Transcript

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C (1:11)

Routine.

A (1:12)

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B (1:16)

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Summary

Office Ladies Podcast: “Peacock Superfan Basketball” with Karly Rothenberg

Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Guest: Karly Rothenberg (“Madge” from the Warehouse)

Episode Overview

This energetic episode of Office Ladies celebrates the “Basketball” Superfan episode from The Office, recut with nearly twice the original runtime and loaded with deleted and never-before-seen scenes. Jenna and Angela relive their favorite new moments, answer fan questions, and reminisce about behind-the-scenes stories. The highlight: a warm, hilarious interview with Karly Rothenberg, who brings Madge from the warehouse to life, sharing how she landed the role, struggled through filming, and built BFF moments with the cast.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Comfort Viewing and Personal Favorites ([03:29]–[07:20])

Fan Question (Savannah, Fort Worth): What are your “comfort episodes” or comfort watches outside The Office?
Jenna:
- Comfort movies: The Edge, Moonstruck, Phantom Thread
- Shares a love for “the breakfast scene” in Phantom Thread
  - “I could rewatch that scene. I could live in that scene. So delicious.” ([05:05])
Angela:
- The Great British Bake Off is a calming family staple
- Favorite movie: Pride and Prejudice (rewatches multiple times a year)
- Suggests a “BFF date” to watch it with Jenna, complete with tea and pastries

2. The Basketball Superfan Episode—What’s New? ([07:20]–[26:07])

Superfan Cuts:
- Nearly 18 minutes of new/deleted footage (13 minutes previously cut, 6 minutes never released)
- Detailed by editor Dave Rogers: “It’s just so impressive, the amount of work him and his team are doing. It was like two pages of a list.” ([08:32])
Intentional Props:
- Fan question about Ryan’s gym bag ([09:10]):
  - The script specified: Jim—athletic bag, Michael—Nike, Dwight—Adidas, Ryan—a “shopping bag.”
  - “Yes, Kelly. I think Ryan had to quickly buy clothes to play basketball.” ([10:35])

Notable New or Extended Scenes

Michael’s Pant Shopping Discussion ([11:29]):
- Michael claims his pleated pants are from “Tar-jay” (Target), and Angela and Jenna note “Tar-jay” and “Jacques Penne” (J.C. Penney) as classic family jokes.
Dwight’s Pickup Game Shame ([12:31]):
- Finally reveals why Michael held a basketball grudge:
  - Dwight (talking head): “I missed a couple passes that Michael threw me. I should have dove for them. I think about it all the time. Why didn’t I dive for them?” ([13:24])
- Angela’s take: Michael’s passes are probably “wild and crazy and out of his reach.” ([13:37])
Jim & Pam Glue Scene ([14:28]):
- Romantic–awkward deleted sequence: Jim and Pam bond over glue at reception, blowing on his gluey hands; Pam’s phone rings, leaving Jim stranded.
- “It was romantic and then cringy all at the same time. It also made me nostalgic of a childhood without devices.” – Angela ([17:20])
- Jenna shares the scene began with real off-camera glue talk with John Krasinski and writer Greg Daniels ([16:02])
Dwight Scheduling Comedy ([17:31]):
- Scenes expanded: Dwight wrestling with a dry erase board, workers pleading for Saturday shift exemptions.
Pam’s Waverunner Talking Head ([18:26]):
- Pam details Roy’s frivolous priorities: “Apparently Roy thought it was more important to buy two Waverunners. I don’t really ever even get to use the other Waverunner… They race.” ([18:36])
- Originated from Jenna’s pitch to Greg Daniels about why Pam/Roy weren’t married
Todd Packer’s Voice ([19:50]):
- In this version, Michael tries to recruit Todd Packer for the basketball game, but it isn’t Dave Koechner — it’s the original temp voice by Toby Huss.
- Editor Dave Rogers explains his decision to keep the scene for authenticity
Bullpen Trash Basketball and Michael’s Stretching ([22:15]–[22:40]):
- Extended sequences showing nearly everyone making paper shots (except Stanley & Dwight), and Michael doing increasingly ridiculous stretches leading up to the game
More Michael “Fouls” and Flailing ([23:40]):
- Example of Dave Rogers’ added moments: “Michael throws basketball into rafters and complains his ACL is bothering him.”
- “He sits next to us and just proceeds to gag. It was so hard not to laugh.” – Angela ([24:29])
Background Catch: Oscar’s Reading ([24:53]):
- At [27:21]: “Oscar is reading the local newspaper”—a nod to his “paper” affinity
- Jenna: “Foreshadowing. Like, Oscar is reading the local Scranton newspaper. That’s pretty perfect.” ([25:29])

3. Interview with Karly Rothenberg (“Madge”) ([28:49]–[54:51])

Karly’s Casting and Audition Stories

Karly brings props: her original audition sides (read with Jerry’s lines, not Madge’s) and her visitor’s pass ([29:11])
“I was absolutely terrible at it. But my dad and my brother had taught me how to play basketball as a kid. But all I ever did was play horse.” ([31:16])
Bought a basketball at Target and practiced all weekend with her husband after booking the role ([32:09])
On wardrobe: went through many outfits before landing on the cut-off T-shirt ([33:32])
Fun promo: sent a postcard to casting directors with a sweaty, miserable Madge photo celebrating her big break ([33:36]–[34:40])
Hair and makeup: “Don’t expect much. ... It’s not that kind of show. There’s no makeup.” ([34:06])

