Finer Things Club

Summary

Podcast Summary: Office Ladies – Episode "Finer Things Club"

Title: Office Ladies
Hosts: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
Episode: Finer Things Club
Release Date: June 18, 2025

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Introduction

In the "Finer Things Club" episode of Office Ladies, hosts Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey dive deep into one of The Office's most intriguing subplots: the exclusive Finer Things Club. This episode not only revisits the beloved scene from the show but also expands into a broader discussion about book clubs, their dynamics, and the inevitable dramas that arise within them.

Revisiting The Office's Finer Things Club

The episode begins with Jenna reminiscing about her favorite horror movie trope before seamlessly transitioning to the heart of the discussion:

• Jenna Fischer (00:00): "Lady, you know that I love horror movies..."

She humorously compares a typical horror movie scenario to what would have happened if her character had used Simplisafe's security system, leading into an advertisement segment.

Once past the ads, the conversation shifts to The Office:

• Jenna Fischer (03:05): "I loved doing the Finer Things Club storyline so much. It's one of my favorite office memories."

The Finer Things Club, introduced in Season 4's "Branch Wars" (04:16), is depicted as an exclusive group comprising Pam Beesly, Oscar Martinez, and Toby Flenderson. Jenna and Angela delve into the club's rules and exclusivity:

• Jenna Fischer (04:29): "Oscar, Tobey and I are founding members of the Finer Things Club. We meet once a month to discuss books and art..."

Exploring Book Clubs and Their Dramas

Transitioning from the fictional club, the hosts explore real-life book clubs and the dramas that often accompany them. They introduce listener-submitted stories, providing a relatable touch for audiences who have experienced similar tensions.

• Angela Kinsey (05:38): "We reached out to you guys and you wrote in with your book club drama stories, and you definitely confirmed our theory."

Listener Stories: Book Club Conflicts

Jenna shares an engaging letter from Colleen C. in Pittsburgh, highlighting the snobbish nature of some book clubs:

• Jenna Fischer (05:51): "Colleen C. said, 'I attended a snooty book club similar to the Finer Things Club...'"

Colleen's experience underscores how exclusivity and high standards can lead to conflicts and eventual dissolution of the group.

Angela contrasts this with a more inclusive club managed by Mindy Kaling, emphasizing the diversity and vibrancy of accessible book clubs.

The Hosts' Personal Book Club Experiences

Jenna and Angela recount their own attempts at book clubs, illustrating the challenges and occasional failures:

• Jenna Fischer (31:03): "I've been in two book clubs. They both ended in disaster."

Jenna describes a Los Angeles book club that unraveled due to logistical issues and lack of commitment from members, while Angela shares insights into her friends' frustrations with not being invited to certain groups.

Insights on Afternoon Tea

Shifting gears, Angela presents a deep dive into the origins of afternoon tea, linking it to the Finer Things Club's cultural practices in The Office.

• Angela Kinsey (35:00): "When did afternoon tea become popular? Who made it popular?"

She traces the tradition back to the Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century, explaining how afternoon tea became a fashionable social event.

The Finer Things Club: Deleted Scenes and Additional Content

The hosts reveal exclusive content, including deleted scenes that offer a richer backstory to the Finer Things Club:

• Angela Kinsey (21:27): "These are just a few little fun nuggets. So the writers had this idea to show a few previous Finer Things Club meetings..."

They play clips featuring characters like Andy Bernard attempting to join the club, Meredith slurping loudly, and Dwight showcasing his frustration, adding depth to the show's portrayal of workplace social groups.

Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Wrapping up the episode, Jenna and Angela reflect on the complexities of book clubs and their own desires to create a harmonious social group without the accompanying drama. They humorously ponder starting their own Finer Things Club, focusing on tea and art without the obligatory book discussions.

• Jenna Fischer (64:52): "We don't even have to read any books if you don't want to."

They conclude with laughter and a sense of camaraderie, celebrating their shared love for the finer things without the tangled interpersonal conflicts.

Notable Quotes

• Jenna Fischer (04:29): "Oscar, Tobey and I are founding members of the Finer Things Club. We meet once a month to discuss books and art, celebrate culture in a very civilized way."

• Angela Kinsey (05:38): "Any book club we've heard of, there's always some drama."

• Jenna Fischer (31:03): "I've been in two book clubs. They both ended in disaster."

• Angela Kinsey (35:00): "When did afternoon tea become popular? Who made it popular?"

• Jenna Fischer (64:52): "We don't even have to read any books if you don't want to."

Conclusion

The "Finer Things Club" episode of Office Ladies masterfully intertwines nostalgia for The Office with insightful commentary on real-life social groups like book clubs. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey offer a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and listener engagement, making the episode both entertaining and relatable. Whether you're a fan of the show or someone interested in the dynamics of book clubs and social exclusivity, this episode provides a rich and engaging exploration of the finer things in life.

Transcript

[Jenna Fischer]

Lady, you know that I love horror movies.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

And there's a very popular part of the horror movie where, like, the person is home alone and they're just, like, locking up their house. They're turning off the lights, they're heading to bed, and you know something's gonna go down.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Do you know what would throw a huge monkey wrench into this horror movie that I'm describing?

[Angela Kinsey]

If the character in the movie is smart, they would have gotten simply safe like I did.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's right. The movie would be over. That's right. Nothing would happen to them.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's. Here's the thing. Most security systems only take action after someone breaks in. That's too late. Simplisafe's new active guard Outdoor protection helps stop break ins before they happen.

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

Lady, I am so excited. I feel like I put this out in the world and now it is happening. You know, I have been bringing my factor meals in to work to the podcast studio. I have them for lunches. Lee and I have them for dinners.

[Angela Kinsey]

I've been eyeing them, saying, I want these for my lunches. So I just signed up for my menu and I'm excited about so many of these dishes. Jenna, have you had the turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy?

[Jenna Fischer]

I have had that. It's very delicious. Their salmons are really good, too.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, their meals arrive fresh and ready to eat. They have 45 weekly menu options. You can pick your gourmet meals that fit your summer goals. I mean, they have calorie smart, protein plus, and so much more.

[Jenna Fischer]

Get started at FactorMeals.com OfficeLadies50OFF and use code OfficeLadies50OFF to get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's code OfficeLadies50OFF at FactorMeals.com Office Ladies50OFF for 50% off plus free shipping. FactorMeals.com OfficeLADIES50OFF.

[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 Lady 6.0.

[Oscar Martinez]

The finer things Club is the most exclusive club in this office. Naturally, it's where I need to be. The party planning committee is my backup, and Kevin's band is my safety.

[Jenna Fischer]

Hello, everyone.

[Angela Kinsey]

Hi. We are so excited because today on Office Lady 6.0, it's a meeting of the Finer Things Club.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, so I loved doing the Finer Things Club storyline so much. It's one of my favorite office memories. I'm so excited to talk about it today.

[Angela Kinsey]

I wanted to be in the Finer Things Club, so I'm very excited today I get to be an honorary member.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, that's right. Because today we are going to talk a little bit about Dunder Mifflin's Finer Things Club, but we're also going to dive into the world of book clubs and book club dramas. Angela, I believe you did a deep dive on the origins of afternoon tea.

[Angela Kinsey]

I did.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, I can't wait for that.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was so fun. And, Jenna, you've been so excited for this episode because you're a super book nerd and you've got lots to share.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, I am in my happy place today. Cassie, I know you as well.

[Pam Beesly]

Yes, this is very true. I love reading.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's not to say that Sam and I don't love reading.

[Kevin Malone]

It's a little harsh, but. All right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Did you feel it? Did you feel it?

