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This episode is gifted with limited commercial interruption by Macy's.
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Finishing your gift list just got a whole lot easier. I'm Jenna Fisher.
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And I'm Angela Kinsey.
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We were on the Office together and we're best friends. And now we're doing the ultimate Office lovers podcast just for you.
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Each week we will dive deeper into the world of the Office with exclusive interviews, behind the scenes details, and lots of BFF stories.
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We're the Office Lady 6.0.
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There's this cool cat that I hang out with at Christmas. Never knew how to pronounce his last name. Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen when the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even.
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Brightly shone the moon that night though.
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The frost was cruel When a poor man came in sight Gathering winter fuel.
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Woo hoo.
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Happy holidays, everyone.
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Happy holidays.
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We were listening to a song on the album A Swingin Little Christmas by Jane lynch and Cate Flannery. Our guest here today.
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Hey, Kate, welcome. Oh my gosh. You are putting me in the holiday spirit.
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I'll try not to sing everything today. So good to see you guys.
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So good to see you. Good to see you. Thank you. Thank you for joining us on our holiday chit chat episode. Here's what we're gonna do today, everyone. We are gonna talk about the holidays on the Office. We're gonna talk about holidays in general, all kinds of other stuff. We're so excited to have you, Kate, and you have dressed for the occasion.
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You took the assignment. You're like, I'm on it. Ladies, you look amazing.
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Thank you so much. I do not phone it in, even on a podcast. I bring it 300%.
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Coming in, hot lady. I love anyone that embraces a theme.
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I was like, you know what, Come on, we're talking about Christmas. I mean, every Christmas party. If anybody's ever worked in any kind of establishment that had a party once a year in Dec, you know, you know what's going on. We gotta celebrate.
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You got your outfit. I mean, I might have worn red velvet pants to a Christmas party one time.
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You got your cute little.
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I have my Christmas sweater on.
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Christmas sweater with your Mini Cooper with a Christmas tree on top.
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You too could wear this if you went to Marshall's last year.
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And Jenna's got her black watch, plaid jacket with Christmas earrings.
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My Christmas earrings that you said look like Christmas earrings that Meredith wore.
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Meredith wore. They look like Christmas balls that she literally like. The tiny ones that you take off the tree and you try to put in your ear when you're younger and realize it's a bad idea.
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The same Christmas balls that Angela Martin smashed in the snow and screeched.
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Yeah.
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Your tartan jacket is super cute, though.
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Okay, lady, you gave me that tartan jacket.
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I know, I know. Do you remember?
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Because you complimented it today as if you'd never seen it before.
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No, I do. We have matching ones. I bought myself one as well.
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You both have great taste.
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Thank you. Or do I right now?
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Because that's what we're thinking. So let's say it. But it's true. They're so cute.
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Well, listen, let's get to it. We're so excited to have you.
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Thank you, guys. I'm so excited to be here. Office ladies forever.
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That's right. And we are going to kick things off with a question from Cindy. Let's hear from her. Hi, this is Cindy from Fort Worth. And I'd love to hear how you.
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Get ready for the holidays. All right. How do we get ready for the holidays, ladies?
C
Well, for me, I actually tour every holiday.
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Every December.
C
Well, actually right after Thanksgiving. So I have to put my stuff up before Thanksgiving or late Thanksgiving night. I tour with Jane Lynch. Cause we did a Christmas album 10 years ago. And so we just keep like. We're very busy in December. We're bringing Christmas to people. It's a huge responsibility.
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It's so great, though. Your show is wonderful. I have been. It's such a blast.
C
It's like a Christmas concert. It's our album. A Swingin Little Christmas. If you can't see us in person. But you know what? But it's fun. I feel like it forces me to do it early because I always wanna come home. And I would feel terrible if my place didn't look like Christmas when I got home. So I have to step it up.
B
You have to decorate before you go on tour?
C
I have to. Because I'd be so bummed when I came home and be like, also, your.
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Tour is how other people can get ready for the holidays.
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This is true.
C
And people do. Yeah. Usually we're like the first thing that they're seeing for the holidays. Cause we literally start the day after Thanksgiving.
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So I play your cd. I still have a cd. You might have to get a new car, an album. I played your Christmas album, I should say. You know what I mean?
C
Like, I have Spotify and itunes.
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But it's so great.
C
It's fun to listen to. I know. I'm just like. I actually have it on vinyl too, you guys. Limited edition on vinyl.
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Can I get the vinyl? Because we play records on Christmas morning.
C
Yeah, let me talk to my people.
A
Talk to your people. Because Tone Records plays records for us. Because his bedroom's right off the kitchen and he cranks it.
C
I'll make it happen. And maybe if he becomes a dj, he can wick a wicka wicka wicka wicka.
A
Well, for me, getting ready for the holidays is putting up the tree. That's when I feel like things have started and I feel festive. But my hot tip is you don't have to do it all on the same day. Because for us, we have a fakie tree, okay. And it's out in the shed. And that means we've gotta dig it out and dig out all the ornaments and all my throw pillows. I love a festive throw pillow. Just give it to me.
B
I mean, you're saying that as if you don't also love a festive throw blanket.
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Exactly. I have Christmas blankets, bedding. Anyway, so you dig in.
C
Where does it end, Angela?
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Where does it end?
C
This is an intervention. I'm just.
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I have my Christmas village. I'm here. I have my Christmas village. Get very excited about.
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I love your village.
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It's so cute. And the kids help me to see.
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Village to celebrate Christmas.
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And the kids set it all out. But anyway, what I've learned is that if we try to do it all in one day, someone has a meltdown.
C
Always.
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Always.
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And it's usually Josh, because he's the one that has to dig everything out.
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So he's like, let's just get it all out.
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I'll get the tree up and then we're done. And then we decorate the next day. So that's how we do it.
C
That sounds very sensible. Yeah. And usually Christmas is not very sensible for most people. You feel like a child and you have to do it the way your mother did somewhere.
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That's so true.
B
Right.
C
I literally grew up in a household where we only got the tree a couple days before. Cause we always had a real tree. So if you get it too early, it's, you know, Then you can't leave it up till the end of January.
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I know, exactly.
C
Yeah, yeah, it's true.
