Office Ladies — "Second Drink: Local Ad"

Podcast: Office Ladies
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Episode: Second Drink: Local Ad
Date: December 29, 2025
Theme: Revisiting “Local Ad” (Season 4, Episode 9), sharing behind-the-scenes stories, fan mail, hidden gems, and audio clips from director Jason Reitman.

Episode Overview

This Second Drink episode is a deep-dive revisit into The Office’s iconic “Local Ad” episode. Jenna and Angela respond to fan mail, spotlight fun facts and hidden gems, recount behind-the-scenes moments—especially from director Jason Reitman—and celebrate the creative and personal connections (“crossover connections”) among the cast, crew, and guest stars. The episode is rich with warmth, nostalgia, and the trademark quirky humor of both hosts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fan Mail & Hidden Gems

• Kit Kat Jingle Differences (02:11 - 03:14)

  • Jade from New Zealand shares they've never heard the U.S. Kit Kat jingle, noting their local version is “Have a break, have a Kit Kat.” This leads to a discussion about misheard jingles and a Billie Eilish story about thinking Bono was from Scranton.

    "I always thought that Break me off a piece of that Fancy Feast was the correct ending to the jingle that was stuck in Andy's head." (02:54, email from Jade A., read by Jenna)

• Mike’s Cereal Shack Real Life Parallels (03:46 - 05:19)

  • Multiple fans write in to say cereal cafés exist in the U.S. (Stirs in Utah, Cereality in Chicago) and Spain, proving Michael Scott’s idea isn’t as far-fetched as it seemed.

2. Fan Catches

• Michael’s “Final, Final, Final Video” Subject Line (06:10)

  • Ilona N. points out the subtle joke in Michael’s email subject, delighting both hosts with its meta humor. Jenna & Angela relate to the urge to constantly revise and resend creative work.

    "I actually think it's because he kept sending different versions." (Angela, 06:10)

• Holly Absent in Nashua Commercial (07:00 - 07:48)

  • Joan S. wonders why Holly isn’t seen in Nashua's ad, prompting the hosts to explain the character hadn’t been introduced yet, and riff hilariously about her being “out sick the day they filmed the Wave.”

3. Episode Breakdown & Behind-the-Scenes

Opening Reflections (08:36 - 09:42)

• Angela & Jenna’s Ongoing "I declare BANKRUPTCY!" Bit
  • Classic Office references spark laughter and recognition of the show’s catchphrases.

Fast Facts

• Fast Fact #1: Director Jason Reitman (10:16 - 15:26)

  • Jason Reitman shares (via audio) his perspective on directing, describing it as “like someone asking you, do you want to drive my Lamborghini?”

  • He details the unique camera work and how even the director becomes part of the cast, particularly during Talking Head scenes.

    "Really, you are simply the first audience... as a director on The Office, it's a learning experience and a joyful one." (Jason Reitman, 12:44)

    "The set was freezing cold, which was Steve Carell’s request... this whole 'cold is comedy' thing." (Jason Reitman, 15:18)

• Fast Fact #2: Second Life Deep Dive (17:19 - 21:36)

  • Jenna explains Second Life’s mechanics and history, its social, not gaming, roots, and its weird, creative online culture.

  • Hosts explain how Second Life was customized for the show with developer cooperation, using avatars modeled after the cast.

    "I stopped playing Sims when I had built myself a little house, and... in the game, I was petting my fake cat, and I looked over at my real cat... and I thought, yeah, I need to get out of this game and pet my real cat." (Jenna, 17:59)

• Fast Fact #3: Kit Kat Jingle & “Earworms” (21:55 - 24:44)

  • Detailed timeline and musical trivia, including the jingle’s 1986 U.S. debut, and its place in “top 10 earworms” (Chili’s Baby Back Ribs, “We Will Rock You,” etc.).

Crossover Connections

• Director and Guest Stars Interconnection (33:20 - 35:40)
  • Almost all guest stars in “Local Ad” also appeared on the show “Monk” in various small roles. Angela’s delight in these “crossover connections” is infectious, including personal stories (Tim Kang’s daughter and Angela’s daughter played soccer together; Jenna and Kyle Bornheimer were both in Blades of Glory).

Specific Episode Moments and Behind-the-Scenes Details

• Dwight’s Second Life Profile (37:01)

  • Jenna shares Dwight’s absurd avatar interests (“cornhusk doll maker, beat sculptor, not tying champion; goal: to calculate the exchange between Schrute Bucks and Linden Dollars”).

• Deleted Scene: Michael’s Outrageous Pitch

  • A deleted Rome-to-prison-resort-commercial-pitch scene is referenced, prompting the real pitch replay from Jason Reitman (39:04).

    "Little girl in a field holding a flower... zoom back further, the desert's a sandbox in the world's largest resort hotel. Zoom back... hotel is the playground of the world's largest prison." (Michael's pitch as recounted by Jason, 39:04)

• Creating the Nashua Branch Commercial Parody (41:02 - 42:57)

  • Jason Reitman reveals he relished making a deliberately "bad" but authentic-feeling corporate commercial, even using his long-time actor friend Jeff Witzke as its star.

