Did you know that their stuff is priced 50 to 80% less than what you'd find at similar brands?

[Angela Kinsey]

Treat your closet to a little summer glow up with quite. Go to quince.com officeladies for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com officeladies to get free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Angela Kinsey]

Quince.com officeladies.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, we're back. And I. I googled it. He doesn't have kids.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

I can't believe he doesn't have kids.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't know what that was about.

[Jenna Fischer]

I am now haunted. Re haunted by this dinner party.

[Angela Kinsey]

Ah.

[Jenna Fischer]

But anyway, Angela, I also need to hear your dinner party horror story Taboo gone wrong.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, so long, long, long time ago. I'm in acting class. When I first get to la, I meet this gal. We become friends. She's dating this guy. They have a house together. We go over there for dinner, and after dinner, they want to play a board game of some kind. So they say, hey, we just got Taboo. Do you want to play Taboo? And we're like, yes. And so this is a long time ago. And I just want you guys to know that recently there's been an SNL sketch that is so similar to what happened that Warren and I wonder if we have told this story in different crowds. And it made its way to the writers room. Because when we both saw it, we immediately texted each other like, oh, my God, did you see that? So here's what happens. It's me and Warren against this gal and her boyfriend at Taboo. We are killing them. We've won, like, five rounds. We're like, you guys, we can stop. They're like, no, another round. We want to play another round. They're starting to get really agitated that they've lost over and over again to us, okay? But they are at telling each other clues, and it's like they can't remember anything about each other, right? So, like, let's say the clue is the Grand Canyon. And she's like, we went there and we hiked down and we camped. And then we're like, eh, can't say camp. So then she finds other words. By now, Warren and I both know it's Grand Canyon. Anyone in the world would know it's Grand Canyon. And he's like, I don't know what you're talking about. Tell me something. And they're getting so mad at each other, and she's, like, saying stuff to him like. Like, the word was like, empire State Building. And all he kept saying over and over was building, building. And she's like, stop saying building. Like, they're getting in such a big fight. We're like, you guys, we can be done. We can be done. And now it's his turn, fifth round. He's got this word. He looks at her. He looks at her like he just won the Super Bowl. The happiness in his face. He looks at her and he goes, oh, babe, babe, we can get this one. We can get this one. And she's like, okay, okay. And he goes, all right, this is what I call you all the time. And she goes, stupid. And they go, yeah. And they jump up and down and start hugging each other.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my God.

[Angela Kinsey]

And we're like. You could have heard a pin drop. Warren and I are like, I call you this all the time. Stupid. Oh, my God. We couldn't get out of there fast enough. We're like, well, that was a fun night of games. I mean, that was so long ago. And now there's sort of an SNL sketch a little bit like it. And I'm just like, oh, my God. I'm sure many couples have had a complete fight over a game like Taboo.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

So there you go.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, it's kind of interesting to me, Angela, that our dinner party horror stories are, like, from so long ago, because I think that is your period in your life where you're kind of, like, trying to figure out who your people are.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

You have to experiment a little. Right. Like, who am I going to be friends with? Like, I thought we hit it off on set, but then in real life, it's not really turning into a real friendship or whatever it is. I feel like I don't have any recent dinner party horror stories that I can think of.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't think so either, because at this point, like, you're just more settled in your life.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right. And so are your friends.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Well, we got a letter from Grace in Springville, Utah, who I think could probably relate to my Taboo night. Here's what she said about her dinner party horror story. It was a first date with people I had just met in college, but they were good friends with each other. I didn't really want to go in the first place. I was still getting over an ex. But they did not take no for an answer. All I knew was that we were going to someone's place to have dinner. And after dinner, which took three hours because they wanted to make it together, they said, time for the talent show. I had no idea this was going to happen. And this is something out of my comfort zone. I wanted nothing more than to leave. But they had picked me up for the date, and I wasn't near my home, so I was stuck one Couple performed the cup song from Pitch Perfect. One boy did an earnest and uncomfortable rendition of can you feel the love tonight. I pulled a gym, and I sent an SOS text to my family, and they called with a quote, emergency that got me home before it was my turn. I never spoke to these people again.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, surprise talent show is a lot to ask of a new friend.

[Angela Kinsey]

Time for the talent show. This really made me think of the dinner party scene when Jan and Michael make everyone play their game of celebrity. Oh, I love it so much. Let's hear the clip. Sam actually pulled two different parts of the game for us to hear. No, it's hump. There's a hump.

