Office Ladies – “SNAFU with Ed Helms”
Podcast: Office Ladies
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Guest Host: Ed Helms
Date: February 4, 2026
Episode Theme:
A crossover episode featuring The Office stars Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey, and Ed Helms, sharing behind-the-scenes memories from "The Office," recounting personal snafu (mess-up) stories, and deep-diving into a real-life military blunder – the accidental loss of a hydrogen bomb by the U.S. Navy in 1965, explored originally on Ed Helms's podcast, "Snafu."
Episode Overview
In this special episode, Jenna and Angela take a break from their regular Office re-watch to showcase their appearance on Ed Helms’s podcast, "Snafu." The trio reminisce about their days filming The Office, share their own “snafu” moments, and discuss a historical incident in which the U.S. Navy lost a nuclear bomb off the coast of Japan. The conversation blends personal anecdotes, insights into workplace camaraderie, and humor—even as it tackles serious historical blunders.
1. Reunion & Reminiscing about The Office
Timestamps: 04:23 – 11:22
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Ed Helms welcomes Jenna and Angela, celebrating their warmth and humor, and immediately asks:
Ed: "How much do you miss working with me on a daily basis?" [05:26]
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Fond memories are shared about their days on set, conference room scenes, and the special bond among cast and crew:
Jenna: "I miss being silly with you… we would just make up a new noise, like pewing, wing, bing." [06:06]
Angela: "We were just all in this little bubble, this tiny space where we got to be creative together." [07:43]
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Ed recollects joining the cast later (in the Stamford branch arc):
Ed: "We were intimidated, but also felt so warmly welcomed… all of you were so lovely right out of the gate." [09:49]
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Insights into the show’s set culture:
Angela: “There was not, like, a weird ego competitiveness going on on that set, which was so great.” [10:55]
Jenna: “It was collaborative. It was not competitive.” [10:52]
2. Personal “Snafu” Stories
Timestamps: 11:22 – 15:45
3. Historical Deep Dive: The USS Ticonderoga "Broken Arrow" Incident
Timestamps: 16:15 – 41:46
Setting the Stage
The Incident
- During a routine drill, a fighter jet (A4 Skyhawk) accidentally rolls off the deck—
- With the pilot (Lt. Douglas Webster) and a one-megaton hydrogen bomb inside.
Ed: “The Skyhawk rolled off the side of the carrier, tore through the safety netting, and vanished into the ocean.” [23:11]
Ed: "There was also something else on board. A one megaton nuclear bomb… 70 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima." [25:25]
Cover-Up and Discovery
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The Navy immediately tries to conceal the incident, not disclosing it until 1981—
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The bomb sank in Japanese territorial waters, violating treaties and Japanese anti-nuclear policy.
Ed: "Are you guys good secret keepers? Are you trustworthy?" [28:41]
Jenna: "This is not a secret I could keep. Yeah, I would be a whistleblower… I'm not going to keep your 'we lost a nuclear weapon in the ocean' secret for you." [28:41]
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Greenpeace and naval expert William Arkin expose the cover-up in 1989. The true location—only 70 miles from Japanese shores—infuriates Japan after it had been downplayed by the Pentagon.
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Diplomatic repercussions discussed, with Ed noting:
Ed: "It's so choreographed, all these things. It’s very wild how it all works out." [33:56]
Risks to the Environment
- Discussion about the bomb’s environmental threat:
Ed: “The Pentagon claimed the bomb would not be harmful. It hadn't been armed… but it was decaying, which meant it might eventually break down and start to emit serious pollutants." [34:52]
Angela: "What is that going to do to the ocean and the ecosystem around it?" [40:52]
Jenna: "Would you take a dirty penny and put it in a glass of water and let it sit overnight and then drink that glass of water the next day? You wouldn’t." [41:16]
Euphemisms & Office Parallels
4. Takeaways & Lessons
Timestamps: 39:10 – 41:50
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Ed’s ‘life lesson’ tongue-in-cheek:
Ed: "The lesson here, guys, is lie. If you mess up, lie about it. Because then 15 years will go by..." [39:10]
Angela: "I think there’s a second part to that. It would be lie plus time… Be patient with your lies." [39:32]
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In all seriousness, gratitude to Greenpeace and whistleblowers for uncovering truth:
Jenna: "Thank you, Greenpeace. Way to stand for something and hold people accountable." [40:11]
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Uncertainty about environmental safety:
Ed: "It is hard to believe... that a nuclear missile just decaying on the bottom of the ocean is like completely harmless." [40:38]
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Jenna coins a new euphemism:
Jenna: "I think instead of broken arrow, they should be called a dirty penny." [41:34]
5. Updates from the Hosts
Timestamps: 41:51 – 44:16
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The Office Ladies continue their podcast with new episodes every Wednesday; the full re-watch library plays on Mondays.
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Jenna’s theater return:
Jenna: "I'm doing a play at the Goodman Theater in Chicago called Ashland Avenue… This will be my first time back on stage in about eight years." [42:38]
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Angela’s husband released a family-focused cookbook:
Angela: "He’s finally put all of our favorite family recipes into a cookbook. It's called You Can Make This." [43:26]
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Ed jokes about writing a book called "Super Duper Nuker."
6. Notable Quotes
7. Memorable Moments
- Angela's and Jenna's cringe-y teenage snafus [11:41–15:34], delivered with their signature warmth and comedy.
- The collective shock at the number of lost nuclear weapons: “32 super duper nukes.” [36:51]
- The inventive use of euphemisms and Office lingo: candy bags, broken arrows, dirty pennies.
- Final summary that blends historical gravity with humor and Office-style banter.
8. Episode’s Impact & Tone
The episode is both hilarious and alarming—a mix of nostalgia, candid confessions, and eye-opening historical analysis. Ed Helms’s comedic delivery as host sets a lighthearted yet informative tone, meshed perfectly with Jenna and Angela’s warmth and friendship.
Useful for New Listeners:
This episode is a must-listen for both Office fans and history buffs alike. You’ll walk away with delightful behind-the-scenes scoops, a new appreciation for the cast’s friendship, and an unforgettable lesson in the power of euphemism, whistleblowing, and the not-so-funny side of human error.