Second Drink: Dream Team

Summary

Office Ladies – "Second Drink: Dream Team" (August 10, 2026)

Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Episode: Season 5, Episode 20, "Dream Team"
Main Theme: Behind-the-scenes deep-dive and fan Q&A for "Dream Team," the pivotal "The Office" episode where Michael and Pam launch the Michael Scott Paper Company. Jenna and Angela serve up production stories, script insights, deleted scenes, cast memories, and fun fashion digressions.

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Episode Overview

Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey break down "Dream Team," an episode marking Michael and Pam’s first day starting their own company. They discuss the episode’s dual storylines—Michael and Pam’s new venture and Jim’s foiled attempts to impress Charles Miner—while sharing exclusive production stories, deleted script moments, costume trivia, and fan observations that only insiders could recount.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kevin at Reception: Deleted Jokes & Real-World Transfer Skills

• [02:03] Angela highlights a shooting draft scene where Kevin gives himself a “B” for his work at the reception desk—a deleted talking head.
• [03:00] "Dunder, Kevin, this is Kevin." – Angela shares a line from the draft that Brian Baumgartner ended up straightening in performance (“Dunder Mifflin, this is Kevin”), possibly by accident.
• [33:14] Grace B. writes in: She learned to transfer calls from Kevin on "The Office," using the show's method at a real job!
• [32:29] Monica from Scranton asks: Was Angela’s “You’re bad at this too” meant for Kevin or Pam? Angela confirms it’s a dig at Kevin.

2. Background Catches & Script Easter Eggs

• [04:03] A fan notices Michael’s condo lawn sign covers a political sign (“For Congress”). Jenna checks the script—yep, they just taped their company sign over someone else’s.
• [16:39] The production would photograph every item in Michael’s condo to restore it after shooting; the attention to detail extended even to spoon caddies!

3. Pam’s First Day: Skirt Suit Politics & Deleted Lines

• [05:23] Angela and Jenna share "candy bag" alts for Pam’s talking head—one involves Creed’s prescriptions, another her patience debating with Kevin about pizza pockets.
• [34:02] Wardrobe backstory: NBC prohibited Pam (and Angela and most female characters) from ever wearing pants, mandating pencil skirts; even attempts to sneak in pants for Angela’s character were vetoed by the network.
• Memorable Quote:
  Angela: "Who was the brass at the top of NBC that was like, office ladies must wear skirts?" [35:07]

4. Production Details: Fast Facts

• Emmy Nod:
  [15:58] The episode was nominated for an Emmy for editing—editor Claire Scanlon is celebrated, with background on her journey.
• Michael’s Condo:
  [16:54] A real couple’s home; they moved out for a week during shoot.
  [17:48] Every prop was replaced to its original spot.
• Guest Star Tributes:
  [18:49] Connie Sawyer (Nana) worked into her 100s, epitomizing persistence in Hollywood.
  [22:08] Touching tribute to Marcus York (Billy Merchant) via a fan’s police encounter.

5. Deleted & Extended Scenes

• Pam & Michael’s French Toast:
  [37:17] Pam’s deleted talking head (“I just wasn’t getting the same rush...”) is interrupted by needing to crack eggs for Michael, adding to her “new job” vibe.
• Egg in the Crocs:
  [37:59] Steve Carell improvised “I have egg in my Crocs.” Jenna reveals the practical challenge: each take was a full reset with real eggs and real prop food.
• Charles Miner: The Mystery Man
  [41:35] Multiple deleted talking heads:
  • Angela’s: “I wish there was a way I could curl up by the fire with him and flip right to his last page.”
  • Toby’s: Complains no one asks him about Charles.
  • Charles’ own: His surprisingly normal backstory, including a parakeet named Murphy.

6. The Real “Business” of Acting

• [08:30 - 09:39] Jenna on realism: Insists characters should always be carrying stuff, especially as parents. “That’s life. We’re all trying to make as few trips as possible.”
• [47:11] The blooper of Jenna breaking in the robe scene, and details of Steve's professionalism ("Steve never broke. Steve could just keep a straight face. And then I would get to a point where I couldn't go on...").

7. Fan Questions & Letters

• [09:39] Caitlin from Norfolk writes about Michael’s emotional intelligence comforting Pam—a favorite moment among medical students.
• Multiple fan “background catches” including the door never being locked ([06:16]) and set decorations.

8. The 1992 Olympic “Dream Team”

• [26:38 - 28:17] Angela’s basketball trivia tangent, reading the full roster and stats of the legendary team, drawing amusing fashion and nostalgia parallels with the Office "Dream Team."

9. Filming the Soccer Scene

• [70:07] The Phyllis soccer ball stunt: No ball was used; CGI magic created the impact ([70:45]). However, in “art imitates life,” Phyllis did get genuinely hit with the ball during rehearsal, which Angela documents in slow-mo screenshots.
• [51:29] BJ Novak shares that Jim’s fake “kiss up” soccer familiarity comes from his own real-life choice to “just go for it” in awkward situations.

10. Iconic Guest Cast

• [55:21] Celebrating Ranjit Choudhury (Vikram) and recalling his most famous line, “Confidence: it’s the food of the wise man, but the liquor of the fool,” which became its own meme but has no known non-Office origin.
• [59:44] BJ Novak’s “Ryan is a hot mess” look: Instructed to be “completely blond” for his return from faux-Thailand, he endured weeks of wearing a hat in public.

11. Location Logistics

• [59:27 - 62:43] Jenna and Angela detail how the bowling alley and retirement home were both filmed in one location—a Best Western and attached alley in Canoga Park, with praise for their location manager's efficiency.

12. Hidden Details, Makeup & Props

• [48:44] Fan notes Michael’s two TVs in the condo (broken plasma and new square set).
• [65:11] Jenna clocks a “massive undergrounder” zit visible for one shot, then covered by their makeup artist Laverne.
• [48:05] Ten Dundees lined up in Michael’s condo; Angela invites fans to double-check her count.

13. Final Sequence & Tag

• [76:20] Michael and Pam add “Michael Scott Paper Company” to the building lobby. In a deleted tag, Kevin successfully transfers a call, but when tasked with setting up a conference call for Charles, he panics and flees the office.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Angela: "I wish there was a way I could curl up by the fire with him and flip right to his last page." ([41:58], from a deleted Angela talking head)
• Pam/Jenna: "Answering phones and faxing in Creed's prescriptions was wearing on me." ([05:36], deleted Pam talking head)
• Michael/Steve Carell (improvised): "I have egg in my Crocs." ([37:59])
• Angela: “Who was the brass at the top of NBC that was like, office ladies must wear skirts?” ([35:07])
• Ryan/BJ Novak: "I made 60 grand a year at the bowling alley."
  Pam: “Really? They pay you a yearly salary at the bowling alley?” ([60:52])
• Vikram: "Confidence: it’s the food of the wise man, but the liquor of the fool." ([55:25])
• Fan Letter Summing Up: “Scenes like these were where [Michael’s] emotional intelligence shines through...” ([09:39])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:03] Kevin’s deleted talking heads and telephone mistakes
• [04:03] Lawn sign background catch
• [15:54] “Fast Facts” on the writing and editing
• [18:49] Connie Sawyer (Nana) tribute
• [22:08] Marcus York (Billy Merchant) tribute
• [34:02] Wardrobe politics—women not allowed to wear pants
• [47:05] Blooper details from Michael’s bathrobe scene
• [55:21] Discussion of Ranjit Choudhury (Vikram) and the origins of his line
• [59:27] Bowling alley location breakdown
• [65:11] Noticing and fixing an on-screen zit
• [70:07] The soccer stunt with Phyllis and use of CGI

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Tone & Style Highlights

• Warm, playful, and full of mutual ribbing—Angela and Jenna’s real-life friendship shines through constant teasing, fashion debates (“Fakie Flowers!”), and recounting of on-set antics.
• Accessible: They explain behind-the-scenes processes, solve fan mysteries, share practical acting/production details, and intersperse with real fan voices.
• Affectionate and nostalgic: The episode mixes technical breakdowns with heartfelt tributes to late cast members and cherished moments.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode is a treasure trove of "Office" trivia—mixing nostalgia, humor, and candid revelations. From deleted jokes to production trickery and a tribute to lesser-known cast members, Angela and Jenna offer fans an experience as “inside” as you can get without having worn a Dunder Mifflin badge. Whether you're in it for the fashion tangents, prop and makeup nerdiness, or the unique insight into sitcom writing and shooting, this "Second Drink" serves up an extra helping of the details that make "The Office" a fan favorite—right down to Kevin's real-world phone skills and the secrets behind Michael’s Crocs full of eggs.

Transcript

[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

If you're without a bachelor degree but have a high school diploma or ged, you can get Skills first training to succeed in the industries you're passionate about, all while earning a weekly educational stipend to offset basic expenses.

[Jenna Fischer]

From there, you'll have access to internships and hands on experiences with Fortune 500 companies. And with Europe United's job placement services and personalized coaching and mentorship, you can put your knowledge, skills and most importantly, confidence into practice.

[Angela Kinsey]

Apply to URUP United today and take the first step toward achieving the career you want. Visit yearup.org to learn more. Hey, before we jump back into the show, let's take a quick break.

[Jenna Fischer]

But not just any break. This is a refreshing break with Snapple

[Angela Kinsey]

with We all know about Snapple's iconic real facts, so let's take a minute to go over some of our faves.

