Second Drink: The Alliance with Phil Shea

Summary

Podcast Summary: Office Ladies – "Second Drink: The Alliance with Phil Shea"

Episode Information:

• Title: Second Drink: The Alliance with Phil Shea
• Release Date: December 2, 2024
• Hosts: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
• Description: Jenna and Angela delve into "The Office" episode "The Alliance," providing exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and in-depth analysis.

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Overview

In this episode of Office Ladies, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey revisit "The Alliance," the fourth episode of the first season of The Office. They break down the episode’s key plot points, share personal anecdotes from the set, discuss continuity errors, and offer insights into character dynamics. The hosts also bring in special guest Phil Shea, a prop master, to shed light on the iconic box scene that has captivated fans.

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Key Plot Points

1. Michael’s Birthday Party Initiative (11:08)

   • Michael Scott, aiming to boost office morale amidst downsizing rumors, insists on throwing a birthday party for Meredith, whose actual birthday is the following month.
   • Jenna shares behind-the-scenes moments, including deleted scenes where Michael coaches Pam on answering phones with a smile (05:11).

2. **Jim and Dwight Form an Alliance (11:08)

   • Amid fears of downsizing, Dwight Schrute approaches Jim Halpert to form an alliance.
   • This collaboration leads to playful antics and pranks, highlighting Jim and Pam’s budding relationship.

3. **Oscar’s Walkathon Donation (45:17)

   • Oscar coerces Michael into donating to his nephew’s walkathon charity.
   • Michael mistakenly pledges $25 per mile instead of a flat $25, resulting in a significant overcommitment.

4. **The Iconic Box Scene (48:33)

   • Dwight ends up in a box in the warehouse to spy on coworkers.
   • Fans frequently inquire about the logistics behind this memorable scene, prompting Phil Shea to join the discussion.

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Behind-The-Scenes Insights

• Prop Challenges:

  • Box Construction: Phil Shea explains the extensive process of creating the box used in Dwight’s spying scene. Due to budget constraints, actor David Denman (who plays Roy) was tasked with being inside the box, requiring custom modifications and multiple takes (54:06).

• Continuity Errors:

  • Meredith’s Job Title: A continuity error arises when Jim refers to Meredith as an accountant, while the show bible lists her as a customer service rep (30:36).
  • Streamers Color: Phyllis discusses the inconsistency in streamer colors during the party planning scenes, highlighting the challenges of maintaining continuity on set (20:27).

• Deleted Scenes:

  • Jenna and Phyllis talk about various deleted scenes from "The Alliance," including additional interactions between Jim and Dwight and Michael’s coaching segments, which are available on the Season 1 DVD (17:11).

• Character Development:

  • The hosts delve into Michael's misguided attempts to improve morale and Dwight's paranoia about downsizing, providing context to their actions within the episode’s narrative (11:08).

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Notable Quotes

• Phyllis Smith (00:46):
  "Whenever I travel, I love to learn new languages wherever I am, learn phrases. I always wish I knew more."

• Jenna Fischer (02:02):
  "Don't put off learning that language. There's no better time than right now to get started."

• Rainn Wilson as Dwight (36:35):
  "Sometimes it's just handed to you."

• David Denman as Roy (63:15):
  "He can be intimidated. He's a big guy."

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Special Guest: Phil Shea

Phil Shea, the prop master for The Office, joins Jenna and Angela to discuss the intricacies of the box scene. He details the challenges of creating and utilizing the box, including coordinating with actors and ensuring physical comfort during long takes. Phil shares humorous anecdotes about being left inside the box for extended periods and the camaraderie among the crew during filming (52:20).

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Personal Anecdotes & Reflections

• Jenna and Angela’s Friendship:

  • The hosts reminisce about their time on set, highlighting moments that solidified their friendship, such as planning parties and supporting each other during personal milestones like weddings (66:06).

• Hair and Makeup Mishaps:

  • Phyllis recounts the struggles with maintaining hairstyles during filming, particularly during the party planning committee scenes, adding a humorous touch to their behind-the-scenes stories (22:14).

• Emotional Connections:

  • Angela shares a heartfelt moment linking the episode to her sister’s wedding, illustrating how the show intertwined with her personal life (66:06).

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Continuity of Themes

• Morale and Workplace Dynamics:

  • The episode consistently explores themes of workplace morale and the lengths to which individuals will go to secure their positions, reflecting broader societal anxieties about job security.

• Friendship and Alliances:

  • Jim and Dwight’s alliance serves as a microcosm of office politics, showcasing how friendships can form under pressure and lead to both cooperation and conflict.

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Conclusion

Second Drink: The Alliance with Phil Shea offers a comprehensive exploration of one of The Office’s early episodes. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey provide fans with a blend of plot analysis, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal reflections that enrich the viewing experience. The inclusion of Phil Shea adds depth to the discussion, answering long-standing fan questions and highlighting the collaborative effort behind the show’s success.

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Notable Timestamps:

• 00:00-03:10: Casual conversation and light-hearted banter between hosts.
• 08:07-08:36: Introduction to Phil Shea’s participation.
• 10:16-21:44: Fast Facts segment covering inspiration, prop details, and initial episode insights.
• 23:25-30:00: Detailed breakdown of office scenes and continuity errors.
• 48:33-57:15: In-depth discussion with Phil Shea about the box scene.
• 60:06-62:42: Anecdotes about ice cream cake filming challenges.
• 63:07-67:35: Exploration of Roy’s confrontation with Jim and its implications.

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Key Takeaways:

• Behind-The-Scenes Complexity: The creation of memorable scenes like Dwight’s box involves intricate planning and collaboration among cast and crew.
• Character Nuances: Early episodes lay the foundation for character relationships and traits that evolve throughout the series.
• Fan Engagement: Interactions with guests like Phil Shea demonstrate the hosts’ commitment to addressing fan curiosities and enhancing the communal aspect of the podcast.

Note: Ads, promotional segments, and non-content sections from the transcript have been excluded to maintain focus on the episode’s substantive discussions.

Transcript

[Jenna Fischer]

Let me tell you my favorite thing.

[Angela Kinsey]

About waking up in an Airbnb versus a hotel, Okay?

[Jenna Fischer]

I wake up, I do not shower. I don't even have to brush my teeth. I just throw on a robe and I walk to the little kitchen and I pour myself a cup of coffee.

[Angela Kinsey]

The point is, I can start my day in private.

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't have to go to a lobby.

[Angela Kinsey]

I don't have to go to a diner next door.

[Phyllis Smith]

There's no chit chat in the elevator.

[Jenna Fischer]

No, my favorite thing are those slow, lazy, cozy, cozy mornings when I'm on vacation.

[Angela Kinsey]

I can take my time.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah. I also love it too. If you stay somewhere and it has like a hot tub, you know, it's just going to be you and your family. You're not going to be like trying to squeeze in there with a bunch of people.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Or any kind of outdoor space is such a treat.

[Jenna Fischer]

Consider Airbnb for your next travel adventure.

[Phyllis Smith]

Whenever I travel, I love to learn new languages wherever I am, learn phrases. I always wish I knew more.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is very true about you and it's a really cool thing about traveling with you, actually.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, thanks. Well, you know, I'm a big fan of Rosetta Stone. It is the most trusted language learning program available on your desktop. As an app, it can truly help you immerse you in the language you want to learn.

[Jenna Fischer]

You can learn Spanish, French, Italian, German, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Arabic and Polish.

[Phyllis Smith]

Here's one of the things I like about it. It has built in true accent features so you can get feedback on your pronunciation.

[Jenna Fischer]

I like that you can learn on the go that you can use the mobile app and right now they have a lifetime membership that has all 25 languages.

[Phyllis Smith]

That is such a great deal. You can have it for your trips and any language needs you have in life.

[Jenna Fischer]

Don't put off learning that language. There's no better time than right now to get started. For a short time, Office ladies listeners can get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership holiday special.

[Phyllis Smith]

This offer will not last long. Visit rosettastone.com officeladies that's unlimited access to 25 language courses for the rest of your life. Redeem your Holiday [e-mail] OfficeLadies today for yourself or as a gift that keeps giving. Welcome to Second Drink the Alliance. Jenna, I feel like we need a cat calendar at front Reception update.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, they really made me wait for it this week. It's there, but you don't see it till 12 minutes and 50 seconds. Cat calendar Reception. Yeah, yeah, same Calendar, same cat. By the way, the month has not changed.

[Phyllis Smith]

No flips.

[Jenna Fischer]

Nope. There is also next to the cat calendar, a giant poster that says, all hands meeting on Saturday from 9am to noon. It's been there for weeks.

[Phyllis Smith]

What are we meeting about?

[Jenna Fischer]

I don't know. And are we meeting every Saturday?

[Angela Kinsey]

It doesn't specify.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, and spoiler alert. I checked ahead. Both the cat calendar and the all hands meeting are there through the end of season one.

[Phyllis Smith]

Noted. All right, well, we'll have to see if they're in season two.

