Office Ladies Podcast – "Second Drink: Beach Games"
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Episode Date: October 13, 2025
Overview
In this lively "Second Drink" episode, Jenna and Angela revisit “Beach Games,” the iconic Season 3 episode of The Office. They offer an in-depth breakdown of the episode, weaving in exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, deleted scenes, and candid memories from their time filming at the "beach." Special contributions from episode writer Jen Salata give added insight into the writing process, production challenges, and the emotional resonance of Pam’s coal walk moment. Listeners are treated to laughter, nostalgia, and surprising anecdotes about one of the series’ most beloved outings.
Key Topics and Discussion Points
1. Initial Trivia & Episode Origins
[02:32]
- Jenna reveals the original title was “Coal Walk.”
- Angela shares “candy bag” (cut) talking heads, noting the episode’s naughty humor:
- Meredith’s: "I grew up at the beach. And by grew up, I mean got drunk and lost my virginity behind a pile of rocks." (Angela, [03:12])
- Ryan’s: “We’re going to the one place I had sex with Kelly outside...Thanks a lot Michael, you couldn’t take us to the movies? Oh wait, that wouldn’t work either.”
- Phyllis’: “I’m excited to go to the lake. I just hope Michael doesn’t make us swim. Bob doesn’t like it when I shave my legs.”
- Jenna describes extra scenes included in the Superfan episode, such as Kelly indecisively choosing a bathing suit and a rare interaction about Pam’s breakup with Roy.
2. Fan Mail & Podcast “Curse”
[07:49]
- Listeners keep writing about bizarre coincidences — like hearing about eye injuries and suffering one at the same time. (Jenna, [09:06]: "Can you imagine listening to a story about someone getting something in their eye and then you get something in your eye at that same moment?")
3. Episode Summary & Fast Facts
[10:39]
- Jenna summarizes “Beach Games”: Michael takes staff to Lake Scranton and runs challenges to find his replacement, leading to Pam’s coal walk confession.
- Lake Scranton trivia: It’s a real Scranton reservoir (fun fact: no swimming or boating; only canoeing/kayaking).
- Filming actually took place at Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Sylmar, CA, not Lake Scranton—four days/nights in variable weather.
- Crew endured extreme heat (98°F days), chilly nights, and less-than-glamorous surroundings.
4. Writing and Character Arcs with Jen Salata
[15:36, 17:03]
- Salata shares that "Survivor" inspired the “Beach Games” concept, and Greg Daniels wrote most of Pam’s final speech.
- Pam’s arc about finding her voice had developed over previous episodes, culminating here.
Angela: "Pam's whole journey this season...it all builds to this one moment." ([17:35])
5. Cold Open and Writing Process ("Write What You Know")
[22:19–25:12]
- Cold open inspiration: Jen and Greg procrastinated on WebMD, diagnosing each other, and that inspired Michael and Dwight's hypochondria scene.
- Quote: "Every other writer I've ever met—there's a fair amount of procrastinating right away..." (Salata, [22:26])
- Jenna muses on the myth of creative ease: "I always think, like, it must pour out of them and it is such a slog." ([25:12])
6. Beach Arrival, Costumes, & Real Conditions
[27:18–34:32]
- Michael’s over-the-top beach attire is highlighted.
- Wardrobe notes: Everyone layered up to handle temperature swings.
- Real stories about the discomfort—lugging items across hot sand, clustering for shade, and making their own fun between setups.
7. Funtivities Begin: Teams, References, & Harry Potter
[35:37–38:05]
- Michael forms teams: Gryffindor, Voldemort, Blue, USA.
- The writers' Harry Potter obsession explains the team names and led to actual wand-making shenanigans in the writers’ room.
- Survivor speech and the blindfolded egg race.
- "A group of Americans will undergo the ultimate challenge...only one survivor." (Michael, [38:43])
- Hard-boiled eggs due to safety/wardrobe factors (not breaking raw eggs).
8. Filming Challenges & Behind-the-Scenes Fun
[34:19, 41:03]
- Bathrooms were far, extreme temperature swings, little shade, and fun moments like tossing a football between takes.
9. Deleted Scenes and Improv Moments
[41:02–43:59]
- Pam actually kept diligent notes during the games—Jenna wrote real observations to help her acting.
- Iconic Creed catching a (rubber, $500) fish with his hands.
- Improvised dialogue during the egg race, and highlights of laughs captured on camera.
10. The Hot Dog Eating Contest Chaos
[46:27–55:40]
- Michael hands Pam “800 hot dogs” to prepare in 10 minutes (Angela: “What was Michael’s budget for this day?” [46:27])
- Deleted or extended moments (e.g., Pam grilling hot dogs, everyone’s discomfort).
- The cast had spit buckets, but eating that many hot dogs made several start to gag—especially on multiple takes.
- "Ed ate an enormous amount of hot dogs, if I remember correctly." (Salata, [52:58])
- Jenna attended the real Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest while pregnant!
- Reference: Andy wins with 13 hot dogs; in real life, Joey Chestnut ate 75 in 10 minutes.
11. Sabotage! (Angela & Dwight’s Secret Meeting)
[63:45–65:53]
- Iconic whisper scene: Dwight asks Angela to sabotage her team.
- Angela: "The ancient art, like Dutch sabotage."
- "Sabotage."
- "Sandwich."
Angela breaks character laughing in outtakes, as does writer Jen in the bushes.