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But that's such a good point. Like managing the traditions that you grew up with versus the traditions that actually work for your life.
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Right.
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Like, would it work for you to wait you.
C
No, I get home too late, and then I usually fly to Philadelphia. I see my family, you know. Yeah, yeah. I'm like, I'm all about this.
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It's a busy time.
C
It's crazy. But I love the fact that you're figuring out the sanity. Whatever you need to do.
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Whatever you need to do. This when you put your tree up is a hot debate online. I don't know if you know this. People get real strong opinions about it. And I read a survey in Good Housekeeping. Do you wanna know what I said?
B
Yeah, please.
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Okay. Most folks put up their tree at some point between December 2 and December 23. But they also found that a common theme is that one in four people say they put up their tree on December 1st. But they did note that putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it is becoming an earlier and earlier tradition.
B
I know people who put their trees up before Thanksgiving. You know, my mom has to put up her tree before Thanksgiving because when we go home to visit, we visit on Thanksgiving. We don't visit on Christmas, but we celebrate Christmas. We do a Thanksmas. One day is Thanksgiving, one day is Christmas.
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See, I'm fascinated by this. I'm sorry. Yes.
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So she puts up all her Christmas decorations.
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Love it.
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In time for Thanksgiving so that we can go and open gifts in a festive manner.
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Oh, I like that.
C
I know some people that never take down their lights ever, all year round.
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And that's okay. And that's okay.
C
Is it? I don't know.
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Is it?
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Okay, here's. Here's what I read. Wait, I saw something.
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I saw, like, a meme online or something that was like, the great thing about November. Oh, my God, am I going to. I'm butchering it. But they were like, the great thing about November is you see the. Forget it. You see the transition.
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Don't give up.
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Oh, my God.
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Okay, got it. Don't give up. It was like.
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It was like something like, the great thing about November is you see all the people in your neighborhood who have left up their Halloween decorations and then all the people who already have Christmas up, and you can see very clearly who's type A and type B in your neighborhood.
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And that is funny.
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For later.
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That is very funny. That's hilarious. If it's like, mid November and you have a few skeletons in the front yard, I'm like, get it together.
C
Exactly. My brief six months living in Brooklyn, there would literally be cobwebs on the pilgrims on people's lawns, which I was like, oh, wow. You actually got pilgrims for Thanksgiving, which I thought was ambitious, but they kind of doubled up on Halloween and Thanksgiving at the same time, which I don't you know, I mean, combo. It's interesting. It's an interesting part of the brain.
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That I don't have Zombie pilgrims.
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I don't want to tell people what to do, but I started decorating a good amount of my Halloween decorations are just sort of like pumpkins and fall, and then I sprinkle in a few skeletons, and then when you take the skeletons away, boom. I decorate it for Thanksgiving.
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I do the same thing.
C
Yeah, I think that's the.
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It's like a double decorating.
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It's a double deck.
C
Yeah.
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Yeah.
C
Okay, wait. Multitasking.
A
One last tidbit from Good Housekeeping, because I thought this was interesting. So, you know, in ye olden times, like, way, way back ye olden times, Christmas decorations wouldn't be put up until the last possible moment because people decorated their trees with edible items like gingerbread, chocolates, other sweets. They were all hung on the branches with ribbon. And that continued into the Victorian times. Most people didn't put up their tree until, like, Christmas Eve to preserve the trees.
C
Totally. And actually, in my family, I remember my parents, when they first got married, they used to do that. And then when my. I'm one of seven kids, so my oldest sister's, like, you know, 13 and a half years older than me. So when they were little, they would. They would go to sleep Christmas Eve with no tree and then wake up and it was like, what? So it was like, Santa brought the tree.
B
That's what I was going to say. Wasn't there a thing for a while where Santa brought the tree? Could you imagine, as a parent.
C
Oh, my gosh.
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So much in addition to everything else.
C
They never slept on Christmas Eve.
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You're putting together, like, a whole tree.
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Up with food on it.
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Yeah. While you're assembling a dollhouse. And.
C
Yes, but, you know, waiting. But, I mean, you gotta wait for Santa for the rest of it. But, boy, you really gotta. You gotta have Santa's cookies. You gotta do it right.
E
Wow.
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It's. Yeah.
C
Another reason to drink. You guys.
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Find a reason. Meredith, you know, my dad had a.
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Bar, so, you know, the apple doesn't fall far from the alcoholic tree.
B
This is not true about you.
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You're, like, one of the most sensible people, you know, if I get. No, I'm.
C
Usually.
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You are fun, but incredibly responsible. But I do have to ask you, Jenna, because I know you guys have traditions in St. Louis, and now I've learned about thanks Christmas. Is that how you say it? No.
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Thanksmas.
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Thanksmas. It's easy.
B
You're saying You've learned about it. I've told you about Thanksmas a million times.
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No, no, no, no, no. I know the tradition. I didn't know you called it Thanksmas.
B
I've talked about it on the podcast.
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You've never called it Thanksmas.
B
I have.
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It's okay.
C
I think I'm gonna take submissions for the title.
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I don't know. It didn't stick with me.
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Clearly.
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Clearly did not. She's more interesting. I'm kidding.
C
Let me.
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Let me pivot. How to pivot differently.
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Don't pivot.
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This is staying in.
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This is an insight into my friendship with Angela Kinsey.
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Stop it.
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Stop it. I blame myself.
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No, no, no. Angela. Oh, my God, Angela, you.
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Of course. You're the most thoughtful and wonderful friend. You just forgot that I called it. Thanks, miss. Even though I've been calling it that for 20 years.
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Fine.
C
Don't worry.
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I let it go.
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We're letting it go. Okay.
C
I prefer Chris giving, but is that just me? I think we need to take a survey. I think we need to ask everybody. Not.
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Maybe I can pivot to Chris giving. Chrisgiving.
C
Although it sounds like there's a guy named Chris who's given me stuff. Pretty generous now.
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Chris giving. I'll remember. No, I'm kidding.
B
Okay.
A
So what are some other traditions, Jenna, that you do to prep for the holidays?
B
Well, my big prep for the holidays, I shop early.
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Now I know this about you.
B
I'm so jealous when I say early. My mom, Ann Fisher, she starts shopping in July.
A
Wow.