[Kevin Malone]

Little smug. Little smug. Opening.

[Angela Kinsey]

Sure.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, as you all know, the Finer Things Club was revealed in Season 4, Episode 10 of the Office, titled Branch Wars. This episode introduces the club as a very exclusive group within the Scranton branch. It has three members, Pam Beasley, Oscar Martinez, and Toby Flenderson.

[Angela Kinsey]

And let me tell you, Toby is not interested in having anyone else join.

[Jenna Fischer]

No, he is not.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, there are rules for the Finer Things Club. It's very organized. And here's a clip of Pam explaining how it all works.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oscar, Tobey and I are founding members of the Finer Things Club. We meet once a month to discuss books and art, celebrate culture in a very civilized way. Sometimes the debate can get heated, but we're always respectful. There is no paper, no plastic, and no work talk allowed. It's very exclusive.

[Angela Kinsey]

Look at how happy she is. It's very exclusive. Just so hoity toity.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, I think she's just proud of her little group.

[Angela Kinsey]

I think she is proud, but I also think she's hoity toity.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my goodness. Well, you know, things are going very well for our little Finer Things Club. Group until Andy decides he wants to be a member. And then later, Pam lets Jim into the group. You know, she feels bad for him and he's clearly not. Read the book Angela's Ashes. Drama.

[Angela Kinsey]

Drama. And you guys, we were all talking and we realized any book club we've heard of, there's always some drama. And we reached out to you guys and you wrote in with your book club drama stories, and you definitely confirmed our theory.

[Jenna Fischer]

For example, we got this letter from Colleen C. In Pittsburgh, which I just loved. Here it is. Colleen said, I attended a snooty book club similar to the Finer Things Club.

[Angela Kinsey]

See? Snooty.

[Jenna Fischer]

I was invited by a friend and didn't realize how exclusive it was. They rotated hosts each month and the host had to provide the food, venue and drinks. The hosts would be silently judged on what they were able to provide and if it wasn't up to standards, would be openly critiqued in the group chat.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jenna Fischer]

Mm. This is a book club Angela would like.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, she would love the judging.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. Colleen said the books selected were long and intellectual. The discussion was very formal. At the end of the night, we would all go around and rate the book from 1 to 5. Members were encouraged to be extremely careful in rating a book a 5 and should only do so if the book had, quote, changed their life. Eventually, the original members decided the book club was getting too big. They were mad that people were just inviting their friends without any sort of vetting process. They met together and selected who would be kicked out of the book club. All members being kicked out received a formal phone call letting them know they were no longer welcome to attend. I ended up being kicked out, but my friend warned me in advance and I ignored the call out of spite. They called several times before finally resigning to the fact that they'd have to inform me of my removal over voicemail. All of us who were kicked out started our own book club with less pressure and less rules.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my goodness. So snooty. Well, you know who has a book.

[Jenna Fischer]

Club lady who has a book club?

[Angela Kinsey]

The writer of Branch Wars, Mindy Kaling.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yes, of course she does.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I guess everyone can join her book club, so it's not snooty. I went to the website for it and this is what it says. Fresh, vibrant, and binge worthy reads, Mindy's book studio celebrates emerging and diverse voices, from fresh romantic comedies and poignant coming of age stories to suspenseful dramas with unforgettable female protagonists. And then there's a quote From Mindy. It says I'm passionate about bringing unique stories to readers and viewers. And I can't wait to help discover and support talented new voices through Mindy's book studio. Right now they're spotlighting eight books and I'll put them in our stories.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love this.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. I love the idea of starting a book club, but the follow through sounds kind of daunting to me.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, lady, I have a little surprise for our office ladies group today.

[Angela Kinsey]

Are you starting a book club?

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm not starting a book club, but I do have a passion for reading. Lady, you gave me that amazing book club membership for my birthday from that independent bookstore. So I thought maybe it would be fun to surprise each of you today with one of my favorite books.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, that's wonderful.

[Jenna Fischer]

That I have hand selected for each of you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, so we have a different one?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, this sounds so cool.

[Kevin Malone]

Now, this is a book that is a gift to me or a task that I now have to read.

[Jenna Fischer]

It is a gift. Okay, but you're gonna.

[Angela Kinsey]

Your phrasing says everything.

[Kevin Malone]

Yeah. When is this due?

[Jenna Fischer]

Cassie, turn around. There is a red wrapped item on the shelf behind you. This is your.

[Angela Kinsey]

This is like the Matrix where there's, like, things and you're like, what?

[Jenna Fischer]

That's been there the whole time?

[Pam Beesly]

Yeah. I had no idea.

[Angela Kinsey]

I just lead everything back to Kima.

[Pam Beesly]

All right, I'm opening it all now.

[Jenna Fischer]

Cassie, I know you read a lot. It was very hard for me to think of a book that maybe you hadn't read, so you may have already read this. What is is 112263 by Stephen King.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, that's a really good one.

[Jenna Fischer]

It is one of my all time favorite books. It's not horror, but there is a fantasy time travel element. Here's what it's about. The main character discovers a portal where he can go back in time, and he decides that he's going to try and stop the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

[Pam Beesly]

This sounds amazing.

[Jenna Fischer]

Have you read it?

[Pam Beesly]

I have not read it. My partner has read it. But years ago when we'd go on walks, he was telling me the plot.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, no. So you know the plot.

[Pam Beesly]

But he told me this like over five years ago. I remember a little bit about a romance, but everything else I don't remember.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know what, Cassie? The romance is my favorite part of the book. I'm telling you, this book, it's like beautiful.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's beautiful. And also, the past is obdurate.

[Jenna Fischer]

What does that mean? What's obdurate?

[Angela Kinsey]

Is that what he says over and over.

[Jenna Fischer]

What's that word mean? Obdurate.

[Angela Kinsey]

It means the past is unmovable.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's the phrase that stuck with me after I read it.

[Jenna Fischer]

So intellectual of you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I guess you're surprised.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know what stuck with me is there's a moment where he drinks root beer, and it, like. I don't know, the way it was described was like, one of my favorite passages.

[Angela Kinsey]

Obdurate. Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action. Oh, that's a little hint.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right.

[Angela Kinsey]

But that's the phrase he says over and over. Jenna.

[Pam Beesly]

What? I'll be tracking it as I read it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Pam Beesly]

Thank you so much, Jenna.

[Angela Kinsey]

I can tell Jenna's in her happy place. Cause we've been friends a really long time, and she does this thing with her hands when she's feeling a little like, festival and fancy, she does like, this little, like, I don't know, you can't see me because I'm on a podcast, but I'll do it and I'll put it in stories.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay. Sam, would you like to turn around and get your red wrapped gift?

[Kevin Malone]

I would, thank you. Okay, here goes. I'm not familiar with this. I'm familiar with the author and My Year of Rest and Relaxation.

[Jenna Fischer]

You've read My Year of Rest and Relaxation?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay. So, Sam, that is one of the most original weird books I've ever read in my life.

[Kevin Malone]

Agreed.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay. This book is her new book, Lepvana. The author is Otessa Moshfegh, and it is set in a fictional medieval town. It's about how this lowly sheep farmer and then the lord that lives on the hill interact. It is so bizarre and wonderful. I absolutely loved it. I think you're going to like it.

[Kevin Malone]

Well, it says in the back it will scorch you like a blowtorch from John Waters. And I love John Waters, so anything that he recommends, I'm in. Thank you so much. This is killer.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yay.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right, Angela, it's your turn. I am giving you a summer beach read by one of my favorite authors.