12. Sumo Wrestling & On-Set Injuries
[66:21–71:22]
- The “guys” love sumo suits, but they’re sweaty, can’t sit, and have to endure the heat.
- Real on-set injuries:
- Leslie (Stanley) got sand in his eye and had a scratched cornea.
- Ed (Andy) lost a fingernail during sumo wrestling—he had to have his hand wrapped.
13. Andy’s Sumo Suit Floating Stunt
[72:48–83:09]
- Andy (Ed Helms) floating away, filmed in both day and night; he did his stunts with a wetsuit under the sumo suit.
- Stunt difficulties: Ed was attached to a rowboat (power boats not allowed), and the suit required a special "floaty bun" helmet to keep his head above water.
- Jen Salata’s dilemma: "Do I tell Ed about the possibility of water snakes in the lake before he gets in?" ([78:00])
- Kent’s family pool was used to test the floating suit for safety (“Who’s in the pool, dad?”).
14. Pam’s Coal Walk & Speech: Production and Performance Breakdown
[89:58–101:15]
- Creating fake hot coals: light box, gels, lava rocks, and small real gas flames (no open fires allowed). Walking on lava rocks was painful!
- Steve Carell improvised: "The mind has to wrap around the foot." ([93:26])
- Pam’s speech:
- Written entirely by Greg Daniels.
- Jenna rehearsed it to perfection, drawing from emotions tied to adrenaline and personal experiences.
- Angela, sitting beside John during the speech, shares her awe at Jenna’s performance and maintaining character composure: “I had this out of body experience as your friend, watching you in awe, give this fantastic performance... and then having to be Angela Martin, who would never react to you that way…” ([97:03])
- Rashida’s (Karen’s) reaction: emotional, layered, and notable.
- The episode originally ended with Pam's speech—but a joyful bus-singalong tag was added, not in real-time continuity but for tone.
15. Production Realities: Budgets, Schedules, and the Kent/Jen Creative Push-and-Pull
[85:54–89:45]
- Massive logistics, budget, and overtime struggles.
- Jen admits to quietly setting down the phone on Kent, the line producer, to get a crucial shot before losing sunlight.
“Should I keep talking to the producer or get the shot? So we got the shot.” (Salata, [86:18])
- Jen admits to quietly setting down the phone on Kent, the line producer, to get a crucial shot before losing sunlight.
- Kent is described as the person who keeps everyone on budget and on time, balancing creative and logistical needs.
16. Final Reflections and Working with Harold Ramis
[104:05–106:31]
- Angela’s journal memory: sharing morning coffee and jokes with Harold Ramis and Jen by the trailers.
- Ramis’s mentorship: At one point, he splits directing duties with Jen Salata to cover more ground, sparking her future as a director.
- Jen: “It was only for a brief amount of time, but it was... just a thrill of mine that I was able to do that..." ([106:02])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Pam's going to bloom in this episode.” (Jenna, [29:43])
- “I love when Michael gets annoyed at us. It's such a funny dynamic.” (Jenna, [07:32])
- “The procrastination. I loved that she shared that because I think my perception is always that creativity comes easy to people who are successful...It is such a slog.” (Jenna, [25:12])
- Angela and Jenna debating sports analogies: “That was a layup.” / “No, that was a softball.” / “What's happening right now?” ([49:07–50:17]) — leading to surprise Angela basketball revelations!
- On Ed Helms floating in the lake: “Look at what I’m doing and go tell somebody.” (Ed improvising, [76:07])
- “Do I tell Ed about water snakes?” (Jen Salata, [78:00])
- “I had this out of body experience as your friend, watching you in awe…” (Angela, [97:03])
- “I love that performance is on tape and I can watch it later because it really made me feel like a good actress...look at me go.” (Jenna, [100:58])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:32] – Early trivia, candy bag talking heads, episode origins
- [07:49] – Fan mail, the “podcast curse”
- [10:39] – Summary of “Beach Games,” Lake Scranton facts
- [15:36] – Jen Salata on writing w/ Greg Daniels, Pam’s arc
- [22:19] – Cold open inspiration & procrastination
- [27:18] – Arrival at beach, costumes, heatwave
- [35:37] – Funtivities, forming teams, Harry Potter stories
- [41:02] – Deleted scenes, Creed’s fish, improv bits
- [46:27] – Hot dog contest, on-set struggles
- [63:45] – Dwight & Angela sabotage scene
- [66:21] – Sumo wrestling, injuries
- [72:48] – Andy’s floating stunt: safety & special effects
- [89:58] – The coal walk: how they made it, on-set safety
- [96:07] – Pam’s speech: performance, impact, and reactions
- [104:05] – Reflections on working with Harold Ramis
Tone & Style
The conversation is friendship-driven, full of warmth, playful teasing, and honest emotional recall. Angela and Jenna alternate between deep nostalgia, giddy laughter, and awe at big moments—especially in reliving Pam’s speech and the effort behind the big stunts.
For New Listeners / Episode Takeaways
This episode stands out for its balance of heart and hilarity. Listeners are given the inside scoop on production headaches, mischievous deleted scenes, and the real bonds between cast and crew. Key emotional moments—Pam’s speech, the spirit of “funtivities,” and the challenge of filming outside the office—are dissected with deep affection and candid detail.
If you love The Office, or just want to know what it’s like to make TV with your best friends (and combat both heat waves and impossible hot dog counts), this episode is not to be missed.