B
And this was why? Oh, yeah. Because she would do a lot of shopping at the Lake of the Ozark outlet malls.
A
Oh.
B
Which is now gone. But she would always be like, she'll find little, like, treasures in the summer, and she squirrels them away in her closet.
A
Does she forget about any of them?
B
Yes. Okay. Very often she'll find something in, like, March when she's doing spring cleaning, and then she'll stick it in the mail. She'll be like, I'm so sorry. I forgot I bought you this scarf. It was a Christmas present.
C
I'm glad she's not a hoarder. And I'm glad she didn't keep it, because maybe unconsciously, she just wanted more stuff for herself, but that's clearly not the case.
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Good for her.
B
This has rubbed off on me. And I actually. I find, like, the Black Friday shopping after Thanksgiving. If I wait that long to get the bulk of my gifts, I feel stressed out. I don't like that. I kind of actually like to shop and get almost all of my shopping done in October and November.
C
You guys, I'm a Christmas Eve shopper.
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I really am sometimes. I know.
B
I know you're at the mall, just in person.
C
I feel like ever since high school, I would go into the city in Philadelphia from the burbs and, like, you know, deal with all the. There's only one box left. And someone, like, screaming at someone else in line.
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I'm like, do you like the chaos? Maybe you like throwing some elbows?
C
I didn't think. I don't know. I'm just addicted to trouble. I don't know.
B
I don't know.
C
It's dead. I want that on a pillow for you.
B
Well, ladies, I feel like we've covered Cindy's question. Should we go to Maggie M. In Maryland? She sent us a really fun Meredith question.
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Okay.
B
Hi, Office, ladies. I love it when you break down fan theories. And I was wondering if you could discuss whether Meredith represents Pam's future if she had married Roy instead of Jim.
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Thank you.
B
Have you heard this fan theory?
C
I have not, but I kind of love it.
A
It's sort of amazing, right?
B
And don't you feel like the whole lice episode was a little bit of a glimpse into Pam's life? If she didn't have a supportive husband at home because Jim was away and, you know, Roy would have been totally absent.
A
I think he would have been on his waverunners.
B
Exactly. With his brother, and her and Meredith really bond.
C
This is true. There's nothing like a little girls just want to have fun karaoke.
B
I know.
A
Kate, I just recently came across a ton of pictures of you from that episode. Do you know that you went around to every single cast member and took a picture with them?
B
I remember.
C
Yeah.
A
Oh, my gosh. I actually have them on my computer.
C
I'm sure some of them were like, it's okay. I don't need my picture with you today.
A
I mean, they are amazing. I here's, like, one of my favorites, though. And you'll have to tell us if Chris took this. It's just you playing solitaire, but you have no hair.
C
He might have. Yeah. You guys, I don't know if you knew. My boyfriend Chris Haston was a photographer on the Office, and he was the chief stills guy at NBC for years, so he shot a ton of shows. Seinfeld and Friends, Everything. Everything. Even the Golden Girls.
A
Look at this one in the conference room.
C
Hilarious.
B
Look at your face.
A
You're, like, cracking yourself up.
B
I mean, every time I see that bald cap work, it is Just masterful.
C
Yeah.
B
I can't believe it.
C
It was crazy. And the artist that did it, his name is Ed French. He teaches other makeup artists how to do the bald cap. Because he did the blood vessels. He did, like, the stubble. Look.
A
He did little tiny moles. Cause we all have moles on our scalp. Like, the work he did was amazing.
C
Yeah, he's really incredible. I mean, he's done famous. Like, there's a Star Trek movie from 1980 where there's a bald woman in it. I can't remember her character's name, but she's on the poster. And he did that bald kaf.
B
Wow.
C
Yeah. Ed French, he's on the. So, yeah, it was worth the four and a half hours every morning to get in there.
A
Four and a half hours.
C
And then it took, like, almost three to get out of it. Stop.
A
I didn't realize you were in there.
C
I'm new respect for all my sci fi actor friends have weird makeup every day.
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So what was your call time then?
C
I never left. I just would sleep.
B
I mean, kind of true where you're.
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Just like, can I just wear it home at this point?
C
Honest to God, I know. It would have been faster. I think it was, like, literally, like 3:45. Like 3:30. It's like it was early.
B
Or 4.
A
Wow.
C
Yeah, it was early. Yeah, it was early, but, you know, I mean, it was worth it. I didn't want to shave my head for real, so.
A
Yeah. Oh, my gosh.
C
That's.
A
All right. Well, how about this, ladies? Why don't we take a break, and when we come back, we're going to talk about our favorite the Office holiday memories.
B
I like this idea.
A
Okay, This special holiday chitchat is presented to you with only one interruption, and it's a pretty fun one.
B
Yes. This episode is sponsored by Macy's, and their only request was that we do a BFF gift exchange as part of this episode.
A
Okay, Jenna, it's time for your gift.
B
Okay.
A
I got this on Macy's dot com, and it was something I saw on their gift guide.
B
Lady, I used the gift guide for your gift. Oh, yeah, I love the gift guide.
A
I love the gift guide. And this was. You know how it says it's like a hot item? Like, it was like, okay, 10 people just bought this in the last minute.
B
Oh, it was a hot item on the.
A
It was a hot item.
B
I love it. Okay, I'm opening. Let me see.
A
I also knew you'd been looking for this.
B
Ladies, this is amazing. You got me New winter rain. And snow boots. Yes. The blue blizzard waterproof boots.
A
Yes. They're navy, which I kind of thought was a nice color.
B
Lady, I love them. I love them. And I only ever buy myself black boots. I love the navy.
A
Yay. Well, you know, remember the other day we were walking back to our cars and it was raining and your feet got all wet and you told me it was because you don't have waterproof boots?
B
Yes. Well, that's because I had boots, but they got all muddy and destroyed when I was in Oklahoma last year filming New Year's Rev.
A
Oh, right, that big mud scene.
B
Yes. Well, Angela, it's time for your gift, and this is gonna be very funny. You have to open yours.
A
Why?
B
What is it? Cause you're gonna see. This is very funny. I also used the gift guide and.
A
A lot of tape. Sorry, you did not Pam wrap this.
B
I did not Pam wrap it. By the way, while you're opening that, Angela, I just have to say you included a card with a wax seal. Your wax seal kit was a gift from Sam.
