Office Ladies - "Second Drink: Fun Run Part 1 with Kate Flannery"

Podcast: Office Ladies
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Guest: Kate Flannery (Meredith Palmer)
Episode Date: November 3, 2025
Original Episode Recap: "Fun Run, Part 1" (The Office, S4E1)

Episode Overview

On this “Second Drink” episode, Jenna and Angela take a deep dive into "Fun Run Part 1," the iconic season four opener of The Office, joined by fan-favorite guest Kate Flannery (Meredith). The discussion revolves around behind-the-scenes stories of the famous scene where Michael hits Meredith with his car, exclusive deleted content, cast bonding on set, and personal anecdotes—including Angela's emotional arc and Jenna's ill-timed margaritas. The episode is loaded with laughter, heartfelt memories, and classic Office trivia, making it a treasure trove for fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kate Flannery’s Origin Story as Meredith (12:02–15:00)

• Kate originally auditioned for the role of Jan, but was recast as Meredith after a second audition (no makeup allowed).
• “Allison Jones said, ‘I think you're really right for this show, but I don't know if this is your part.’” — Kate Flannery (12:04)
• Kate and Angela bonded before the show doing improv in “Bitch Planet,” which set the stage for their on-set friendship.

2. Working as a Real Office

• Cast was encouraged to bring paperwork and do "real work" at their desks for authenticity.
• “I actually brought my taxes the first season.” — Kate Flannery (15:50)
• Background actors even created office systems; Oscar would circle oddities in fake medical records to pass around for laughs.

3. Stunt of the Century: Meredith Gets Hit by a Car (22:12–27:23)

• Kate details the stunt: They shot multiple versions, including rolling up onto the hood and glass, sometimes with a PA in place of Steve Carell for inserts.
• “I started in the center of the hood. I had to roll up to the glass and then roll off the car onto a giant mat.” — Kate Flannery (25:10)
• She was bruised for the Emmys due to the unpadded costume. Kate's willingness to do anything stemmed from her improv background.
• “I am a good guy who runs over women with his car. Why am I having such a hard time getting my message across?” — Michael/Steve Carell, deleted scene (74:00)

4. On-Set Hilarity & Outtakes

• Steve’s improvisation in the conference room scene with animal-sacrifice descriptions had the cast cracking up.
• “He just started improvising different animal combinations and we all started dropping like flies.” — Angela Kinsey (87:23)
• The hospital scenes were particularly difficult to film straight, especially when Steve improvised crawling into bed with Kate.

5. Emotional Depth: Angela’s Sprinkles Storyline (78:23–83:16)

• Angela discusses preparing for scenes where her character discovers Sprinkles has died—portrayed with real heartbreak.
• “You’re in shock. You’re sad. Your mind is trying to make it right, but you can’t. You don’t understand why it happened.” — Angela Kinsey (78:58)
• Michael’s genuine empathy at the news is highlighted as a rare, sweet character moment.

6. Deleted and Alternate Scenes

• Stanley’s cut reaction: “They cut back the Christmas gift, then no personal calls from work. Now we get run over. What’s next?” (03:13)
• Creed’s cut lines: “Meredith died 20 years ago.” & “Who the f--- is Meredith Palmer?” (03:27)
• Michael’s deleted talking head: “Maybe she hit me. You ever think of that? She hit me.” (03:38)

7. Iconic Lines, Known Origins

• “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.” (83:43)
  • Written by Gene Stupnitsky as a last-minute talking head button.

8. Behind-the-Scenes Setting Details

• Phil Shea (props master) got real Wegmans cereal and milk for Michael’s breakfast scene.
• Set etiquette: Actors “owned” their own desks, and sitting at another’s was considered off-limits.
• Fake paperwork often included antiquated, redacted medical records and timecards.

9. Jim & Pam: Early Clues and Fan Observations

• Pam’s wardrobe and necklace (a butterfly) reflect subtle transformations as her relationship with Jim evolves.
• Fake alibi: Jim says he’s going mountain biking at Montage Mountain, but it doesn’t actually permit it—demonstrates Kevin’s sleuthing and the writers’ inside jokes (54:30).