[Jenna Fischer]

You know, I'll look for it.

[Phyllis Smith]

Well, I found a fun Michael talking head that was in the table read draft for this episode. It reveals Michael's philosophy about sales and worker morale, how they're connected. And you know what? It sets up the whole birthday storyline, and I wanted to read it to you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, okay.

[Phyllis Smith]

Michael looks at camera and says, all salesmen are selling one thing. Happiness and ourselves. Look at TV ads now. A guy in a tuxedo breakdancing in a park and four hot girls jumping in a puddle. And what are they selling? I don't know. Could be coffee, could be typewriters. It's a lifestyle. The happiness lifestyle. But here's the catch. You want to sell happy, you gots to be happy. The problem I'm facing is there's a lot of rumors going through the office about downsizing. Everyone is worried about losing their job. It's brought our happiness level to down to here. The bomb falling whistle was in the script. Okay. That's why I did it. Jenna's looking at me like, what are you doing? It was said to do that. This brought it down to here. Not good. Time to call in a specialist professor me. And then the scene would have continued with Michael and Pam in his office where he says that they need to boost morale by hosting a birthday party.

[Jenna Fischer]

Wow.

[Phyllis Smith]

I love so much when he's like, what are they selling? I don't know. Could be coffee. Could be typewriters. And there's one other thing. You know, Jenna, in this breakdown of this episode, you mention a deleted scene between Michael and Pam where he is coaching her on how to answer the phones.

[Jenna Fischer]

Oh, yes. I remember shooting it even now.

[Phyllis Smith]

Well, it's really funny and you describe it so well. But we didn't play the clip, and I think we should hear it.

[Jenna Fischer]

I agree.

[Angela Kinsey]

Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam Hole. Please. Ew.

[Brian Gordon]

Alrighty then. Well, I see you're going for the whole board supermodel thing. Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam May I help you?

[Angela Kinsey]

Smoke, smoke, smoke, smoke. I wasn't really going for anything.

[Brian Gordon]

No, I get it, I get it, I get it. A child is born. Beautiful sunset. Now I'll catch the next one, Right? Unicorn walks into the office. Oh, do you have an appointment? Okay, look, Pam, this is not meant as a criticism, but let me tell you what you're doing wrong. You're the voice of this company, right? And when clients call and you're not smiling, they can hear that in your voice. It is a real turn off.

[Angela Kinsey]

Are you being serious?

[Brian Gordon]

Yes, I am. Absolutely. So the next call we get, I'd like you to smile. I'd like to see a big smile.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Brian Gordon]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

No one's calling.

[David Denman]

I know.

[Brian Gordon]

Somebody will. And we'll wait.

[Angela Kinsey]

Sometimes there's a lot of time between the calls.

[Brian Gordon]

I knew, I knew. We will wait.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay?

[Brian Gordon]

You will wait for the call and you will smile. Let me try something just while we're waiting.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Brian Gordon]

Tell me if I'm smiling or not. Hi, Pam, how are you? Was I smiling?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Brian Gordon]

Okay, let me try this one. Hi, Pam, how are you? No, I mean, you can tell?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, no, I can tell.

[Brian Gordon]

I was smiling that time. And they can tell too.

[Angela Kinsey]

That was a good example.

[Brian Gordon]

Thank you. All right, when we get a call, I'll come back and you'll do the smile.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. Show time. It's shin time.

[Jenna Fischer]

Gunder Mifflin, this is Pam.

[Angela Kinsey]

One moment, I'll transfer you.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, so, lady, so much of that was improvisation.

[Phyllis Smith]

Mm.

[Jenna Fischer]

And I can remember when he says, it's okay, we'll wait. We were supposed to just sit there and, like, stare at each other.

[Phyllis Smith]

Uh huh.

[Jenna Fischer]

And they just kept the camera rolling. And that's why I said, sometimes there's a long time between calls because you're.

[Phyllis Smith]

Like, what are we doing?

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. And then Steve improvised that whole thing where he, like, puts his hands up in front of his face and he's like, am I smiling? Am I not smiling? And I was like, yes. No. That's a great example.

[Phyllis Smith]

You're so bored by him.

[Jenna Fischer]

We had so much fun.

[Phyllis Smith]

Well, you can actually watch that scene now because it's included in the Super Fan episodes.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, one of the things I love about this episode of our podcast is that we got to hear from Phil Shea in this episode.

[Angela Kinsey]

And it just.

[Jenna Fischer]

I love that we have his voice on the podcast forever.

[Phyllis Smith]

I know. Me too. All right, well, here's our breakdown of the alliance. And this Wednesday on Office Lady 6.0, we have an all new episode. We are kicking off the December holiday season with a request from our very own Cassie Jerkins.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but we are going to break down the Star Wars Christmas movie.

[Phyllis Smith]

Thank you, Cassie.

[Jenna Fischer]

Thank you.

[David Denman]

Now, Jenna, have you seen this?

[Jenna Fischer]

Nope, not at the time we recorded this.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's really incredible.

[Jenna Fischer]

Like, good incredible.

[Phyllis Smith]

Mm. Okay. I can't wait.

[Jenna Fischer]

That is on my docket. Between now and next Wednesday, here is the Alliance.

[Angela Kinsey]

See you then. I'm Jenna Fisher.

[Phyllis Smith]

And I'm Angela Kinsey.

[Angela Kinsey]

We were on the Office together and we're best friends. And now we're doing the ultimate Office Rewatch podcast just for you.

[Phyllis Smith]

Each week we today we'll break down an episode of the Office and give exclusive behind the scenes stories that only two people who were there can tell you.

[Angela Kinsey]

We're the Office ladies. Hey, everyone, it's Jenna Fisher.

[Phyllis Smith]

Hi, I'm Angela Kinsey.

[Angela Kinsey]

We have a great episode. It's the Alliance.

[Phyllis Smith]

It's so good. I was tickled. Can I tell you? I was tickled watching this same. And I made my note cards. Jenna, I'm real excited about it.

[Angela Kinsey]

There are so many inside jokes.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, gosh.

[Angela Kinsey]

From this episode for the Office Gang. We will get to that. Angela, I'm sorry, I think we have no time for chit chat this morning. We have no time. No, we have no time because this episode is too good. There's too much to talk about.

[Phyllis Smith]

But, Jenna, I love chit chat.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. Well, you're gonna have to save it.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, well, I have really Good Day 2 hair for the ladies out there listening. I got a blow dry last night.

[Angela Kinsey]

This is what I said we don't have time for. This is literally what I just said we don't have time for.

[Phyllis Smith]

I can't tell you how great my hair looks today. And I didn't even brush it. I mean, the back of it's a hot mess. But, you know, that's kind of my go to.

[Angela Kinsey]

You are so proud of your hair that you had to get it in there, even though I said we didn't.

[Phyllis Smith]

All right, Jenna, get to your dang fast facts.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right. The Alliance Season 1, Episode 4 I'm listening. This is written by Mike Schur and directed by Brian Gordon. Little bit of trivia. Mike Schur plays Mose on our show.

[Phyllis Smith]

He does. He plays Mose? Not yet, but not yet. And he's also just insanely talented. I mean, you know, look him up on IMDb he's like, writing everywhere. He's everywhere.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. He produces a million amazing Television shows. If you're watching a television show and you love it, Mike Schur probably.

[Phyllis Smith]

Mike Schur's probably doing it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. So I'm gonna start with a synopsis on this episode. I know we usually start with our fast facts.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my God. What are you going rogue with?

[Angela Kinsey]

I'm going with you. I know. I'm refusing to allow any chit chat. I'm starting with a synopsis.

[Phyllis Smith]

You're, like, in a black shirt with a black hoodie. You've got camo pants. What's happening? Are you taking a kickboxing class or something?

[Angela Kinsey]

You know, I took my kickboxing yesterday.

[Phyllis Smith]

I know, I know. You're in that.

[Angela Kinsey]

So I'm feeling very badass.

[Phyllis Smith]

I know. You're very tough. Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, synopsis. So this episode has two basic storylines. One, in an attempt to raise morale, Michael insists on throwing a birthday party, even though it's no one's birthday.

[Phyllis Smith]

It's no one's birthday.

[Angela Kinsey]

The closest birthday is Meredith, so it's next month. But he insists on throwing her birthday party. And then at the same time, Jim and Dwight form an alliance. Dwight is worried about the rumored downsizing, and so he goes to Jim and suggests they form an alliance.

[Phyllis Smith]

And this is like candy for Jim. He's like, oh, my God.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my God. This is such a great opportunity to mess with Dwight.

[Angela Kinsey]

Both of these themes are because people are afraid that the Office is being downsized. This is a big theme of the first season of the Office. And so Michael thinks the answer is to throw a party, and Dwight thinks the answer is to form an alliance and spy on his co workers.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes. You know it's not Meredith's birthday. Right. But we sort of forced this party. But it is Ryan the Tooth's birthday.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yes. That's a little nugget at the end of the episode.