A
Yes. A few Christmases ago. Sam, I love it. And I feel like a fancy lady every time I use it.
C
Mm.
A
Oh, my. Wait. You got me boots. You got me ugg boots.
B
I got you ugg boot shoes, lady.
A
Wait, I'm opening. I'm opening.
C
Get out.
B
They are trending. Or as the kids would say, they're preppy. And they come in size 5 for your tiny feet. I was so excited.
A
Look at these. And they have laces, but they're uggs and fuzzy lined. I'm obsessed.
B
They feel like a slipper, but they kind of look like a shoe.
A
Yeah. Cause they have treads, so I can wear them out and about.
B
I know. I can't believe we both got one. Another footwear. This is amazing. Well, can I please shout out one more time the Macy's gift guide? They can really help you find the perfect gift that feels personal and just right. Macy's has curated gifts by Persona, item type, category, price type, all to help you search for the perfect gift. Okay, so now we also wanted to do our Office Ladies ornament exchange. Also thanks to Macy's.
A
Yes. We have done this for years on Office Ladies. I really feel like, Sam, you're the one really, that has kept this going. And I love it.
B
Sam, Cassie, Here you go, Angela. I got you one.
A
Okay.
B
Also, please note the wrapping paper.
F
Yeah, I love it. These dogs are so cute.
B
I bought it on Macy's dot com.
F
I love it.
B
Yeah, I was ordering gifts. I was like, oh, no. I don't know if I have enough wrapping paper, so I ordered it. Highly recommend.
A
Adorable. Jenna. Just. I got you yours. It is fragile, so be careful.
B
Everybody's is.
A
Okay.
B
Okay, everybody open and then discuss. It's a giant ball.
A
I know.
B
It's a Chicago. It's a Chicago ornament.
A
Yeah, it's the Chicago skyline. I love it. And it's red and it has, like, little frosted glitter. All the buildings.
B
It's perfect. Yay.
F
Oh, this is perfect. It's caviar. It's a glass ornament. All the ornaments on my tree are food. It's perfect. It's caviar. Thank you.
B
I mean, I was pretty sure you didn't have a caviar ornament.
C
I don't.
F
I'm gonna have to. Each year I add up all the calories of the tree. I think it's at like 40,000 this year.
A
Oh, no.
B
And Cassie, did you open yours? Yes. It's a trophy that says number one. That is in honor of you winning the Most Books Read award.
F
Oh, that's right.
A
Thank you.
B
Thank you.
C
That's a callback.
A
Or, Cassie, could it be because you're the number one player on your basketball team? Just gonna say that?
B
No, not yet, but working on it.
A
Okay. Wait, you got me a yoga mat that says namaste? I mean, I never do yoga and I hate it and I can't touch my toes. Are you punking me right now?
B
This was because I thought every time you decorate your tree, you'll get a little chuckle about the one time we went to yoga together and then you couldn't walk for two weeks. That's right, because I took you to an advanced class.
A
Advanced class. And a lady yelled at me. There was nothing peaceful about it. This is hilarious. Lady. Well, once again, a big thank you to Macy's for sponsoring this episode. Macy's great gift sale is going on now with 30 to 60% off curated gifts that the people in your life are just going to love.
B
You still have time to get great gifts. Order online by December 21st at 5pm Eastern for guaranteed delivery by Christmas.
A
Shop now at Macy's.com or in store.
B
Okay, we are back with Kate and I want to chat now about the office holiday memories. Kate, what office holiday moment do you hear about most from fans that has to do with your character on the holidays? Is there a quote? Is there a scene?
C
Well, in the first Christmas episode, there's two, but. But the first is my talking head. And people always, they Always quote it. Some of it was written and a little bit of it was improvised. And I was really happy that my improv part made it in.
A
Oh, I think we should hear it.
B
Let's hear it.
A
Let's grab it.
C
The deal is that this is my last hurrah. Cause I'd made a New Year's resolution that I'm not gonna drink anymore during the week. I just added the. During the week.
B
That's added during the week.
C
I did.
A
Oh, my gosh, Kate. That's the zinger of it.
B
That's the whole thing. Oh, it's brilliant.
C
We have the best writers in tv, though. You have to understand, I always think of whenever I improvise on the show and it makes it on, I'm like, oh. Because the writers literally tilled the soil. They teed you up, they laid a carpet. They put a brass band down the path before I got there. And I take two extra steps, and that's what happens.
A
Yeah. It's so true, though. Such a great foundation.
C
It just set us up perfectly. So if anything you had in your mind that might work or take it to another level was like. It was. You know, it was a dream.
A
It was a dream. It was a dream.
C
So there's that line. And then, of course, the scene where Meredith walks in and takes her top off and Michael Scott takes a picture.
B
That's the one. I thought, oh, my God. I thought, I bet people.
A
Yeah.
C
So happy to hear that. In an airport, you guys. Thanks so much.
B
I know. What did they say?
C
How do they, like, hey, remember when you took your time in front of. Oh, my gosh, Boston airport, clearly. Logan, remember when you took a top off?
E
Yay.
A
Oh, my gosh.
C
And my parents are so proud.
A
Aw.
B
Angela, what about you?
A
Oh, man. I mean, my character had a bunch of Christmas, like, moments. Cause the party planning committee. Right. So, I mean, we already talked about this, but when I throw the ornaments in the parking lot and smash them, people love that.
C
The screech is, like, insane.
A
You know, here's the. The screech was real because they were supposed to give me ornaments that shatter, like, ready to break. Like, breakable ornaments. And I don't know what happened, but they got the wrong ones. And those were plastic. So the first time I threw it on the ground with everything I had, expecting it to shatter, it bounced right back up like a tennis ball. And so I couldn't break them. I physically couldn't break them.
B
Is that why you stomp them?
A
That's why I stomp them. And Shriek. Because I'm like, break. And there was a guy on the roof doing the Snow, and Charles McDougall was like, Are we gonna get this shot or not?
C
And I was so great.
A
He was so great. But I knew if the ornaments didn't break, it wouldn't make it in. I really wanted that moment to make it in.