[Angela Kinsey]

Here you go. Summer beach read.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

[Angela Kinsey]

Carrie Soto is back, and it looks like she's really tan and in a bathing suit. She's arching her neck up to the sky.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, guess what? You know who Carrie Soto is? She's a retired pro tennis player who comes out of retirement at 37 years old to reclaim her title.

[Angela Kinsey]

Hell, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

As the best female tennis player of all time, I think you're gonna like it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I cannot wait. I'm in. Woo hoo. Thank you. That was so thoughtful.

[Jenna Fischer]

Aw, guys, I've just been so excited about today. We're gonna talk books. We're gonna talk book club dramas. We're gonna talk finer things.

[Angela Kinsey]

Tea party.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, lady, you're all dressed up. I got all dressed up.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Kevin Malone]

Both of you look really nice today.

[Angela Kinsey]

Thank you. Thank you. I wore a little pink dress. Jenna is in this really pretty black blouse with pants and high heels.

[Jenna Fischer]

Sort of. High heels.

[Angela Kinsey]

Sort of. They're like sneaker heels. They're really cool.

[Jenna Fischer]

They're called Sneecs.

[Angela Kinsey]

Sneaks.

[Jenna Fischer]

S N E E X And they Snex Snicks. Sneaks.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't know.

[Jenna Fischer]

And yeah, I saw them online. They were fed to me in an Instagram algorithm and I bought them and I like them. They're the only heels I can wear. They look like sneakers, but they have a high heel.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, this is not an ad, I'm telling you, but I bought my shoes because I saw them in an Instagram ad. I'm not making this up. I'm going to take them off. They're slides and they're called archies. And they're good if you have high arches and they feel comfy with my plantar fasciitis.

[Jenna Fischer]

So, yeah, Would you like to know that my pants also came from Instagram from a designer named Kia Tomlin, and I freaking love them.

[Angela Kinsey]

There you go.

[Jenna Fischer]

So look at us getting finer things on the gram.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like, responding strongly to our algorithms.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, listen, why don't we take a break, and when we come back, we're going to share more of your book club dramas as well as our own.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I also want to play some deleted talking heads from Branch Wars. It's everyone reacting to the finer things club.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, I can't wait.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, we'll be back. This show is sponsored by Better Help Lady.

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

Talk it out with BetterHelp, our listeners.

[Jenna Fischer]

Get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com officeladies that's BetterHelpH. E l-p.com officeladies Angela, do you have a favorite sandwich? I'm not going to let you answer. I'm going to answer my own question.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love Boar's Head honey Turkey. This is my go to sandwich. It is my only sandwich. My son takes this sandwich to school. My husband eats this sandwich every day for lunch. We love Boar's head honey turkey. It is on our shopping list every single week. £1 boar's head honey turkey.

[Angela Kinsey]

You know, me and ham. I mean, my nickname was ham bone in high school. So I love some boar's head smoked master uncured ham. Put it on a sandwich, eat it off a plate without any bread, roll it up with some cheese. I'm gonna eat it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, they wanted us to talk about Boar's Head and we sure are doing it. For over a century, Boar's Head has been dedicated to craftsman craftsmanship, Hand trimmed meats, carefully selected spices, and authentic cooking techniques like slow roasting and fire grilling. And that is what makes every bite unforgettable.

[Angela Kinsey]

Discover the craftsmanship behind every bite at your local Boar's Head deli counter.

[Jenna Fischer]

Boar's Head, committed to craft since 1905. Welcome back, everyone. You know, before we dive into all of our book club dramas, office and non office related, should we discuss a book club win? A very big book club win?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, we should. Because our very own Cassie has a huge book club win. You just posted you won a giant trophy for reading the most books in a year.

[Pam Beesly]

Yes, this is correct.

[Angela Kinsey]

So your book club gave you a trophy? Like, how did it work?

[Pam Beesly]

So I've been in this book club for maybe five years and it's a competitive book reading club.

[Angela Kinsey]

Competitive.

[Pam Beesly]

It's like, I'll show you the spreadsheet. But it's like based on what you read, how many pages it is, the genre, you get a certain amount of points and it encourages diverse reading, which is really cool. I've read a lot of books from different countries and they make sure you're reading a lot of women and stuff like that, which is really great. Yeah. And then last year I was Like, I really want to win this thing. And I was neck and neck with another reader, and I ended up winning, which was very cool, but also I felt crazy.

[Jenna Fischer]

How many books did you read to win this title?

[Pam Beesly]

So I read over 66 books last year.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wow.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's more than one a week.

[Pam Beesly]

Yeah. And some of them, like, you don't get as many points, but you can read, like, audiobooks or mangas, graphic novels. So I do that a lot on top of reading, like, a novel.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh. Did you just have so many stories in your head? Because, like, when I read, I sit for a while with stuff, you know, and I think about it, like, how did that feel?

[Pam Beesly]

Yeah, I think if it was a book I wasn't in love with, I would pick up the pace. But if I love a book, I will really take my time and sit in it. And I love a Saturday morning. Reading for a couple hours on the couch with a cat is one of my favorite things to do.

[Jenna Fischer]

So of all the books that you read, is there a favorite?

[Pam Beesly]

I think in the beginning of the year, I read Octavia Butler for the first time. I really loved the World She Built. And, like, she's from Pasadena, which is really cool, too. So I really enjoyed her. And I also really like this Japanese detective author. His name's Keigo Higashino. Devotion of Suspect X. That's the one that got me into him. And then I recommended it to my book club, and, like, half of them have read it now. And I've read several of his books because they always take place in a different part of Japan, and it's really cool.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's so great. Okay, wait, I have to ask. So you've been in this book club five years, and then you won? It was neck and neck with another person. Was there any book club drama?

[Pam Beesly]

Oh, my gosh, yes. So, like, the first year I played, I almost got first place. Cause I was just like, oh, this is awesome, and I'm reading a whole lot. But then someone who was in second, like, beat me in the last minute. So this year, I, like, hung back in second place.

[Angela Kinsey]

On purpose? Like strategy?

[Pam Beesly]

Yeah, on purpose. Cause you can kind of see the other people and what they're reading. So I was, like, clocking what she was reading, and I was like, oh, I've read way more foreign authors, so I'm gonna get, like, a bonus and win. And then, like, three days before the deadline, she all of a sudden uploaded seven books. Everyone got really mad because they're like, you can't do that. You can't hide what you're reading. You have to have it out in the open. And then I got on a call with the guy who runs it, Cassie, and he's like, I'm so sorry about this. I'm like, it's okay. I think I can still win. I think if I just listen to audiobooks for two days straight and do puzzles, I can still win. And that's exactly what I did. And I won.

[Angela Kinsey]

You were determined.

[Pam Beesly]

Because I knew what it felt like to be in first place and lose at that. I was like, this is driving me insane. If I don't win this year, I don't think I'll ever be able to do it again. This year I'm probably only going to read 10 books.

[Angela Kinsey]

And you got that trophy.

[Jenna Fischer]

I just gave you a thousand page Stephen King book. So that's going to take some time. If you decide to dive in.

[Pam Beesly]

I will, I will. I'm reading something else right now, but I will have it on my shelf.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wow. See, every book club has some drama. Well, speaking of book club drama and other club drama, thanks to the assistant editor for the Office, Rob Burnett, we have some of the early outlines for the Finer Things Club.

[Jenna Fischer]

You told me you found these. I did not know about these, so this is going to be a surprise to me.

[Angela Kinsey]

These are just a few little fun nuggets. So the writers had this idea to show a few previous Finer Things Club meetings. And this is what it said in the outline.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh.