[Jenna Fischer]

Joe Camel.

[Angela Kinsey]

Joe Camel.

[C]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. First name of that animal, and the second name is the state where Helena is the capital.

[Jenna Fischer]

Montana. Joe Montana.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Why didn't you just say 49ers quarterback?

[C]

All right, My Mike. Mike, Mike, turn. Mike, Mike, Mike. My turn. My. My. My. My turn.

[Angela Kinsey]

Babe, can you just, like, really? Whoa.

[C]

What? What?

[Angela Kinsey]

Can you just sit down?

[C]

So I'm just making people laugh?

[Jenna Fischer]

No.

[C]

Yes. I was watching Jim's face. I was watching Jim, and he was laughing. Look, he smiled. Look at him. He's laughing.

[Angela Kinsey]

Michael, you're up.

[C]

All right, here we go. This is gonna be. Ready?

[Jenna Fischer]

Go.

[C]

All right, first name is Tom. No, no, no. No names.

[Angela Kinsey]

No names. No rhyming. No sound alike.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, okay.

[C]

You're getting into my head. First name is blank. And he goes on a cruise. He goes on a Caribbean cruise.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Katie Holmes.

[C]

No, but he's married to her.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, Dawson's Creek.

[C]

No, no, it has to be a real person. Jim. Come on. Okay, no, no, I'm gonna pass. I'm gonna pass. Rhymes with Arnold Schnorzer.

[Angela Kinsey]

Rhyming.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's really a rhyme.

[C]

Okay, another clue.

[Angela Kinsey]

Another clue. Okay.

[C]

He's the governor of California. He is the Terminator.

[Angela Kinsey]

Those aren't helpful. Tom Cruise. No.

[C]

Does anybody read the paper?

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my God. I. My. My turn. He is so amped, and then Jan is just pissing him off.

[Jenna Fischer]

I loved shooting that scene so much same. It was so funny. And the way Jim is messing with him.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know Jim is messing with him. Angela legitimately doesn't know any, like, celebrities.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right, well, I've got a fan story from Jennifer O. In Cleveland, Ohio. Jennifer. Oh, your story. This is very unique. Jennifer says, it was my first dinner with my new boyfriend and now husband and his parents, and I wanted to make a good impression because I was a senior and he was A junior in high school. I offered to help his mom set the table, and she told me to pour drinks for everyone. So I took everyone's order, including hers. Her order was water. Jennifer said, I poured all the drinks and then poured her a large glass of water from a pitcher in the refrigerator. We sat down to dinner. Everyone's chatting. It's going great. His mom takes a big swig of water and starts gagging and falls out of her chair onto the floor, grabbing her throat.

[Angela Kinsey]

No.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. Jennifer said, we thought she was choking. So I grabbed her glass of water and she smashed it out of my hand and said, vinegar, because I guess someone should have mentioned that that wasn't a pitcher of water earlier in the day. The vinegar lid broke and she poured it into a pitcher and then I served it to her. Jennifer said, luckily she survived, married her son four years later, and we're still together after 30 years. She said her mother in law has since passed away. She said, and I will never live down the moment I tried to kill my mother in law.

[Angela Kinsey]

Aw.

[Jenna Fischer]

I guess this is their family lore.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Of how Jennifer joined the family.

[Angela Kinsey]

This is in no way that similar except that I have a pitcher, you know, just. It's like a tall picture. It's got like a floral theme on it. And I keep it to the right of the kitchen sink because our kids always, like, they fix themselves a glass of water and they have like four or five sips and then they're done. Or I'm just going around the house and I'm just collecting cups of water throughout the day. And so I've told them, if you're not gonna finish your water, put it in the pitcher and I'll give it to my plants.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

So everyone in my family knows any unused water goes in the pitcher.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, have you had guests drink from the water?

[Angela Kinsey]

I had a chest. I had a friend.

[Jenna Fischer]

Was it me?

[Angela Kinsey]

No, it wasn't you. It wasn't you. And I also didn't see them pour the glass. I came around the corner and they were sort of in close proximity to the pitcher, and they had a glass of water. And I said to Josh, I was like, did you get them water? And he goes, no. And I said, did they go to the fridge to get the water? He goes, no. And then we saw the pitcher had been moved.

[Jenna Fischer]

Did you say anything?

[Angela Kinsey]

But they had already drank the water.

[Jenna Fischer]

So you said nothing?

[Angela Kinsey]

I said nothing.