C
Totally. And it was such a great moment. Oh, my God. It's so. It's chilling. It's like. It's so. And it so leads to that Christmas frustration where it's like you end up being the opposite of what you wanna be, which is, like, happy and merry and kind. It's like, there's always. I don't know. I feel like most people have one. Especially if you're, like, a woman, you have a moment where you're like, ugh. Why isn't it working?
D
Yeah.
A
So I think the fact that they bounced and then I had to step on them actually, like, played up the frustration so good. And then I would say I have two other ones. One is when my character sings Little Drummer Boy, and then Dwight helps her out. That people love Little Drummer Boy. You guys.
C
You just recreated it at the.
A
I did. At the fan convention. Rain. And I did. So funny. And then the quote. People say, the first time someone said it to me, I had forgotten that my character said it. And I was like, what? But I literally had someone say this to me. I'm not going to judge Phyllis for desecrating Christmas. There is one person who will, though. And Phyllis just stuffed him into a drawer. And I was like. I was literally, like, at the mall, and I was like, what? Phyllis did who? Huh? What?
C
Oh, my God.
A
But, yeah, that's when Phyllis is in charge of the party, and it's Moroccan theme, and she shoves my nativity scene into my drawer. Yes.
C
Oh, my God, yes.
A
So, yeah. Okay. Wait, Jenna, what about you?
B
Well, I have one thing that comes back to me every holiday season, and it's this, you know that talking head, Pam, I think she's in the break room and she says, if you use more than three pieces of tape to wrap a gift, you're doing it wrong.
A
Oh, wow.
B
And. And people send me that. It haunts me when I'm wrapping gifts. I think of this thing that Pam said, and I'm like, I guess I'm doing it wrong. Cause I need more than three pieces of tape.
A
It's ridiculous. Three pieces of tape.
B
I know.
A
So it's like one on the one end, on the other end, and one in the Middle.
B
That's it.
A
That's all you're supposed to use.
B
My dad could do it.
A
Oh, wow.
B
My dad, when he wraps a gift, he will line up the paper, he'll cut it so that it's, like a seamless transition in the print, you know, like, is your magician. What? He's an engineer.
A
Oh, so that matters to him?
B
Yes. He wraps all the gifts in the family. My mom buys all the gifts. My dad wraps all the gifts. This is their partnership for Christmas.
C
Literally.
A
Literally. My mom is a bow master, guys. Wow.
C
Like, bows.
B
Does she do the homemade bows?
A
Homemade bows. Wow. She does homemade bows, but she'll do, like. She'll get, like, a. Like, a red and black plaid bow to go on, like, the brown parchment so it pops. But then, like, she gave me one time, she got a little tiny red cardinal bird and made, like, a little nest and put the red cardinal in the nest on top of the bow. I don't even want to open it. It's so beautiful.
C
Oh, well. Your mom did homemade bows. My dad actually made homemade booze. We have so much in common. Seriously, we need to throw a Christmas amazing eggnog.
A
Like, it was.
C
It was lethal.
B
Like, a boozy eggnog.
C
But he would make the actual eggnog with the eggs. Like, he would make the whole. Do the whole thing. And he would always give it to the nuns and the priests, and the meanest nuns would be like, oh, Mr. Flannery. All of a sudden, like, there's so.
B
Much for having so happy to see.
C
You got your gift. I'm like, what did you give them as a kid? I was like, what? She's got another personality. What's happening?
A
What's in the eggnog, dad?
C
But that is truly, truly magic. Yeah, totally.
B
Well, listen, speaking of gift wrapping, I had to reach out to Kendra Adachi. You know her as the lazy genius because she has an amazing tradition for wrapping gifts at the holidays. That lady I think you're gonna like especially.
D
Really?
B
Yes.
A
Okay, let's hear it.
B
She sent in an audio clip explaining her holiday gift wrapping tradition.
D
Hey, Jenna and Angela. It's Kendra from the Lazy Genius podcast. Okay, Angela, I heard that you might night really like something that I do every Christmas season. So I love giving gifts, and we have a large family, and I wrap every stocking stuffer because maybe I'm crazy. But the point is, there are a lot of gifts to wrap. Now, I do enjoy wrapping, but it can get monotonous when you're just, like, in a fever dream of cutting paper and pulling off pieces of tape. So I like to make it more enjoyable. I feel that way about a lot of of potentially annoying things. Do something fun while you're doing something less fun. The fun math is better that way. So here's what I do. Every year when I wrap presents, I watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. It's the only time of the year I watch it. And I look forward to it kind.
A
Of to a ridiculous degree every single year.
D
It makes wrapping presents, which sometimes could feel like a choreography, especially like when life is busy and the night has finally arrived and, like, I just want to relax and. But then I remember, oh, wait, I get to be with Aragorn and the rest of them, but really only Aragorn because he's the one I care about. And it just makes this season that much more magical and special because it's the only time I watch those movies. It's just so fun. And a little birdie told me that maybe you would think that idea is fun as well. Happy holidays, ladies. We'll see you soon.
A
Oh, my gosh. Sam and I were literally like air high fiving like, that is amazing, Kendra. That is amazing.
B
Isn't that such a great idea to have this, Whatever it is, this movie or this is like a whole movie series?
C
Nerd alert.
B
You know it's going to carry you through all your gift wrapping.
C
I don't think I have enough gift wrapping to get through a trilogy of Lord of the Rings.
A
I mean, also I have such a new vision of Kendra as she's wrapping a gift for her child and the.
C
Orcs are like.
A
That'S amazing.
C
I used to wait on Peter Jackson and Sean Astin and Orlando Bloom when they would come back from their breaks. They would come into the restaurant where I worked, the restaurant job I still had when I worked the first season of Office.
A
Kate Manolini.
C
Kate Manolini. And they would come into Breck and my. Like, I remember those guys. It's so funny. I've talked to Sean Astin about this since, but it's so crazy. They come in, I'm like, what are you guys doing? They're like, ah, we're filming something in Australia.
B
Filming something?
A
Yeah. Yeah.
C
What the.
A
Just a huge, massive trilogy is better.
C
We don't even know we're making Christmas better, but we're making it better. So that's what I love about the Office. People love the Office episodes. Like, we really have a contribution to Christmas in our own weird, strange, wonderful way.