[Phyllis Smith]

Such a great reveal at the end. Okay, I didn't mean to jump ahead. Okay, that's all right.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, I'm gonna give a little Fast fact. So Fast Facts. For anyone who's new to listening, these are just a few fun facts about an episode that sort of are overreaching. They apply to the whole episode rather than just one scene.

[Phyllis Smith]

And for those of you just tuning in, Jenna came up with the idea of Fast Facts.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's right.

[Phyllis Smith]

And she really loves it. And I call her Keeper of the notes. She is keeper of the Notes. Keeper of the records. She loves a list, Angela.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Phyllis Smith]

She loves a list.

[Angela Kinsey]

Anyone who has been listening regularly knows these two things.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, Jenna. Just cut some eyes at me. I'm telling you, the lady is sassy today.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, and now we also know you have good hair today. Okay, the first fast fact is that this episode was inspired by the television show Survivor.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. The writing staff watched a bunch of episodes of Survivor, and they did this so that they could properly satirize the way people talk about alliances and this idea of, you know, ganging up against other people.

[Phyllis Smith]

And also, though, you have to mention that our cameraman, Randall Einhorn and Matt Sohn, their background was Survivor.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. They were camera operators on Survivor, which for me, as a huge Survivor fan.

[Phyllis Smith]

You're a huge Survivor fan.

[Angela Kinsey]

You guys, Jeff Probst officiated my wedding.

[Phyllis Smith]

Now, this is something that's true. Now, here's the thing. If you know Jenna and she's, like, from St. Louis, she's a good Midwest gal. And I remember when you were planning your wedding and you were like, jeff Probst is going to officiate. And I was like the guy from Survivor. What is happening?

[Angela Kinsey]

So here's what happened. My now husband Lee and I, we were at an Emmys party. Now, I know out there, people think that when you go to these parties, you become friends with people, but you really don't like. You kind of hobnob. You maybe take a picture, and then you never see them again, and you sort of stick with the people you already knew.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my gosh. I just would always sit next to Brian and Oscar and you. I was terrified to go meet people. You're better at it. I think you're better at it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Am I?

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes. Remember when you made me go up to Meryl Streep? That's a story for later.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Phyllis Smith]

And Amy Adams. And I said, nothing. I look like such a dork. I just walked up and was like.

[Angela Kinsey]

We had to meet Meryl Streep. I'm sorry. If you have a chance to meet Meryl Streep, you don't let that go.

[Phyllis Smith]

Well, anyway, that's a great story, but we'll save it. Okay, go ahead.

[Angela Kinsey]

Put a pin in that. So I ended up approaching Jeff Probst at this party.

[Phyllis Smith]

See, you would approach Jeff Probst. I would never go up to him. Okay, go on.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I told him that I was a huge Survivor fan, and I was. And we ended up really hitting it off, especially Jeff. And my then fiance Lee really hit it off because they had tennis in common. They play tennis together.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, they were tennis pals.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. So after this party, they ended up becoming tennis pals. And Then we started going to dinners, couples dinners. You know, Jeff's wife is so lovely. Her name is Lisa. So we just ended up becoming great friends with them. And at one of our dinners, Jeff said that he was nervous because that upcoming weekend, he was going to be officiating a friend's wedding.

[Phyllis Smith]

And you were like, ding, ding, ding, ding.

[Angela Kinsey]

Jeff Propst is the type of guy where he is really caring, and he's like. Has a sort of just like a spiritual soul. Kind of like Rainn Wilson, right?

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes. I'll tell you one thing. When you talk to someone like Jeff or Rainn, you feel like you're the only person in the room.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. And they're truly interested in you. They really want to know you. They care about what you care about. Like, they're interested in you. And I thought that's the kind of person you want to officiate your wedding. You want that kind of soulful, caring person. But then also, he's a host, so he's comfortable, sort of commanding attention from a group of people. And it was awesome you were there, Angela.

[Phyllis Smith]

It was awesome I was there. Here's my one story from your wedding. Jeff Probst, before your wedding, called me. He got my phone number from you and was like, can you tell me any stories about Jenna that you know from the years? And I was supposed to give a speech at your wedding. A toast. I was going to give a toast. You asked me to give a toast, and I sort of told Jeff some of my stories about you that I was gonna have in my toast.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, no.

[Phyllis Smith]

And he stole them. He took some of my bits. And so then, like, when I got up to give my toast, I don't know if you remember, I'm like, I'm gonna say a few things. I mean, Jeff Probst pretty much stole all my stuff, but whatever. And I, like, called him out for stealing my bits.

[Angela Kinsey]

So as you were watching the wedding, all you were thinking was that he kept stealing your stuff.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes. Dang it, Probsty. I told you. And I called him Propsty. I made up a nickname for him. I'm sure he loved it.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, next fast fact.

[Phyllis Smith]

What?

[Angela Kinsey]

The original cut of this episode came in at 40 minutes, which is way too long, because for a show to air on television.

[Phyllis Smith]

On network TV.

[Angela Kinsey]

On network TV, it can only be 20 minutes and 30 seconds. Well, that's crazy, because you need room for the commercials.

[Phyllis Smith]

Hey, network TV people, I just have a little tip for you. And I know you want me to weigh in on things change. Up your format.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. Because they had to cut out, like, half of what they wanted to cut. And Greg considered splitting this into two episodes.

[Phyllis Smith]

I wish they could take all the stuff they cut out and re release it all. Wouldn't that be so fun?

[Angela Kinsey]

I will tell you, on the season one dvd, they have the deleted scenes from this episode and they are delightful.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

I watched them and most of what was cut out were really funny kind of general office life scenes. So there was this great bit between Jim and Dwight where Dwight is changing his password, where he's going on and on about how his password on his computer is the best. And Jim keeps guessing it. He's like, is it Frodo?

[Phyllis Smith]

And it is.

[Angela Kinsey]

And it is. And then there's another really great one of Dwight just cleaning out the fridge in the break room and he throws away Jim's tuna sandwich. There was also a really great scene that when I was watching this deleted scene, I remembered shooting, and it was so funny of Michael coaching Pam on how to answer the phone with a smile.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my Lord.

[Angela Kinsey]

She said that she sounded really gloomy. And he then stands by her desk and waits for the phone to ring. And there's just these long pauses, awkward pauses. And then he does this funny thing where he puts his hands in front of his face and he says, tell me if I'm smiling or not.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my Lord.

[Angela Kinsey]

Dunder Mifflin, this is Michael. And she's like, yes, you're smiling. And then he's like, dunder Mifflin, this is Michael. And I'm like, not smiling. And he's like, you hear the difference? And then I have this line where I'm like, that was a really great example. Thank you. But so there is a place, if you're interested. The Season 1 DVD has all of these deleted scenes on it. And you know, by the way, the reason Greg couldn't split this up into two episodes, he thought of doing one episode that was just about throwing the birthday party, the birthday party. And one episode that was just about the alliance, the big prank. And then you could have filled it out with some of these general office life scenes. The problem was at the end of the episode, we all have birthday hats.

[Phyllis Smith]

We all have cake and birthday hats.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. And so the end of the alliance part ends with birthday hats. And so he couldn't do it.

[Phyllis Smith]

Jenna, I have some trivia on my note cards, but you need to tell me when you're done with your fast facts. So.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, well, I have one more fast pack.

[Phyllis Smith]

I don't Wanna mess up your list?

[Angela Kinsey]

I see.

[Phyllis Smith]

Don't look at my note cards.

[Angela Kinsey]

I can see one of my fast facts on your note cards.

[Phyllis Smith]

Well, stop looking at my homework.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, my goodness. Well, excuse me, Angela. Here's my last fast facts.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay. Do it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Near and dear to my heart and yours. This is the first time we meet the party planning committee.

[Phyllis Smith]

The ppc. The ppc. Oh, my gosh. Just years of just lovely memories of us planning ridiculous parties.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh. I remember that because I remember that there was just a tiny bit that was scripted.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

And then Greg told us. Greg Daniels said, guys, just keep planning the party.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Just.

[Phyllis Smith]

Just.

[Angela Kinsey]

We're going to record you.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

And that's when Phyllis was naming colors. Like, what color streamers.

[Phyllis Smith]

And then we did this whole. Like we did a whole other tangent about do we say Happy Birthday, or do we say surprise?

[Angela Kinsey]

Or do we say Happy Birthday? Surprise.

[Phyllis Smith]

Well, who would say Happy Birthday, Surprise. Who would say that?

[Angela Kinsey]

You're right. We should start with surprise. You say surprise first, and then Pam's just caught in the middle of you and Phyllis. And I love the dynamic of your subtle bullying of Phyllis.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Your famous line, I think green is kind of whorish. Is in this episode.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes. And Phyllis is, of course, wearing green. And then I throw her under the bus at the end. I blame her for the lame streamers. The red streamers. I just love all of it. And there was so much that was there that got cut. And I know why. I mean, no one wants to watch, like, 20 minutes of us trying to plan a party. But it was so fun.

