Office Ladies: Second Drink – "The Deposition"

Episode Date: January 19, 2026
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Podcast Theme: In-depth rewatch and behind-the-scenes insights from "The Office" by two of its stars and close friends.

Episode Overview

This lively "Second Drink" companion focuses on Season 4, Episode 12 of The Office: "The Deposition". Jenna and Angela revisit the classic episode where Michael Scott is deposed as a witness in Jan's wrongful termination lawsuit against Dunder Mifflin, while back at Scranton, a ping pong rivalry and Pam-Kelly drama unfolds. The episode is rich with behind-the-scenes details, tributes to departed writer Lester Lewis, funny fan questions, and the hosts’ signature banter.

Main Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Listener Mail & Hilarious Tangents

• Peeing in Sports (02:21–03:21):

  • Amanda S. writes in explaining how football players relieve themselves on the sidelines, prompting giggles and campfire-style comparisons.
  • Angela: "It's like when you're camping and your friend holds up a towel that you squat behind. Same principle, just not with thousands of people right behind you." (03:01)

• Kelly’s Song Taunts – The Candy Bag Alts (03:22–05:58):

  • Listeners correct the hosts on Kelly singing Avril Lavigne’s "Girlfriend" in her ping pong trash talk.
  • Jenna finds the original script alts, including riffs on "SexyBack," "Bad Day," and "My Boyfriend’s Back."
  • A series of hilarious alternative insults and taunts written for Mindy Kaling’s character are read aloud, such as:
    • "Your boyfriend's so pasty, they use him to put up wallpaper."
    • "Your boyfriend's so bad in bed. What he lacks for in size, he makes up for in speed."

• The Journal Question (06:05–08:38):

  • A fan asks: Would the hosts read someone else’s open journal?
  • Jenna is adamant she’d avert her eyes out of respect.
  • Angela admits, "If there's a Michael Scott in my life and I'm in his house...and his journal is open...I'm going to read it. And then I'm going to tell all my friends about it." (08:00)

• Deleted Scene/Candy Bag Alt – Toby’s Talking Head (08:37):

  • An unrealized candy bag alternate features Toby staring into camera and breaking the fourth wall after Michael's deposition:
    • "God bless you. God bless you for recording this today for all time." (08:37)

2. Episode Breakdown: "The Deposition"

Summary & Fast Facts

• Episode Plot:
  • Michael is deposed in Jan’s lawsuit; Jan’s secrecy, Michael’s journal, and David Wallace’s evaluation are pivotal. Meanwhile, a ping pong battle at Scranton ignites Pam–Kelly tensions.
• Writer Tribute (10:08–11:32):
  • Heartfelt remembrances for writer Lester Lewis (passed away in 2013); both hosts credit him as kind, funny, and foundational to the show.
    • Jenna: "I loved this man. We bonded over our love of autobiographical comic books... I miss him." (11:26)

Ping Pong Deep Dive (12:08–16:22)

• History:
  • Ping pong, also known as table tennis or "wiff waff", originated in Victorian England (13:02) and spread globally, debuting in the Olympics in 1988.
• Game Techniques & Trivia:
  • Techniques include penhold, shakehand, C. Miller grip; offensive and defensive strokes are detailed.
• Personal Anecdotes:
  • Angela’s dining table was (regrettably) transformed into a ping pong arena by her family, resulting in constant 8am "bank bank bank" noises.

Behind-the-Scenes Writers’ Room & Unused Ideas (16:33–17:27)

• Runner Not Used:
  • "Dwight gets stuck in the wall" was another possible subplot.
• Ping Pong Story Inspired by Real Writers’ Games (36:55–37:25):
  • The writers frequently played ping pong, even improvising makeshift tables before getting the real thing. This inspired Pam’s office ping pong storyline.

The Writers’ Strike Context (17:40–20:40)

• Production Impact:
  • This was the last episode before the 2007 Writers Guild Strike shut down the production, shortening Season 4.
    • Jenna: "There is nothing harder than staring at a blank piece of paper and putting something on it."
• Steve Carell’s Solidarity:
  • As a union member, Steve refused to cross the picket line, which was appreciated by the staff (18:46).

Comedy and Cast Impressions (21:06–22:40)

• Iconic moments like Ed Helms’ Tom Brokaw impersonation recounted and played from DVD commentary, showing the joy and camaraderie behind the scenes.

3. Detailed Episode Scenes & Fan Insights

Michael’s Notes & "Hiya Buddy" Sticky (26:21–29:01)

• The showrunner Greg Daniels personally drew the famed “Hiya Buddy” sticky-note hot dog (28:04). Multiple fan questions clarified that Jenna did not make the notes herself.

Corporate Set Secrets (31:48–33:15)

• Corporate and deposition room scenes filmed as "swing sets" on their warehouse stage.
• The same set was redecorated to serve as both the corporate lobby and the deposition conference room.

Ping Pong Filming Challenges (34:12–35:24)

• The cast played real ping pong for authenticity, making continuity a nightmare; tight shots often omitted the ball for clean audio.

Defining "Smack Talk" vs. "Trash Talk" (35:26–36:07)

• Jenna looks up definitions in Merriam-Webster, discovering that ‘smack talk’ simply links to ‘trash talk,’ which both find hilarious.