[Jenna Fischer]

Of course you said nothing.

[Angela Kinsey]

I said nothing. But now I'm paranoid. So as soon as anyone comes in the Kitchen. I say to them, do not drink from that pitcher that is like everyone's backwash. Old water for my plants.

[Jenna Fischer]

I pour our unused water into our dog's bowl.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah, I do that too sometimes. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

I think you need a special picture that says for the plants. Or it needs, like, a little sign with a machine and a little blackboard or something that you write in on it. And I'm sure you can find that at Michael's.

[Angela Kinsey]

Or I could just write it on a post it note and tape it to it.

[Jenna Fischer]

You could, but now I have an idea of what to get you for your birthday. A special picture that says for the plants.

[Angela Kinsey]

For the plants. I would love that.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. Or a sign or something.

[Angela Kinsey]

Don't get me a sign.

[Jenna Fischer]

You don't want a sign.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. I want to deal with the sign that I then have to hang on the picture. I'm going to lose a sign. It's going to break. One of the kids is going to like.

[Jenna Fischer]

No, you're making a good point.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, no dinner party horror story episode would be complete, you guys, without an epic fight between a couple to make everyone cringe. And we got a good letter from Beth in Fredericksburg. She wrote and said, my husband and I went to dinner at a friend from high school's house. She and her husband. Sorry, I read this, but then I forgot. Ready?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

She and her husband were drunk when we got there. They had a huge war of the roses fight while we sat there in horror, throwing things, screaming. She told him he had a little dick, and he said, well, you weren't complaining two hours ago when you were writing it. We left and we never saw them again. They got a divorce. Shocker.

[Jenna Fischer]

That is like, literally Jan and Michael's.

[Angela Kinsey]

Uhhuh.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, for real?

[Angela Kinsey]

For real.

[Jenna Fischer]

Jan and Michael have many big fights in the dinner party, but I think my personal favorite is when Michael goes out and gets the neon poly sign in the middle of dinner, and he hangs it on the wall, and then.

[Angela Kinsey]

Everyone lights up blue.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was so bright. It was so hard not to laugh when that happened. Sam pulled a clip. I think we should listen to it.

[C]

Oh, okay. That's nice. Everybody enjoying their meal?

[Angela Kinsey]

Hey, babe.

[C]

Yeah?

[Angela Kinsey]

How about we take the beer sign down until our guests leave, and then we can discuss it?

[C]

No, no, I'm gonna leave it up. I think it ties the whole room together.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh.

[C]

Jack thinks Hunter's very talented. You know what? I don't think he's that good.

[Angela Kinsey]

At least he's an artist.

[C]

Bfd I'm a screenwriter.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I'm a candle maker, but you.

[C]

Don'T hear me bragging about it. No, all you do is you get me to try to work on my rich friends for an investment opportunity, man, I would want to burn your candles.

[Angela Kinsey]

You burn it, you buy it.

[C]

Oh, good. I'll be your first customer.

[Angela Kinsey]

You're hardly my first.

[C]

That is a $200 plasma screen TV you just killed.

[Angela Kinsey]

Good.

[C]

Good luck paying me back on your $0 a year salary plus benefits, babe.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my gosh. Lady, lady, do you know what this just made me realize just now when we're talking about this neon sign?

[Angela Kinsey]

What?

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, you know when you shot the movie New Year's Rev for Lee?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

You're in the bar.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Bucks.

[Jenna Fischer]

Bucks. So the production designer, Adam, he had a special neon sign made for this fictional bar.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I remember it. It hangs over the stage. It's huge. It's in the shape of Oklahoma, and it says the word bucks across it. I think it's orange. Well, orange neon.

[Jenna Fischer]

We were talking about this dinner. We just had to close out the movie. And Adam comes up to me and he says, jenna, the buck sign, it's gonna be there tomorrow.

[Angela Kinsey]

What do you mean, tomorrow?

[Jenna Fischer]

I said, what do you mean, the buck sign? He's like, lee didn't tell you he wanted the neon sign for your house?

[Angela Kinsey]

Lady, it's enormous.

[Jenna Fischer]

I was like, what are you talking about? And he's like, the one in the bar, it's gonna be there tomorrow, lady. The box arrived.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's like a small Fiat.