[Angela Kinsey]

I always. I felt like there could be a spinoff, like a web. A web special called the Party Planning ppc. Yeah.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my gosh. What if there was this cool thing where they, like, uncovered all of the unused footage of us planning parties?

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my God. That's got to exist in a vault somewhere. Somewhere.

[Phyllis Smith]

I would totally want to see it. But we did. We had so much fun. And we took such long pauses, and it was so boring.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was so boring.

[Phyllis Smith]

And Pam was dying inside.

[Angela Kinsey]

My take on that scene was that I should speak very little. Like how I got roped into being on this committee. Feel like I was forced onto it by Michael. I don't think I volunteered. And I just wanted the meeting to be over, and it didn't. You know, but you have that. Have you been in those offices?

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my God, yes. I mean, come on. You and I both temped and we worked in offices and I mean, yes, you've been in those meetings where it's that famous, like, line that people say, like, this whole meeting could have been one email. That's what it is. You know, I have to point out my hairstyle in this party planning committee scene because that hairstyle was bonkers, crazy. It was like, I don't know. We took two pieces and we twisted it back to the back of my head, and then we did a low ponytail that connected it, and I had so many, like, rubber bands and pins holding it, and then I had one piece that kept flopping out, and it drove me crazy. And by the end of the episode, I was like, I don't ever want this. I. I can't do this again. I can't have this hairstyle again. You can do whatever you want, but this weird multiple, like, rubber band. I can't do it again.

[Angela Kinsey]

Angela, I feel like we've come full circle here. We started by speaking about your hair, and now we're speaking about your hair again. It's almost like. It's almost perfect.

[Phyllis Smith]

This must make you so happy, Jenna.

[Angela Kinsey]

It does. And I take it back. I think that you were right to have that banter.

[Phyllis Smith]

I will take that. Jenna Fisher.

[Angela Kinsey]

Let's take a break, and then we'll come back and we'll start to really dive into this episode.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

Scene by scene.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, let's do it.

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Phyllis Smith]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

That is an example of like one.

[Jenna Fischer]

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[Phyllis Smith]

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[Jenna Fischer]

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[Angela Kinsey]

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Paid non client endorsement compensation provides incentive to positively promote Acorns. Investing involves risk. Acorns Advisors LLC and SEC registered investment advisor. View important [e-mail] officeladies well, welcome back.

[Angela Kinsey]

Welcome back.

[Phyllis Smith]

We are talking about the alliance. Let's get into it. Jenna.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right. The very first scene in this episode is Dwight waiting outside of the bathroom to confront Michael about the downsizing rumors. And I just have to say we do this a lot to Michael and it always makes me laugh. First of all, how much time does he spend in the bathroom? And whenever people want to talk to them, they because this already happened. Oscar.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Waits outside the bathroom to confront him.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

We're always bombarding him outside of the restroom.

[Phyllis Smith]

I Think it's because Michael is always avoiding us. He's like, he always is avoiding work, right?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. Unless he has a joke to tell or unless he has good news.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes. Otherwise, he hides. And so people wait for him outside of the bathroom, and he's always startled.

[Angela Kinsey]

I have a lot of empathy for him because as a mother, I feel like every time I go to the bathroom, someone is literally waiting outside the door for me. Always, always, always. I don't understand it. What is that? Why can't mothers go to the bathroom without someone outside the door?

[Phyllis Smith]

I don't know. You know, I have such, like, empathy for my parents now in a different way. I remember my dad going to the bathroom one time, and I was outside the door, like. And I think I was, like, messing with the door. I was, like, doing, like, click, click, click, click on the donut. Click, click. And my dad was like, I'm just trying to go to the bathroom. And I was like, hey, dad. He's like, he just needed five minutes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Just five minutes.

[Phyllis Smith]

Five minutes.

[Angela Kinsey]

My kids slide things under the door.

[Phyllis Smith]

Always slide things under the door.

[Angela Kinsey]

Like, that drawing couldn't wait.

[Phyllis Smith]

No. Or they just open the door, or they just come on in.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know, I know.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay. Sorry. Okay. Anyway, poor Michael is accosted as he comes out of the bathroom. Once again, I have, like, a fun little Dwight thing that I noticed in rewatching this.

[Angela Kinsey]

What?

[Phyllis Smith]

So it is such a joy for me to go back and rewatch these episodes. I know you're having a lot of fun with it, too, but I always thought the first bobblehead that Dwight ever had was the one that my character gave him for Valentine's. Really? Himself.

[Angela Kinsey]

I knew that wasn't true.

[Phyllis Smith]

What?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. The reason your character made him a bobblehead of himself was because of his love of bobblehead. It's just maybe something you want to look into for his character, Anne.

[Phyllis Smith]

Really?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. That's.

[Phyllis Smith]

Was it a known thing that Dwight loved bobbleheads? Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Did he have them on his desk?

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my God.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wow.

[Phyllis Smith]

How did I miss that? Dwight's now looking at me like, I'm having. Like, I might need to take medication for something. Oh, my God.

[Angela Kinsey]

That just occurred to you now in the rewatch?

[Phyllis Smith]

That just occurred to me. I thought. I thought he was so excited because I gave him a bobblehead. Oh, my God. Oh, my Lord. I am a dingbat. Okay. I wrote on my note card. You have to hear what I wrote. I'm such an idiot. Dwight has a bunch of bobbleheads. Exclamation point. Baseball team. I counted six bobbleheads. Are they from the Phillies? Oh, my God.

[Angela Kinsey]

Because how many times did I walk.

[Phyllis Smith]

Past his desk and I didn't notice.

[Angela Kinsey]

That because he collected bobbleheads?

[Phyllis Smith]

I had.

[Angela Kinsey]

Your character makes him a bobblehead of himself. That's where your character got the idea.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh. Oh, I hit my head. It's a good thing.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's a good thing you don't write the show.

[Phyllis Smith]

I hit my head on the microphone. Oh, my God. How did I miss that? I mean.

[Angela Kinsey]

So this, I think, is an example of how fans of the show might know it better than some of the people on it.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my God.

[Angela Kinsey]

As Angela is pointing out a fact of the show that landed on everyone else but her.

[Phyllis Smith]

I was so excited. Look at my note card.

[Angela Kinsey]

So many exclamation points.

[Phyllis Smith]

I put so many. Six bobbleheads. They're all baseball players. I do have some other good note cards coming up, and maybe here's.

[Angela Kinsey]

Let's see. Another note card. We'll. Okay, we'll decide.

[Phyllis Smith]

All right, sassy pants. I put an asterisk by this one because I thought it was so good. Do you know that there is a continuity error? Aha. Oh, look at your face now, Jenna Fisher.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, I don't have this in my notes.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, I know. There's a continuity error.

[Angela Kinsey]

What is it?

[Phyllis Smith]

And it's in accounting at seven minutes. At seven minutes, Michael is talking about what he's gonna write on the bird day birthday card.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes.

[Phyllis Smith]

And he says, and you know what, guys? I have set the bar really high. Oh, Sam, pull it up. Pull it up on the screen. Sam is here in the booth. He's gonna show Jenna. All right, I am at the copier at the beginning of this talking head behind Michael. I'm in my bas sweater that I wear through the whole episode with my crazy ponytail.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right?

[Phyllis Smith]

And then it cuts to me at my desk during his talking head. And I'm in a white T shirt, a white button down, with a black sweater vest and a different hairstyle. They edited in a different piece of footage to cut to, and I'm completely.

[Angela Kinsey]

You're in a different episode.

[Phyllis Smith]

Completely from a different episode. I'm in a white button down and a black sweater.

[Angela Kinsey]

I'm looking at it now. I see. Okay.

[Phyllis Smith]

Beige sweater.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. Over Michael's shoulder, through the window at.

[Brian Gordon]

The copier, Jim wrote, meredith, I heard you're turning 46, but come on, you're an accountant. Just fudge the numbers. Not bad. Pretty funny.

[Phyllis Smith]

See me at the Copier.

[Brian Gordon]

I don't appreciate condoning corporate fraud, though.

[Phyllis Smith]

Now, I leave the copier. I go to my desk.

[Angela Kinsey]

Go to your desk. This is apparently when you're changing clothes.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

So what are you doing back there? You're putting on a. People out there expecting.

[Brian Gordon]

I've already set the bar.

[Phyllis Smith]

See, look at that. Look at that. I'm in a completely different outfit. Ha, ha.

[Jenna Fischer]

Whoa.

[Angela Kinsey]

I have something else to talk about in this scene.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay. Can you just say, though, okay, maybe I fumbled the bobblehead moment, but I did catch a continuity error. I will not suck it. Suck it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. I'm giving that to you. I didn't see it. I didn't see it.

[Phyllis Smith]

Thank you.

[Angela Kinsey]

You saw it.

[Phyllis Smith]

I saw something. I did it. So you saw something too. What'd you see?

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, I'm not gonna take credit for this. From Isrosis on Twitter. Izrosis Capital. Izrosis on Twitter mentions that in this moment, when Michael's reading Jim's comment, Jim references that Meredith is an accountant.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wait, we just watched the scene and you didn't catch that because I was.

