Office Ladies: “Michael’s Improv Class” with Michael Naughton
Date: October 8, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Main Guests: Michael Naughton, Cassie Jerkins, Marcus Fulmar, Connor McCabe
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the iconic "Email Surveillance" episode of The Office, specifically diving into the subplot of Michael Scott's improv class. Hosts Jenna and Angela, joined by improv-loving producer Cassie Jerkins, break down the improv class story, revisit extended and deleted scenes from the superfan edition, and share personal stories of their own improv days.
The episode features a special interview with Michael Naughton, who played Michael Scott’s long-suffering improv teacher, and culminates in a live improv set featuring UCB performers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Office Ladies’ Improv Roots
- Angela: Describes her origin in improv: “My early days as a performer, I was doing tons of shows at IO West. I performed every chance I could get.” (03:06)
- Cassie Jerkins: Shares her background, starting improv at age 14, highlighting how improv fostered creativity and community even among much older classmates. (03:27)
- Jenna: Reveals she also did improv when arriving in LA, spurred by her agent's suggestion—but admits she “was terrible.” She elaborates she excels at improvising in-character after careful development, not with “30 seconds on the spot.” (06:01)
Breaking Down “Email Surveillance” & Michael’s Improv Storyline
- The superfan version of this episode contains 13 extra minutes, mostly enhancing the improv class subplot.
- Michael Scott’s improvisational style: a talking head reveals his signature “dinosaur” bit, giving a taste of his childlike, not-very-skilled approach. (14:05-14:41)
- Discussion of common improv exercises (playing animals, taking wild audience suggestions)—both hosts swap stories from awkward early improv days. (15:07-16:09)
- Michael’s problematic improv tactic: consistently pulling out imaginary guns and “shooting” everyone on stage, leaving himself the last character remaining—a move directly inspired by someone Steve Carell actually witnessed in real-life improv. (16:31-18:49)
- Table draft and script notes: The improv teacher “Chris” is supportive, but Michael’s improvisational approach is described as “Yes, I see what you’re doing, and here’s something better. That’s where you get the gold.” Michael deems himself “approachable-er” (09:51), showcasing Scott’s misunderstanding of social cues.
Notable Quote
“What I do is, yes, I see what you're doing. And here's something better. That's where you get the gold.” — Michael Scott draft talking head, shared by Angela (18:31)
Deep Dive: Improv Class Scenes & Deleted Moments
- Angela and Jenna recount deleted scenes: Michael pantomimes being a dinosaur heading to improv class, and in another, the teacher (Michael Naughton) demands Michael hand over all his imaginary guns after repeated scene disruptions (17:00).
- Angela notes, “Michael is so bratty. He’s such a pill in this class.” (17:34)
- Discussion of the richly awkward dynamic with Mary Beth, the only other older student. Michael repeatedly kills her in scenes, and they argue—much of this was improvised on the day, adding authenticity to the cringe dynamic. (20:05-20:51)
Notable Quote
“He is the most unteachable student.”
— Jenna Fischer (21:42)
- A scripted but heartbreaking deleted scene sees Michael watching the rest of the class head out for drinks without him, prompting him to lie about being busy with a work party. (24:02)
Notable Moment
“There’s two parties he wasn’t invited to.” — Jenna Fischer (24:02)
Interview: Michael Naughton (Improv Teacher “Chris”)
Starts ~27:47
Their History
- Angela and Michael reminisce about their long friendship, dating back to sketch comedy shows in their twenties (Balls Out!).
- Michael is surprised to learn his character’s name was “Chris” (28:20).
- Michael describes his route to being cast (via casting agent Alison Jones) and his disappointment at not working directly with Angela on set (31:04).
- Michael marvels at Angela’s transformation from bubbly improv performer to the uptight Angela Martin.
On Filming the Improv Scenes
- Recalls working with real improvisers on set, including Ken Jeong, Wyatt Cenac, and Colleen Smith.