A
We do. I have had people Tell me. I'm sure you guys have heard this too. That at Christmas time they. The office Christmas episodes. Yes.
C
Yeah. There's a DVD with just the holidays on it.
A
Oh, I didn't even know that.
C
It came out a while ago. I'm sure you can find it on ebay or something.
A
Really?
B
Where it's just the.
C
All the holiday episodes? Yeah.
A
Wow, that's pretty smart. You know, speaking of just a compilation like that. So when we were prepping this episode, I was looking up the different Christmas episodes. Just kind of refresh my memory. And there is a compilation on YouTube titled Are you ready for this Michael Scott ruining the holidays for 40 minutes straight.
B
So if you grab all the moments where Michael Scott is ruining your holiday, it equals 40 minutes.
A
40 minutes. You can watch all 40 minutes. It's amazing. I would add this if you're an office fan at the holiday time, if you wanna watch 40 minutes of Michael, I'm just gonna play you the first minute and a half. Just so you get a feel for what you're in for.
B
Okay.
A
Are you ready?
D
Yeah.
E
I'm the real thing. Sit down on my lap and there will be no doubt. Oh, okay. No, it's not. It's not like penis wise, Christmas is canceled. You can't cancel a holiday. Give it up, Stanley, and you will lose New Year's.
A
What does that mean?
E
Jim, take New Year's away from Stanley.
B
Michael, what's going on?
E
Carol and I split up amicably and I just don't think it would be appropriate to celebrate under the circum. Will they still air Rudolph?
C
That's not fair.
E
Are we going to cancel Tanika as well? Fine. Have your party. Just no guests.
C
But we invited guests.
E
Well, you know what, fellas? All of your guests would have probably guessed canceled at the last minute anyway. Leaving your life a stupid rotten mess. Dear Santa. Hey, little girl, what would you like for Christmas? Ooh, you have been a very naughty girl, I see.
B
Michael, we already have a Santa.
C
Phyllis, what the hell is going on?
E
Phyllis. Jim. Phyllis and Santa. Yeah, Phyllis. Yeah, I told him a long time ago she could do it. Take it back. That is absurd. No, I'm not gonna do that. No.
B
He's such a child.
A
That is just a minute and a half. There's 40 minutes of him ruining the holidays.
B
Okay.
A
Well, ladies, we also spent a ton of time together on set during the holidays. We would sometimes work right up until the actual real holiday. And we even traded gift sometimes. And I just thought we could share some of our personal holiday Memories that we've spent together over the years.
C
Well, season one, we didn't make it to Christmas.
A
That's right.
E
Yeah.
C
There was no Christmas episode until season two. But you and I went to the Dollar Store and got Halloween decorations. Cause we worked until through November. Remember that?
A
Yes, I do. Yes. We decorated the trailers with little cobwebs and spiders.
C
It rained and it was sad.
A
Yeah. And it was gross. And I think it just, like, was annoying people because this crap was hanging off their trailers.
C
Please, lad, before you leave this season.
A
Well, Kate, we were talking about one of the first gifts we got from a cast member, and we thought it was at Christmas, but it was actually a wrap gift that you made.
C
It was, and I'll tell you why. Okay, so this is before you could get anything with the logo that said Dunder Mifflin on it. So I took something off, like a pad off the. Or a piece of paper off the set, and I went to Kinko's and I copied and I bought white votive candles, which, you know, I went to 12 years of Catholic school, you guys. I always learned, like, if you want something to work out, you have to pray. So lighting a candle is a wonderful thing to do. I mean, we do it in the.
A
Church all the time.
C
So it was an intention candle, and I told everybody. So I literally was up the night before. Like, I bought, like, a case of these white votive candles, and I literally just glued the Dunder Mifflin on each one and I handed it to each person. I didn't wrap it. I just, like, here, light it and let it burn. Just light it and let it burn. We gotta come back next year. We gotta come back. Like, that was my thing. So I actually still have mine.
B
I have mine.
C
Oh, my God. I have mine. I love that you guys saw. Okay, so to me, it's like you just. Even if it's not your religion, like, I feel like if it brings goodwill and somebody has an intention that's positive for you, why not? You know, why can't.
B
Kate, After I got my breast cancer diagnosis, before I even had my surgery, I was in that place where I had my diagnosis and I was waiting to start my treatment. I was also raised Catholic. I'm not a practicing Catholic anymore. But that stuff doesn't leave you. Right?
E
Right.
B
So I went to a little chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they have the holy dirt.
C
Yes.
B
People take pilgrimages from all over the world to this chapel to get this holy dirt. I got the holy dirt. I lit a candle I prayed to the saint who helps you, St. Jude.
C
Who'S the patron saint of lost causes.
B
The patron saint of cancer. There's a patron saint of cancer? And now I can't remember his name. So I lit a candle, prayed to the patron saint of cancer, got the dirt, and it was very powerful. And it is in the power of prayer and the power of ritual.
A
Yes.
C
And something collectively positive. That's really what it is. Just. But, you know, and so I don't want to take responsibility completely for us coming back season two, but maybe, you.
A
Know, I mean, you know, you guys know my mom has her Tuesday Bible study, and my mom's always like, angie, you want us to pray for anything? And I'm like, yes, yes. And I will call her up with whatever it is. Like, when we were gonna maybe do this podcast, I was like, mom, Jen and I are taking a big swing here. Can you and the ladies pray about it? And she was like, well, if you come in agreement with me. So we all, like. I mean, I believe in prayer. I do.
C
I do, I do.
A
Even if it's just something you do for yourself. Absolutely. To reset yourself. Kate, you got the office on season two.
C
That was on the air, but I thought, I'll bet nobody else is gonna give this gift. I was trying to be.
A
It's true, though, because I think that was the first Dunder Mifflin anything I have, and that's why we still. We kept them.
B
It was the first thing with the logo on it.
C
I could probably be arrested if the show didn't go and I actually created something. No, I'm just kidding.
B
All right, everybody. I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but our time is coming to an end. We have one final question. What?
C
I didn't even get to talk about being dragged into rehab by Michael Scott.
A
Oh, wait, that's. But that's. Please, wait, wait.
B
Before we get to our final question, will you please discuss being drag. Dragged into rehab by Michael Scott?
A
It's truly a brilliant scene, Kate. You are brilliant in it.
