Office Ladies “Second Drink: Job Fair” (Season 4, Episode 17)

Release Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey

Episode Overview

In this “Second Drink” installment, Jenna and Angela offer a deep dive into "Job Fair," Season 4, Episode 17 of The Office. The pair revisit deleted scenes, answer fan questions, and provide behind-the-scenes details only two cast members can. Topics include the infamous cut cold open, filming locations, hidden continuity details, special guest stars, and, of course, life lessons in office culture. The tone: breezy, warm, vulnerable, and filled with unmistakable best-friend banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Infamous Deleted Cold Open: Michael’s Toilet Tragedy

[02:20 - 06:23]

• Angela shares that the deleted cold open (now restored in the Peacock Superfan cut) involves Michael losing all his possessions to a toilet mishap: “My cell phone fell out...then my gluetooth...my wallet, my tip calculator, my candy corn, my white strips—all fell into the toilet.” (Michael Scott, [03:11])
• Michael’s rationale for throwing his keys: “I threw the keys in out of anger.” ([03:48])
• Jenna and Angela express disbelief this wasn’t kept: “I can’t believe that this was cut. I would have cut anything out of the episode...” (Jenna Fischer, [04:27])
• The cold open sparked laughter during the table read, especially the “keys in out of anger” moment.
• Michael’s “invention” to prevent dropping things into the toilet—described as a tennis racket with a brush hanging from it—broke Jenna in the scene.
• Angela: “It’s just so ridiculous...you have to do your business through the racket threads.” ([05:55])

2. Spotting Continuity & Deep Cuts

[06:23 - 08:22]

• Listener Sandra P. notes the irony of the series’ start being about downsizing, yet here the staff attempts to hire at a job fair. “Michael should have hired Devin back.” ([06:44])
• Angela and Jenna reflect on the series' evolution and discuss the school trophy case scene: Pam sees Roy’s glory but her own art is missing—a subtle dig at her character, noted by fan Patrick R. ([07:51])

3. Guest Star Shout-Outs

[08:53 - 10:01]

• Charlie McDermott (the cool high school guy) gets his due: appeared in Frozen River, The Middle, now mainly a musician, and “is an Aries.” ([09:59])
• Trevor Einhorn (Justin, the intern candidate) is a Scorpio and not related to D.P. Randall Einhorn ([43:49])

4. Filming Locations Breakdown

[12:21 - 16:03]

• Valley View High School (Pam’s alma mater) is real—near Scranton—but the shoot used Birmingham High (Van Nuys, CA).
• Other Birmingham filmings: Gwen Stefani’s Hollaback Girl video, Eminem’s No Love, an episode of Monk ([13:49]).
• Vista Valencia Golf Course doubled as Scranton’s golf course; Jenna details pricing, the concept of “foot golf,” and pony keg lore.
• Angela: “I would foot golf if there was, like, a pony keg set up on, like, the eighth hole.” ([17:13])

5. Behind-the-Scenes Pregnancy & Crew Stories

[18:10 - 19:52]

• Angela was “super pregs”—shots framed shoulders-up to hide her belly ([18:19]).
• Angela shares filming while pregnant; visiting the golf course with Creed and Ed Helms, who wrote and performed a song for her baby (still searching for the video).

6. Scripts, Deleted Scenes & Fan Mysteries

[24:06 - 26:16]

• Angela brings in her script and confirms that the discarded cold open (Michael’s “mesh toilet guard invention”) was indeed scripted, not improvised.
• The episode uniquely lacks a classic comedic cold open; instead, the plot begins immediately.

7. Plot & Character Breakdowns

A. The Job Fair Crew

[26:28 - 43:49]

• Michael, Pam, Oscar, and Daryl attend the job fair. Michael brings only a single blank sheet of paper, representing “endless possibilities” ([39:52]).
• Michael’s real purpose: “I am lonely and I need a new Ryan.” ([26:56], deleted scene)
• Observations about Pam: her return to the high school is quietly traumatic—her art is absent, Roy’s football legacy remains.
  • “It’s hard to realize that you’ve put your hopes and dreams on hold.” (Angela, [48:49])
• Continuity: Justin writes “Justin E.” on a sign-in—because the actor’s real last name is Einhorn ([42:48]).
• Michael tanks his one lead (Justin) with: “Paper should be more of a hobby for you.” ([41:07])
• Michael’s disinterest in the only interested intern candidate, then later desperation, provides a classic cringey arc.