Memorable Behind-the-Scenes Physical Comedy

Karly’s big background lesson: Don’t do strenuous background business unless you’re ready to repeat it a hundred times! She repeatedly climbed the warehouse rolling stairs, leading to days of muscle pain ([35:34])
Injured her knee chasing Steve Carell, tried to hide it until Angela and Jenna insisted on medical attention: “My memory was... it didn’t match your other knee at all? No, not close.” ([39:50])
“This is a really great tip for any aspiring actor out there: whatever you do in the background on the first take, you will be doing over and over and over again.” – Angela ([37:27])

Warehouse Basketball & Madge/Dwight Rivalry

Rainn Wilson went “all out” on the court; scenes with Madge and Dwight were partly choreographed, partly improvised physicality ([42:04])
“We almost had this little secret thing that we were going to do behind the boxes ... like it was all foreplay on the court ... He met his physical match and it was turned on.” ([43:38])
Extended Dwight/Madge antagonism and background play visible in Superfan edit

Notable “Madge” Moments in Deleted/Bonus Scenes

Boys and Girls Superfan: Madge’s “Don’t tape me—I’m wanted in three states” talking head ([44:20])
Safety Training: Nickname gag (“Pudge” vs. Madge), including improv’d name correction with Steve Carell ([45:20])
Cast camaraderie: Harvey Ramis, BJ Novak, and Midwestern/SCTV stories during family-style lunches ([46:08])

Garfield Pasta—Secret Santa Superfan Scene

Warehouse workers nickname Madge “Garfield” for her lasagna-eating prowess ([49:38])
- “Oh, they call me Garfield. I’ve never seen a lasagna not eaten the whole pan.” ([50:01])
Karly used a spit bucket to survive the repeated takes; joked she never wants lasagna again ([51:16])
“I got quoted of the day on the call sheet ... but lasagna for lunch—yay.” ([53:09])

Other Fandom Highlights

Scarn dance: Karly was nervous about the choreography for “Threat Level: Midnight”
BJ Novak and Mindy Kaling routinely wrote Madge in for small but memorable appearances; always grateful for their support ([54:21])

4. Call Sheet Questions & Office “Would You Rather?” ([58:29]–[65:54])

Getting to Know Karly Rothenberg

First Entertainment Job: Hallmark movie A Time to Remember with Louise Fletcher, Doris Roberts, and Dana Delaney ([58:29])
Other languages: Limited French; learned enough to survive in Paris on a Hair tour ([60:00])
Best trip: Hawaii (“where my soul would go”), plus Kenya, Greece, Alaska ([60:54])
Weekends: Gardening and baking—her grandfather was a Queens pastry chef ([62:26])
Midnight snack: “Dark chocolate caramel with the sea salt. ... Nom nom nom.” ([63:08])

Office Would You Rather (Warehouse Edition)

Would you rather play in Michael’s basketball game or attend Michael’s Men in the Workplace seminar?
- Carly: “As long as I don’t hurt myself again, I’d rather redeem myself in the basketball game.” ([64:25])
- Angela: “I think I’d want to be in the Men in the Workplace seminar just because it would be ridiculous ... and I think I’d like to ask stupid questions that I know are stupid.” ([64:44])
- Jenna: “I would want to play in the basketball game.” ([65:19])
- Sam and Cassie: Split as usual!

Notable Quotes

“It also made me nostalgic of a childhood without devices, because I think what you did was you put glue on your hands. You didn’t have an iPad to keep you company.” – Angela ([17:20])
“Michael shops for pants at Target, everybody!” – Jenna ([12:06])
“If you watch the superfan version, Madge and Dwight really square off a lot. What was that like? Cause we know Rainn—Rainn goes all out.” – Angela ([41:38])
“One of my friends told me long ago, never ever pick a tough job to do [in the background]. On one commercial shoot, he made the mistake of choosing a jackhammer. ... I’ll never forget that.” – Karly ([37:27])
“This is me. I don’t wear much. I mean, Carly, you and I have the same hairstyle in this episode.” – Angela ([35:09])

Important Timestamps for Reference

[03:29]: Comfort viewing question from listener
[07:20]: Superfan episode deep dive begins
[11:29]: Michael’s “Tar-jay” pants revelation
[12:31]: Dwight’s basketball grudge explained
[14:28]: Pam/Jim glue scene
[18:26]: Pam’s Waverunner talking head
[22:15]: Extended bullpen trash basketball
[27:21]: Oscar reading the newspaper in the background
[28:49]: Karly Rothenberg (“Madge”) joins the podcast
[35:34]: Karly on the perils of background acting
[41:38]: On Madge and Dwight’s on-court rivalry
[49:38]: “Garfield” lasagna scene in Secret Santa superfan edit
[58:29]: “Call Sheet” Q&A with Karly
[64:09]: “Would you rather?” Office warehouse question

Conclusion

This episode is packed with unique behind-the-scenes stories, funny deleted bits, in-depth fan questions, and a standout interview with Karly Rothenberg, making it a must-listen for The Office devotees and “Basketball” episode fans. Whether you missed the deleted “Jim with glue” scene, wondered about the physical comedy logistics, or just want to bask in the nostalgia of (and gratitude from) the warehouse cast, the hosts’ warmth and laughter shine throughout.

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Peacock Superfan Basketball with Karly Rothenberg