Office Ladies – "Second Drink: Fun Run Part 2"

Release Date: November 10, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Podcast Theme: A behind-the-scenes, episode-by-episode rewatch of The Office by two of its stars/best friends.

Episode Overview

In this lively installment, Jenna and Angela dive into "Fun Run Part 2," covering the second half of The Office’s season 4 premiere. They reminisce about shooting on location, reveal personal stories from set (including Jenna’s real-life injury), explore the episode’s memorable plotlines—Michael’s rabies fun run, Pam and Jim’s relationship reveal, the fallout of Sprinkles’ untimely death—and answer fan questions about production, wardrobe, props, and more. The chemistry between the co-hosts shines through as they balance genuine affection, playful teasing, and insightful episode breakdowns.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Filming "Fun Run" on Location & Behind the Scenes

• Returning from Summer Break:
  • The cast was especially chatty and energetic.
    • Angela Kinsey (03:07): “Yeah, I miss our little hangouts between scenes, especially when we're on location.”
• Photo Memories:
  • NBC's photographers captured candid moments, many still online.
    • Jenna (02:37): “Such a sweet one of you and Steve just walking and talking. It really made me miss us.”

The Sprinkles Debate: Who’s to Blame?

• Fan Mail on Blame:
  • Some assert it’s Pam's fault for making Angela visit Meredith, forcing Dwight to care for Sprinkles; others blame Dwight.
  • Angie Z.’s fan email (03:18):
    • “It was definitely Dwight's fault. ... He probably didn't do it right because he wasn't even paying attention...”
  • Angela (04:10): “Well, it is true. I mean, she gave Dwight a whole written out list. All he had to do was look at it.”
• Pam’s Guilt:
  • Jenna (04:02): "I really took on as Pam some of that responsibility after our All About Angela Martin episode."

The Documentary Crew Gets Involved

• Unique Narrative Move:
  • The episode’s documentary crew directly shows Jim and Pam footage of them kissing.
  • Fan Theory (Ashley S.):
    • The crew wants the “scoop” for Brian, the boom guy (04:15).
  • Jenna and Angela debate the implications—why the crew breaks its usual non-interference.

Wardrobe and Props Deep Dive

• Angela’s Mourning Outfit:

  • Angela (05:20):
    • Detailed description including “scrunched high collar” and “poet’s blouse” sleeves.

• Fun Run T-Shirts and Wristbands:

  • Jenna (14:25): “She designed those. We made them ourselves. She said that she just tried to imagine Michael getting on the phone and ordering those T shirts with the ridiculously long name...”
  • The blue color was chosen because it’s universally flattering.
  • Angela wore custom crop pants instead of shorts; wore Keds at first, swapped for true sneakers for running scenes.
  • Angela’s Sprinkles Shirt:
    • Custom made by wardrobe; not kept by Angela.

• Dwight’s Schrute Farms Shirt:

  • Made last minute with a parking lot stencil and spray paint—no art file exists.
  • Demand post-episode led to marketing scrambling for ways to mass-produce it.

• Michael’s “Women’s” Shorts?:

  • Jenna (18:49):
    • Carrie (costumes) insists they weren’t women’s shorts—Steve Carell was just in very fit shape and hard to dress as “unathletic Michael” once in casual attire.

Real Life Injury Shapes Storyline

• Jenna’s Back Injury and On-Set BFF Support:
  • The reason Pam walks (not runs): Jenna broke four transverse vertebrae in her back in May 2007 after falling down marble stairs at a work event in NYC.
  • Angela was there the whole time—at the hospital, staying with Jenna at the Ritz Carlton while she recovered.
    • Angela (27:14): “I didn't leave your side because you had family on the way. ... Every friendship has these milestone moments that you're forever bonded by."
  • Jenna (28:08): “If you're wondering why Angela and I are best friends and will be best friends forever—friends who, catheter, together, stay together.”
• Series Impact:
  • Writers had to work her recovery into the episode; Pam’s laid-back “sassy” demeanor was, in part, a practical workaround.

"Fun Run" Production Challenges

• Hour-Long Episodes:
  • Season 4 begins with four hour-long episodes to fill network space after a network exec’s special request. The writing challenge was making two halves stand alone if rerun as individual episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Jenna (13:06): “Greg said it was a challenge because he had to wrap up the first episode in a way that would make it satisfying for a future viewer to watch it in a half hour form.”

Iconic Scenes and Comedy Highlights

• Pam Reciting the Race Title—Mouthful and All:

  • Jenna (33:49): “I had to memorize that. But I did have it sitting on a piece of paper... I would look at it intensely because that is a mouthful.”

• Rabies Quilt:

  • Phyllis makes a “rabies quilt” as part of fundraising efforts.
  • Available online for real-life purchase.

• Andy’s Nipple Chafing:

  • Fan question leads to Justin Spitzer’s inspiration: bloody post-marathon shirts in real life.
    • Angela (39:05): “Also called Jogger’s Nipple. ... I love a good business name. NipEes. Mr. Nip. Nip Strips.”

• The “Crew Turns on Us” Scene (Angela & Pam):

  • [43:06] They repeatedly crack up during Angela’s grief-stricken cubicle confessional, delaying filming until director Greg Daniels calls for a break.
    • Angela (45:00): “These two gals who are literally laughing so hard they can't speak. And Greg was like, why don't we take a break...Oh no, Jenna, they're turning on us.”

• Pam’s Sassy Transformation:

  • “Happy Pam is a sassy Pam. She gives zero Fs about what's going on around her. She's a totally different person.” (Angela, 11:46)
  • Ignoring Angela’s pain, “Well, I’m more of a dog person.” (Jenna as Pam, 43:55)

• Jim & Pam Go Public:

  • Documentary crew “forces” their hand by showing footage, leading to an adorable, no-denial reveal.