[Jenna Fischer]

Snapple Real Fact 705 Every ton of recycled paper saves about 17 trees.

[Angela Kinsey]

Snapple Real Fact 253 the first TV remote control introduced in 1950 was called lazy bones.

[Jenna Fischer]

Snapple Real Fact 2033Americans consume 150 million hot dogs on July 4th.

[Angela Kinsey]

Snapple Real Fact 855 Oregon has more ghost towns than any other US state.

[Jenna Fischer]

So grab a Snapple, take a second

and enjoy the moment because let's be honest, this might be the most refreshing part of your day.

[Angela Kinsey]

Snapple, make your break more interesting.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Now let's get back to the show.

[Jenna Fischer]

Hello and welcome to your second drink of Dream Team. We have some really great behind the scenes tidbits about this episode straight from Brian Baumgartner.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh yeah, I mean, that storyline with Kevin being at front reception is so good. I was curious if the scene had any extra moments that didn't make it in the original broadcast. And I found this funny talking head. It's in the shooting draft that Kevin would have said, so I'm gonna set it up. Okay. Kevin is answering the phones and it is not going well, right?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. Because Pam is off starting her new company with Michael. They need someone to sit at reception.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's right. Pam has left and Jim has this talking head. You know, it made it into the episode where Jim says Charles is having Kevin cover the phones for a while. How do I say this diplomatically? I think Kevin is doing exactly as well as anyone might have expected someone like him to perform in a position like that. Mm and then more phones ring and action happens. But in the shooting draft, Kevin would have had a talking head immediately after that. And he would have said, I'm giving myself a B.

[Jenna Fischer]

A B.

[Angela Kinsey]

He thinks he's doing okay. Also in the shooting draft, Kevin would have answered the phone and he would have said, dunder, Kevin, this is Kevin.

[Jenna Fischer]

Amazing.

[Angela Kinsey]

I wonder. Cause what made it in the episode is Brian as Kevin saying, dunder Mifflin, this is Kevin. And I wonder if Brian just said it properly.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, he forgot to mess it up.

Yes, maybe so.

[Angela Kinsey]

Cause the shooting draft said, dunder, Kevin, this is Kevin.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is Kevin. Well, lady, you and I saw a lot of background catches when we were breaking down this episode, but I've got another one for you. This one comes in from Renell in Brooklyn, New York, who says, ladies, I know you love a background catch. And at 1 minute and 56 seconds when Pam is saying that today is her first day at her new job at Michael Scott Paper Company, and then she points to a sign in the lawn. I thought at first Michael had put his own sign over a real estate sign, but I think it's a sign for someone running for office. Did you notice that?

[Angela Kinsey]

I did not catch that.

[Jenna Fischer]

I didn't catch that. So I went to the script to

see how it was described.

And Renell, you are correct. In the shooting draft, it says, exterior, Michael's condo. Morning, a sunny day. Pam is dressed in a new skirt suit. She's posing like a spokesmodel for the camera's amusement by a sign stuck into Michael's front lawn that reads Michael Scott Paper Company Incorporated. If we look closely, we can see for Congress peeking out under the new sign. So yes, they just slapped their new company like name on someone else's sign.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. It's like someone had to like running for Congress.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

I thought that was so great. I love that detail. And also I loved that they described Pam's outfit as a new skirt suit.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, well, you know the network.

It had to be a skirt.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know, we talk about it. You know, I was actually curious if there were any candy bag alts for Pam's talking head about her starting her new job.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yeah, there were many.

I can tell you there were.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, I found two treasures that might give you all an idea of Pam's life at front reception. Jenna, you're probably going to remember these here, actually. Why don't you read them?

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, sure.

Yes.

Okay, here's one. This isn't crazy. People start companies all the time.

And who better to Start a paper

company with than the best paper salesman

Scranton has ever seen.

Besides, I needed a change in scenery. Answering phones and faxing in Creed's prescriptions was wearing on me.

[Angela Kinsey]

What are Creed's prescriptions?

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know, but I guess there were a lot.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, this next one really got me.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

I have a ton of faith in Michael, but it's not just about that. I needed a change. There's only so many times you can debate with Kevin about pizza pockets versus pizza before you reach wit's end.

[Angela Kinsey]

I do feel like, you know, at reception, you got stuck if someone came up there. Right. And Kevin in the early seasons would go up to Pam and, like, lean on reception and talk. Oh, my gosh, talk her ear off.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, we had another fun background catch from Victoria S. From Langley, British Columbia, who said, At 8 minutes and 5 seconds, I noticed that Pam or Michael doesn't lock the door when they leave Michael's condo.

[BJ Novak]

Why?

[Jenna Fischer]

Does this happen all the time in movies or was it intentional? Well, you know, I was rewatching this and they don't. You're right. They just leave. And I thought maybe, though, my front door locks automatically.

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, you're right. That can happen. I actually changed the lock on my front door because we got locked out so many times.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, so you have to lock it with a key.

[Angela Kinsey]

You have to lock it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay. Yeah. But, like, just to say they do not deadbolt it or anything. And I think that's for sake of time in the episode. Like, we did just have to get out the door. Like, we didn't have the time to

do the business of getting out our keys and locking it.

The authenticity of leaving.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right, right. I mean, that happens a lot in movies and tv. Like, you just hop out of a car. You don't even take off a seatbelt or something. You know, it's like.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, it's also how no one says goodbye. They never finish a phone call.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Like, when you're done talking to someone on the phone in a movie, you just, like, go away. It's so funny. Like, it takes me forever to get off of a phone call. I'm like, okay, well, anyway, I guess I'll talk to you soon and you'll take care.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right. Okay. Bye. Bye.

[Jenna Fischer]

Like that. You never get that in the movies either.

[Angela Kinsey]

I wanna see that in movies.

[Jenna Fischer]

Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

I want someone to do that.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

I did think about you, though, Jenna, as you were talking about the business of locking the door. Cause I feel like if you were in a Play. You would do that. Cause it would ground you to the realness. When I saw you in the play Ashlyn Avenue in Chicago and you were so good in it, but you had to go over and like get yourself a cup of coffee and do. You did all of it. You actually did the business. Even there was like a sink that you would go. And you actually did all the things.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, I mean, I like doing all the business.

I do find it really grounding and like, maybe to the point where like

I have a thing that I'm always pitching whenever I have a role and what is it?

[Angela Kinsey]

Your face just lit up.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, here's the thing. It really bugs me, like, especially if you're playing a parent and you have to like walk up or down stairs or walk from room to room in a scene. I'm sorry. If you are a parent, you are constantly carrying something in your hand.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's true, right?

[Jenna Fischer]

Like if you're at the bottom of the stairs, you collect stuff and you carry it up the stairs and then vice versa.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like cups and bowls.

[Jenna Fischer]

Cups and bowls.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'm always carrying them from downstairs.

[Jenna Fischer]

That would be my pitch. Like, I should not be walking empty handed down the stairs as I'm ready to go out the door. Like, there's business you need the business of life. Because also we're all trying to make as few trips as possible. So that's my other thing. Like if someone is carrying plates in from the table, don't give them two plates, give them a pile of plates and they're using their knee to open the door. Like, that's life. So I love that business. And of course, you know, I don't know, they're just like, please, I don't need your specificity. And I'm like, well, I think it would be welcome.

[Angela Kinsey]

I can't wait to go see you in a play and watch you carry a bunch of stuff down some stairs. Okay, we have one last letter and it's from Caitlin Mm. In Norfolk, Virginia. And I thought this was really sweet and I wanted to share it. Caitlin says, hi, office ladies. One of my favorite moments from this episode is when Pam and Michael are talking in the driveway toward the end of the episode. This scene shows how Michael can be a great communicator. After Pam's management of their day, comforting Michael, setting realistic goals, etc. She has a vulnerable moment and out of frustration, makes a hurtful comment. Michael takes a moment to process it, steals his nerves, and decides not to respond directly. Instead, he calmly explains their situation in simple terms provides a relevant personal anecdote that inspires her confidence and explains which actions he will take to remedy the situation. This takes the onus off of Pam to make decisions and or take action while she's feeling acutely distressed, just like she did for Michael earlier that day. I loved the scene so much. Michael was focused, firm, constructive, and empathetic. Scenes like these were where his emotional intelligence shines through, really balance him out as a character. Thank you for making this wonderful podcast. You're a bright spot in my busy days as a medical student in clerkships.

[Jenna Fischer]

Aw, thank you. I love hearing how that scene landed on Caitlin.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. And just what the show means to people throughout their day, you know, and how they hear it and listen to it and process it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, thank you, everybody, for writing in. You can write to us in our second drinks folder over on OfficeLadies.com. and now, here is your second drink of Dream team.

I'm Jenna Fisher.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I'm Angela Kinsey.

[Jenna Fischer]

We were on the Office together and we're best friends. And now we're doing the ultimate Office Rewatch podcast just for you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Each week we will break down an episode of the Office and give exclusive behind the scenes stories that only two people who were there can tell you.

[Jenna Fischer]

We're the Office ladies. Hi, everyone. Hi, lady. I want you to look at me.

[Angela Kinsey]

I am looking at you. And the first thing I said when I sat down was, I love this top. What is this?

[Jenna Fischer]

I said, I'm gonna bring it up. It is a sweatshirt, but look, it has poofies. Poofy shoulders.

[Angela Kinsey]

Is that a hood?

[Jenna Fischer]

It's a poofy shouldered hooded sweatshirt. Remember I told you these poofy things are back.