B. The Golf Course Capers

[28:15 - 57:52]

• Jim, on thin ice at work, brings Andy (Cornell snobbery and rivalry with Dartmouth explained) and Kevin (the office’s ringer/gambler).
• Andy quickly sabotages things: “My grandfather would be spinning in his urn if he knew he was golfing with a Dartmouth alum.” (Andy)
• Jim’s “diabolical plan” was to bond with McGuire over Andy’s obnoxious Cornell pride, though evidence is mixed.
• Makeup story: Ed Helms’ “blisties” took 20-30 minutes to apply and required careful handling ([31:53]).
• A spirited debate arises about handwashing habits at home ([32:28 - 33:48]).
• Lesson: don’t pop blisters, medical wisdom from Jenna ([34:06]).
• Golf gambling: Kevin lists “Skins, Ac Doocy, Bingo, Bango, Bongo, Sandy’s, Barky’s, Wolf, Arnie’s” ([35:04]).
• The writers chose Kevin for both his “betting” subplot and as the office’s best actual golfer (Brian Baumgartner’s real-life 7 handicap).
• Andy’s crash: Ed Helms did NOT perform the golf cart stunt ([54:49]).

C. Dunder Mifflin’s Remaining Staff (Dwight & Angela)

[40:01 - 65:27]

• Mass exodus: Only Dwight and Angela remain (rule followers both); everyone else bails as soon as they can.
• “Pumpkin’s out!”—a classic Creed-Angela bit that's become their lifelong text sign-off ([44:38]):
  • “Ever since we shot Job Fair, he has called me pumpkin.” (Angela, [45:18])
• Angela’s delight stems from being alone: “Whenever I’m here by myself, I like to pretend that all the others are dead. So this is nice.” (deleted talking head, [45:37])
• Minor rekindling: Angela says “Bless you” to Dwight; he holds the door for her as they leave ([64:54]).

8. Favorite Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Michael: “It is not toilet humor. It is toilet tragedy.” ([04:03])
• Jenna on handwashing: “It’s really clear now that I don’t always wash my hands after I pee at home. I feel like maybe we were going to bond over something that now we’re not bonding over.” ([33:23])
• Angela (deleted scene): “Whenever I’m here by myself, I like to pretend that all the others are dead. So this is nice.” ([46:06])
• Michael about Pam: “Listen, I wouldn’t say this to her face, but she’s a wonderful person and a gifted artist.” (to Justin, [59:07]).
  Oscar’s deadpan: “Why wouldn’t you say that to her face?” ([59:19])
• Michael’s pitch at the end: “…do not offer college credit and they cannot give you any sort of pay, but it's a super fun work environment. Anyone? Show of hands, anyone?” ([63:29])

Notable Timestamps

• [02:20] - Cold open discussion, deleted toilet scene
• [12:21] - Valley View/Birmingham High School filming location
• [16:03] - “Foot golf” revelation and pony keg discussion
• [32:28] - Blisters, hand washing debate, and health tips
• [44:38] - “Pumpkin’s out!” (Creed’s nickname for Angela)
• [46:06] - Angela’s (deleted) talking head: “Whenever I’m here…I pretend all others are dead.”
• [64:54 & 65:14] - Angela and Dwight’s silent rekindling: bless you & holding the door
• [66:31] - Jim and Pam’s celebratory make-out session; Michael: “Yeah, kiss her. Kiss her good.”
• [69:23] - Nelson Franklin cameo and seeds planted for Pam’s graphic design arc

Fan Mail & Observations

• Listeners spot continuity, e.g. Pam’s missing artwork and Roy’s longevity in the trophy case as subtle emotional gut-punches.
• Speculation about script details is clarified with Angela’s script: e.g., pumpkin reference, golf course casting rationale, and character pairings.

Shout-Outs

• Stand-ins Lori and Steven Socks make a brief, appreciated appearance. Their advocacy podcast “If We Knew Then” is recommended for parents in the Down syndrome community ([61:41]).
• Brian Baumgartner’s real-life golf prowess (celebrity tournaments, 7 handicap) is highlighted.

Closing Moments

• Jim and Pam’s extended make-out: was scripted, both a fan and in-character crowd-pleaser ([68:02]).
• Michael hovers and says, “Yeah, kiss her. Kiss her good.” ([68:02]), which Jenna insists broke her and John during filming.
• The final scene sets up Pam’s future graphic design storyline, planting seeds for Season 5 ([69:23]).
• Angela plugs Nelson Franklin’s subsequent work and her experience with him on Netflix’s BlackAF.

In the Office Ladies’ Tone...

Endearing, funny, occasionally TMI (handwashing, anyone?), and always filled with gratitude for fans and crew alike. Jenna and Angela reinforce both the community around The Office and their own friendship through candid production details and emotional observations.

For further details, be sure to check out “If We Knew Then” podcast (Steven & Lori Socks), and don’t forget to watch the Superfan cut of “Job Fair” for Michael’s full toilet adventure!

Listen Next:

Finale of Season 4!

“Pumpkin’s out!”