- Ken Jeong was, at the time, still a practicing doctor; Michael recalls him “sweet, taking a picture with Steve Carell… had no idea about his wild comedic persona!” (33:53)
- Angela shares that Steve Carell based Michael’s gun-pulling bit on an actual improv colleague.
- Both discuss the difficulty of not breaking character when facing Steve’s antics, with Naughton noting he “just wanted to do everything right” and refused to break—leaving it to Steve or a producer to break the room first. (39:15)
- They exchange stories of nightmare improv classmates who always defeat the “yes, and” principle.
Notable Quotes
“There’s always that guy. By the time you meet me, I’m not very nurturing, I’m just OVER him.” — Michael Naughton (43:08)
“He just wanted to be the only person left on stage so he could do his own bit.” — Angela Kinsey (41:00)
- Naughton shares he is still recognized from the show, especially post-pandemic when families rewatched The Office, with many friends’ kids recognizing him years later. (44:18)
- Angela and Michael talk about sharing The Office with their own children, navigating the show’s more risqué content, and kids' confusion over character relationships.
- Michael is working on a comedic version of “12 Angry Men” with fellow Groundlings, a just-completed indie film. (48:06)
Superfan Details & Easter Eggs
- Angela obsesses over Meredith’s “white cardigan with blue teddy bears” (11:20).
- The improv class set is at Scranton High School—bring home the small-town authenticity. (22:06)
The Live Improv Set
Starts ~51:40
Angela, Cassie, and guests Marcus Fulmar and Connor McCabe perform an extended longform improv, using audience-sourced suggestions:
- Location: Kid’s birthday party
- Relationship: Decorator and client
Highlights:
- Multiple characters including a tyrannical party decorator, a credit-score-obsessed planning system, a stuffed alligator celebration, and “helium-injected lips” gone awry.
- Running gags: credit score and class tier determining party (and medical) service level—even at the local church!
- Meta commentary on improv: breaking the fourth wall to discuss breaking on stage, and “pro tips” (look in a cabinet to hide your laughter).
Notable Moments
“I was listening while I had my morning coffee. Ladies, I literally spit out my coffee during the callback to the awful credit score at the church.” — Jenna, praising the improv set (74:21)
Memorable Quotes
- “I kind of want to try a weekend in the country. They have all the must-haves for this fall!” — Angela, on Macy’s Fall Fashion Guide (00:58)
- “I need my time. I need my long runway.” — Jenna, on her improv style (06:01)
- “Whose line is it anyway? It's Michael Scott's line. Because generally, Michael Scott is the funniest line.” — Michael Scott, talking head (22:28)
- “I can't believe, out of that whole conversation, he found a compliment in it about his improv style.” — Angela (21:50)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:06 — Angela, Cassie, and Jenna share their improv backgrounds
- 08:49 — Start of episode breakdown & superfan version details
- 14:05 — Michael Scott’s deleted “comedy juice” talking head
- 16:31 — Michael’s “gun in every scene” approach explained
- 20:05 — Mary Beth and Michael’s contentious improv scenes
- 24:02 — Heartbreaking deleted scene: Michael uninvited to after-class drinks
- 27:47 — Interview with Michael Naughton
- 39:49 — Behind the scenes: Naughton on not breaking
- 51:40 — Start of live improv show with guests
Closing Notes & Thanks
- Shout-outs to contributors: Michael Naughton, guests Connor McCabe and Marcus Fulmar, and “phone-a-friend” suggestion givers Kate Flannery and Tim Newman.
- Jenna plugs her play “Ashland Avenue” (closing Oct 19, Chicago); Angela plugs her cookbook.
- Jenna and Angela reflect on the joy & challenge of improv, and the enduring love fans have for The Office's awkward authenticity.
For New Listeners
This episode is a must-listen for fans of The Office and anyone interested in comedy or improv. It gives deep behind-the-scenes insight into a fan-favorite storyline while also serving as a live primer on the unpredictable magic (and occasional chaos) of improv performance. The genuine chemistry and laughter among real-life friends and colleagues highlights why the original show sparkled—and why its legacy endures.