[Angela Kinsey]

We see flashbacks of past meetings. Michael tries to join. Meredith comes in and loudly slurps from her cup. Pam says they occasionally have guest lecturers. And they see Daryl playing the entertainer for the Jazz Age meeting. We see Dwight smashing something in the Finer Things meeting out of frustration.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

So the Finer Things Club had a lot of people come and go. They ultimately didn't settle on any of that other than Pam, Oscar and Toby and Andy. But there was possibly some back history to the club.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. I like to wonder, how long has this been going on?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And I'm sure to Toby's delight that he gets to have these meetings with Pam.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah, right. But they did sort of toy with like, how many other office members have at one point been in the club and we didn't get to see those play out. But I wish we would have. This is a runner I would have liked to seen more of.

[Jenna Fischer]

I am so sad that we did not revisit the Finer Things Club in the way that we would revisit the party planning Committee. Yeah, just somewhere in season nine. If we could have had another meeting, it would have just made me so happy. Well, Angela, when we broke down Branch wars, you also said that there were some fun deleted scenes about some of the Dunder Mifflin employees reactions to the Finer Things Club. We didn't play them, but I think that since today's episode is dedicated to the Finer Things Club, we should play them today.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, for sure. And they're super fun. They're in the superfan version. And I want to start with one that would have happened at the very beginning of the episode. Pam is going to walk over to Oscar and ask if he brought his book. A room with a view for their meeting that day. And Angela and Kevin are so snarky.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oscar, did you bring it? To be Adorbian.

[Angela Kinsey]

His best work.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, well, I have the tablecloth. Don't forget the flatware. Sure thing, Pam.

[Angela Kinsey]

Can't wait. Sure thing, Pam. Frou Frou Club must be nice.

[Pam Beesly]

Look at me.

[Angela Kinsey]

I wear underwear.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, my goodness.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. But she. But Angela, like mock's Pam must be nice.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, we're going to hear more about what Angela thinks of the Finer Things Club. In fact, we have talking heads from Toby, Angela and Meredith. Let's hear it.

[Kevin Malone]

I love the Finer Things Club. My ex wife used to have a book club and I would read their book and sometimes listen from the kitchen.

[Angela Kinsey]

The Finer Things Club was not sanctioned by the party planning committee. Renegade clubs are dangerous. I squashed the weight loss buddy support group. They didn't need to gather. It was just gross. I don't know why I'm not in the Finer Arts Club.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's bull crap.

[Angela Kinsey]

You clean it up. Yeah. So Meredith is like, just slurping out of this big, like 711 super gulp. And then she just throws it on the ground. And then she looks at Cameron and she's like, you clean it up. Not really selling yourself, Meredith, to be in the Finer Things Club. Clearly, this club ruffled a lot of feathers.

[Jenna Fischer]

They are definitely not. I mean, not if Meredith is throwing her beverage on the ground.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

I think it might be time to start sharing some book club dramas, lady.

[Angela Kinsey]

Let's do it.

[Jenna Fischer]

I just love this letter from Lucas G. In Seattle. It took some twists and turns. I was not expecting.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, so we went through the letters you guys sent.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

And there was one that I pulled aside. And I said, jenna, do not read this.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Because I wanted to read it to you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Here.

[Angela Kinsey]

This is the one you pulled aside. So I have no idea What Lucas wrote in. Cause I purposely didn't read it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Correct.

[Angela Kinsey]

I can't wait to hear.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right. Lucas said, I have the perfect story to tell about the demise of my book club, which happened almost a year ago.

[Angela Kinsey]

Demise?

[Jenna Fischer]

I never thought a book club meeting would turn into an absolute disaster, but here we are. So, my group was reading Anna Karenina. You know, the classic novel about affairs and betrayal. Fitting, because 10 minutes into one of our discussions, Olivia, my roommate, Jake's girlfriend, who would usually go for the wine, casually says, honestly, I don't even feel bad for Anna. She knew exactly what she was doing. Totally normal opinion, Lucas says. Except she says it while staring directly at our friend Zoe. Zoe, immediately defensive, fires back, what is that supposed to mean? Olivia, smirking, says, nothing. Just that some people pretend they're innocent when they're not. At this point, I didn't even know what was happening, but I definitely felt the tension. Then Jake, who had been drinking as much wine as Olivia, just blurts out, wait, is this about Zoe and Damien? Lucas.

[Angela Kinsey]

Damien.

[Jenna Fischer]

Lucas writes. Now, Damien, who is also in the book club because he was good friends with Olivia, had been scrolling his phone like he wasn't a part of the conversation and suddenly looks up, panicked. So he goes white. And Bethany, Damien's actual girlfriend at the time, just turns to him, completely silent. Lucas says, nobody is breathing. Zoe breaks first and says, are you serious right now? Damien says, I don't. What are you guys talking about? Olivia, enjoying every second of this, just shrugs while looking at Zoe again. Oh, nothing. Just that some people don't respect boundaries, you know, Like Anna.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jenna Fischer]

And then the plot twist that ends everything. Zoe turns to Damien and says, you told her. Boom. Nuclear explosion. Bethany stands up and leaves, doesn't say a word. Zoe storms after her. Damien just sits there, fully deceased. Olivia sips her wine, pleased. And then, because Jake cannot let the moment sit in silence, he just sighs and goes. So, are we still talking about the book or.

[Angela Kinsey]

No, Jake, clearly not.

[Jenna Fischer]

Anyway, book club is dead. Bethany broke up with Damien. Damien stopped being friends with Olivia. But at least Zoe and Damien are dating now. Oh, I was lucky enough to not catch any strays. But one thing's for sure, nobody's ever reading Anna Karenina again. Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

That'S a spicy book club story.

[Jenna Fischer]

Angela, have you ever been in a book club? And did it have drama?

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, no, I've never been asked. Here's the thing. I have several friends in different book clubs, and I've never been invited, and it does not Bump me at all. It really doesn't. I mean, I just have always thought, well, when the timing's right, it'll happen. And honestly, I don't have any free time right now with like all the kids and extracurricular activities. I'm like, I don't know when I'd be going to this book club or hosting a book club. But I do have a friend that is very miffed that she isn't in this one particular book club. And whenever we get together with this group of gals for other things, it's just me and her that's not in the book club. But like, I don't care. I don't care. And sometimes when we're all together, they will bring up a book they're reading or who hosted or how late their book club went that night, or, oh my gosh, that, you know, whatever. That gluten free lemon tart you made was so good. Or what? Some little tidbit from the book club. And she literally is like, seething.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, because that's tacky. Well, I don't, I'm sorry to say. Who are these women who are like, actively talking about their little club in front of two people who aren't in their club?

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't care. It's like this book club has been going for years before I was even in this, like, circle of people. And. But anyway, what kind of tickles me is the other gal that's not in it now just really, if anyone's paying attention, she does things like she goes, ugh. Or she rolls for us when they.

[Jenna Fischer]

Talk about their club.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. Anyway, it just kind of cracks me up and I'm just like, I don't know. Book clubs seem like a lot of, like, maintenance, like emotional maintenance.

[Jenna Fischer]

I've been in two book clubs. They both ended in disaster.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jenna Fischer]

One of them, the first one I was in, I got invited to. And it was a very similar thing as your friend, which is that this was like a group of women that were all really good friends and they like vacationed together. And there was like me and one other gal who were not invited on the vacations and I didn't care. Cause honestly, I didn't want to vacation with them, but I didn't know them, you know, but like a good portion of the book club meeting would be taken up with making these plans. And I just sort of felt like I just want to talk about the book.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right. I don't need to talk about everyone's vacation, but I get it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Because this is the time they're all together and they can all look at their calendars and they can all figure out where they want to go this summer or whatever for their girls trip. I found it annoying for that reason. But then some drama happened from one of the vacations and it ended up blowing up the whole book club. I don't even know what happened. I wasn't very good friends with them. This was like when I first moved to LA and I got sort of invited in and I just needed something to do. I thought I was gonna meet people, maybe make some friends. It did not work out well.