[Phyllis Smith]

Looking at my outfit.

[Angela Kinsey]

You were looking at your outfit? I was listening to the words. And I heard it too.

[Phyllis Smith]

That's just a dig.

[Angela Kinsey]

I heard it as well. So, you know, her question was, what's up with that? I thought there were three accountants. Why does he say you're an accountant? Just fudge the numbers. This is another continuity error. Another. So here's something that I have at home.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

That is an amazing thing. It's called the show Bible.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

Do you know what a show Bible is for a TV show?

[Phyllis Smith]

I do.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay. You know, let's explain it to people. A show Bible is a giant document. I mean, like, thousands of pages.

[Phyllis Smith]

It looks like a phone book.

[Angela Kinsey]

It looks like a phone book. And in it, it lists every character and every fact about them and every episode. If we learn something new about them, it gets put in the Bible.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

So it says our job. It says our relationships to people. I have a copy of the show Bible for the Office.

[Phyllis Smith]

Wow.

[Angela Kinsey]

How I got this, I don't know.

[Phyllis Smith]

I mean, there's probably only, like, two or three of them.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, I know. And I think I borrowed it, Jenna, because I. Over the summer.

[Phyllis Smith]

You didn't give it back.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, I think this is true. Over the summer, from season eight to season nine, Greg Daniels came to John and I and asked us if we had any ideas for our final character arc in season nine. And he said, if it helps you, you can borrow the show Bible.

[Phyllis Smith]

So wait, Greg, I think Jenna has your show bible.

[Angela Kinsey]

I've got.

[Phyllis Smith]

If you've been looking for it.

[Angela Kinsey]

Maybe I shouldn't be saying this out loud. Cause I really love my show bible. I could probably make a copy before I retire.

[Phyllis Smith]

I think you should make a copy.

[Angela Kinsey]

According to the show bible. Meredith's job is customer service rep, supplier relations. She is not an accountant.

[Phyllis Smith]

No. She's not an accountant. No.

[Angela Kinsey]

And Izrosis said, what is her job? Because I know she's not an accountant. So that's your answer. Also, Kelly is a customer service rep. And I remember there was a bit of a story where we put her back in that other room in the annex back by Toby because she talked too much, she was too chatty and she was bothering. So they moved her back there. But really the reason she sat back there was because she was a writer and they didn't want her to waste her writing time doing background work.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah. So she had to be like, separated. Separated so she could get out to write.

[Angela Kinsey]

But they made it a story point.

[Phyllis Smith]

You know what Greg said one time we had a new writer one season, and he was talking to me. They were going to be giving like food in the episode. And they were. They handed me like this steak or whatever. And I was like, well, my character's a vegetarian. And he was like, oh, I didn't realize that. And I was like, yeah, my character is a vegetarian. And then Greg was like standing next to me and he was like, you know what? Anything you wanna know about each of their characters, just go talk to them. They know their character. They know sort of like the canon of all they've lived every episode. And they know their individual character story so well.

[Angela Kinsey]

I didn't know your character was a vegetarian. When do we establish that?

[Phyllis Smith]

It's established early on. And then like it's throughout. Throughout all the years, like at Diwali. I was like, I guess I'll just eat naan. Whatever.

[Angela Kinsey]

Naan.

[Phyllis Smith]

Like there's like a whole thing.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I'm gonna look it up in the show bible.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay. Look it up in the show bible.

[Angela Kinsey]

Maybe we should. Well, let's get back to this episode a little bit. We got on a tangent.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, me and you on a tangent. Get out of town.

[Angela Kinsey]

Hard to believe.

[Phyllis Smith]

What are you even talking about?

[Angela Kinsey]

All right, so there's this scene early on where Pam and Michael are stuck in the office together. And I remember I could not get through this scene. There's this never ending drum roll where Michael wants me to announce who has A birthday coming up.

[Phyllis Smith]

And he also calls you his assistant in this I know. Which I think is hilarious. Like, he has such a grandiose view of his job and who he is. You are his assistant. You're not front reception for the whole company. You're Michael's assistant.

[Angela Kinsey]

He's personal assistant. You're his personal assistant, which is not true. And he does this never ending drum roll on the desk that was making me laugh. And he wants me to announce whose birthday is coming up. And I say, there's no birthdays. And he's like, well, next one. Just who is it? So then I say, well, Meredith's birthday is next month. And then I'm just. I am just giving him nothing in the scene. And he starts swooping his phone across my face to see if he can find signs of life. Yes, I cracked up.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my gosh.

[Angela Kinsey]

He was so funny when he was doing that. I just remember when I was rewatching this, I just remember losing. But that's sort of where we set up that storyline, is that we now have to throw a party for Meredith, whose birthday is next month.

[Phyllis Smith]

This is like a real dork thing. But when I watch these early scenes of Michael's office, it looks so different over the years, you know, like, there's that shelf in the corner. He doesn't have the tall standing shelf with two doors. It's a different lower shelf. I don't know if you, like, look at all that. And I'm like, oh, his office. Like, the furniture in his office keeps changing. This is a super nerdy thing for me to notice. But, I mean, I don't notice bobbleheads. But if you're going to.

[Angela Kinsey]

You didn't notice a major story point.

[Phyllis Smith]

If you're gonna move a cabinet, I'm gonna notice.

[Angela Kinsey]

So the next big sort of plot point scene is Rain asking Jim if he wants to form an alliance. And this produced one of our inside joke lines. He asks him if he wants to form an alliance. And Jim pauses. And then he says, absolutely, I do.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

And we used to say that to each other on the set. That used to be a thing. Absolutely, I do.

[Phyllis Smith]

I love this so much. Cause it's just like, Jim finally gets to have fun at work. This is like one of his favorite days, you would think, right? Like. Cause otherwise it's just the monotony of it all. And Dwight does drive him crazy. And he talks about how crazy that Dwight makes him. And he finally gets to, like, really mess with him at Dwight's invitation.

[Angela Kinsey]

That is the best. He has that talking head where he says, sometimes it's just handed to you. I mean, you're thinking, how can I mess with this guy? And. And then here, this wonderful gift comes. So after they decide to form the alliance, he says, don't tell anyone. You can't tell anyone.

[Phyllis Smith]

Right?

[Angela Kinsey]

Jim's like, of course not. And then Jim immediately comes up to the reception desk and tells me that he's formed an alliance with Dwight.

[Phyllis Smith]

Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

And you see Dwight hovering in the background, listening in. And he wants to get Jim away from me. So he has this line where he's like, jim, can I talk to you about the paper products? So I listened to the DVD commentary of this.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I guess in that scene they have a bunch of takes where Rain every time he would change the end of the line. And I think it was Mike Schur said his favorite alt of that was, hey, Jim, can I talk to you about the. He just, like, mumbled something that you couldn't even hear.

[Phyllis Smith]

I love that. I also loved, like, John. John Krasinski as Jim. Just. You could just see John, I think, because we know him having so much fun. You know, like when they go into, like, the kitchen and Dwight's like, what are you doing? He's like, I'm working her. You know, like, he's like, I'm on this. Okay. Like, I just saw John, like, our friend John having so much fun in that moment, and it just made me smile.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's so cute the whole way that he is winding Dwight up. In this episode, it happens again where he goes into the kitchen where he's supposed to be spying on Toby and Kevin who are having lunch.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my God. That conversation is the most ridiculous, like, amazing, boring conversation.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. And that produced another most frequently quoted inside joke line on the office, which is when they're talking about the bread. And then. And John's take on that line, he says, their bread is very good. Very good. We would do that all the time.

[Phyllis Smith]

And then here you are, the bread maker.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, my gosh.

[Phyllis Smith]

Full circle life moment.

[Angela Kinsey]

Guys. My bread is very good. Thank you.

[Phyllis Smith]

Also, we cannot not talk about the fact of how eagerly Pam is to join in Jim's prank and becomes a huge participant, like, in pulling this prank on Dwight.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yes, yes. Well, this is their opportunity to spend time together. Any opportunity to team up with Jim. I mean, in the deleted scene, we establish that the phone rings very infrequently. Yeah. Which we could probably have guessed. Anyway. This is so much fun for her.

[Phyllis Smith]

She is having so Much fun. And Jim is just loving it. And his talking head about like how brilliant you were that you just came up. Pam came up with that all on her own.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. When I come up to his desk and I'm like all fraught with it. Oh, I just don't know. Michael's told me so many things and I wanna unload all these secrets, but he told me not to. And I'm doing that all so that Dwight can overhear it.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah, Dwight's like, jackpot. But Jim is just so enamored with Pam in the scene. And you know what? I'm a JAM fan, you guys. I am. And I love their storyline. I was just like a total fan of them and I remember like every little nugget they had together. I was like, oh my gosh. And this is definitely one of those episodes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Should we take a break?

[Phyllis Smith]

I don't know. Do you want to take a break?