[Angela Kinsey]

This is true. Jenna went to the mall yesterday and she was texting me pictures of what I can only describe as Angela Martin's dream wardrobe.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. It's lacy high neck. What?

Poofy shoulders. Poofy arms. When we do our book tour, I'm gonna have a dress. I'm dressing this way. And I will also have. You know, speaking of our book tour wardrobe, remember I said I was gonna bring back the giant flower? Cloth flower.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, that.

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know why I have so many in my closet.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was a thing.

[Jenna Fischer]

I was watching Drew Barrymore's talk show last week. She was wearing one. No, I took a picture.

[Angela Kinsey]

What, on her blouse?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, her shirt. She had a fakie flower.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I need to see it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Mark my words, I am on trend. It's poofy sleeves and Fakie Flowers.

2022.

They're coming at ya.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's all happening, guys. Angela Martin fashion is here mixed in with a little Jenna Fisher.

[Jenna Fischer]

A lot of people wrote in to say the fakie flower was from Sex and the City. I guess Carrie Bradshaw loved a fakie flower.

[Angela Kinsey]

She is not the OG of the fakie flower. Who is?

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, I can't even tell you

how much mail we got about it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, I feel like fakie flower was here in the 80s. Let's look up some Molly Ringwald. Come on.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm with you there.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, I'm positive. I had a fakie flower. I clipped on a hat because I was trying to be like. What was that movie? Pretty in Pink.

[Jenna Fischer]

I have decided that I'm gonna single handedly bring back the fakie flower during our book tour, even though Drew Barrymore wore one on her show. I'm gonna bring it wide in 2022.

[Angela Kinsey]

Bring it wide.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, I am.

[Angela Kinsey]

That should be our book tour slogan. Bring it wide. No, you know what? Let's rethink that.

[Jenna Fischer]

We should not.

[Angela Kinsey]

You know what? I'm gonna think on it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

Bring your flower. No, wait. Maybe. No. We'll see you on the book tour.

[Jenna Fischer]

But for today, we're gonna be discussing Dream Team, which is season five, episode 20 of the Office, written by BJ Novak and directed by Paul Feig.

[Angela Kinsey]

Let's have a summary.

[Jenna Fischer]

Here it is. Michael has officially left under Mifflin, and he has started his own paper company called Michael Scott Paper Company in his condo. Pam has joined him. Michael is having a little trouble facing his workday. But with Pam's encouragement, he decides to assemble a dream team to get their company started. And they are also going to have a meeting with a potential investor.

[Angela Kinsey]

Things are looking up.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. Meanwhile, back at the Office, Charles is in charge. Charles in charge.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

In Scranton.

[BJ Novak]

Hmm.

[Jenna Fischer]

Andy discovers that Charles is a soccer fan. And now everybody is trying to kiss up to Charles and get on his good side. It's the first time we've seen the man smile. Jim is even going to pretend that he used to play soccer. This does not go well.

[Angela Kinsey]

No. You know what I loved about this storyline, and it's something BJ talked about in the DVD commentary for this episode. He said normally when you break a story, you have the A story, which is the main story, and then you have the B story, which is sort of like the other sort of side dish, if you will. He said that Idris scenes were so great and the dynamic that Charles Miner had with the rest of the Office was so interesting for them. They really felt like his storyline as

[Jenna Fischer]

2A stories, it felt like that.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. This felt like a very well balanced episode.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right. I thought that was interesting.

[Jenna Fischer]

Fast fact number one. This episode starts a delightful arc where Michael is going to run his own paper company. And I found out that it was our writer, Charlie Grandy, who came up with this idea. And they had been planning this arc for months.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, well, he was on the DVD commentary for this episode.

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know if they mentioned this on the commentary, but this episode was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Single Camera Editing for a comedy series. Our editors were nominated.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's fantastic.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was edited by Claire Scanlon. Now, Claire came in to replace Dean Holland when he moved over to work as an editor and eventually a director on Parks and Recreation. And so now our two editors were Dave Rogers and Claire Scanlon. You might remember Claire because she had a cameo as Freckles in Lecture Circuit Part two. Before this, she edited Golden Ticket. But Dream Team was her second episode, and she was nominated for an Emmy. Claire.

[Angela Kinsey]

Claire. And of course, now Claire is like, big, badass director. Amazing. I would love to have Claire on.

[Jenna Fischer]

We should have Claire on.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Fast fact number two is a location breakdown.

[Angela Kinsey]

I knew you'd have one.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, a good deal of this episode takes place at Michael's condo, and this was not an easy feat. Randy Cordray told me we went back to the same condo complex where we shot Michael's condo before for Dinner Party. And pretty much any episode featuring Michael's condo, it was in Reseda, California, and it was owned now by a married couple. In order to use their condo, we had to move them into a hotel for an entire week.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

We had to take all of their stuff out. They put it into cartons in the garage. We painted the entire downstairs and decorated it. They made a point to decorate it differently from Dinner Party because, you know, now Michael is single.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, I noticed. The only thing that remained that I recognized from Dinner party was the St. Pauli Girl beer sign.

[Jenna Fischer]

Same in the dining room.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

We only shot at this condo for one day, and then they had to completely restore it back to the way the couple had it. And here is the thing that is fascinating to me, because what they would do is they would take, like, a gazillion photos.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Of every shelf of everything. Anything that we moved. They took a picture of it before they moved it, and they would put it in a binder, like hard copy photos. Because back then, you know, that's what it was.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. So it'd be like kitchen counter.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. So that when the people came back,

like even their little spoon caddy was where they left it. Or if they had a bookshelf, all their stuff, the books were in the same order as the picture frames were,

[Angela Kinsey]

right where they left them.

[Jenna Fischer]

Everything.

[Angela Kinsey]

Everything.

[Jenna Fischer]

Isn't that fascinating?

[Angela Kinsey]

I know, it is amazing. In the DVD commentary, BJ talked about how carefully they decorated every wall. They put so much thought and detail and you just see it just quickly in the background. But I caught a few things. I'm sure you guys did too. I'm going to bring them up when we get to it.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love it fast.

Fact number three is a guest star homage to the amazing actress who played Nana. Her name is Connie Sawyer. Just incredible. We got a piece of mail from Meredith Q who wrote, I did a deep dive. The woman who played Nana needs some recognition.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, she does.

[Jenna Fischer]

First of all, she lived to be 105. Who does that?

[Angela Kinsey]

Wow.

[Jenna Fischer]

Is what Meredith said. And according to IMDb, her first acting credit was in 1953 at the age of 40. Her last acting credit was in 2014 at the age of 101. That's 61 years of acting. Plus she acted over the age of 100. What a rock star. Tell me everything. Well, I looked into this woman and performance had been a part of her life her whole life. She had done vaudeville. She had performed live with Frank Sinatra. But it's true that she never had a film or television role until she was 40.

[Angela Kinsey]

So on the commentary, the writers were talking about her on set. They said she had the most amazing stories. She was throwing out stories about Bing Crosby, Bob Hope. They were just like, oh, my gosh, she was fascinating. What I love about her story, Jenna, is that she did stage shows for years. She didn't get an on camera role till 40. But this was her passion and you should never let anyone take that away from you, however your passion manifests itself. I just love her story. She just kept at it.

[Jenna Fischer]

She has over 140 acting credits and almost all of them are small roles. And she has this quote about her acting career where she said, life is fun. That has nothing to do with whether you become a star or not. And if the parts aren't too large, I can go around talking to everybody. It's like going to a party.

[BJ Novak]

Aw.

[Jenna Fischer]

And when she was 104, she wrote an autobiography called I Never Wanted to Be a Star and I Wasn't. And she self published it in 2017 at 104.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wow, that is amazing. BJ said the scenes that you guys did with her that when they threw out some improv, she didn't miss a beat.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, I remember her from When Harry Met Sally. She is one of the women in the couples that they interview documentary style. Yes, she has no lines. Her husband speaks the whole time, but it all plays out on her face. And she is so good. And she has this story where she says that she read the script and she went to Rob Reiner and she said, I want to be the woman in the deli who says the famous line, I'll have what she's having. She said, I want the show stopping line. And he said, I'm sorry, we already shot that. My mother did it. Yeah, his mom did it, but she's just so good. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 105, and at the time of her death, she was the oldest working actress in Hollywood and the oldest member of the Screen Actors Guild Union. Amazing woman.

[Angela Kinsey]

Amazing Connie Sawyer, everybody.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, that's all I've got for fast facts, but before we go to break, you know, Marcus York, who played Billy Merchant, is in this episode. This is his last appearance on the show, and he actually passed away earlier this year. He was just wonderful, and he was so wonderful to us. He shared a story with us.

[Angela Kinsey]

He did. He and I would text and we talked on the phone several times. Several times. He loved his character of Billy Merchant. He was so supportive of the show and we were just so fond of him.

[Jenna Fischer]

We got a letter from a man named Nathan N. And I thought this summed up Marcus pretty well. He said, I just wanted to comment on Marcus York because I believe this is his last episode. And I wanted to let people know what kind of guy he is. He was from Dark County, Ohio, which is near where I work as a police officer.