Kelly vs. Pam Bathroom Stand-off (44:48–45:21)

• “That's social etiquette.” – Angela (45:22)
• Kelly’s antagonistic energy is highlighted in scenes such as the bathroom standoff.

The Legendary Stenographer (50:42–54:01)

• Valerie Ross plays the deadpan stenographer, whose dry reading of Michael’s contradictions is a fan-favorite.
  • Quote: (50:42) “Mr. Scott, do you realize you just contradicted yourself?” – Stenographer
• Jenna’s research uncovers Ross’s improv/comedy background (Second City, Comedy Store), used to play her part straight for maximum comedic effect.

Jan's Betrayal – The Journal is Read (58:18–61:14)

• Jan brings Michael's journal as evidence, and humiliating excerpts are read aloud.

  • Journal Excerpt: "'Jan almost everywhere. He he. Oh diary. What a week. I had sex with my boss... I am definitely feeling very irie.'" (59:55)

• Angela: "It's written like a 13-year-old boy wrote it." (58:44)

The Cafeteria Stories (62:00–65:45)

• Both hosts reminisce fondly about NYC/corporate cafeterias and the NBC Universal commissary — the real location for Michael’s lost-in-the-cafeteria scene.

Michael’s Breakdown & Key Emotional Beats (66:02–68:12)

• The escalation of Michael’s embarrassment at the deposition, Jan’s withering review, and David Wallace’s revelation that Michael was never a real candidate for the corporate job.

• Michael: "You expect to get screwed by your company, but you don't expect to get screwed by your girlfriend." (68:12)

Legal Accuracy & The Documentary Crew Question (68:21–68:51)

• Listeners note the authenticity of the deposition scenes and humorously wonder why the show’s documentary footage wasn’t used as evidence.

Random Tangent: Tom Brady’s Water Consumption (69:38–73:16)

• Jenna is fascinated by Tom Brady’s extreme water-drinking habits and questions how athletes manage bathroom breaks during games, with Angela’s husband providing some soccer field insight.

Pam’s Outfits & Ping Pong Facts (73:24–76:04)

• Angela playfully critiques Pam’s (Jenna's) winter attire, suggesting it symbolizes relationship comfort.
• Jenna asserts her right to defend the tights-and-skirt combination, and then fact-checks Jim’s “spin serve” claims with ping pong research.

Final Scenes & Deleted Moments (81:14–82:41)

• CGI was used for the epic Mosè vs. Dwight ping pong match since filming was too complex with real balls.
• A deleted Creed scene has him misunderstanding ping pong for strip-pong — classic Creed.

Notable Quotes & Moments [with Timestamps]

• Angela (on reading Michael’s journal): "If there's a Michael Scott in my life...I'm going to read it and then tell all my friends about it." (08:00)
• Michael (Deposition, as recited by Valerie Ross): “Mr. Scott, do you realize you just contradicted yourself?” (50:42)
• Jan’s lawyer (reading the diary): "'Just got back from Jamaica. Tan almost everywhere, Jan, almost everywhere...'” (59:55)
• Jenna: "I want the corporate mug with the silver letters, please." (43:16)
• Angela (cafeteria praise): "NBC has an amazing commissary...fabric napkins...iced tea comes with like a lemon wedge..." (63:16)
• Michael (crushed): "You expect to get screwed by your company, but you don't expect to get screwed by your girlfriend." (68:12)
• Angela (on fan legal question): "Why didn’t they use the documentary film footage for proof in the deposition?" (68:46)

Segment Timestamps for Quick Reference

• 02:21 Listener on football field peeing stories
• 03:22–05:58 Kelly’s ping pong song alts & insults
• 06:05 Would you read someone’s journal? segment
• 10:08 Writer Lester Lewis tribute
• 12:08–16:22 Ping pong deep dive & family anecdotes
• 17:40–20:40 Writers’ strike context
• 21:06–22:40 Cast impressions & set camaraderie
• 26:21–29:01 Sticky note stories (“Hiya Buddy”)
• 31:48–33:15 Corporate set secrets
• 34:12–35:24 Filming ping pong challenges
• 35:26–36:07 Smack talk vs trash talk
• 44:48–45:21 Bathroom stand-off scene
• 50:42–54:01 The legendary stenographer segment
• 62:00–65:45 Corporate cafeteria anecdotes
• 66:02–68:12 Michael’s heartbreak during deposition
• 73:24–76:04 Pam’s outfit & ping pong serve facts
• 81:14–82:41 Mosè-Dwight match & Creed deleted scene

Tone and Style

• Warm, nerdy, playful, and sincere — the easy rapport between Angela and Jenna creates a friendly, inside-baseball environment for fans of both the show and the podcast.

For Superfans & Newcomers

This episode unpacks "The Deposition" with a blend of deep lore, actor friendships, production quirks, serious moments, and offbeat tangents (Tom Brady's water intake!). The blend of personal memories, fan engagement, and irreverent digressions exemplifies what makes Office Ladies a favorite podcast for The Office community.

Next Episode Preview

They close with anticipation for "Dinner Party," one of the most iconic episodes. "Holy crap sticks. Dinner party. We're here, Jenna." (82:45)

TL;DR

Jenna and Angela give "The Deposition" the classic Office Ladies treatment: hilarious, affectionate, digressive, and brimming with backstage gold, from ping pong mishaps to memorable performances, fan questions, and heart.