Office Ladies: Second Drink – “Money” Part 1

Original Air Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Episode Theme:
Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey—Pam and Angela from The Office—dive deep into Season 4, Episode 7: “Money, Part 1.” They share exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, dissect favorite moments, discuss set secrets, and react to fan questions about Michael’s financial woes, Schrute Farms’ first overnight guests, and other hidden gems from the classic episode.

Main Discussion & Episode Purpose

The episode centers on the making of "Money, Part 1," giving both an insider view of the writing, directing, and acting, as well as fun fan Q&A. The Office Ladies call out memorable character moments (Michael’s troubles, the Schrute Farms B&B), actor shenanigans, the realities behind props and sets, and even some personal revelations about their own lives. They break down their favorite scenes, notable trivia, background jokes, official continuity, and respond to fan myth-busting questions.

Key Insights & Discussion Points

1. Behind-the-Scenes with Paul Lieberstein (09:49–13:13)

• Directorial Debut: Paul Lieberstein wrote and directed this episode, his first time directing on The Office.
  • “He wrote this episode while on vacation in Russia!” (11:13)
  • The Schrute Farms B&B idea came to Paul after visiting farm-stay B&Bs in Italy.
• Inventing Schrute Farms: Paul was “so excited” to establish Dwight’s world and filled it with eccentric details.

2. Set & Location Revelations (13:18–17:26)

• Schrute Farms Exterior: Filmed at Disney Ranch in Santa Clarita, CA—specifically “Olivia’s House.”
• Set Realities: The farmhouse is just a shell (“exterior shell walls”), and night shoots were “freezing and drafty” (14:19).
• Telemarketing Office:
  • Exterior: Shot in Van Nuys.
  • Interior: Shot on the 10th floor of the historic LA Times building, an art deco landmark (15:55).

3. TripAdvisor Gags & Real-World Tie-Ins (17:34–20:34)

• The Office team created real TripAdvisor reviews for Schrute Farms.
• “Sprinkles Mom” left a negative review: “He killed my cat, Sprinkles. Who knows what he might do to you or your loved ones.” (18:22)
• Schrute Farms remains on TripAdvisor with 1,300 reviews and 4 stars.

4. Deleted & Alternate Scenes (02:19–08:40)

• Deleted Michael Talking Head: Michael describes Todd Packer’s “shag carpeting” (02:19).
• Michael & Jan’s Car: Two unused alts involve Michael mangling facts (“ice hats are melting”) and debating how to spend his car money—“a fleet of mopeds” (08:12).
• Alternate Background Gags:
  • Scranton blanket reappears across episodes (06:38).
  • Plant at Pam’s reception desk becomes a mini-mystery (27:29).

5. Fan Mail & Questions (05:16, 32:59, 38:37, 44:28, 69:51)

• Pam’s Sleepwear: Several fans share they do sleep in silk nighties (05:16).
• Pam & The Outhouse: Fans question logical inconsistencies about Pam not using the restroom sooner; Jenna and Angela speculate on possible explanations (04:00).
• Michael’s Car Lease: Multiple fans question how Michael could trade in a company-leased Sebring—Angela floats a “cash credit” theory (38:37).
• Why Didn’t Pam See Kevin’s Band?: Theory: maybe everyone had been to Kevin’s shows too many times already (44:28).
• What Harry Potter Was Dwight Reading?: Page 85 of "The Deathly Hallows" (69:51).

6. Set & Prop Easter Eggs (06:38, 36:33, 78:00)

• The Scranton, PA blanket appears in both Schrute Farms and the women's restroom.
• Pam, distracted pre-shoot, smiles at the camera op unintentionally (36:33).
• Angela obsesses over whether the “private room” poster is Motley Crue or Van Halen—fans confirm it’s Van Halen (78:00).

7. Actor Memories and Anecdotes

• Jenna on Yachts: Extended riff about why she doesn't get the appeal of yachting, with both hosts laughing at the likelihood they’ll somehow end up on a yacht in the future (33:05).
• Jenna’s Secret Comedy Magic Past: She reveals she used to be a silent, tuxedo-wearing comedic magician in stand-up clubs. Angela is gobsmacked, “I need a photo. I need a video. I need something.” (46:48)
• Angela’s Real Cherub Figurine: She still owns a cherub figurine like the one Angela wants back from Dwight (42:31).