Just so happens that my partner met

him one night when he was checking on him. When he pulled over to use his phone upon Marcus telling him he was on the office. My partner said that he's never watched the show, but that I did. And I was going to be so bummed that I missed him because I've talked about him in the past. Marcus asked him if I was working, and he said I wouldn't be in for about an hour. Not only did Marcus wait that hour, but on top of that, he took a picture with me. His idea. Hung out for an hour and gave me an autographed picture made out to my wife. He seemed so happy to meet a fan that knew him and was interested in him and his career. And even though I only met him that one time, he definitely left a lasting impression for sure. Such a nice guy and a tragic loss.

[Angela Kinsey]

That is so well said. He was such a nice person and

[Jenna Fischer]

he was so aware of the joy that he could bring to people by just being open to that fan experience or talking about his time on the show.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he certainly did that with us here at Office Ladies.

[Jenna Fischer]

He did.

[Angela Kinsey]

Much love to Marcus and his family.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right, let's go to break.

[Angela Kinsey]

Let's do it. This podcast is sponsored by Squarespace. We are going on seven years now, lady, of using Squarespace.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, we set up Officeladies.com using Squarespace and it's been so easy to use

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That's how we keep our website up and going.

[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

Squarespace offers a complete library of professionally designed and award winning website templates, which is a great way to get started. And they have options for every use and every category. No matter where you start, your website is going to be flexible to what you need.

[Angela Kinsey]

Head to squarespace.com officeladies for a free trial and when you're ready to launch, use offer code officeladies ladies to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

[Jenna Fischer]

Every week on the Moth podcast, you'll hear true stories that will intrigue you, inspire you, and make you laugh.

[Angela Kinsey]

When I was 14 years old, I had a deeply meaningful experience.

[BJ Novak]

Something so real that I knew it

[Angela Kinsey]

was going to shape who I was to become for the rest of my life.

[BJ Novak]

I saw the Spice Girls on MTV

[Jenna Fischer]

for Real Stories live on Saturday stage from astronauts, accountants, comedians, farmers, and people just like you. Follow and listen to the Moth wherever

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Angela Kinsey]

Well, we are back from break, and before we get into Dream Team, I couldn't help but remember the OG Dream Team.

[Jenna Fischer]

Jenna, Was it basketball?

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. You guys. The 1992 United States Men's Olympic basketball team, nicknamed the Dream Team, it was the first American Olympic team to feature active professional players from the National Basketball Association. And the team has been described from journalists around the world as the greatest sports team ever assembled.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, I totally remember that.

[Angela Kinsey]

Me, too.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was a big deal.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was a big deal, you guys. And listen, this is like when I was in school. So when this episode was coming up, whenever I saw the title Dream Team, I just always think that's what I think of, too. Yeah. I don't know if you guys think of that. I just want to read the roster and just a few stats. Okay. Of this team. All right. The full roster for the 1992 Dream Team was Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Chris Mullins, Scotty Pippen, David Robinson, John Stockton. Then they added two players later, Clyde Drexler. And they included one collegiate player, Christian Laitner of Duke University, who was chosen over Louisiana State University's Shaquille o'. Neal.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Head coach was Chuck Daly. Here are some things I thought were fun. The co captains of the team were Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. They were undefeated in the Olympics. Chuck Daly used zero timeouts for the entire eight games. Not a single timeout was called, which is wild to me. Larry Bird was the oldest member of the Dream Team, and guess how old he was. He was the oldest member of the dream team.

[Jenna Fischer]

41, 35. Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

That was the old guy. And I thought this was interesting. Guess who led the Dream Team in scoring?

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm gonna admit here that I don't watch basketball.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, well.

[Jenna Fischer]

And I don't know anything about basketball, so I know these people's names, and I know that they played basketball.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. Okay. Well, I would have guessed Michael Jordan. Who shoots the most when you guessed Michael Jordan? Sam. Cassie.

[Jenna Fischer]

He's a good player.

[Angela Kinsey]

He's Amazing. Watch the Last Dance documentary. Amazing. I would have guessed Michael Jordan, but in fact it was Charles Barkley. And Michael Jordan came in second. Oh, how about them apples? But anyway, when I think of Dream Team, I think of the OG Dream Team. But you know, Jenna, this isn't the only time in the course of our show that we mention the Dream Team.

[Jenna Fischer]

When else do we mention the Dream Team?

[Angela Kinsey]

Bonus points if you can guess this. The Dream Team.

[Jenna Fischer]

And Meredith, I mean, I'm assuming it's a party planning thing, but I don't know what episode that's from the Dream Team.

[Angela Kinsey]

And Meredith is from some of you out there probably guessed this. Season seven. Goodbye, Michael. Oh, and it was about the party planning committee. It's Angela, Phyllis, and Pam. And then Meredith kind of pops her head in the back.

[Jenna Fischer]

Are we planning the goodbye party for Michael? Is that what's going to happen?

[Angela Kinsey]

I think so. All right, so Dream Team, two of them in the course of the office. One is Michael Scott Paper Company, which is Vikram, Pam, Ryan, and Michael. And the other is the party planning committee. Well, let's get into this episode, Jenna, because phones are ringing. Kevin's at reception. It's not going well.

[Jenna Fischer]

He's trying so hard to transfer these calls. I mean, he's just yelling across the office rather than transfer the calls because he can't remember everyone's extension.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he's sort of yelling personal stuff like it cracked me up that Oscar's mom was calling. Yes, he yelled it across the bullpen.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, he is going to try to transfer a call to Andy. Yeah, but first he's going to transfer it to pretty much every other desk in the office. He's going to run around and then transfer it. And then transfer it. And transfer it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, like it goes to Creed, and then it goes. He's just running all over the place.

[Jenna Fischer]

We got a question from Brenda R. In Mexico who wants to know, was Brian really transferring the phone calls on set or was this some behind the scenes magic? Well, when I would be Pam at the reception desk, they had a list of the real extensions because the phones really worked.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And I would really transfer the calls, but the initial ring would come from somebody behind the scenes. There was a desk with a phone that was also connected to our phones backstage. So there were two options when you wanted to transfer a call. Either you did it for real, or you would just hang up. And the person backstage would make another person's phone ring. But that would require them sort of trying to whisper into a walkie talkie. To get them to coordinate all that.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

So I always just transferred the calls.

I mean, I had my real life receptionist experience.

[BJ Novak]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

I got to put it to use.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

But I didn't know what Brian did. So I texted him and he said he also really transferred the calls, but he would have to remember the extensions because he was running around after the first transfer. He couldn't take his slip of paper with him anymore. Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh. I still have a photo of all of our transfer numbers that was taped to my phone. I took a picture of it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, in the DVD commentary, Matt Sohn, our camera operator, shared with us that on the day they were filming, Brian was doing the transferring, but they were having some issues with the phones and so they weren't going to some of the desk clumps they were supposed to. And so Brian actually ended up running around to wherever it was ringing, so.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, wow.

So that mania was a little real. He really didn't know where it was gonna ring.

[Angela Kinsey]

I think there's at least one time where it didn't ring where it was supposed to. And he just ran. And Matt said they were just following him.

[Jenna Fischer]

We had a fan question from Monica in Scranton, Angela, and this one's for you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

When Angela yells out, you're bad at this too. Were you implying that Pam is bad at it and so is Kevin, or that Kevin is bad at everything?

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, first of all, that line is scripted. That was not improv. And I think Angela is just implying that Kevin is horrible at everything.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

I actually don't think it's a dig at Pam. For once. I think it's more of a dig at Kevin.

[Jenna Fischer]

We also got a piece of mail from Grace B. Who said, kevin taught me how to transfer a call. She said she was an office aide in high school. They got a new phone system. She wasn't sure what to do, but she remembered this episode. Transfer, extension, transfer. And it worked.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Jenna Fischer]

So she says, thank you.

[Angela Kinsey]

You're welcome. Well, in the script, when Kevin finally gets the call to Andy, this was the stage direction people ad lib. Way to go. All right, Applaud, giving Kevin fist bumps. He is very happy. In the background of Andy's talking head, the celebration continues. Kevin shakes up a soda can and opens it.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's very Dream Team esque.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Very sports celebration.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, now Pam is going to arrive for her first day of work.

First day.

[Angela Kinsey]

There's a sign and everything.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's official.

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know if you noticed her little blazer.

[Angela Kinsey]

I did.

[Jenna Fischer]

There was a very big wardrobe discussion about before we started this arc. Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

For what Pam's I'm a paper salesman outfit is.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. So here's one thing we originally thought. Should she wear a pants suit? Like, kind of a power suit?

[Angela Kinsey]

So bold. Pam.

[Jenna Fischer]

But listen to this. In an earlier season, there had been a discussion about if Pam could sometimes wear pants to the office because she had such a uniform of her cardigan and her pencil skirt and everything. And it went all the way up to the network, and the network said Pam must wear pencil skirts. Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. I have wondered about this, Jenna, and I've never told you this, but for a few episodes, they put Angela Martin in dress pants, and then all of a sudden, the pants went away. And so I went to wardrobe, and I said, hey, can we bring back the dress pants? Those are so comfortable. And they said, oh, actually, we got a note that they just want you in skirts.

[Jenna Fischer]

Isn't that interesting?

[Angela Kinsey]

I did not know you got the same note. I thought that was crazy.

[Jenna Fischer]

And so we were reminded that I could not wear a pantsuit. We had to keep the pencil skirt. So only thing we could change was the top half of my body.

[Angela Kinsey]

Who was the brass at the top of NBC? That was like, office ladies must wear skirts.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, look at Phyllis always in a skirt. Meredith, always in some kind of jumper.

[Angela Kinsey]

Kelly.