10. Rabies Research & Real-World Impact

• Jenna’s rabies “deep dive,” including warnings from medical professionals and advice: if you wake up with a bat in the room, assume you’ve been bitten (93:25).
• Fan mail confirmed people sought medical care in real-life based on podcast info.
• The episode aired the day before the first annual “World Rabies Day.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the famous Meredith vs. car stunt:
  “They played it almost like Meredith was a speed bump that [Michael] just, like, went over.” — Kate Flannery (23:05)

• Jenna’s rough day:
  “Lady, I was really, really hungover when we shot this scene… I am gray. I’m kind of green.” — Jenna Fischer (60:32)

• Angela on Sprinkles’ death:
  “You’re in shock… You can’t make it right. You can’t figure it out. You don’t understand why it happened.” — Angela Kinsey (78:58)

• Classic Office wit:
  “I am not a bad guy. I am a good guy who runs over women with his car.” — Steve Carell (74:00, deleted talking head)

• Jim & Pam’s covert relationship:
  “They say they’re just friends—but Kevin is not convinced… Kevin really has a bee in his bonnet about it.” — Jenna Fischer (09:35, 09:39)

• Kate’s wardrobe souvenir:
  “I have Meredith's purse, which… I left everything in it that was still in there. So this is why I still had the marriage union of Pamela Morgan Beasley and James Duncan Halpert.” — Kate Flannery (30:49)

• Michael’s pseudo-religious logic:
  “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.” — Steve Carell as Michael Scott (83:43)

Key Timestamps

| Segment/Topic | Time (MM:SS) | |----------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Kate Flannery joins + her casting story | 12:02–15:00 | | Details of Meredith’s stunt & stunts in general | 22:12–27:23 | | Deep background set stories | 15:50–21:59 | | Cast’s real “office job” habits | 13:54–16:09 | | Conference room “animal sacrifice” hilarity | 86:39–88:31 | | Angela’s emotional “Sprinkles” prep & breakdown | 78:23–83:16 | | Steve Carell’s iconic deleted “good guy” line | 74:00 | | Discovering Michael might have killed Meredith | 45:57–47:43 | | Deleted scenes: Stanley, Creed, Michael (accident) | 03:00–03:55 | | Jim and Pam’s subtle romance clues | 53:52–54:58 | | Jenna’s “margarita hangover” confession | 60:32-62:42 | | Real-life rabies advice | 93:25–94:47 | | PB&J joke & fan nod | 95:34 | | Michael’s Conference Room “I have flaws” | 73:40 | | Popcorn in the breakroom (John Krasinski/Jim) | 72:29 |

Additional Fun Facts & Behind-The-Scenes

• Meredith Car Photo-Ops: At conventions, fans can pose with a red car and Kate Flannery, reenacting the famous scene.
• Deleted “hospital compliments” scene: Kevin remembers Meredith’s back: “That’s all I can see from my desk. All that red hair over a nice, strong back. Sometimes I pretend it’s Carrot Top.” (06:40–07:04)
• Wegmans product placement: Phil Shea sourced real regional groceries to keep the Scranton setting authentic (41:29–42:22).
• Greg Daniels considered killing Meredith (but it was vetoed for being "too dark") (45:57–47:43).
• Pam’s quick-change to a butterfly necklace symbolized her character’s evolution.

Closing Thoughts

This “Second Drink” delivers a generous helping of nostalgia, hilarity, and warmth from The Office’s inner circle. Kate Flannery’s stories bring fresh perspective to one of TV’s most famous cold opens, and the camaraderie and candor between Jenna, Angela, and Kate offer new layers for fans to savor. From wardrobe quirks to physical comedy, from heartbreaking pet deaths to explosive laughter on set—the episode is a thorough, heartwarming tribute to what made “Fun Run” and The Office itself so memorable.