[Angela Kinsey]

The other thing I'm kind of learning by being the person not invited in the book club is that people are. So once they get their book club set, they are not taking any applications.

[Jenna Fischer]

No.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like, that's it.

[Jenna Fischer]

If you have a successful book club.

[Angela Kinsey]

You don't want to mess with the chemistry. That's why my feelings aren't hurt. Who knows what I'd bring into it, you know? Also, we got this one letter. Now, this isn't the one that I said, don't read. Okay? But I was curious about this letter. Do you have to pay dues to be in some book clubs? Is that a thing? Listen to this letter. Okay?

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's from Jim in Manchester, United Kingdom. He writes and says, I was in a book club up until 1990 when I was deployed to the Gulf whilst in the Army. I wrote to say I had to leave, giving reasons, exclamation point. Part of our instructions for deploying on active service was not to take books, etc. Okay?

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

However, the book club then sent me a bill for termination of membership, which eventually reached me in the desert and then continued to do so. I eventually wrote back extremely sarcastically, explaining that I was on the cusp of war with several choice words thrown in. I have never heard from them since.

[Jenna Fischer]

I've never heard of this. Cassie, does your book club have dues?

[Pam Beesly]

No.

[Angela Kinsey]

Isn't that interesting?

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, just yours is the most sort of like, very organized. It sounds like it's nationwide, probably.

[Pam Beesly]

Yeah. We have people in like, Florida, Georgia, and someone's mom just joined. So, yeah, it's very casual in that sense.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, well, I just had never heard that.

[Jenna Fischer]

Sam, have you ever been in a book club?

[Kevin Malone]

I am in a book club right now.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wait, what?

[Kevin Malone]

It just occurred to me. I don't know why during the weeks of planning this didn't pop into my head, but I'm part of a book club called the Band Book club. We're reading all the books that were banned from schools this year. We just read Handmaid's Tale. It's by vote. We vote which one? And now we're halfway through Fahrenheit 451.

[Pam Beesly]

Nice.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, wow.

[Kevin Malone]

You can join if you want. Email bandbookclub25mail.com.

[Angela Kinsey]

Did you like Margaret Atwood?

[Kevin Malone]

I did, yeah. It was great.

[Angela Kinsey]

She's great.

[Kevin Malone]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. And you don't have to pay dues to that book club. Okay.

[Kevin Malone]

Completely free.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Free book club. Band books is just making me think of the band mallard that you thought the band. It was a banded mallard, but you thought the duck had been banned.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, I did. I didn't know why. I did a whole deep dive and why this one mallard wasn't allowed anymore. But also how as a typo.

[Jenna Fischer]

I did not question it in any way. You're like, what did he do? I gave you at your word. I know that there was a duck that had managed to get banned from a whole state for bad behavior.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, I know. We didn't question it. I was like, well, he must have done something wrong. All right, well, let us know. Do you have to pay dues for your book club?

[Jenna Fischer]

I've never heard of that. Lady. Why don't we take a break? Because you have a deep dive.

[Angela Kinsey]

I do. And it's so fun. On the origin of the afternoon tea.

[Jenna Fischer]

And I have another surprise. I have to get ready. I've been so excited. We have surprises.

[Angela Kinsey]

I have a surprise. I have three bags. I'm gonna unpack.

[Jenna Fischer]

I have two bags. I have to unpack.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, you had two bags and some books.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, let's get to it.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, let's do it.

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

With State Farm, an agent can help you along the way. And if things get complicated and you have questions, you've got options too. Go [e-mail] or use the award winning app to get help from one of their local agents. You know, this is going to age me a little bit here, but when I got my first car, my dad got me State Farm car insurance. And there was no online and there was no award winning app. And I have to think my dad would be so happy that that was more streamlined now, because it really is so helpful, especially the app. It's right on your phone.

[Jenna Fischer]

Talk to your agent to help you choose the coverage you need. Have coverage options to help protect the things you value most. File a claim right on the State Farm mobile app.

[Angela Kinsey]

Reach a real person when you need to talk to someone, like a good neighbor. State Farm is there, lady.

[Jenna Fischer]

I got my Buffy sheets and my Buffy comforter. I know. The thing about them is that they're, like, super luxurious. And they're so soft, and they're amazing, and all those things are true.

[Angela Kinsey]

But they are the big B.

[Jenna Fischer]

What's the big B?

[Angela Kinsey]

Breathable.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh. That's not even what I was gonna say.

[Angela Kinsey]

What were you gonna say?

[Jenna Fischer]

I was gonna say the color.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh. I do love the color.

[Jenna Fischer]

I got this, like, beautiful, kind of muted rust color. I wasn't sure, like, what. What exactly it was gonna be like. The colors are beautiful. And then I got blue sheets.

[Angela Kinsey]

I got the blue. I got the blue comforter and blue sheets, but they're this really pretty, kind of pale blue.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Buffy is committed to always being chemical free, which I like as well.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And it's also the most awarded bedding brand out there. They have hundreds of awards. I did not know they gave awards for sheets, but I'm not surprised.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'm not surprised. And Buffy just won House Beautiful's Editor's Choice Award for luxury sheets.

[Jenna Fischer]

Get 20% off your first Buffy order using code officeladies@BUFFYCO.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's 20% off when you use code officeladies@ BUFFY CO. Buffy Code Officeladies. Jenna, this may surprise you, but I am not a doctor.

[Jenna Fischer]

No, you are not.

[Angela Kinsey]

However, I do love their scrubs.

[Jenna Fischer]

I already know what you're talking about. Figs, right?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. I mean, I recently went for a checkup, and everyone was wearing figs. And I was like, you guys look cute. You look stylish, comfortable. And I'm really happy they're a sponsor because we get to talk about how great they are.

[Jenna Fischer]

They really are. So here's a little info on Figs. The company was co founded by two business women and best friends, a lot like us.

[Angela Kinsey]

I love it. Totally us. And they make the highest quality scrubs out there. Figs are wrinkle resistant and really durable, but still super soft and breathable and just really comfortable. They come in a bunch of different styles, too, and they even make loungewear.

[Jenna Fischer]

So if you work in healthcare, know someone who does or just want to try out some seriously comfy essentials, head to WearFigs.com right now. You can get 15% off your order with code FIGSRX. That's WearFigs.com promo code FIGSRX at checkout for 15% off your first order. Okay, everybody, we are back. I am in studio with my eyes closed because Angela has insisted that I close my eyes because she's gonna surprise me with something, and I don't know what it is. They're closed. I'm not looking. I'm not looking.

[Angela Kinsey]

Do not open your eyes yet.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, I'm hearing it sounds like ceramics.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, open your eyes. You guys all get an afternoon tea hat. Everyone gets a tea hat with roses from my garden. Jenna, you get black.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, your outfit.

[Angela Kinsey]

Thank you. Thank you, Sam. You know, I have the big, broad rim. Thank you, lady. These are flowers from my garden. And look at my teapot.

[Jenna Fischer]

Your teapot is a kitty cat. I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'll tell a whole story about it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Look, lady, guess what I brought as my surprise?

[Angela Kinsey]

What?

[Jenna Fischer]

I brought tea. Fascinators for everyone. We have so much headwear today.

[Angela Kinsey]

This is amazing. We have to take a picture.