[Jenna Fischer]

Kelly, Jan. And Nelly skirts. However, Karen always wore pants. I don't think she ever wore a skirt. And I think that sometimes Holly wore pants. Am I right? But mostly it was dresses and skirts.

[Angela Kinsey]

Joe Bennett wore pants, but those were all guest stars. Core cast had to be in skirts, I guess.

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know. Who was the network brass at the time?

[Angela Kinsey]

Was it the guy from Mad Men?

[Jenna Fischer]

Was Don Draper running the network? Is that who.

[Angela Kinsey]

Maybe. I feel a soapbox a comin' no,

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm gonna leave it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'll leave it. Let's leave it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Everyone knows it. They heard it.

[Angela Kinsey]

They heard it.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was subtle. It was there. Okay, so bottom line is, here's what we did. I switched out my pantyhose for tights. I'm wearing a little bit more of a heel, bit of a power shoe, and a blazer. So they were little changes, but they did feel impactful. I thought Pam felt a little more polished. Yeah, that was our goal. Well, Michael is going to start his first day of work in a bathrobe.

[Angela Kinsey]

Pam's like, michael, you were expecting me, weren't you?

[Jenna Fischer]

He's like, yeah, yeah. She's like, are you wearing anything under the robe? And he's like, that's inappropriate. He brings her inside, and he actually has set up his dining room sort of office. Like, it's nice.

[Angela Kinsey]

It is nice. I think these are all items he took from the supply chest as he was leaving, clearly. And he starts making French toast. A lot of French toast. And there was a deleted Pam talking head where she explains her motivation to join Michael. She steps outside on the patio while he's making French toast. Here it is.

[Jenna Fischer]

I felt ready for a change after all these years at Dunder Mifflin. I just wasn't getting the same rush that I used to get from being a receptionist. This feels good. Oh, okay. Egg won't crack.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. He interrupts her to help him crack eggs.

[Jenna Fischer]

Pam enjoys her French toast. It was very good. I ate it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Did you really?

[Jenna Fischer]

It was delicious. That was just real way to go prop food. I know. We had a fan question from Isla H. Who said who had to make all the French toast? Phil Shea and his team. They made a bunch of French toast. But here's the problem. Michael won't stop making French toast. And Pam realizes it's because he's having some feelings about really getting started in this new company. She tries to get him to stop mixing the eggs, and it ends up spilling eggs all over him.

[Angela Kinsey]

All over him and into his Crocs.

[Jenna Fischer]

We got questions about that. People wanted to know, was it real egg in the bowl? Was the line, I have egg in my crocs improvised? And people are also curious, how did we do this scene? Because it seems difficult to have the egg go in the same place each time. Well, I will say that Steve did improvise the line, I have egg in my crocs. It was very hard not to laugh, but it's true. We couldn't get the egg to splash in the same way every time. So I could not laugh because this was a oner. We would have to use a whole take. We couldn't cut between different takes because the egg would be different.

[Angela Kinsey]

Ah, so much pressure. It's so hard to not laugh with Steve.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know, but I didn't. But I think you can tell how hard I am trying not to laugh.

[Angela Kinsey]

Do you look constipated or something?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, I do. I look like you can tell. I'm, like, tensely holding in.

[Angela Kinsey]

It works, though. It just looks like Pam is, like, watching someone who she thinks is supposed to know what they're doing, who clearly doesn't. She's like, oh, crap. What have I gotten myself into.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, we did do several takes of this and it was a big reset every time because we would have to clean up all the eggs in the kitchen. We'd have to clean up all the eggs on Steve. He would have to change his bathrobe. But this one was perfect. This was the time he improvised that line and the egg just went everywhere. So I also knew as I was standing there, this is the one. Do not mess this up. Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

So one thing to point out, you guys, which I love about our show, to nerd out on you for a minute. Since Steve improvised the line eggs in my crocs, that meant our camera operator had to improvise the move to pan down to his feet.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

That wouldn't have been planned, but that sells the joke so good. Such a great two hander.

[Jenna Fischer]

We also had a fan catch in this scene in the kitchen. Sierra G and Lauren W. Point out that at 4 minutes, 31 seconds, there's a sign on his kitchen counter that says his. Yeah, but there is no hers.

[Angela Kinsey]

I saw that too.

[Jenna Fischer]

And they were like, I guess Jan took the hers when she left.

[Angela Kinsey]

Or maybe she never even wanted hers out.

[Jenna Fischer]

Maybe Michael just bought a his.

[Angela Kinsey]

I think he bought a his her and she never put hers out. I don't know. It's sad no matter how it shook out.

[Jenna Fischer]

Should we go back to the office and see what's happening back there?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, because this was a really fun conference room scene. We were having a absolute blast with Idris. He's holding court the way Michael used to and he's telling them how things are going to proceed now that they've lost two employees. But Kelly and Angela just want to know more about Charles. I love that Kelly's like, where are you staying in Scranton? And he's like, a hotel. And Angela goes, where were you born?

[Jenna Fischer]

Where were you born?

[Angela Kinsey]

It was so fun. It was hard not to laugh. And I want you guys to know when Andy asks how the operations of the company are going in the background. I caught Brian out of character. He is clearly just Brian in this moment. If you go to three minutes, two seconds, it's very subtle, but look at his face. That is Brian and not Kevin. I'm going to show you a picture, Jenna, because we were just having a great time in this scene. And there were all these moments when you didn't know if you were on camera. And sometimes look at that face.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, that's Brian.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's 100% Brian.

[Angela Kinsey]

He's just trying not to laugh and he's looking at John.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, then we're gonna see Phyllis, Creed and Stanley sort of observing Charles in his office. Charles is on the phone. They're like, does he eat? Does he go to the bathroom? He's a total mystery to them.

[Angela Kinsey]

Jenna, There was more to this. There was a series of talking heads where everyone in the office is sort of commenting on how Charles is a mystery. It starts with Angela. Martin, get ready for some titillated Angela. Charles is a mystery. I wish there was a way I could curl up by the fire with him and flip right to his last page.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, I am in love with that phrase. The next time I seduce my husband, I'm gonna say, baby, I wanna flip right to your last page.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know, right?

[Jenna Fischer]

That's what he says. I love that.

[Angela Kinsey]

I thought that was amazing. And then Toby has one, and Toby basically is like, I don't know why everyone thinks Charles is a mystery. If anyone would just come back and talk to me, I can share with you. I have a lot of information about him. If anyone just wants to talk to me.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, I'm sure Toby does know where he was born, I guess. Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

And then, Jenna, Charles had a really big talking head. He's super relaxed. This is what it said in the script. Charles seems relaxed, his guard down, speaking casually to the camera in a way he never would to his employees. Oh, and this is what was in the shooting draft. Mysterious. Just because I show some restraint with my employees when it comes to talking about my personal life doesn't mean there's some big mystery. I grew up in a suburb of D.C. middle class family. My dad was a CPA, went to university of Maryland, studied business. Engaged once. Childhood friend, didn't work out. Then he shows a picture to the camera. I'll always love her. Then I get my hair cut on the first day of every month. So I remember there's always less to cut on March 1st. Ha ha. I like sour foods, but I hate grapefruit. Couldn't tell you why. Just don't get it. I have a parakeet named Murphy trying to teach it to talk. It repeats whatever I say. If the thing I say is squawk,

[Jenna Fischer]

who is this person I know? Oh, my gosh.

[Angela Kinsey]

Those talking heads would have filled out the rest of the story.

[Jenna Fischer]

I wonder if that talking head exists somewhere.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Dave Rogers.

[Angela Kinsey]

Dave Rogers does it, because that is priceless. But the Angela and Toby one are in the deleted scenes on the dvd.

[Jenna Fischer]

Back at Michael's condo, he is doing some ab Exercises.

[Angela Kinsey]

He is. And Jenna, if you have a camera operator on a DVD commentary, here are some things you'd learn. While Michael's doing his sit ups. The shot that's On Pam at 4 minutes, 45 seconds, that was Matt Sohn. Oh, you were his shot.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't know. I just love that.

[Jenna Fischer]

We had a fan question from Gianna W. When Michael is working out in his condo, is that supposed to be the core blaster from the Money episode that he's. Remember he spent his money on a core blaster? I think so. I went to the script. It doesn't say specifically, but I was so charmed by the scene description in the script.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, let's hear it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Here's what it said. Michael is working out on his ab roller incorrectly using no range of motion. That is what they wanted Steve to do. Pam can see that Michael is a little bit spiraling. Is that a good description?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And she says that when she feels overwhelmed, she likes to make a list of things to do and then start with the easy stuff.

[Angela Kinsey]

I think this is great life advice.

[Jenna Fischer]

We got mail about that advice.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, no.

[Jenna Fischer]

And I was really flattered because people

[Angela Kinsey]

say, this reminds me of Jenna Fisher.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Because I did, too. When I rewatched this, I was like, it's a little bit of. What is it again? Life imitating art. Did I get it right? I got it right.

[Jenna Fischer]

I did. Shannon L said, jenna, I know that I don't know you, but when Pam tells Michael he needs to make a list for his day, that sounded like something you would do. And Kayla C. Agrees. She said, after listening to every episode of this podcast, I can say with confidence, that is the most Jenna thing I've ever heard. I would have to say, there are two things on the office that were 100% me. One is this list making advice, and the other is my line and dinner party when I say I just want to eat. Yeah, those are me.

[Angela Kinsey]

You do have a chore list. You also have sort of like your meals planned for the week.