Deleted Scenes and Unseen Moments

• Angela Spits on Bob Vance:
  • In a background scene (unseen in aired cut), Angela spits on Bob when he mentions one of her cats, alluding to a mysterious history between Meredith and Angela’s cats (63:18).

Trivia, Easter Eggs & Deep Dives

• Jan's Nurse Costume:
  • The iconic “nurse” outfit worn by the stripper making the check presentation reappears on Angela’s character in a later Halloween episode (season 7).
  • Real nurse “cross” symbol not allowed by Red Cross—had to invert colors for legal reasons.
• Michael Shirt-Cocking:
  • Hosts riff on the term “shirt cocking” to describe Michael greeting Pam while nude but wearing a shirt.

Physical Comedy & Gross-Out Gags

• Michael’s Carboloading Fail:

  • Shovels fettuccine Alfredo before the race, only to collapse and vomit across the finish line.
  • Steve Carell spit out the pasta for most takes; hot summer day made real eating unbearable.

• Nipple Chafing & Niche Product Industry:

  • Angela’s research uncovers real-world men's nipple-protection products and names.

• Lollipop Sharing:

  • The final scene: Michael gives Meredith a lollipop, then refuses to take it back after she’s used it—improvised by Steve Carell, completed by Kate Flannery “without rinsing it off.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:29 – Hosts reminisce about location filming and cast friendship
• 03:13 – Debate over who’s to blame for Sprinkles’ death
• 04:54 – Fan theory: The doc crew intervenes for Brian
• 05:20 – Angela describes her "mourning" outfit
• 14:25 – Deep dive into Fun Run shirts and props
• 20:12 – Jenna recounts her back injury, Angela recounts hospital experience
• 29:46 – Returns from ad break: Parade and cozy home stories
• 33:11 – Pam answers phones, delivers the race’s absurdly long title
• 35:45 – Phyllis’s “rabies quilt” and a quilting tangent
• 37:43 – Andy’s nipple chafing and real-life inspiration
• 43:06 – “The moment the crew turned on us” (Angela & Jenna repeatedly break)
• 46:58 – Fan “soapbox”: Is Pam indirectly responsible for Sprinkles’ demise?
• 51:40 – Conference Room: Michael plans giant check and rabies doctor
• 57:49 – Michael “shirt cocks” Pam; the logistics of filming the scene
• 66:11 – Michael’s infamous fettuccine carbo-load
• 67:56 – Dwight fires off a real (blank) gun to start the run
• 71:10 – Dwight sabotages Toby’s run with Imodium
• 72:16 – The anti-run trio (Oscar, Creed, Stanley) ditch for a café
• 75:56 – Dwight and Angela’s running dialogue, heartbreak, and performance notes
• 82:03 – Michael’s palm-tree-shadowed, nauseated finish
• 83:16 – Michael & Meredith share (for real) the lollipop

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Behind-the-Scenes Friendship:

  • “Friends who, catheter, together, stay together.” – Jenna (28:08)

• On Pam’s Transformation:

  • “Happy Pam is a sassy Pam. She gives zero Fs about what's going on around her. She's a totally different person.” – Angela (11:46)

• On Costuming:

  • “She [Carrie Bennett] just tried to imagine Michael getting on the phone and ordering those T shirts with the ridiculously long name and insisting all the words be on the shirt…” – Jenna (14:25)

• On Set Challenges:

  • “You have to imagine from my point of view what it’s like to have your tiny blonde head pop up suddenly. It’s very funny.” – Jenna (44:41, on Angela in the cubicle scene)

• On Pam & Jim’s Reveal:

  • “You know what? We’re dating.” – Pam (49:38), perfectly encapsulating “Happy Pam Sass.”

• On Filming the Naked Michael Scene:

  • “Steve was actually wearing like a flesh colored Speedo. It’s still not pleasant to look at, guys.” – Jenna (58:12)

• On Michael’s Fettuccine Finish:

  • “He slowly makes his way across the finish line. And I caught a palm tree.” – Angela (81:56)

• On Angela’s Performance:

  • “She is a mixture of tragically funny and also just heartbreaking…” – Fan letter (76:37)

Fan Questions, Fun Facts & Behind-the-Scenes Revelations

• “Fun Run” shirts were designed in-house, with blue chosen for universal appeal.
• Steve Carell’s impressive fitness required creative costuming to maintain “Michael’s” less athletic look.
• Ed Helms had to actually tape his shirt for Andy’s nipple chafing gags — quite uncomfortable!
• Deleted scenes included Angela spitting on Bob Vance and Dwight reflecting on forgiveness, paralleling Michael’s accident forgiveness arc with Meredith.
• The “nurse” costume worn by Elizabeth the stripper is the same costume Angela wears in a season 7 Halloween episode.
• All lollipop sharing in the hospital finale was authentic and not rehearsed.

Closing Thoughts

The episode is a delightful blend of revealing cast camaraderie, detailed production knowledge, and uproarious anecdotes. Jenna and Angela’s chemistry, their depth of memory, and their enthusiasm for both the comedy and artistry behind The Office shine throughout. For Office fans (or curious newcomers), it’s an irresistible blend of nostalgia, laughter, and new insights.

Next episode tease:
They close out “Fun Run” and look forward to the next rewatch, promising more behind-the-scenes gems.

Summary prepared for Office Ladies fans and The Office enthusiasts seeking an in-depth, timestamped, and colorfully-quoted highlight of a memorable podcast episode.