    "There's certain things that you may not know how to do authentically, but you know how to satirize." (Jason Reitman, 41:35)

On-Set Stories

• Angela’s Pregnancy Glow & The Rooftop Scene (74:18 - 77:30)
  • Angela explains why she’s not on the rooftop in the ad conclusion—she was at an OBGYN appointment. She and Mindy were added in post-production: “We just did a wave... then they did a little fancy editing and put us in the shot.” (74:26)
  • Jenna recalls Angela telling her about her pregnancy in Jenna’s trailer, a touching moment for both: “I was just so happy for you. I knew how much you wanted to be a mother... you are such a good mother.” (Jenna, 77:02)

Fan Questions and Fun Facts

• Pam Sleeping at Work: Subtle Hints and Continuity (68:20 - 71:47)

  • Jenna and Angela debate if Jim and Pam are living together; discuss Pam staying overnight to finish her animation; and riff on the logistical downsides (contacts, toothbrushes).

• Commercials in Real Life & The Office (55:16 - 58:32)

  • Jenna shares she didn’t book a speaking commercial for 20 years—until her Smirnoff ad with Ted Danson.
  • Angela’s moneymaker was commercials: “I did a lay’s Olestra [chips]. It said on the bag it caused anal leakage. But I ate those chips all day, guys, and I was totes fine.” (Angela, 57:43)

• Jingles: Written by Family (60:48 - 61:06)

  • The Dunder Mifflin ad jingle was written by BJ Novak’s brother, Jesse Novak (“BoJack Horseman,” “The Mindy Project”). Later, the jingle is rewritten by Craig Robinson (Darryl).

• Easter Eggs: Philly Jim’s Guitar (62:10 - 63:47)

  • Jim’s “Second Life” avatar’s guitar and job as a Philly sportswriter is later mirrored in Season 9—possibly due to the show's bible picking up these little character threads.

• Improvisation: Kevin’s Tape-Tissue (65:41 - 67:23)

  • Brian Baumgartner improvised giving Phyllis tape instead of a tissue, a bit that earned a camera angle adjustment in subsequent takes.

• Paper Airplane POV Shot (81:19 - 82:51)

  • Jason Reitman explains that the effect is a tribute to 90s bullet/arrow POVs (e.g., Sam Raimi, John Woo), achieved by taping the paper airplane to the camera.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• "Directing The Office was like someone asking you, do you want to drive my Lamborghini?"
  — Jason Reitman (12:44)

• “You could probably walk down the street and stick a microphone in someone's face and say, give me a break, and they'd immediately go into it.”
  — Jenna Fischer (24:44)

• “I just want to remind you that's the theme of this episode—hidden gems and crossover connections.”
  — Jenna Fischer (25:02)

• “I hate it. I don't hate it. I just don't like it at all. It's terrible.”
  — Michael Scott (Craig Robinson’s jingle scene, ~64:43)

• Angela’s strong feelings on the mystery genre:
  “I find the mystery genre disgusting, and I hate being titillated.” (Angela Martin, 55:12)

• On Michael’s endless enthusiasm:
  “He is on fire today... Has Michael ever had a more exciting day at work? No.”
  — Jenna Fischer (09:42)

• On improvisation and cast chemistry:
  “That's such a great example of how our improvisations would work into a scene... if they liked them, they'd draw you in to create a fun button.”
  — Jenna Fischer (67:08)

• On the ending’s emotional payoff:
  “Anyone who’s ever done a high school play or made a high school video knows what it feels like when outsiders come together to make something... it bonds you and erases fights because you can’t help it.”
  — Jason Reitman (79:03)

• Ed Helms’ many failed jingle attempts:
  “Break me off a piece of that applesauce, Chrysler car, football cream, lumber tar, Snickers bar...”
  — Angela Kinsey (83:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:14 — Kit Kat Jingle global variations
• 04:45 — Real-life cereal cafés inspired by Mike’s Cereal Shack
• 06:10, 07:00 — Hilarious fan catches about Michael’s “final, final, final video" and missing Holly, Nashua
• 10:16–15:26 — Jason Reitman on directing The Office (audio)
• 17:19–21:36 — Deep dive: Second Life; how graphics were made for the episode
• 24:44 — Kit Kat earworms and pop culture trivia
• 33:20–35:40 — Crossover connections with Monk, personal stories from Jenna & Angela
• 41:02–42:57 — Jason Reitman on making the fake Nashua commercial (audio)
• 57:43 — Angela’s “anal leakage” potato chip commercial story
• 60:45 — Discussion of BJ Novak’s brother writing the jingle
• 62:10–63:47 — Philly Jim’s guitar and sports job foreshadowed
• 65:41–67:23 — Kevin offers Phyllis tape instead of a tissue (Brian Baumgartner’s improv)
• 74:18–77:30 — Angela reveals pregnancy, how she and Mindy were edited into the rooftop scene, Jenna’s joyful reaction

Final Message & Reflections

• Jason Reitman’s closing audio (84:04):
  • His daughter only knows his directing work from The Office and is proud of it.
  • “It really is a privilege to be part of the history of that show... there’s only so many people who have walked on the moon, and there’s only so many people who have directed The Office.”
  • Recalls the warmth and fun of the cast, counter to the “comedy only comes from anger” myth.

Takeaway

This episode is a nostalgic and heartfelt reminder of The Office’s creative magic, both in front of and behind the camera. Jenna and Angela’s rapport and genuine affection for their colleagues, combined with Jason Reitman’s anecdotes and the impressive attention to detail (from prop emails to the pitch-perfect “bad” commercial), make this a treasure trove for fans.

Next Week:
Branch Wars — “I think we're going to have a few hidden gems in a row. I'm predicting.” (Jenna, 85:31)

Compiled with warmth, laughs, and plenty of crossover connections.