[Jenna Fischer]

I never wonder about that. I have a plan. I like to know what I'm eating and I like to check something off a list.

[Angela Kinsey]

You really do?

[Jenna Fischer]

I really do.

[Angela Kinsey]

When we went on our writer's retreat, I learned very quickly that you need to know what you're eating. Like, that is no joke. I would be like, what should we do for dinner? And you'd be like, I already brought stuff that we're doing this this night. And I'm like, oh, okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

We had two HelloFresh. Nights and a takeout night. And then I said, we bring our own breakfast and lunch and snacks.

Done.

[Angela Kinsey]

Done. This was one of the first emails you sent to me when we were going to go on our writer's retreat. It wasn't about our work.

[Jenna Fischer]

No, no, no, no.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was about the meals.

[Jenna Fischer]

Let's plan our food, and then we'll come up with a work plan. Yeah, I mean, I can't work on an empty stomach. No, I cannot.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, one of the first things on Pam's list is, let's just start small. Let's get you dressed, Michael.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, and then there's that moment where he sits in the chair across from her and his robe opens up.

[Angela Kinsey]

Go to season five bloopers on YouTube. Jenna, I don't even know how you salvaged anything from that scene. Matt Sohn even talked about it in the DVD commentary. He was like, Jenna kept breaking up. She laughed every time.

[Jenna Fischer]

So Steve was wearing underwear? He was. He was not nude.

[Angela Kinsey]

They were, like, flesh toned, right?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, exactly. But on the day, we had this idea that Pam would keep talking to him, but she would just move her little clipboard up so that she wouldn't have to see him his business. Yes, but every time I did the gesture to move my clipboard up, it would make me laugh. Like, the idea of it, all of it. It was one of those moments where I couldn't stay focused because I could see it from the outside, and it was just so tickled me. It was such a funny moment. And Steve never broke. Steve could just keep a straight face. And then I would get to a point where I couldn't go on, and they'd be like, okay, cut. But Steve would just be like, what? What is it?

[Angela Kinsey]

I was gonna play the blooper, but when I rewatched it, Jenna, you're laughing so hard, you're making no sound.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

So if I played it, it just be like.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes, it's true.

[Angela Kinsey]

While we're in this moment, I would love to point out some stuff in the background, please. There is a shelf of dundees behind Michael during the scene. Also, you probably noticed all of the inspirational posters all over the condo. I did count, though, 10 Dundees. Let me know if you guys got the same amount. 10 Dundees plus a no right turn, no left turn, and no U turn signals during this scene.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, well, I don't know if you noticed this. I did not notice it at first, but luckily, floor H wrote in to say there are two television sets in Michael's condo.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, there's a big box one.

[Jenna Fischer]

And then there's the little one. Yes. So you can really see it at 7 minutes, 29 seconds. He has bought himself a new TV, but he has not taken down the broken plasma. So it's like the new television is sitting on a TV stand. It's your standard square tv.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's much bigger, by the way, than the little mounted one on the wall.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. And it sits right under that broken one. But here's the thing. Michael is actually gonna come up with some good ideas for today. He says they should assemble a dream team, starting with Vikram.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. He was the bestseller at the telemarketing company.

[Jenna Fischer]

Pam's like, oh, okay. And he reveals that they're going to have a meeting with a potential investor. But first, we need to get Michael dressed.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, back at the office, Andy has put on his computer sort of like a montage of soccer moments.

[Jenna Fischer]

Right, Like a soccer photo slideshow.

[Angela Kinsey]

Exactly. Charles sees it. He loves soccer. Andy is clearly sucking up to Charles. I actually remember us talking about soccer, and Idris plays soccer.

[Jenna Fischer]

Really?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. He's like a good soccer player. He, like, played growing up. He, like, played on, like, a soccer league on the weekend. So he actually knew a lot about soccer.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, he's British. Football.

[Angela Kinsey]

Football, yes. What am I saying? Football. Jim has this talking head about how he's just never been a kiss up, you know, that's just not how he operates. And BJ talked a little bit about his own experience for this Jim, Andy suck up storyline. Let's hear it.

[BJ Novak]

This was based in my mind on an experience when I felt I had too much integrity to kiss up in a situation where I really wanted to impress people. And I saw everyone else kissing up and getting ahead. Man, I should just go up there, you know? So I like the idea of a guy who does it who just says, screw it. Like, I'm going to do this because this is how you get ahead. And maybe I'm being lazy by not kissing up and then it comes back to bite him. But I liked a good guy like Jim deciding to do it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Hmm.

Interesting, right?

[Angela Kinsey]

I just love that BJ takes moments like that and then puts it into his episodes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Mm, no. He reflects on things in the moment and they stay with him. He's a very thoughtful person in that way.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, Jim is going to suck up by pretending like he played soccer or is a soccer player.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know there's this moment where he's like, I'm not gonna do it. I'm not gonna do it. And Then he just succumbs and was like, yeah, I'm a player. And Dwight could not be happier. He's like, oh, really, Jim? I have never heard you talk about soccer. And he's like, you should play, Charles, the two of you today.

[Jenna Fischer]

And Charles is all about it. He's like, yes, I would love it. And Charles's whole demeanor changes toward Jim, toward everyone in the office. He's this very sort of smiley guy all of a sudden. Yeah, it's a big difference.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, now Jim's gonna be in a big pickle. He said he played soccer from second to fourth grade. He was on the orange team.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love that talking head.

[Angela Kinsey]

I do too.

[Jenna Fischer]

It made me laugh. Well, listen, I think we should take a break because in the second half of the episode, we are gonna see this dream team get assembled and we're gonna see Jim have to deal with his soccer promise. It's good stuff.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. You guys have heard us talk about BetterHelp for a long time now, and today we want to look at what actual clients are saying about their experiences.

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

See the reviews, see what stands out. And see if BetterHelp is right for you. Visit betterhelp.comofficeladies that's better.

[Angela Kinsey]

H E L p.com officeladies I have something really exciting to share with everyone. I want to shout out the Topo Athletic revive slippers.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Let me just talk about it for a second. First of all, the bottom is like a real sole. It's like the bottom is like a sneaker, but it's a slipper. And then the top is like this cozy fleece. I got these for my daughter and now I want them for myself. She's worn them every day and it says they feel like a massage with every step. And I can agree.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love Topo.

I ordered their Terraventure sneakers.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, you did?

[Jenna Fischer]

In blue and peach.

[Angela Kinsey]

Topo Athletic Though you guys, not only obviously are they functional, but they're so comfortable. Topo has a shoe to fit all of your needs. In my house, we have outdoor enthusiasts, we have hikers, we have fitness buffs, and Topo has got us covered.

[Jenna Fischer]

Head to topoathletic.com to buy online or use the store locator to find an authorized retailer.

[Angela Kinsey]

Near you at Great Wolf Lodge, there's adventure for the whole family.

[Jenna Fischer]

You and your pack can splash away

in the indoor water park where it's always 84 degrees.

[Angela Kinsey]

There's a massive wave pool, a lazy river, and tons of water slides for your pack to enjoy together.

[Jenna Fischer]

And the fun doesn't stop there.

Get ready to explore and play at Adventure packed attractions, from Magiquest, a live

action game that takes place throughout the lodge, to the Northern Lights Arcade.

[Angela Kinsey]

There's also a bunch of great dining options and complimentary daily events like nightly dance parties, all under one roof.

[Jenna Fischer]

And the best part, with 22 lodges

across the country, you're always only a short drive away from adventure.

[Angela Kinsey]

So bring your pack together at a lodge near you. Book your stay [e-mail] and strengthen the pack. We are back. And you guys, the dream team. Got Vikram.

[Jenna Fischer]

We got him.

[Angela Kinsey]

Vikram, played by the awesome Ranjit Choudhury.

[Jenna Fischer]

He was so fun to work with. You know, he passed away last year.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

He was so funny. We're in the car and, you know, Michael's all excited. They pull up to the bowling alley. Michael's like, I have to use the bathroom. And Vikram has this line, it's so good, where he says, confidence. It's the food of the wise man, but the liquor of the fool. I was so struck by this when I watched this episode.

[Angela Kinsey]

Me too.

[Jenna Fischer]

So I googled it because I thought, is that like an old, I don't know, expression proverb? Like a Greek philosopher? No, it's nowhere. There are Reddit threads dedicated to trying to figure out where this line came from. There was an article written about this one line. You're kidding. And how wise it is. And how the writer of the article couldn't find its origin either. Someone on our writing staff wrote that

[Angela Kinsey]

line, and we don't know who.

[Jenna Fischer]

I asked bj, I asked Mindy. I asked Aaron Scher. No one can take credit for it. Aaron Scher said something that I really liked. He said, I don't know. Let's give credit to the whole writing staff. Like some sort of collective genius came up with this line. But someone wrote that from the office.

[Angela Kinsey]

Brilliant.

[Jenna Fischer]

And it's so good.

[Angela Kinsey]

And then last week, we talked about Vikram having this amazing talking head.

[Jenna Fischer]

That got deleted.

[Angela Kinsey]

That got deleted. This is where it would have lived, you guys. Right after the scene in the car where he says this amazing proverb. He would have said, when you put your telemarketing career on the line, you're not putting much on the line. And Ranjit was just perfection. Everything. His delivery, I just. I couldn't get enough of him.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, you just so believe him. And our guest actors were always that way. Allison Jones had this amazing ability to find people who didn't seem like they were acting at all.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, Michael is going to go into the bowling alley. He wants a pair of nine shoes. Guess who's working the counter.