[Jenna Fischer]

We can do one with hats and one with fascinators. Thank you so much, Angela. And with roses from your garden.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. I picked the roses this morning, and then I bought the hats, and I put the roses in the little rim of the hat. You know, each hat has a band around it, so I tucked the roses in the band.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, I love a tea party. And I have fascinators. I brought in my four fascinators. What is a fascinator? It is.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's like what they wear to fancy weddings and things in England.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. And you can wear them to tea. One of these four fascinators is made by a famous, like, very famous milliner, Evita Petty. Her hats are sold at the oldest hat shop in uptown New York.

[Pam Beesly]

Ooh.

[Jenna Fischer]

But you can also get them [e-mail]. well, lady and I met her.

[Angela Kinsey]

You met her?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, ma' am.

[Angela Kinsey]

So I was thinking, actually, maybe before I do my deep dive, maybe we should share what you and I just.

[Jenna Fischer]

Did on break, which is hilarious, because we both surprised each other with tea.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. So I'm gonna share about the origins of the tea party, but one of the things I brought was a little. It's like a tea set. It's a teacup with a plate, but.

[Jenna Fischer]

It'S a double plate.

[Angela Kinsey]

It is, and it's so special to me. My mom bought this at an antique store, like, 20 years ago. She gave it to me, and she was like, ange, it's really Old. And it's just been in my china cabinet. I've never used it. And I thought, what a better day. I looked on the back, it says made in England, TF&S LTD. So I looked that up. I was very curious, what does that mean? And you guys out there that are antique collectors, you can let me know. But what I found is that Thomas Forster originally started a pottery business on Longton High Street. It was a small workshop in 1877, and Thomas's sons, Herbert and Victor, were introduced to the business and became partners. And so the company name became Thomas Forster & Sons Limited in 1891.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

So I'm not sure when these were.

[Jenna Fischer]

Made, but I guess, I mean, chances are 100 years ago. It sounds like.

[Angela Kinsey]

And it says over the next 10 years, their company really grew and it was one of the largest employers in Staffordshire at the end of the Queen Victoria reign in 1901.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, they're really lovely. I sort of described them as like a double plate. But what it is, it's like, imagine if you have your teacup and saucer, but then the saucer is part of a plate, so you have a little spot for your tea sandwiches and also a spot for your teacup. And it is absolutely dainty and wonderful.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, one of the reasons I was so excited to bring them in when I found out sort of the time when this company was formed is because.

[Jenna Fischer]

Of my deep dive, which was all about high tea. Because, as you know, the Finer Things Club was not just books, it also included food.

[Pam Beesly]

Food.

[Jenna Fischer]

It also included works of art.

[Angela Kinsey]

So, first of all, did you know that every year there is a celebration of the afternoon tea and it's for a whole week.

[Jenna Fischer]

What week is it and why am I not celebrating it?

[Angela Kinsey]

It's called Afternoon Tea Week and it takes place every second full week in August. This year it's going to be August 11th to the 17th, and there are even discounts for afternoon tea during that week at different places.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my gosh. I've never been so excited to find out a piece of news.

[Angela Kinsey]

So here is my deep dive on the afternoon tea. When did it become popular? Who made it popular? Well, according to the Internet, Portugal was probably most responsible in 1662, when Charles II married a member of the Portuguese royal family, Catherine of Braganza. She brought tea with her as part of her dowry, and tea soon became the official court beverage in the 1660s. At that time, tea was scarce, expensive and highly taxed. It was a rare luxury that only the upper class could afford. Now we're gonna jump in time. Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

So you got the tea part. When do the snacks come, Jenna?

[Jenna Fischer]

That's what I wanna know. The snacks are my favorite part. I don't even really like tea.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, well, I love the tea part, so I wanted all of it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, when I go to tea, sometimes I request coffee.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, well, don't tell anyone. Can I please just get a picture of Sam with his hat on, please? Just sitting there, sound mixing and helping us out. Someone. Cassie, will you take a picture? Thank you. I just looked up and I saw Sam in his white hat with the pink roses.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, from my eyeline I can see Cassie and she is also wearing her hat. She is sitting there producing our podcast.

[Angela Kinsey]

Sam, will you please take a picture.

[Jenna Fischer]

Of Cassie wearing her hat?

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. All right. So now we figured out the tea element. Well, let's talk about the snacks part. Cut to around 1840. According to the Internet, it's because of urbanization and the rise of industrialization in England that the evening meal was becoming later and later.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was because people were working later.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, it was customary for the upper classes in England to have their evening meal around 8pm well, Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, was not having it. She complained of a sinking feeling and requested that some light food and a pot of tea, usually Darjeeling, which is the tea I brought today.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

She requested that this be brought to her private living quarters to help ward off that mid afternoon hunger.

[Jenna Fischer]

She was hangry.

[Angela Kinsey]

She was hangry. She requested some tea, bread, butter and cake be brought to her room. Well, this idea proved so successful that it soon became routine and the Duchess decided to invite a few of her friends to her private rooms for tea. And now this new social event was born. Because the guests would have an opportunity to meet, catch up, chitty chat, discuss recent events. The service would normally take place in the ladies parlor or drawing room and be served on low decorative tables. Hence this event became known as Low T. Low T. Oh, honey, you wait. I knew you would ask. I knew. Wait for it. But the Duchess of Bedford was one of Queen Victoria's ladies in waiting. Specifically, she was her lady of the bedchamber. Her duties included assisting with dressing, bathing, other personal care, as well as accompanying her to public events and receptions. They were lifelong friends and she introduced Queen Victoria to the idea of. And the trend gained popularity and soon became a fashionable pastime of the upper class. And to meet this new demand, English china manufacturers, linen makers and silversmiths began turning out fine accoutrements to be Served in the service of afternoon tea. Jenna, might my plate and teacup have been made during this age? I think so.

[Jenna Fischer]

It sounds like it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I was very excited at this. This so called at home tea spread throughout England where announcements would be sent to friends and relatives declaring the hour at which tea would be served. But there is some controversy because as we know with the Finer Things Club there is always drama. What is it? According to a website called the English Manor, this was written. Whilst we do know that Anna Russell did serve tea in the afternoon five o' clock tea, as she referred to it, this isn't unusual for aristocratic ladies of that and earlier eras. If the Duchess of Bedford did invent afternoon tea, why did Victoria, when staying with Queen Elizabeth of Prussia, write in her Journal on 15 August 1845 saying, we went down to what is called the painted room and had tea quite in the German way. We princesses sat down to a table on which there was no cloth and excellent cakes of all kinds were served while the Queen's ladies made the tea.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh. So what are they saying? That maybe this was happening already. But it is very clear to me on many sites that the Duchess of Bedford was the one that was the squeaky wheel. She gets made happen.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. Mm.

[Angela Kinsey]

And you might be asking yourself, why don't we call it low T?

[Jenna Fischer]

Why don't we? I was asking myself that. It's called high tea.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, for working class men and women during and after the two world wars when they would finally have time to eat around 5pm and onwards, they were really hungry and they naturally felt the need to eat something more filling than just sandwiches and cake and their much awaited pot of tea. That's when we started to see the addition of the word high. The phrase high tea started to be used to describe a working class meal served at a high table with a high backed dining chair. At the end of a long workday, the tea would be accompanied by a hot meal.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh.

[Angela Kinsey]

So high tea had nothing to do with the elite social gathering that started back in the 19th century with the Duchess of Bedford.

[Jenna Fischer]

High tea sounds like it had some like hot foods.

[Angela Kinsey]

High tea was a bigger meal.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

More things.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, I'll have you know, lady, I worked for eight months over in London and tea is a thing.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

On the television set that I worked on at 3pm, a person would come out pushing a cart full of tea and cakes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Like little packages of cakes. And you would grab a cup and you would get some tea and you would take a little cake. Right. Around three o' clock every single day. I thought I was like, really?

