Office Ladies: "Second Drink: Chair Model"

Podcast: Office Ladies
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Episode Date: February 2, 2026
Episode: Season 4, Episode 14 of The Office - "Chair Model"
Summary by: Your Podcast Summarizer

Main Theme / Purpose

In this "Second Drink" episode, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey break down Season 4, Episode 14 of The Office—“Chair Model.” The hosts recount behind-the-scenes moments, fan theories, deleted scenes, and fun production trivia. Special guest audio from Paul Faust ("Cool Guy Paul") offers insight into his unique casting story. The episode covers Michael's fixation on the chair model, the battle for office parking, Michael’s disastrous attempt at dating, and the heartfelt Jim and Pam arc—punctuated, as always, with friendship and laughter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Chair Model Fan Theory [02:14]

• Fan speculation: Many fans, including Douglas K and Asma, wondered if the chair model looked like Jan, explaining Michael's obsession.
• Hosts' verdict:
  • Angela: "It's the eyes. I see it a little bit."
  • Jenna [02:47]: "I see it in the eyes. Otherwise I don't see it. If I'm being totally honest."

2. The "Wendy’s" Phone Call Scene [03:02–04:23]

• Michael calls "Wendy" (actually a Wendy's restaurant) after Kevin supposedly sets him up.
• The voice on the phone was confirmed by a fan (Corey L) to be Kelly Leskowitz.
• The hosts reenact the scene, praising Kelly’s comedic delivery.
  • Jenna [04:24]: "Read on. 'It's ready now.' I love that line."
  • Angela: "She crushed that moment."

3. The Cringey Blind Date – U.S. vs U.K. Comparison [04:46–06:33]

• Fans noticed parallels between Michael’s blind date with Pam's landlady and David Brent’s date in the BBC Office.
• Hosts play and dissect audio from both versions, emphasizing the shared awkwardness and set-up.
  • Jenna: "Both scenes start out so similar. It’s yes, right?"
  • Angela: "Have you ever been on a blind date?"
  • Both admit to only ever being in sneaky social setups, not true blind dates.
  • Angela: "My mom met my dad on a blind date."
  • Jenna [07:39]: "That's so romantic. When it goes right, it's a great story."

4. Deleted "Talking Heads" from the Episode [08:07]

• Toby:
  • "Forcing your employees to set you up isn’t really a violation of any Dunder Mifflin rule. Mostly because nobody at corporate ever considered that someone would do this. Michael really thinks outside the box." [08:23]
• Oscar:
  • "Michael and my sister might hit it off. Ugh. Thanksgiving with Michael."
  • Angela: "You have to think ahead."

5. Real-Life Office Stories & Relatability [11:52]

• Both hosts share stories of parking hierarchy at jobs:
  • Jenna: "You know where you rank in a company by where you park?"
  • Angela: “I did not get a parking space. I had to park in a satellite lot... except for on days that it rained.”
• Office Chair upgrades:
  • Jenna recounts lobbying for a chair with arms during Season 1, possibly inspiring the “Chair Model” plot.
  • Angela reveals she’s been podcasting from an actual chair prop from the episode “Work Bus.”

6. The Scranton Business Park "Five Families" & Paul Faust’s Story [13:16–18:39]

• The bosses:
  • Michael Scott (Dunder Mifflin)
  • Bob Vance (Vance Refrigeration)
  • WB Jones (WB Jones Heating & Air)
  • Bill Kress (Kress Tool & Die)
  • Paul Faust (Disaster Kits Ltd.)
• Paul Faust's Hollywood Story:
  • Actual friend/family member of the show, visiting set, impresses BJ Novak, who pens a role for him, ultimately played by himself at the last minute.
  • Paul’s disaster kit company is real.
  • Paul [15:33]: "It's really a story only could happen in Hollywood."
  • Paul [16:42]: "I think I'm one of the few people who played himself on TV with his real name... which was kind of cool."
• Paul describes
  • Auditioning on short notice, last-minute script rewrites, losing his luggage, and little sleep before the shoot [17:57].

7. Hidden Details and Props

• The chair catalog: Real office catalog with Dunder Mifflin-branded covers and select pages pasted in for the show [34:45].
• Pam, Michael, and the great chair shuffle: Creed’s obsession with chairs as another quirky B-plot, direct lines from Creed (the actor) on possible motives: for theft, weed in the ceiling, or cartwheel challenges [32:16].
• Penny loafers trivia: Angela’s deep-dive into why pennies are put in loafers [25:46].

8. Noteworthy Deleted/Alternate Scenes

• Michael was originally shown checking out of Shrute Farms after living with Dwight post-Jan breakup [26:51].
• Kevin spends much of the episode in a foot bath near reception; a deleted scene explains why [36:19].