[Angela Kinsey]

Ryan. Ryan, who's not on the list?

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, Vikram has this great line in the car where he's like, he's been gone a long time. Is it possible he went bowling?

[Angela Kinsey]

You know him better than I do. And you're. I thought, Jenna, your delivery as Pam was so great. When you're like, yeah, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

So Pam goes in and sees what's happening and says, this was not on the list, Michael. And then she looks at the list, and then she's like, when did you put this on the list?

[Angela Kinsey]

I loved that. We notice right away that Ryan is very tan and very blonde. I was really curious, when did BJ know he was going to have to do this with his hair? This is what he said on the DVD commentary.

[BJ Novak]

So when I was in Germany and wasn't able to be on the show for a while, my character ran off to Thailand. All I knew about Ryan coming back was that he was gonna be blonde.

[Jenna Fischer]

Now the tan.

[Angela Kinsey]

The tan is great, too.

[BJ Novak]

The tan is very funny. I heard of the hair as frosted tips. And then when we did it, Mindy, whose idea it was, came and was like, no, no, no. We're only gonna go for this joke once. You have to be completely blonde. And so we dyed it, and I wore a hat in public for weeks, trying to save the surprise and save my dignity.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he goes on to say that he was also touring standup during this time. So he got a spray in brown coloring, you know, that you could, like, dye. And so he sprayed his hair brown. And then he went on stage, and it started coming off, like, dripping off,

[Jenna Fischer]

like, what happened to Rudy Giuliani?

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my God.

[Jenna Fischer]

Same thing.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, exactly. So he had to wear this hat, but it was, like, really stressful. He was trying to keep a secret.

[Jenna Fischer]

I've Used that spray for when my roots are coming in. It's genius. I love the spray, by the way. Yeah, it's great. But if you get really warm, it will sweat off.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Beware.

[Angela Kinsey]

Where are we?

[Jenna Fischer]

I'll give you a little location breakdown on the bowling alley. Idle Hour Lanes, which is the sign out sign, is a real bowling alley in Scranton. We matched their logo, and in Scranton, there's two. And one of them is next to Poor Richards.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, I've been to that one.

[Jenna Fischer]

I thought you had.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's part of the bar. Kind of like when you go into Port Richards, you think, at least I thought I was walking into a bar, but I actually was walking into a bowling alley and then the bar was to the right.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's interesting. I thought that we were at Pickwick bowl, which does have a bar next to it, sort of similar to the real Idle Hour Lanes. But no, Randy Cordray said that we shot ours in Canoga Park. It was a bowling alley in Canoga Park. I also have a little guest star shout out to the bowling alley manager who calls Ryan a shoe bitch. He was played by Jim Woods. He has appeared on How I met yout mother, Reno911, and was a regular on the comedy satire Safety Geeks Svi. Again, another person who did not seem like an actor to me.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Seemed like a real grouchy bowling alley manager.

[Angela Kinsey]

Exactly. There was some delicious Pam sass because, I mean, Pam just does not like Ryan when he tells her he makes 60 grand a year. And she's like, really? They pay you a yearly salary at the bowling alley?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

So good. Well, the dream team is going to arrive to meet their investor.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's right. It's at what appears to be a nursing home.

[Angela Kinsey]

Can I tell you, there was a beat in the script where Michael describes who the investor is.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

He says her name is Barbara Kivis. She invests in local businesses, and I've been putting together a little presentation for her.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh.

[Angela Kinsey]

But that didn't make it in the episode. But I'm like, okay, who's Barbara Kivis?

[Jenna Fischer]

I've got a location breakdown on where we shot this.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh.

[Jenna Fischer]

Which is interesting to me. It was a Best Western hotel that was attached to the bowling alley, and we redressed their conference room to look like a nursing home. Randy Cordray said that our location manager, Kyle Alexander, was really awesome that he would do this kind of thing all the time. If we had an episode that had two locations, he would somehow manage to find them right next to each other so that we could avoid having to do what they call a company move.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right. We have to move all the trailers,

[Jenna Fischer]

all the people, all the equipment.

[Angela Kinsey]

Save so much time and money.

[Jenna Fischer]

We were able to shoot the bowling alley and the nursing home all in one day. It saved so much money. It saved so much time. And Randy was just giving a lot of compliments to Kyle, saying that Kyle was able to do this all the time, and it was a huge, huge benefit to our production.

[Angela Kinsey]

Amazing.

[Jenna Fischer]

And it was a benefit on a very practical level because it would save the time, which also wouldn't run down the crew as much. And it also made it so that the actors we could, like, flow from one experience sort of emotionally in the story and comedically right into another one. We didn't have to stop. It was awesome on many levels.

[Angela Kinsey]

Kyle, we love you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Thank you, Kyle.

[Angela Kinsey]

I want to point out, right as the Dream team is entering the retirement home at 12 minutes, was it just me? Did anyone else notice the two, like, retirement home employees wheeling someone in a blanket? I don't know. Like, was it a corpse under a blanket?

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my God. I did not notice that.

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, I went over and over to it. Just, like, I couldn't stop looking at it. I was like, who is this back there? I'm going to show you. Jenna. It's so brief, but look, I don't know. This person's, like, on a cut or a stretcher. Do you see?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'll put it in stories. My other background catch for this scene is at 12 minutes, 27 seconds, the elderly gentleman that Michael is, like, snapping like, hey, hey, over here. He is watching Maury Povich.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

And it's actually Maury Povich.

[Jenna Fischer]

That was scripted that he was watching

[Angela Kinsey]

Maury Povich, and they were able to get the rights to it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

And on the screen, if you zoom in, there's a woman and there's a chiron underneath her with, like, writing. Yeah, this is what it said. Tell the truth. Is my fiance in love with my mom? Oh, that's what they were watching.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, well, Michael is going to make his pitch to this investment club, and it's a real club. There's three people, two women and the man who's watching Maury. But Pam and Ryan realized very quickly that one of the women is Michael's Nana.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, it's not just Barbara Kivis. It's Nana.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's Nana. During this pitch, he's going to start by introducing his team.

[Angela Kinsey]

BJ said he loved that he got the title in the episode. That's Always kind of a fun thing when that happens. So Michael's like, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the dream team.

[Jenna Fischer]

Did you notice at 13 minutes, 20 seconds, when Michael is introducing Ryan, that he winks at Nana while eating vanilla pudding in like a flirty way? And Nana is delighted.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

I mean, he's buttering her up in the best way.

[Angela Kinsey]

Ryan is a hot mess. BJ said, by the way, that he ate a ton of vanilla pudding and that it was delicious.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love a vanilla pudding. I also want to point out that at 13 minutes, 41 seconds, there is a big zit on my jawline. No, this is the only time you see it because at 14 minutes, 46 seconds, the zit is gone. So clearly I got a touch up only various things.

[Angela Kinsey]

And you noticed that. I did not notice that.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's so large. It's one of those undergrounders.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

That is, you know, had its own heartbeat. And I would get those on my jawline. But thank you, Laverne, for covering that up by 14 minutes, 46 seconds. And by the way, I can imagine, because they almost never let us get touch ups after we started rolling. I can imagine Laverne sitting at the monitors and just being like, you need to let me get in there. You need to let me get in there. And so she probably convinced them and she was able to come in and touch up my zit. But you do see it. 13 minutes, 41 seconds.

[Angela Kinsey]

Do you know what was super embarrassing and this would happen every once in a while. What is when, like someone like Matt Sohn, camera operator, would be like. You would hear him sort of radio. Hey, Laverne, why don't you. Why don't you step in? Yeah, it's because he is looking at it through the camera. That's true.

[Jenna Fischer]

I wonder.

[Angela Kinsey]

That happened to me one time. I definitely had like one big one on my forehead and Matt was like, I think we should get a little powder for you. I'm like, oh, my God, Matt.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, have you know the woman in this investment group who wants to give Michael the money was played by Eve Seagal. Eve has appeared in Shameless, Superstar, Dead to Me, and Legion.

I was not able to figure out

who played the gentleman. It was a non speaking role, so he was a background performer. So he is uncredited as far as I can find. But you know, in the end, Nana is going to say no. Nana says, this is an investment club. We're not about handouts here. And so she's a no in the

[Angela Kinsey]

car ride, leaving there. Vikram Made me laugh because he's like, nana brought up some good points.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know.

And then he's like, what kind of name is Nana? And Pam's like, it means grandmother. And then Vikram is like, I'm out.

[Angela Kinsey]

He's like, sweet.

[Jenna Fischer]

Goodbye.

[Angela Kinsey]

At Dunder Mifflin, the soccer game is about to be underway. There was a deleted Dwight talking head. He is setting up the whole parking lot. He's drawing chalk.

[Jenna Fischer]

I wondered how it got there.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, the cones. There's a talking head while Dwight's doing this. And he shares one of his childhood dreams. Can we hear that? When I was a child, I always

[Jenna Fischer]

dreamed of being a referee.

[BJ Novak]

Penalizing people, enforcing the rules. But I never could have dreamed of this.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

He would have been a great referee, actually.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Very quickly, we see that the group of Dunder Mifflin employees, they don't know anything about soccer. In the deleted scenes, there was a moment where Creed picks up the soccer ball and throws it at Kelly's back, like dodgeball. And he's like, you're out.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, well, this is interesting because we got a piece of mail from Kyle T. Who wanted to know, how long did you guys have to play soccer? Did you have any training, or did they just let you guys go crazy? Was any of it choreographed? You were there. I mean, obviously the stunt that's coming up was choreographed, but the other stuff, was it just kind of freeform?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. We could just sort of like fart around in the background.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

I did ask for sneakers, so I'm in sneakers. I thought Angela Martin might have taken it very seriously.