[Angela Kinsey]

This is so lovely.

[Jenna Fischer]

I had no idea.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's so lovely.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was a thing.

[Angela Kinsey]

I did a semester abroad in London, and at the college I was at, we would take tea.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

With the faculty, the students and faculty. I loved it. I also, lady brought my little tea kitty cat. When you pour it, it's a cat. When you pour it, the tea comes out of his little paw that's up in the air.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's really the cutest little thing. It's white and it is covered in little purple flowers. It's. It's so dainty and lovely.

[Angela Kinsey]

Guess where I got it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Where?

[Angela Kinsey]

I bid on it at the fur ball at the Skirball charity event that I went to when you hosted.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, that's right.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I won it. And today I made Queen Elizabeth II's cucumber sandwiches. Did you know that she put her own spin on the classic sandwich?

[Jenna Fischer]

What did she do to it?

[Angela Kinsey]

She added mint to it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Mint.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. So I brought that and I brought my little plates and tea. Hats and hats. And I also have a website to share with everyone. It's a blog called A Lady in London, and she goes over all the best places to have afternoon tea in London. I'm feeling very excited about what you brought. I saw you putting some stuff together. You have to share.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, you know, I love a tea. I just love it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

And now that I can eat gluten again, it's like the first thing I wanted. I was like, give me all the bread and the scones and all the things. So I brought a full tea service.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know you guys joined.

[Jenna Fischer]

Full of the sandwiches, the scones.

[Angela Kinsey]

Where did you order it from?

[Jenna Fischer]

It's from a little spot called Sugar Bird Cafe in Los Angeles. So they have two locations. So if you're in la, you can look them up.

[Angela Kinsey]

We have the cucumber sandwiches I made. But then what all came with yours?

[Jenna Fischer]

They're little finger sandwiches. And Cassie, I made sure to let them know that we had a vegetarian in our group.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yay.

[Jenna Fischer]

And scones and then little sweet treats. Well, lady, we set it all up. I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

We should go have tea.

[Jenna Fischer]

Let's have tea. So we're gonna do a fakey breaky. We're not really going anywhere as far as y' all are concerned.

[Angela Kinsey]

We don't want to eat on the mic. Basically, you guys, we're trying to respect your wishes.

[Jenna Fischer]

So we'll be right back. We're gonna tell you how it was I'm gonna put my hat on.

[Angela Kinsey]

I can't wait. Well, we just had low tea. We were at a low table.

[Jenna Fischer]

We had low tea, and I'm still eating one of the shortbread cookies from the tea.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was so delicious.

[Jenna Fischer]

Even though we said we wouldn't eat any more on Mike.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was so delicious and so fun. And we sat there with our hats and our fascinators. You and Cassie wore the fascinators. Me and Sam wore the hats. We had a delicious tea, and what do we think, you guys? Did you like Queen Elizabeth II's version of the cucumber sandwich or the other version that was from the tea house?

[Kevin Malone]

I like the one you brought.

[Angela Kinsey]

Queen Elizabeth II's.

[Jenna Fischer]

I did too. And I was asking you what the difference was, because the ones we got from the tea house were, like, a cream cheese and cucumber sandwich, which I've had many times, but yours, I said, had a little bit of, like, a salty.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, so here are the ingredients for Queen Elizabeth II's cucumber sandwich. On the website I saw, it said the royal recipe is said to contain a simple combination of just five bread, butter, sliced cucumber, a dash of mint, and a sprinkle of salt and black pepper. And the one thing I didn't do was I didn't put black pepper because I didn't know. Some people are like, eh, I don't want anything peppery.

[Jenna Fischer]

I thought they were amazing. I loved them.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, there you go.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, now that we've had some tea, should I spill some tea?

[Angela Kinsey]

Spill it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Should I tell my big book club drama story?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. I can't wait.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, this is a little bit of a Los Angeles book club story in the sense that, you know, Los Angeles is very spread out.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah. Like, for us, traffic dictates everything. Like, my sisters just visited, and back in Texas, they watch the weather Channel. They're always checking in with the weather channel. But here for us, it's traffic.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's traffic. And there's a sort of thing where you're like, do you live on the east side? Do you live on the west side? Do you live in the Valley? So at this time, I lived in the Valley.

[Angela Kinsey]

Uh. Oh.

[Jenna Fischer]

And I had a good friend who lived in the Valley, and one of our mutual friends lived on the west side.

[Angela Kinsey]

Mm. I thought you were gonna say that. You might as well live in Arizona.

[Jenna Fischer]

You might as well. But we loved her. She started a book club. Now she started a book club with all of her friends on the west side. And Then me and my friend who lived in the valley, there were 12 ladies, and this was gonna be perfect because there are 12 months of the year. Oh, and once a month we would meet, and whoever hosted the book club got to pick the book. And then they would also provide the food, which, of course, if you were being fun, you would try to tie it into the book. Oh, right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Very Finer things club.

[Jenna Fischer]

Very Finer things club. So it was going great. There must have been like six, eight meetings, all on the west side. So me and my friend in the Valley, it would take us almost an hour each way.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

But we did it because we really liked these ladies. We liked this book club, and we would carpool. So we kind of got some extra friend time in the car. Lady. When it was finally time for my Valley friend to host, she picked the book, everybody. Great. When it came time for the meeting, one of the Westside ladies said, hey, the Valley is really far for me. How about I host at my house because it's going to be closer for everyone.

[Angela Kinsey]

Excuse me. What about the two of us that drive an hour every month for eight.

[Jenna Fischer]

Months, we have been driving to the book club on the west side. And in the car, as we would sit in traffic for this two hour round trip adventure, we would just say, you know what? Two months out of the year, we get it. We will not have to do the driving.

[Angela Kinsey]

So what happened? Did they say, oh, yes. Like, what did you say? You have to be like, it's our turn, it's our turn.

[Jenna Fischer]

She said, I was really looking forward to hosting. I've planned the menu, I've bought the food. Cause this suggestion of changing the location of the book club came in, like, the day before the book club was happening.

[Angela Kinsey]

When she realized it wasn't on the west side.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. So my friend said, no, I was really looking forward to hosting. I've planned the menu. It's going to be at my house.

[Angela Kinsey]

What happened?

[Jenna Fischer]

Like, half the people didn't come. Wow. They didn't drive.

[Angela Kinsey]

So, like, six of you are just talking about this book and the other six are just like, we're not driving there.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, they said, we're really sorry, but it was just. It's too much of a trek.

[Angela Kinsey]

What did they think you'd been doing?

[Jenna Fischer]

Exactly. Exactly, lady.

[Angela Kinsey]

Nope.

[Jenna Fischer]

We quit.

[Angela Kinsey]

You quit?

[Jenna Fischer]

Me and my Valley friend.

[Angela Kinsey]

Did you start a Valley book club?

[Jenna Fischer]

We didn't. We just were like, you know what?

[Angela Kinsey]

We're done.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was too much. It was such a slap in the face.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, Yeah. I was gonna say Are you still friends with that group?

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, no, none of them. I'm still friends with the gal from the west side. She's actually moved away, so I don't see her very much. But I'm kept in touch with zero of the other ladies.