[Jenna Fischer]

I haven't. It's so big. I'm thinking. I'm like, where is it going? And I haven't even had a chance to ask Lee, like, what is your intention for this? What I assume is a very bright neon sign. And then it's so funny that we just rewatched Dinner Party because I'm like, is this. Where are we putting this? We're gonna be like Michael Fanning myself. I'm having a hot flash. I'm Fanny. I gotta take a picture of you. I'm sorry, everybody. The AC is broken today.

[Angela Kinsey]

And it's hot. I'm so hot. I'm in a tank top. I didn't want anyone to see my arms, but here I am. There you are, lady.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is the fan Angela got me from Singapore.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's very pretty. And you're using it.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm so happy I'm using it. Well, I guess I'm soon to have a neon sign in my house. I don't know where it's going. I don't. Where?

[Angela Kinsey]

Lady, I know your house. I can't even imagine the wall space that could accommodate it. Yeah, it's really big.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know. Well, listen, everybody, I'm burning up in here.

[Angela Kinsey]

We need some air.

[Jenna Fischer]

We need some air. I think that was super fun. Thank you all for writing in your dinner party horror stories.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh, they were so fun to read. We were cracking up. Well, to end this episode, I thought I'd share something I saw online when I was prepping. It's about an office themed dinner at a restaurant in Minnesota. So I saw this post. A digital creator named Aubrey, AKA only obs, shared this reel and it's titled A dinner party with Michael Scott himself. Right here in the Twin Cities. Yes, please. The latest themed dining experience at Travail kitchen is truly one for the books. I went and watched her reel. I could not believe how all out this restaurant goes. If you're an office fan, I think people would be really tickled by it. Here, I'm going to play a little bit of it. Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[D]

This was our first time at Travail, located in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. And this is the office themed dinner party. As soon as we were sat, we already had the first course waiting for us. And our first drink got handed to us immediately. And from that point on, the drinks and the food courses were flowing. The whole place was decked out as if we were in the office. All of the staff was dressed up. Michael Scott was there. All of our bartenders were named Dwight. This was truly an experience.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, so I'm watching that and I saw a scotch and Splenda.

[Angela Kinsey]

Uh huh.

[Jenna Fischer]

But the food looks like you get to eat actual really good food.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's not. I wondered. I'm like, oh, are we eating like steak dipped in wine? Like, what are we eating at this?

[Angela Kinsey]

No, the food looks amazing. Although I did see what it looks like. An appetizer that has beets.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yep. And I thought I saw some tiny Jell o something.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, maybe so, but I just thought that was really fun. And I guess Michael Scott's there. Every waiter is. Dwight. I mean, come on.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, that seems kind of fun. Well, everyone, thank you so much for listening to our dinner party horror stories. I have a request.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm gonna need another dinner party success story with you and Bobby Lee. I need another dinner with you and Bobby Lee sometime soon.

[Angela Kinsey]

Done. All right, you guys, we hope you have a great week and we'll see you next week.

[Jenna Fischer]

See you then thank you for listening to Office Ladies.

[Angela Kinsey]

Office Ladies is a presentation of Odyssey and is produced by Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey.

[Jenna Fischer]

Our executive producer is Cassie Jerkins, our audio engineer is Sam Kiefer, and our associate producer is Ainslie Bubbico.

[Angela Kinsey]

Odyssey's executive producers are Jenna Weiss Berman and Leah Reese Dennis.

[Jenna Fischer]

Office Ladies is mixed and mastered by Chris Basel.

[Angela Kinsey]

Our theme song is Rubber Tree by Creed Bratt.

[Jenna Fischer]

If you live in California and you're looking to buy a home, let's face it, buying a home in California can feel like a lot. It is overwhelming. But with a Realtor, it doesn't have to be.

[Angela Kinsey]

Everything's easier with a trusted advisor by your side, someone who knows California real estate inside and out. I'm talking about your realtor.

[Jenna Fischer]

We love our Realtor.

[Angela Kinsey]

We love our realtors like love, love.

[Jenna Fischer]

Still in touch with him.

[Angela Kinsey]

One of my best friends has become one of my best friends. Walked my sisters down the aisle at my wedding.

[Jenna Fischer]

A great Realtor knows your neighborhood because they're your neighbors.

[Angela Kinsey]

If you're worried about how to make an offer, how much to put down contingencies, let your Realtor do the worrying for you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Let your Realtor focus on all that paperwork, all the hassle and the headaches. You can just focus on making your new home the place of your dreams.

[Angela Kinsey]

Whether you're deep in the search or just daydreaming of your forever home, you don't have to go at it alone. Learn what your Realtor can do for you at championsofhome. Com.