[Angela Kinsey]

Please take us to a break.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh my God.

[Jenna Fischer]

All right.

[Phyllis Smith]

You're listening to two former party planning committee members.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes.

[Phyllis Smith]

And you know what the one thing the party planning committee never planned?

[Jenna Fischer]

What?

[Phyllis Smith]

A wedding.

[Angela Kinsey]

We did not.

[Phyllis Smith]

Could you imagine Phyllis, Angela, Pam and Meredith planning your wedding?

[Angela Kinsey]

I would not want them to plan my wedding.

[Jenna Fischer]

But you know who I would like.

[Angela Kinsey]

To help plan my wedding?

[Phyllis Smith]

Zola.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. Zola is where you can plan your entire wedding in one convenient place. Zola can help you choose a venue, vendors Zola helps create, save the dates.

[Phyllis Smith]

Invites, your registry, even taste your cake. They plan it all. It's amazing.

[Jenna Fischer]

Zola has literally everything you need to make the whole process super easy and enjoyable. There's even a five star app that helps you plan on the go or on your couch.

[Phyllis Smith]

Listen, they have thought of everything so you don't need to. It's a stress free way to plan your wedding.

[Jenna Fischer]

Start [e-mail] that's Z O L A dot com. Hey everyone. We want to tell you about Klarna.

[Phyllis Smith]

Klarna is your smarter everyday spending partner.

[Jenna Fischer]

Here's what that means. If you want to purchase something, you can use Klarna to pay for that thing in four interest free payments.

[Phyllis Smith]

Klarna also offers other products that can make you a smarter shopper and that's always a good thing. Such as the Klarna card. You can search and compare the Klarna.

[Jenna Fischer]

App and new Klarna balance Klarna in app shoppers get more value from ever single purchase. Choose Klarna at your favorite retailers or shop [e-mail] CA resident loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Law License NMLS number 1353190 Klarna balance account required. Larna may get a commission. Limitations, terms and conditions apply.

[Phyllis Smith]

This is your friendly reminder that the holiday season is upon us. And Macy's is our one stop shop for gifting this season. For everyone on our list at Macy's.

[Jenna Fischer]

Friends and family, you can take an extra 30% off top gifts and 15% off top beauty brands. And that's on top of the already really great prices.

[Phyllis Smith]

They have so many great gift suggestions, from sweater matching sets to oala water bottles, advent calendars, nest candles, crocs, dry bar travel kits, stocking stuffers, and so much more.

[Jenna Fischer]

And don't forget, get an extra 30% off top gifts and 15% off our best beauty brands and free shipping for orders over $25.

[Phyllis Smith]

Free shipping. That really helps when you're budgeting.

[Jenna Fischer]

It does.

[Phyllis Smith]

Well, we're so glad that we're taken care of and we won't be scrambling later to get gifts for our friends and family shop. Macy's Friends and Family sale in store or Macy's.com the sale runs from December 4th through December 12th.

[Angela Kinsey]

We're back.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right. So another big part of this episode is Oscar baiting Michael into donating to his nephew's walkathon charity. But Michael sort of not getting what a walkathon is. And so he puts in this big bid. And this is an example also of the benefit of the documentary crew element of the show. Because you can tell at first when Oscar walks into his office and asks him if he'll donate to his nephew's charity. He doesn't want to. Like he would if the cameras weren't there. He would probably say no.

[Phyllis Smith]

Right, right.

[Angela Kinsey]

But he can't say no.

[Phyllis Smith]

He wants to look like a good guy.

[Angela Kinsey]

He wants to look like a good guy. And so then he goes over the top and he donates $25. And only later is it brought to his attention that it's $25 per mile.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes, exactly.

[Angela Kinsey]

And that realization happens in a great scene with Jim at the birthday party. And there is just this long pause.

[Phyllis Smith]

I'll tell you what, Steve Carell is better than anyone at letting an emotion wash across his face. And you watch that emotion of like, oh, crap. Just like, oh, what'd I do? Like, go across his face. And I feel like we see this again in Fun Run. Right? Cause he like signs up to do like so many miles.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he doesn't realize something about Michael. Does not Understand the concept of a walkathon.

[Phyllis Smith]

A walkathon or anything like that, but no, that is so good.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, I did. I added it up because in the episode Michael, once he realizes it's per mile, he asks Oscar, like, hey, how strong is your nephew? Like, is he in good shape? He did 18 miles. 18 miles. So Michael has pledged $450. I did the math. He thinks he's pledged 25, but instead he pledged $450. I also need to go back. I skipped something that I think is really a fun thing. In the parking lot, there's a scene where.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

Jim and Dwight. What am I gonna say?

[Phyllis Smith]

It was Phyllis's car.

[Angela Kinsey]

It was Phyllis's car. Yes.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

Jim and Dwight are standing next to a car and they are comparing notes about everybody in the office and what they've learned. And they're standing next to a car and it's Phyllis's car.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

And Rain, as Dwight keeps kicking the car.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah. And Phyllis, she didn't care for it.

[Angela Kinsey]

She was very nervous about it. And I guess at some point she went up to Rain and said, listen, it's totally fine if you kick my car, but don't kick the car. Or the hubcap. Just the tire.

[Phyllis Smith]

Just the tire. We used to park our cars in that little parking lot.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. A lot of our real cars have appeared as cars in the show.

[Phyllis Smith]

And then they, in seasons later, they had us move our cars. I think maybe they realized there's, like, liability or something. I mean, so. But in those early days, those were our cars.

[Angela Kinsey]

A very, very big element of this episode is the point where Dwight ends up in a box in the warehouse to spy. And more than any other question, when I put this out to fans for questions, the most questions that we got, the most frequently asked questions were about this box.

[Phyllis Smith]

Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

How long was rain in the box? How many takes did we do? How many boxes did we use?

[Phyllis Smith]

Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

One of the questions was, there's a scene where Pam is on the phone doing a fake phone call, and the box kind of tips over, wait. And I laugh and run off. Wait, I have a note card.

[Phyllis Smith]

I have a note card about this.

[Angela Kinsey]

What is it?

[Phyllis Smith]

I want to. Okay, I know you put it out to Twitter, but this is your bff, so can I ask the first question? Jenna Question? Semicolon. Did you really break and laugh by the box? I think you did, because I know what happens to your shoulders when you really laugh.

[Angela Kinsey]

This was the question. This is the question that people wanna know. I think I Faked it.

[Phyllis Smith]

What?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. I don't think I really broke.

[Phyllis Smith]

I don't wanna believe that.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. I think because I remember shooting that scene and I remember it was very technical.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

So it was. I. It was happening over my shoulder. Stuff was happening over my shoulder. But there was a way where they wanted me to break at a certain moment. So it was kind of technical.

[Phyllis Smith]

So you had to sort of get out of the way. And the box was tipping.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, exactly. So I remember shooting it a number of times and I remember thinking to myself, gosh, does this even look real? Like, do I. It's a really. There are two things that I think are really hard to do when you're acting. One of them is cry, but I think people would expect that. But the other is to laugh convincingly.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes. You know who has the best fake laugh is Steve Carell. Steve Carell can do this fake laugh. That is the most honest, genuine laugh. And every time he would do it, I would start to laugh, even though I knew it was a fake laugh. It was so contagious. He is the best at it. I find it's easier to cry than to fake laugh. Fake laugh myself.

[Angela Kinsey]

It is very difficult. It is. The reason I think that I didn't really break is because I remember having anxiety over whether or not anyone was gonna buy it.

[Phyllis Smith]

Jenna, I have a little something on my note card here.

[Angela Kinsey]

What is it?

[Phyllis Smith]

I have another note card I wrote. This is the first time we see Daryl.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. Yes. When Rainn pops out of the box at the end. Daryl is down there. Now, he is not gonna have a big scene. We're not gonna hear him speak until the next episode, which is basketball.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes. But that is the first time we see Daryl, so I was very excited.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Phyllis Smith]

And look, my note card came in handy.

[Angela Kinsey]

I love that about her. I love how we plant seeds that grow later.

[Phyllis Smith]

Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

We don't. That is a person who is going to be a major character on the show, but we introduce him just as a guy seeing rain come out of the box.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah. That is one of the things. And I know we say it over and over and we will for the life of this podcast, but one of the things I love about what Greg Daniels did is he starts in the middle. He doesn't, like, spoon feed you information, just the way they design the show. You play catch up as an audience member. You're just like a day in the life and you're right in the middle. And I love that.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes, I love that, too. Okay, here's A big confession about the box. This is gonna blow your mind.

[Phyllis Smith]

What?

[Angela Kinsey]

Rainn wasn't in the box most of the time. What?

[Phyllis Smith]

Who was in the box? Who's in the box?

[Angela Kinsey]

Who was in the box before? Phil Shea. Our prop.

[Phyllis Smith]

Prop guy. Yeah, Phil Shea. Phil sh. Is a very tall person.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, well, so is Rain, and he.

[Phyllis Smith]

Was in that box the whole time.