[Jenna Fischer]

Sure.

[Angela Kinsey]

So I'm in my sneakers. And then I actually caught a moment in the background that I kind of vaguely remember because it was that art imitating life. Life imitating art, whatever. Phyllis actually did get hit with the ball.

[Jenna Fischer]

What?

[Angela Kinsey]

When we were just horsing around and

[Jenna Fischer]

you can see it.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's very subtle in the background where I think up in her upper torso, not hard. Right. But that we were kicking around back there. If you go to 19 minutes, 28 seconds, tell me what you see. It was Creed. Creed. Which is no surprise to me because Creed would sometimes get a little crazy with props. So I did a slow motion screen play by play.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

That I will put in our stories. If my memory is correct, it didn't hurt. Hurt. But she did get hit with the soccer ball. And we were like, oh, my gosh. Okay. So here's the beginning of the ball.

[Jenna Fischer]

Uh huh.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. Coming from Creed.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yep.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's high up next Frame. See where it's headed?

[Jenna Fischer]

Right to her face.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. Phyllis in the red spider, ironically. Then you kind of see her bending over.

[Jenna Fischer]

And then here I see what looks like some people running to her aid.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, Ed, you see the ball sort of hitting right there on her red. It looks like her shoulder maybe there it makes contact. And then here you kind of see her face.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like, she's kind of bending to the side. So. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, my gosh. Phyllis did get hit with the ball in the episode where she gets hit with the ball.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. And so did Kelly. A lot of people were getting hit with the ball.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, we did also get some fan mail. People wanted to know, did Phyllis perform her own stunt?

[Angela Kinsey]

Now, this is totally separate. Guys, you know what I just showed you was not a scripted moment.

[Jenna Fischer]

Here's what happens. There's this moment where Charles is gonna kick the ball super hard toward Jim, and Jim ducks, and Phyllis gets clocked in the face. And everybody is like, jim, why did you duck? Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Dwight's like, jim, why did you duck? An experienced soccer player wouldn't duck.

[Jenna Fischer]

First of all, I will tell you that there was no soccer ball used in this particular shot. Idris was kicking air, and Phyllis faked getting hit. It is an amazing fakie hit.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Randy Cordray told me that we added the soccer ball using CGI magic. It was the folks at Stargate International. Randy actually said, I dare say it's one of the most effective uses of CGI that the office ever incorporated. I mean, it looks totally real. Big applause to John for his, like, fakie seeing of the ball and ducking. I mean, all of it. It all works.

[Angela Kinsey]

And then Phyllis is like, I think I swallowed a crown.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know.

We also got a fan mail flurry. What about Jim ducking?

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, is this a soccer fan mail flurry? Like soccer?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

People coming to Jim's defense. Oh.

So Ashley T. Said, I don't understand how Jim got blamed for this soccer ball hitting Phyllis in the face. Charles is the one who kicked it. It's clearly Charles's fault because I would have ducked too. Joseph F. Said, listen, I get it that maybe an experienced soccer player shouldn't have ducked, that they should have jumped up and intercepted the ball with their chest.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

However, Charles crossed the ball toward the side, in which case Jim and any other professional player would have ducked.

[Angela Kinsey]

Really? Because what? Then the ball goes out and.

[Jenna Fischer]

I guess so. Oh, yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

How about that?

[Jenna Fischer]

So a fan mail flurry. Lots of people commenting that Jim was not wrong for ducking. I do not Know enough about soccer to comment.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't either. Even though I live on a soccer field every single Saturday with our kids, like, we're always there. And my husband played soccer and he's coaching soccer. I should have asked Josh about it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Lee is coaching both of our kids soccer teams this year.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know both of our husbands are soccer coaches this year.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. And I just sit there and I'm just trying to figure out offsides. I'll never figure it out.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'll never figure it out.

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't think the kids get it.

[Angela Kinsey]

No.

[Jenna Fischer]

The referees call it. I don't get it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't ever get it. I'm like, what happened? Offsides.

[BJ Novak]

What?

[Jenna Fischer]

Listen, I've said in this episode that I don't know much about basketball. That's true. I don't know a lot about soccer. But talk to me about, like, hockey, football, or baseball.

[Angela Kinsey]

You're very well versed in hockey.

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't get lucky. I'm like, into those sports. A live hockey game, there's nothing like it. I think it's the best sport to watch live, personally. I know people love watching basketball live.

[Angela Kinsey]

I mean, watching basketball live, especially if you can get close to the court. It's like an amazing game live.

[Jenna Fischer]

I just love the whole hockey community. I love everything about it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I went one time and met some of your hockey mom friends.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

And what I didn't know you guys is that hockey games, they serve beer at 10 in the morning.

[Jenna Fischer]

They do. I was like, oh, my gosh, they sure do.

[Angela Kinsey]

We have like juice boxes at soccer.

[Jenna Fischer]

I remember going to like one of our early hockey games for my son. And it was at 7:30 in the morning and I brought a coffee and people were like, does anyone want a beer from the, the concessions? And I was like, okay, I don't think so, but thank you. Pretty amazing. Well, listen, the Dream Team has lost a member and they get back to Michael's condo. Ryan's gonna run inside. He wants to watch the Closer on tnt.

[Angela Kinsey]

Very important to him.

[Jenna Fischer]

Pam's upset. She can't get out of the car now Pam's gonna spiral.

[Angela Kinsey]

So guess what? It was not in the script that you stayed in the car. I remember it was Jen Salata's idea and she fought for it to have Pam stay in the car during this scene.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, I was supposed to get out of the car and then sort of the idea was lean against it. And part of that was because it would be really easy to stage it camera wise.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Well, I loved her staying in the car. And I love this shot at 16 minutes, 22 seconds, when you see Pam in the side mirror and Michael standing next to the car, it's such a cool shot.

[Jenna Fischer]

I had to bring a lot of emotion to the scene. You had to see Pam be convinced by Michael. And this is one of those moments when Michael becomes really good at being a boss.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he's so serious. He's like, listen, kiddo.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, you quit.

[Angela Kinsey]

I quit. So that's the truth.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was very easy to get emotional because to have Steve Carell say, listen, kiddo. I mean, I know he wasn't much older than us, but he did always have sort of like a wise. He was our mentor. Yeah, like, exactly. And so to have your mentor coach you, it felt real, you know, and it made me emotional. And we just really connected there in a real way, and it was really sweet. I just love those Pam Michael moments. That reminds me of when he came to her art show and he shows up for her.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

And it was great. Well, next we're gonna see Michael on the phone, and he's asking Billy Merchant if he has any free office space anywhere because they can't work out of Michael's condo anymore. They're gonna throw him out. They got a letter, and Billy says, I got something for you.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's like a supply room, maybe, but there's also, like, a shower.

[Jenna Fischer]

It's also back at the Dunder Mifflin Scranton building.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, I probably should have led with that.

[Jenna Fischer]

And that's exactly right. It's like a supply room closet. But the gang is like, I could work here.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, they can see it.

[Jenna Fischer]

And it's really sweet because the episode ends with Michael adding Michael Scott Paper company to the little board in the lobby. And Pam's handing him the little letters.

[Angela Kinsey]

Matt Sohn shared that there was a take where instead of you guys already having the letters, that you were taking the letters from other people's businesses names.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yeah, I remember that. I remember that.

[Angela Kinsey]

Which is really funny to me. And there was a tag that didn't make it in the episode. Kevin is back at reception. The phone rings. Kevin answers it, and he's able to transfer the call to Dwight successfully. He's so happy. He looks all cocky to camera. Charles comes out and says, hey, Kevin, I need you to set up a conference call with David Wallace and the other branch managers in 10 minutes. I'll take it. In the conference room, Kevin looks like he's gonna crap his pants. He goes, you got it, boss. And then he runs out of the office and never comes back.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, I asked Brian what was it like to be at the reception desk for that week, you know? Cause I noticed throughout the whole episode he's in the background. And he was doing what I had to do, which is be in the background a lot. And he did point out that just cause you guys were in the corner, which is something you've talked about, you know, they would make you guys stand at the copier. So he was just happy he got to sit for his background work.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'm telling you, I stood for almost nine years. Yeah, I love that.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, that was dream team. Next up is Michael Scott Paper Company. We're gonna get busy in that little storage room. I can't wait.

[Angela Kinsey]

Me too. All right, have a great week, you guys.

[Jenna Fischer]

See you then.

Thank you for listening to Office Lady's Second Drink.

[Angela Kinsey]

This episode was initially created in collaboration with Earwolf.

[Jenna Fischer]

Office Ladies is a presentation of Odyssey and is produced by Jennifer Fisher and Angela Kinsey. Our senior producer is Matt Beagle.

[Angela Kinsey]

Our Second Drinks episodes are produced by Molly Nugent.

[Jenna Fischer]

Our audio engineer is Sam Kieffer.

[Angela Kinsey]

Odyssey's executive producer is Leah Rees Dennis.

[Jenna Fischer]

Office Ladies was mixed and mastered by Bill Schultz.

[Angela Kinsey]

Our theme song is Rubber Tree by Creed Bratton.