B
Oh, the trash.
A
Oh, my gosh.
C
That was one of the only. Okay, so in Moroccan Christmas, when Michael Scott pretends like he's taking Meredith to get a drink at a bar, but instead drags her to rehab. That whole scene in the parking lot was completely improvised. That's the only completely improvised scene I got to do on the show. And I feel like not a lot of us had an opportunity to do that. And I think the intention was. Cause I think Paul Feig was the Director. They were gonna do, like, a voiceover over the whole thing. So I don't know if they even.
B
Oh, so they were thinking it, right? We're not gonna use this dialogue. Say whatever you want.
C
Right? But they ended up using a lot of it, which I was, again, really happy about. But I just remember also, there were two stunt people dressed like us. Like Michael Scott and Meredith. Out of the corner of my eye, just in case one of us got hurt. Cause we really didn't plan what we were doing. The chase was not really planned.
B
I mean, I knew he was gonna.
C
Throw trash cans at me. I was throwing trash cans at him. What am I saying? But, like, a weird. We had this whole negotiation and running thing, and I was screaming so much, literally, when he was dragging me. Once we got into the hospital, Kelly Cantley was the attendant at the rehab center.
A
That's right. Our assistant director played that first AD.
C
And that was the only time I think she's ever been on an episode. And I literally lost my voice by the end of that. And it was totally worth it. It was totally worth it. But that whole thing where I'm, like, negotiating, where Meredith's saying, like, wait, wait, wait a minute. Totally. I was like. I was so happy that Paul Feig, he's like, do that again. He kept asking me to repeat certain things that I. I would say. I'm like, oh, so, yeah, I just saw Paul Feig last week at a women in film event, and we were just, like, you know, just totally reminiscing about how wonderful it was to work together on the Office and the best. So.
A
Yeah, but aren't you so thankful of all the directors, it was Paul Feig? Because, of course, Paul gave you all of that agency to just go for it. And then he supported you when you found a nugget. That was really good.
C
Totally.
B
All right, are we ready for our final question?
A
Yeah.
B
Here it is. If you had to attend one Dunder Mifflin holiday party, which one would you pick? And now we're gonna give you the choices.
A
We're gonna give you the choices, but basically you're looking at a party either thrown by Angela, Pam, Phyllis, Jim, and Dwight or Andy. Jenna. Why don't you list them off?
C
Here they are.
B
Would you want to go to Christmas party? Angela's in charge of Christmas, and you're gonna have a real sad Yankee spot. Do you want to attend a Benihana Christmas? This is the dueling Christmas parties. You have Pam and Karen versus Angela Moroccan Christmas. This is the one that Phyllis Is in charge of this ends in Meredith's intervention.
C
And burned hair.
B
And. Yes.
C
Hair on fire. Yep. While she's belly dancing. Thank you.
B
There's also secret Santa. This was Jim and Dwight's holiday party. We had dueling Santas. You had both Phyllis and Michael as Santa and Michael as Jesus.
C
I was sitting on Phyllis's lap when Kevin was sitting on Michael Scott's lap at the same time.
A
Oh, that's so great.
C
Try not to laugh.
B
You could attend a classy Christmas. This is when Pam was in charge of a regular Christmas that got turned into a bigger, fancier party to impress Holly. Michael has kind of a meltdown. And there's the insane snowball fight with Jim and Dwight. There's Christmas wishes. Andy's in charge of Christmas. Dwight and Jim prank each other. Robert California announces his divorce.
A
That's always fun at a party. Mm.
B
Or finally, Dwight's Christmas. He throws the traditional Schrute holiday party with Bel Schnickel. And you are either impish or admirable.
A
And you get swatted at with a bunch of sticks.
B
Which Christmas party would you like to attend?
C
Well, this is like picking your favorite child. You really cannot do it, can you? It's really just.
B
I don't know. Some of these children are much worse than the others.
C
But I will actually say I had the most fun shooting Moroccan Christmas. But I will say a Christmas party. The first one was my favorite because we were in new territory for the show. For Dunder Miffley.
A
It was just.
C
It was just, you know. Do you guys remember the big tree that didn't fit?
A
Yes.
C
They had to get the biggest tree. And then Yankee swap, which was endless but fantastic.
A
That green bipartisan.
C
That was like the weight of a brick. That's how old this episode is.
A
I know the old tech. I'm with you, Kate. I'm with you. Because I felt like that group scene of us all in a circle handing out the gifts is one of my favorite group scenes we ever did on the show. Everyone had a moment, and it was just amazing.
B
I'm gonna go another way, guys.
A
Where are you going?
B
I'm going with a Benihana Christmas. The dueling Christmas parties. I just loved. Cause we had the singing and everything. And I loved that in the conference.
C
Room, Pam and Karen had booze. Yeah.
B
It was like two parties. You can go to two parties. But Angela had, I think, some good food. You had some good treats and cookies and things. So I don't know if I had to attend a party just as a guest I think I might like to show up at the dueling Christmas parties. If I had to go back in time and re experience shooting a Christmas episode, then I think, gosh, that's very difficult. But then I'd have to go to the original Christmas party.
A
Okay, so same. So if me, Angela, me, Kinsey Martin wanted to revisit, it would be Yankee Swap. Because I just want to live in that group scene again, just selfishly. But if I'm just a partygoer, I think I would pick Secret Santa because I love the idea of two Santas and Jesus all at the same party. Yeah, that's like a great party.
B
That was my runner up, right?
A
Yeah.
C
I'm still like, I think Meredith is all in for the first Christmas episode, and so is Kate.
B
Well, Kate, thank you so much for being on our holiday chit chat episode. The folks at Macy's sent a gift card for you.
A
They sure did. Here you go, Kate.
B
Thank you.
A
Happy shopping from the folks at Macy's.
C
Thank you so much. Macy's. I didn't get you anything. I'm so sorry. I feel really. I didn't buy Macy's anything. So sorry, you guys.
A
Okay. This is so fun. So fun. I mean, Kate, I do kind of feel like I need you to lead us in A Christmas Carol.
B
Yes.
A
Are they free? Can we have one?
C
I know a bunch that are free, you know, Sean, of like, something from the Office. And the only thing I can think of is Come they told me. Angela's song.