9. Behind-The-Scenes Pregnancy & Wardrobe Secrets

• Angela struggled to conceal her pregnancy with strategically placed props and wardrobe (notably a turtleneck dress covered in keys) [35:57].
• Close-ups and smart staging helped the continuity.

10. The "Five Families" Meeting & More Cool Guy Paul [49:15, 59:14]

• The conference room meeting is played for Godfather-esque drama, concluding that the parking issue "could have been an email" [65:54].
• Paul Faust recounts being pranked by Brian and Ed, learning to act on the fly, and being tracked around set by PAs through walkie-talkies.
  • Paul [62:11]: "Cool guy Paul's going to breakfast... Cool guy Paul's back in his trailer. Everywhere I went, someone's like, cool guy Paul's in the bathroom..."
  • Jenna: "On film and television sets, there is a whole network of production assistants that wear these walkie talkies. Their job is literally to keep track of all the actors at all times." [63:04]
  • Angela: "All your business through a walkie talkie." [65:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jenna, on Michael’s type:

  • "I mean, his type is woman. Truly." [03:02]

• Fan theory on chair model’s identity:

  • Angela: "It's the eyes. I see it a little bit." [02:41]
  • Jenna: "Otherwise I don't see it." [02:47]

• Phyllis’s blind date candidate:

  • Michael: "Could she fit in a standard size rowboat?"
  • Phyllis: "Fine. No, Michael, no. She can't fit in a rowboat." [38:23]
  • Angela: "It’s really amazing writing. Michael really loses it now..."

• Dwight on finding the chair model:

  • "I will find her, and I will bring her to you. And as God is my witness, she shall bear your fruit." [46:51]

• Michael, heartbroken at news of chair model's death:

  • Jim: "Michael, you didn't even know her."
  • Michael: "Try not to be so hurtful, Jim." [47:58]

• Pam's landlady blind date:

  • Michael: "I give her a 10 for looks and a 3 for describing herself." [55:00]
  • Pam's landlady, after Michael compares her to "an old lady on the bus": "You're rude. That was rude."
  • Michael: "Well, now you've ruined it." [57:59]

• Andy and Kevin's victorious parking plot:

  • Paul (Cool Guy Paul): "This could have been an email." [65:57]

• Adorable JAM (Jim and Pam) moment:

  • Pam: "I'm only going to move in with my boyfriend if I'm engaged."
  • Jim: "Oh, it's coming, of course." [68:29]
  • Jim (talking head): "I'm not kidding. I got this a week after we started dating."
  • Reveals engagement ring. [69:52]

• Dwight & Michael in the cemetery:

  • Singing "Bye Bye Miss Chair Model Lady" at the grave of the chair model (parodying "American Pie") [72:01].

Important Segment Timestamps

• Fan theory on Chair Model/Jan: 02:14–02:58
• Wendy’s hot and juicy call scene: 03:02–04:23
• U.K. vs. U.S. blind date scenes: 04:46–06:33
• Deleted talking heads – Toby and Oscar: 08:07–08:36
• Paul Faust’s casting story: 14:35–15:33
• Chair prop stories / Angela’s real Office chair: 19:55–21:14
• Deleted Michael/Dwight Shrute Farms scene: 26:51–27:41
• Chair Model’s real-life identity (April Eden): 27:59–28:21
• Chair Model catalog prop secrets: 34:45–35:07
• Pregnancy wardrobe tricks / close-up shots: 35:07–36:17
• Five Families real-life motorcycle photo: 50:26–51:24
• Michael’s cringe date with Margaret: 52:38–58:08
• Cool Guy Paul’s on-set tracking story: 62:11–64:52
• Five Families "could have been an email": 65:54–65:59
• Jim’s proposal ring reveal: 69:52–70:52
• Michael & Dwight’s graveside song: 72:01–73:06
• Magic hour JAM scene: 73:26–74:38

Tone & Atmosphere

Light-hearted, uniquely “Office Ladies”: full of warmth, banter, and irreverent humor. Deep affection for the show, the characters, and each other is prevalent.

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers a thorough, affectionate look at "Chair Model," blending insightful fan commentary, in-depth behind-the-scenes stories, and hilarious personal anecdotes. From Paul Faust's Hollywood story to the ridiculousness of the Five Families' meeting, and JAM's iconic ring reveal, Jenna and Angela continue to deliver the ultimate companion to The Office rewatch.

Standout quote:
Angela: “For all of you chair models out there, just know your work is not in vain. You might be inspiring others to find true love.” [75:32]

Next episode: “Night Out” – stay tuned!