[Angela Kinsey]

Here's the thing. As you know, I have never been invited to be in a book club, but I am just seeing now all the shit comes out at book club. Yeah, I had no idea. I knew there was drama. Ish, but I had no idea it was this amount. Speaking of book club drama, can I please share the letter I told you not to read now.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. This letter is from Daphne B. In Montana. Daphne wrote in and said I am part of a book club that has a main group of girls and then some other ladies. It's usually like 15 ish girls and every month 10 to 12 show up and it's a super great time and a fun way to get some girl time. Well, one of the main girls texted our big chat that she wasn't going to be part of the book club anymore, which shocked me. Shocked in all caps. So I knew something was wrong. At the next book club, I got the tea. Apparently, the girl that left the club, let's call her Lucy.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, we love this when we have to have a code name.

[Angela Kinsey]

Please give us all the code names. Okay, so apparently the girl that left the club, let's call her Lucy, was. Because all the other main group of friends had confronted her as an entire group. Because Lucy and her husband and another girl from the book club that is also not a part of the main friend group, let's call her Hannah. Okay, they all got it on.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wait, Hannah. Lucy and Lucy's husband had a threesome.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

But Hannah and Lucy are in the book club together.

[Angela Kinsey]

They were. She goes on to say Hannah had already left the group. And then in parentheses, she said she only ever came to a few book clubs. But Lucy was confronted about her husband being the worst and how she should leave him. The whole group confronted her. Well, mind you, this made me laugh. Mind you, this book club is filled with a bunch of what I thought to be vanilla married ladies and a lot have young kids. Well, Lucy chose to stand by her man and now isn't talking to anyone in the group and told them all off. Daphne wraps it up by saying, I am a mom of a little one and this book club has been a fun way for me to get out of the house and have some adult time one evening a month. And I love the Good fantasy books. Side note, Angela would love our books, but this whole situation is awkward now, and I'm so happy I wasn't involved and was completely clueless about the whole situation. So what do you think, office ladies? Should I stick out the awkwardness now that I know, or should I leave? And that's the tea. Well, I mean, Lucy has told this whole group to F off. Yeah, Hannah's not coming anymore.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, listen, the two problems in this story are not at the book club anymore.

[Angela Kinsey]

That is true. That is true.

[Jenna Fischer]

I guess you just have to wonder.

[Angela Kinsey]

Though, when are they gonna turn on someone else?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. Are they gonna meddle in someone else's marriage and personal life?

[Angela Kinsey]

Have a group meeting to tell you your husband's the worst?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, well, I mean. I mean, there's two ladies who didn't think he was the worst, apparently. Right?

[Angela Kinsey]

But also, like, do book clubs always.

[Jenna Fischer]

Get that personal lady? I know we're getting ready to wrap it up, but I actually have one more letter.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Funny you should ask if they get personal. This letter made me chuckle, and it made me think of Phyllis.

[Angela Kinsey]

Our Phyllis.

[Jenna Fischer]

Our Phyllis. Lap advance.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's from Natalie P. In Nashville, Tennessee, who said years ago, our book club read 50 Shades of Gray. Oh, I remember my friend recommending it. And everyone in the room looked uneasy. I had not heard of it, so I spoke up and naively and energetically said, yeah, let's do it. It's your choice. Natalie said, I bought the book, luckily on my iPad, because I brought it to school to read during lunch. I'm a high school teacher.

[Angela Kinsey]

No, I know why. You said it makes you think of Phyllis. Vance.

[Jenna Fischer]

And Natalie said a few chapters in. I was horrified of what I was reading in broad daylight. So Natalie said. Anyway, in a group of about. This is the part that cracked me up. In a group of about 12 ladies, eight of us got pregnant.

[Angela Kinsey]

The book.

[Jenna Fischer]

Club fell apart, and my husband likes to call the kids the Graybies.

[Angela Kinsey]

That is so funny. That is fantastic. Ah. Oh, my goodness.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, everyone, that was our finer things club. We had so much fun prepping this episode, doing this episode, hearing from you about your snooty clubs.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was just a delight start to finish. This whole work week was so fun, culminating in our tea party with Sam and Cassie and Lady.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, when we originally broke down branch wars, we said we were gonna start our own finer things. We were gonna read all the books that they read. I remember we never did it, but honestly, I think it's because I don't Have a huge interest in the books that they read. But I would do a Finer Things Club with you. Do you remember talking about this?

[Angela Kinsey]

I do. I do. And you actually said we could call it Finer Things Club because. Because I can never say it correctly. And I want you to know the mental focus I have had to have every time we have said it in this episode.

[Jenna Fischer]

You did great.

[Angela Kinsey]

I. Well, I stumbled once or twice, but I really had to say Finer Things Club. I had to think about it. And, you know, last time we shared that, there was a blooper of me doing this, but we didn't play it. And a lot of people were like, you should play the blooper.

[Jenna Fischer]

Do you have it?

[Angela Kinsey]

I have it. Oh, you have to.

[Jenna Fischer]

I want to hear it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. There's no problem with the Finer Things Club, but the Finer Thing. Okay, the finer. The finer. The Finer Things Club. Okay. The finer.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, lady, I will start the Finer Things Club with you. It's hard for me to say Finer Things. Finer Things Club, but I'll start that club with you. But I just. I don't know. What if our Finer Things club is just going around and having tea at different places and going to art museums?

[Angela Kinsey]

That is absolutely fine with me.

[Jenna Fischer]

We don't even have to read any books if you don't want to.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, if history has taught us anything today is that you start a book club with people and it falls apart and, like, relationships implode.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's true.

[Angela Kinsey]

So we can't start one.

[Jenna Fischer]

We also remember we're going to start an office ladies movie club that we never did as well.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, well, I like this idea of tea and art museums and movies.

[Jenna Fischer]

Great.

[Angela Kinsey]

The Finer Things Club.

[Jenna Fischer]

The Finer Things Club.

[Angela Kinsey]

We'll leave that book drama at the door. Okay, before we go, I have one last thing I want to share. I thought it might be a fun way to end this episode. Since we started with Andy, There is a deleted scene where we learn Andy's fate about joining the Finer Things Club. Let's hear it.

[Oscar Martinez]

Dear Andrew Bernard, after carefully examining your application to the Finer Things Club, we are unable to offer you a position at this place in time. We would, however, like to place you on a list in case an opportunity arises when your inclusion could be tolerated. Your position as an ongoing financial patron, however, is yours to cherish. Sincerely, the Finer Things Club.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wait listed.

[Angela Kinsey]

He's so excited. And you see Pam and Toby and Oscar over at front reception. They're watching him open this letter. It's really funny.

[Jenna Fischer]

Aw. Wait listed for the Finer Things Club.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's perfect.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, thank you, everyone. Thanks for writing in. Thanks for listening today. We love you.

[Angela Kinsey]

We love you. That was so much fun. We hope you have a great week.

[Jenna Fischer]

See you next week.

[Pam Beesly]

See you.

[Angela Kinsey]

See you then.

[Jenna Fischer]

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 Kieffer, and our associate producer is Ainslie Bubaco.

[Angela Kinsey]

Odyssey's executive producer is Leah Reese Dennis.

[Jenna Fischer]

Office Ladies was mixed and mastered by Bill Schultz.

[Angela Kinsey]

Our theme song is Rubber Tree by Creed Bratton.

[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 [e-mail] Guess what?

[Jenna Fischer]

We are so excited to be part of SHRM25. What is SHRM25? You're asking yourself. Don't worry, I'm going to tell you. It is the world's largest HR conference for HR professionals. It's an annual conference that HR pros look forward to attending to each year to learn about the latest HR trends, networking with peers, and enjoying some entertaining conversations. And guess what? The Office Ladies are going to be there this year.

[Angela Kinsey]

So you know, I have been to a SHRM conference. I went in 2023 when it was in Florida. I had the best time.

[Jenna Fischer]

SHRM25 is happening in San Diego June 29th through July 2nd. Head to shrm.orgofficeladies to register.