B
Thank you, guys. And thank you to the folks at Macy's for supporting Office Ladies. We love these holiday bonus episodes. We love you guys. Kate, thanks for coming in.
C
Thanks so much, you guys. I love you, Angela.
A
You.
B
Are we gonna sing our way out of this or what?
C
Okay. Oh, come let us adore him oh, come let us adore him oh, come let us adore m.
B
Boy, would Michael have loved that.
A
He sure would have.
B
Perfect.
A
Happy holidays, everybody.
C
Happy, happy holidays. Happy holidays.
B
Thank you for listening to Office Ladies.
A
Office Ladies is a presentation of Odyssey and is produced by Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey.
B
Our executive producer is Cassie Jerkins. Our audio engineer is Sam Kiefer, and our associate producer is Ainslie Bubico.
A
Odyssey's executive producer is Leah Reese Dennis.
B
Office Ladies was mixed and mastered by Bill Schultz.
A
Our theme song is Rubber Tree by Creed Bratton. So I love a gift where you can tell the person thought about you, you know, and really knows you and took time to get you something really thoughtful and personal.
B
My mom and my sister are so good at this. I don't have this gift so you.
A
Might need a guide.
B
I need and use the Macy's Gift Guide all the time.
A
So Macy's has gifts for all your special someones that you have left on your list. And you know we know time is running out, so it's so helpful to have these curated gift guides.
B
Also, the Macy's Great Gift Sale event is going on now from December 15th to December 24th. You can save 30 to 60% on the best gifts that won't disappoint Point. And if you order online by December 21st at 5pM Eastern, you get guaranteed delivery by Christmas.
A
So instead of rushing from one place to another or chasing down something you saw on an Insta story, just go to Macy's. They got you covered. Shop now@macy's.com or in store.
Release Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey
Guest: Kate Flannery ("Meredith" on The Office)
In this festive holiday special, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey welcome their former "Office" castmate Kate Flannery for a lively conversation about holiday traditions—on and off the set of "The Office." The trio swaps behind-the-scenes stories, shares personal holiday rituals, and dives deep into fan-favorite Christmas episodes. From holiday mishaps to gift-giving strategies, the episode radiates the warmth, humor, and nostalgia fans adore. There’s also plenty of Office lore, a spirited gift exchange, and reflections on the lasting joy the show's holiday episodes have brought to fans.
Kate shares that every December she tours with Jane Lynch for their Christmas album, A Swingin' Little Christmas:
“I have to put my stuff up before Thanksgiving or late Thanksgiving night. I tour with Jane Lynch… We're bringing Christmas to people… It’s a huge responsibility."
—Kate Flannery [03:32]
Angela's Hot Tip: The Kinsey family staggers their decorating over a few days to avoid stress:
"What I've learned is that if we try to do it all in one day, someone has a meltdown."
—Angela Kinsey [05:41]
Jenna’s 'Thanksmas': Her family celebrates "Thanksmas," combining Thanksgiving and Christmas in one trip for scheduling reasons:
“When we go home to visit, we visit on Thanksgiving. We don’t visit on Christmas, but we celebrate Christmas. We do a Thanksmas. One day is Thanksgiving, one day is Christmas.”
—Jenna Fischer [07:15]
Decorating Debates: Discussion of 'when is it too soon' to put up your tree, referencing a Good Housekeeping survey and the trend toward earlier decorating.
A fan wonders if Meredith represents what Pam might have become if she'd married Roy.
“I have not, but I kind of love it.”
—Kate Flannery [14:20]
They recall the "Lice" episode, where Pam and Meredith bond during a rough patch.
Iconic Bald Cap: Kate describes the intricate process behind Meredith’s bald cap—over four hours to apply, nearly three to remove, crafted by Ed French:
“Four and a half hours every morning to get in there… But it was worth it. I didn’t want to shave my head for real, so…”
—Kate Flannery [16:12]
“This was because I thought every time you decorate your tree, you'll get a little chuckle about the one time we went to yoga together and then you couldn’t walk for two weeks.”
—Jenna Fischer [21:37]
Kate: Her infamous talking head —
“This is my last hurrah. 'Cuz I made a New Year's resolution I'm not gonna drink anymore—during the week.”
(Kate admits the "during the week" improv was her addition)
—Kate Flannery [22:57]
Angela: The scene where Angela’s character smashes ornaments in the snow—the screech was real because the props were unbreakable:
“I couldn't break them… So I had to stomp them. And shriek. Because I’m like, break!”
—Angela Kinsey [25:11]
Singing "Little Drummer Boy" and various Phyllis-related quotes are also fan favorites.
Shares her tradition of watching the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy while wrapping gifts:
“Every year when I wrap presents, I watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s the only time of the year I watch it.”
—Kendra Adachi [29:25]
Jenna, Angela, and Kate love this and share their own “wrapping rituals.”
“People love the Office episodes, like, we really have a contribution to Christmas in our own weird, strange, wonderful way.”
—Kate Flannery [32:04]
"So it was an intention candle… I handed it to each person. ...Just light it and let it burn. We gotta come back next year."
—Kate Flannery [36:12]
Kate (about improvising "during the week"):
“I just added the 'during the week.'” [23:07]
Jenna (on wrapping gifts):
“People send me that. It haunts me when I’m wrapping gifts! I guess I’m doing it wrong…” [27:11]
Kate (on the power of office rituals):
“Even if it’s not your religion, I feel like if it brings goodwill and somebody has an intention that’s positive for you, why not?” [36:47]
Angela (reflecting on frustrations during the holidays):
“You end up being the opposite of what you want to be, which is like, happy and merry and kind… Why isn’t it working?!” [25:53]
The tone is festive, irreverent, and heartfelt, full of warm BFF banter and quick-witted callbacks to iconic Office moments. There’s a genuine sense of camaraderie, with the cast marveling over shared history and the odd, wonderful impact The Office’s Christmas episodes have had on real-life holidays.
The episode wraps with a group carol, laughter, and heartfelt wishes from all:
"Happy holidays, everybody!"
—Angela, Jenna & Kate [46:37–46:44]
For new and old fans alike, this episode offers a one-way ticket into the nostalgia and joy that only the “Office Ladies” can deliver, holiday style.