[Angela Kinsey]

So most of the box acting was done by Phil Shay, of course, except for the end where Rayn busts out and comes through. So in that scene where I'm cracking up. Yes, Phil Shea was in the box.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my gosh.

[Angela Kinsey]

You know what I think we should do, Angela?

[Phyllis Smith]

Tell me.

[Angela Kinsey]

Jenna, I think we should call Phil Shay and get him to answer all of our questions about the box. What was it like in the box?

[Phyllis Smith]

Phil Shay, we are about to blow up your phone. Hello?

[Angela Kinsey]

Phil? Yes, Phil Shay. It's Jenna and Angela.

[Phyllis Smith]

Hi, Phil.

[David Denman]

Oh, hey, guys. How are you?

[Angela Kinsey]

Good. How are you?

[Phyllis Smith]

Thank you so much for letting us call and bug you.

[David Denman]

It's always a pleasure to help out Pam and Angela.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, my gosh, Phil, thank you so much.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's just so nice to hear your voice.

[Phyllis Smith]

That's what I was thinking. I was like, gosh, it's so nice to hear your voice.

[David Denman]

Hey, what an experience we had for nine years, right?

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes. We were the luckiest. We were the luckiest. Well, if you have a second, Phil, can we ask you some questions from the alliance episode?

[David Denman]

Absolutely.

[Angela Kinsey]

So we opened up questions to the fans, and the overwhelmingly, the thing people wanted to know about was the box that Rainn gets into in the warehouse. So they wanted to know how long he was in the box, Everything about the box. But, Phil, I know you were in the box, Rain.

[David Denman]

We got in after all the shoeing and the scooching and the sliding and then the tumbling was done.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah, Phil, you did all of that in the box. You were the scoocher and the tumbler and all that.

[David Denman]

I was. Apparently, Mr. Zabornak, our line producer, didn't think we had enough money to hire a stunt guy, so he assigned me to be in the box. And I remember I had to go out and buy my own elbow pads and knee pads. And then I had a loose walkie talkie in there with me with Liz Ryan, who was the first AD Shouting out all of Brian Gordon, who was our director for that episode's command. I remember like it was yesterday.

[Angela Kinsey]

So, Phil, can you take me through it from the beginning? You get a script, and it says this character has to be in A box. So what do you do? Because you're in charge of getting the box as the prop master. So where do you start on that particular proposal?

[David Denman]

I guess I sought out Greg Daniels, and I said, do you see Rain sitting down, squatting in the box, or does he needling down on his hands and knees? And he said, kneeling on his hands and knees.

[Phyllis Smith]

Rain is tall.

[Angela Kinsey]

Right.

[Phyllis Smith]

And so are you, Phil. You're very tall.

[David Denman]

Yeah, yeah. Rainn is, I think, 6:1 or 6:2. And I'm 6:1 if I blow dry my hair.

[Phyllis Smith]

You do have great hair. Like, you guys should know. No, Phil has an amazing head of hair.

[Angela Kinsey]

He really does. This is true.

[David Denman]

I leased it. I leased it. It's a Hollywood fake hairdo. But I tracked Rain down, and I asked him to get on his hands and knees, and I was measuring for this box.

[Angela Kinsey]

Wait, you made Rain get on his hands and knees, and then you measured him? Measured him to know how big that was.

[David Denman]

Season one, Rain was willing to do anything. Then I went to a couple box cities around Southern California. No one had a box close to that. Then I went on to the Internet, and I looked at box manufacturers in Southern California. I found a company in San Diego named Kent Landsberg. And you have to understand, as prop people, we have a very short production time and lead time to get all these props. So I called this Kent Landsberg paper company and asked to speak to the manager. And in a much more frenetic and hyper voice, I said, look, you got to help me out. I have to have a custom box made. I probably need about 100 of them, and they need to be, oh, my gosh, dimension.

[Phyllis Smith]

And San Diego. San Diego is like three hours away, too.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, and also, that's such a good point. You didn't need one box. You needed 100 boxes because you didn't know how many takes we were going to do. And Brian Gordon, the director of this episode, ended up being notorious for many, many takes. So you were right to cover your bases and get a hundred.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes, right.

[David Denman]

And we shot that scene in the Dunder Mifflin warehouse. We wanted to have some boxes on the shelves and.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, right, Just one box.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah, right.

[David Denman]

It wasn't a prop box. It just appeared out of nowhere. So we had to give some legit where it originated from.

[Phyllis Smith]

Look at all the detail.

[Angela Kinsey]

Look at all the detail.

[Phyllis Smith]

So how'd you do it? This guy said he would do it, no problem. And then how'd you get them?

[David Denman]

Well, I talked. He said the lead time is usually a month And a half. I said, we have four days, but I need the boxes in four days. And I said it was for a TV show. He says, for the Office, which is a remake of the British version.

[Angela Kinsey]

And he probably said, I'm sorry, I'm a huge fan of the British version.

[Phyllis Smith]

And I'm not sure.

[David Denman]

Yeah, it's like you guys were listening into the phone call. Exactly what he said. No, no. He said he would be glad to make an exception for a TV show. So he made it happen. We got the boxes delivered to Culver City, which is where we shot that episode in our first season. And then they put the graphics on the box, and we had him back two days before we were filming. So we had it all done, and rain fit in the box fine. And then it was just about coordinating where the holes would be inserted by me when I'm inside the box with Dwight's Swiss army knife. And it was a great scene. I mean, I remember we shot that down. I think it was a Friday night we shot that scene. But it was. It was fun. Everybody was laughing. The crew was always laughing on that show. And it was a great scene, and fans love it so much.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, Phil, thank you so much.

[David Denman]

I have. I'm looking at a picture that I can email you that Michael Gallenberg gave me. I'm going to send you a picture as soon as we hang up of me getting ready to tape up the fist box. And I don't know if you have the ability to picture on the podcast, but I'm gonna. I'm gonna take a picture.

[Phyllis Smith]

We can put it on our website, maybe.

[David Denman]

Yeah, okay, I'll take a picture. And you can see by the expression on my face after about take 50.

[Phyllis Smith]

You were, like, in a sweat lodge.

[Angela Kinsey]

Thank you.

[David Denman]

But. But, Jenna, you were there, and you remember the last take when Brian Gordon said, one more. I hope you remember this, where he had me do all this stuff, and then when I cut myself out of the box, everybody had went and hid. Remember, I came out. I came out into the warehouse. So he at least played a practical joke on me at the end to make me laugh. So that was pretty funny.

[Angela Kinsey]

We did. We left you in the box, and we pretended like we were still filming. And then you just. Just were there for so long.

[Phyllis Smith]

That is horrible.

[Angela Kinsey]

That is kind of horrible. Why were we so mean, Phil?

[Phyllis Smith]

I would have. If I was there, Phil. I would have come up and said, phil, get out. They left.

[David Denman]

It was so funny. No, it was funny. That was a great scene.

[Angela Kinsey]

Phil, I can. I Throw two questions at you really quickly before we let you go.

[David Denman]

Oh, yeah.

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

So after getting this box sounds like it was a massive undertaking, Phil, your job is sounding really fun. Like, you read an episode and then you have to come up with all these weird objects and gags.

[Phyllis Smith]

It sounds fun and stressful, Phil. Like, how do you get 100 boxes in four days?

[David Denman]

It's always fun. It's always stressful, and it's great to be, like I said, a small part of a production that resonates with viewers and fans across generations, as the Office did. So it is fun, it is stressful, but it's a real joy to do it when everybody laughs and everybody enjoys the prop, and it adds a little value to the scripted scene and. And then we all go home and laugh and have a good day. Yeah.

[Phyllis Smith]

Well, we sure appreciate you and we are going to be calling you a lot, the Office ladies. So thank you.

[Angela Kinsey]

Thanks for taking the time, Phil.

[David Denman]

I have vivid memories of all the props we made for the Office, so anytime you guys want to call me.

[Angela Kinsey]

Can we?

[Phyllis Smith]

Okay.

[David Denman]

Anytime.

[Phyllis Smith]

As you were talking, I had, like, eight questions about different episodes down the road, so I did, too. We will definitely be calling you back, Phil. Thank you. Thank you so much.

[Angela Kinsey]

We missed you. Yeah.

[David Denman]

Let's keep Dunder Mifflin going. I miss you as well. And let's keep Dunder Mifflin relevant for the next 30 years.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yay. All right, Phil. Well, have a good day.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Tell everyone we say hi over there.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay, I will.

[David Denman]

Thanks, Jenna. Thanks, Angela.

[Angela Kinsey]

Talk to you soon.

[Phyllis Smith]

Bye.

[Angela Kinsey]

Bye.

[David Denman]

Thank you. Bye.

[Phyllis Smith]

What's next, Jenna? We have three notecards left.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, now we need to talk about the cake. Oh, yes, the ice cream. The mint chocolate chip ice cream cake.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes.

[Angela Kinsey]

I got so sick eating that cake. This is the second most frequently asked question was about the cake and what the cake was like, and did we really eat the cake?