8. Deleted or Unused Episode Concepts Revealed

• Michael’s “Devil Wears Prada” plotline: Michael mimics Meryl Streep’s character—John hadn’t met Emily Blunt yet, making the show’s references a coincidence (29:09).
• Schrute Farms room types: “America, Irrigation, or Nighttime” (65:10), with Pam eagerly selecting “Irrigation.”
• Multiple mentions of real-world site details and production notes, reinforcing authenticity and attention to detail from the production team.

9. Physical & Costume Details

• Angela’s high heels: “If I have to stand next to Rainn ... you get the big heels” (43:18).
• Custom cat hair clip made for Angela’s character by hair stylist Kim Ferry—Angela has the original in a shadow box (43:36).
• Pam’s odd farm outfit provokes questioning even from Jenna herself (“What the F am I wearing?” 68:16).

10. Sweet & Silly Moments

• John Krasinski’s “Clooney” prank: He kept turning on Jenna’s seat warmer during Schrute Farms shooting (50:34).
• Angela and Jenna rave about the “Michael is the gym of the telemarketing office” plot twist (59:24).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Michael’s Deleted Talking Head (02:19):
  Angela (as Michael): “You know who loves interior design? My friend Todd Packer. He is always asking if Jan’s carpet matches her drapes...People’s design sensibilities change.”
• On Schrute Farms B&B (During Fast Facts) (12:13):
  Jenna: “Paul just said he loved imagining Dwight as a proprietor of a bed and breakfast.”
• On the TripAdvisor Schrute Farms Page (18:22):
  Angela: (Review): “He killed my cat, Sprinkles. Who knows what he might do to you or your loved ones.”
• Jenna’s Secret Past (46:48):
  Angela: “You were like a comedic mime. What? I would give anything to see that.”
  Jenna: “I still have my tuxedo … I was a fancy magician. I wore a coat and tails.”
• On Motleys vs. Van Halen Poster (78:00):
  Angela: “It’s gotta be Motley Crue, right?...Many people wrote in to tell me, very nicely, Angela, it is a Van Halen poster.”
• On Yachts (33:05 & following):
  Jenna: “You know what you’re not going to hear on Office Ladies? An ad for yachting.”
  Angela: “Cut to two years from now when … we’re yachting.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |-------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 09:49 | Paul Lieberstein’s role & script inspirations | | 13:18 | Schrute Farms & Disney Ranch location breakdown | | 17:34 | TripAdvisor: Real tie-ins, Sprinkles’ Mom review | | 27:29 | Plant Easter eggs at reception | | 29:09 | Devil Wears Prada references and “Six Degrees…” trivia | | 36:33 | Behind-the-scenes: Pam’s on-camera flub at reception | | 38:37 | Fan questions: Michael’s car lease and continuity | | 42:31 | Real-life Angela’s cherub figurine | | 44:28 | Fan Q: Why didn’t Pam see Kevin’s band? | | 46:48 | Jenna’s “comedic magician” reveal | | 50:34 | John Krasinski’s “seat warmer” prank | | 69:51 | What Harry Potter passage Dwight reads to Jim and Pam | | 78:00 | Poster in Dwight’s “private room”—Motley Crue vs. Van Halen | | 80:06 | Jim says "Dwight" and "Dwhite" in the same scene | | 81:03 | Michael and Jan’s closing scene at the telemarketing office |

Flow and Tone

The tone remains true to Jenna and Angela’s dynamic: warm, goofy, insightful, packed with laughter and loving exasperation. The hosts balance revealing set secrets with personal and fan stories, continually crediting writers and crew for details and depth.

Summary

This “Second Drink” episode of Office Ladies takes fans on a deep, delightful dive into the making of "Money, Part 1"—from the logistics of shooting at a haunted, dusty fake farmhouse, to Michael’s heart-wrenching money stress, to hidden clues and running jokes. Between surprising trivia (Jenna’s mime magic), set design geekery, and loving commentary on their Office family, Angela and Jenna make this a can’t-miss for Office superfans or anyone interested in sitcom production and behind-the-scenes magic.

For Next Week

Tune in for “Money, Part 2,” where the ladies will wrap up the arc and share more exclusive stories from Schrute Farms, Michael’s money woes, and even more fan-favorite moments. Send in your questions!