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, we ate that cake, you guys. And guess what? You start filming. We would start filming at 7:30am so at 7:30am you're going to eat ice cream cake.

[Angela Kinsey]

Someone hand you a plate of ice cream cake at 7:30am and you're going.

[Phyllis Smith]

To eat it for five hours all day.

[Angela Kinsey]

And then they're like, let's break for lunch.

[Phyllis Smith]

And you're like, I wanna puke.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Let me say something about prop food.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, do it.

[Angela Kinsey]

BJ Novak loves prop food.

[Phyllis Smith]

Mindy Kaling loves prop food.

[Angela Kinsey]

I also kinda like it. I get real excited when I have to snack in a scene.

[Phyllis Smith]

I do not because I know it's gonna turn on me.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. And it's gonna turn on me every time. And I still make the same mistakes every time.

[Phyllis Smith]

I would see Ed Helms, Minnie Kaling, you, bj, be like, ooh, brought food. And get so excited.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Like, we would.

[Phyllis Smith]

Pace yourself. It's gonna get gross.

[Angela Kinsey]

We'd have a party in the conference room, and they'd have, like, pigs in a blanket. And you just. Me and BJ would be over there.

[Phyllis Smith]

I'd be like, guys, slow down. No, you're gonna have to eat that for four hours.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know. Well, this was the first time that I made the mistake, and I started wolfing down ice cream cake.

[Phyllis Smith]

And then you have to match that in every shot. So whatever you do in that first shot, you then have to match it. So continuity wise, it all makes sense.

[Angela Kinsey]

And here's the thing. I'm in the background of most of the ice cream eating scenes.

[Phyllis Smith]

What are you doing?

[Angela Kinsey]

So I was wolfing it down in the background.

[Phyllis Smith]

She didn't have to. She was in the background.

[Angela Kinsey]

I was in the background. And then by the time it was time for my closeup, I was so sick, I didn't want to eat the ice cream cake. But then I had to.

[Phyllis Smith]

I'll tell you this. I had a slice, and Michael walks up to Phyllis and I. And when he walks, poor Steve is, like, wolfing the cake down.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, yeah.

[Phyllis Smith]

As he's talking, he would eat a.

[Angela Kinsey]

Full piece every take.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, man. They eventually got a bucket, though, that he could spit in, which is also disgusting.

[Angela Kinsey]

It's called a spit bucket.

[Phyllis Smith]

It's called a spit bucket. But he would walk up eating the cake, and he was talking to Phyllis and Meredith and my character. And I was just going to take one bite as he walked up. And by the end of the five hours of doing the scene, when I would scoop up that one bite, my hand would start to shake because I was anticipating it. So I was.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. Your body was rejecting it.

[Phyllis Smith]

My body was rejecting it. It was like, please don't put that mint chocolate chip ice cream in your mouth one more time ever again for the rest of your life.

[Angela Kinsey]

I can't eat it.

[Phyllis Smith]

I can't eat it.

[Angela Kinsey]

I can't eat it now.

[Phyllis Smith]

My daughter loves mint chocolate chip. I don't want it near me.

[Angela Kinsey]

I loved ice cream cake in general. No and only. It was last year for my son's seventh birthday. I finally ate a piece of ice cream cake again. But that's. It had been like I'd gone on like a 15 year moratorium. So the final thing I think we should talk about.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, yeah, let's go on that note.

[Angela Kinsey]

Is the scene with Roy coming into the office and confronting Jim.

[Phyllis Smith]

You guys are so busted. I remember, like, being over in accounting, being like, oh, and also, David Denman can be scary when he wants to be.

[Angela Kinsey]

He can be intimidated.

[Phyllis Smith]

He's such a teddy bear in real life.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Phyllis Smith]

He's so snuggly when he came in like that.

[Angela Kinsey]

He's a big guy.

[Phyllis Smith]

He's a big guy. And I think he turns my character on because he's such a man. Like, you see that play out later where I'm like. I'm clearly, like, enamored with Roy. But in that moment, I was like, oh, my God, Roy's gonna kick Jim's ass.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. Your character, Angela, likes a beefy alpha male, for sure.

[Phyllis Smith]

She just does.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's true. So I remember this scene. I remember breaking it down. We shot a ton of versions of this scene because we really didn't know how big of a reaction Roy should have. So the first thing I remember was that somehow in the scene when Jim and I are giggling about our accomplishment, we had to find a way to hold hands. That there had to be, like an organic way. An organic way where his arm is around me. There had to be something because Roy has walked in the door before and seen Jim standing at reception talking to me. So we had to come up with this reason that John would come around the front of the desk.

[Phyllis Smith]

He's so excited.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, he's so excited that he jogs around. So instead of coming up to me with the desk between us, which is what you've seen in the past, this was a big moment. He breaks that barrier, he comes around the desk, he puts his arm on me, we end up kind of holding hands and giggling. And I remember us really struggling to make sure that it looked real and organic and not staged. We didn't want to do something so out of the ordinary that you would be expecting something to happen.

[Phyllis Smith]

Right.

[Angela Kinsey]

And I think we accomplished it. And then when he burst in the door, there were a couple of takes where he pushed Jim up against a wall where he, like, got really more physical with Jim. And so we shot all these different versions so that we could get it just right.

[Phyllis Smith]

Right. And that. And the version they went with is the best. I think if Roy had gotten too physical there, it just would have taken us all out of it. Cause we'd be like, whoa. But I think just how ticked off he was. And then I thought John was brilliant in that moment. He was so believable when he. I don't even know how to explain this. Cause he realizes how ridiculous their whole day has been. And how do you explain what they've been doing?

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Phyllis Smith]

And they're so busted, though. Like, I know. It just. It is a moment that made me totally cringe.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. And you know that Pam and Roy had words about that.

[Phyllis Smith]

Oh, the car ride home.

[Angela Kinsey]

The car.

[Phyllis Smith]

Yes, yes. Car ride home.

[Angela Kinsey]

That was a tough one.

[Phyllis Smith]

My husband and I always talk about that. Like, if we'll be, like, at a dinner party or something, and you see, like, a couple have, like, an awkward exchange. I'll, like, lean over to my husband and be like, oof. Car ride home. Car ride home's gonna be. That's gonna be a rough one.

[Angela Kinsey]

So that's it. That's the alliance. Can I say one more thing? I wanna say one more thing. This episode has a special place in my family's life.

[Phyllis Smith]

Why?

[Angela Kinsey]

Because while we were shooting this episode, they got me out early so that I could go home for my sister's wedding, my real sister's wedding. I had to travel. So she got married while we were shooting this episode. And this year, she celebrated her 15th wedding anniversary.

[Phyllis Smith]

Aw.

[Angela Kinsey]

Isn't that sweet? So when I was watching this, I remembered that that's like a fun full.

[Phyllis Smith]

Circle life moment, too.

[Angela Kinsey]

I know.

[Phyllis Smith]

Well, this is the thing you guys are going to hear a lot as we do this podcast is, you know, this show spanned 10 years of our lives, and so much life happens in those 10 years. And we really do have all these special memories of our own lives mixed in with what was happening on the Office. And I feel like it shows because we all became so invested in each other's lives. We are our own misfit family. Like, the cast of the people that play the characters on the Office in real life have a lot of shared life moments and memories. And I think it just makes the show special to me. So when I watch it, I remember things, too.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah.

[Phyllis Smith]

And it's just so. I love that you shared that. Yay. Okay. That was the alliance, everyone.

[Angela Kinsey]

That's right.

[Phyllis Smith]

Don't judge me for the bobblehead moment. Don't judge me. Jenna's already judging me, and so just, you know, you can rest.

[Angela Kinsey]

I judged you and then it was over because then you pointed out that great other fact about your outfit.

[Phyllis Smith]

Thank you very much.

[Angela Kinsey]

You earned back my respect immediately. Okay, next week is basketball.

[Phyllis Smith]

Basketball, One of my favorites when we became best friends.

[Angela Kinsey]

We became best friends in basketball while shooting the basketball episode. And we're gonna tell you all about it.

[Phyllis Smith]

We'll tell you all about it.

[Angela Kinsey]

All right.

[Phyllis Smith]

See ya.

[Angela Kinsey]

See ya.

[Jenna Fischer]

Thank thank you for listening to Office Ladies second Drink.

[Phyllis Smith]

This episode was initially created in collaboration with Earwolf.

[Jenna Fischer]

Office Ladies is a presentation of Odyssey and is produced by Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey.

[Phyllis Smith]

Our executive producer is Cassie Jerkins and our audio engineer and associate producer is Daniella Silva.

[Jenna Fischer]

Odyssey's executive producers are Jenna Wise Berman.

[Angela Kinsey]

And Leah Reese Dennis.

[Phyllis Smith]

Office Ladies is mixed and mastered by Chris Basil.

[Angela Kinsey]

Our theme song is Rubber Tree by Creed Bratton.

[Creed Bratton]

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