Office Ladies: "The Paper" Ep 2 – The Five W’s

Podcast: Office Ladies
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Date: January 7, 2026
Episode: Season 1 Episode 2 of "The Paper" – "The Five W’s"

Episode Theme and Purpose

Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, beloved co-stars from The Office, return for another rewatch and behind-the-scenes deep-dive, this time examining "The Paper," a new Greg Daniels/Michael Komen mockumentary series about a struggling local newspaper. In this episode, they break down "The Five W’s," unpacking both the plot and rich production details, sharing humor, and weaving in personal stories, all in their signature candid best-friend style.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

[02:17] New Year, New Shared Resolution

• Jenna and Angela open with infectious energy, sharing their new “shared BFF” New Year's resolution: Get Off the Hamster Wheel.
• Both hosts discuss the blur of working from home and committing to taking weekends fully off for decompression.
  • Quote, Angela: “It’s easy to climb on that wheel.” (04:10)
  • Quote, Jenna: “We’ve worked twenty days in a row without a full day off.” (03:01)

[04:31] Chit Chat Kickoff: Worst Place You’ve Ever Been Stuck – Listener Q&A

Stephanie A. from San Diego: "Where is the worst place you’ve been stuck for a long time?"

Jenna’s Story – The Shark Boat [05:22–08:42]

• Gifted a “shark boat” experience from her then-husband; immediately became violently seasick.
• Spent the entire trip curled under a table in the galley, with no Dramamine, while others also struggled.
  • Quote, Jenna: “I got through it by telling myself that time passes, time can’t stop…that was my mantra. It was my own personal ‘The Edge’.” (08:23)
• The only “shark” was nine inches long; her ex-husband later calls it “one of the worst days of my life.” (07:26)
  • Quote, Jenna (reading ex’s message): “I was miserable. I didn’t throw up like nearly everyone else around me…that’s the only shark we saw. Worst day of my life.” (07:30)

Angela’s Story – Texas Blizzard [08:52–16:56]

• Angela recounts being stranded with her family on Christmas Eve 2009 during the worst North Texas snowstorm in 21 years.
• On rural roads, running out of gas and supplies, with a toddler and elderly parents.
• Her dad tries to scrape the frozen windshield with shattered country music CDs; car nearly slides off the road.
• They shelter a stranded young woman and her Chihuahua, Giselle, picking her up from the snow.
  • Quote, Angela: “We were running out of gas, and he would turn the car off to save the gas, and we’d get really cold. We were able to see our breath.” (11:08)
• Eventually they make it to a pastor’s home, are taken in, and witness a very emotional family reunion for the stranded young woman.
  • Quote, Angela: “Her dad and brothers…made it to the pastor’s house on Christmas Day. When he arrived and saw his daughter, he hugged her and began to cry…and shook my dad’s hand and said, ‘Thank you. Thank you.’ Not a dry eye.” (15:23)
• Jenna and Angela reflect on the gravity and emotion, with Jenna saying she’d “get back on the Shark Boat rather than do your adventure.” (17:05)

[21:32] The Paper: Episode 2 “The Five W’s” – Official Breakdown

Episode Overview

• Written by Greg Daniels & Michael Komen, directed by Ken Kwapis.
• Ned, the new editor-in-chief of the Toledo Truth Teller, tries to salvage the struggling newspaper’s first original issue after the wire service is cut.
• Office staff are made into reporters with comically little experience, and their news “scoops” range from dog park parking drama to a false lead on a serial killer.

Fast Fact [22:09]

• NBC broadcast versions are cut down from the longer Peacock edits. Editor Dave Rogers had to “reverse-supersize” each episode for linear TV. Michael Komen and Greg Daniels each had their own “old school vs. new school” methods for trimming episodes.
  • Quote, Jenna: “For ‘The Office,’ he’s doing the supersized episodes — for Peacock, he had to do like, reverse supersize.” (23:45)

[26:00] Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

[26:00] Opening Conference Room

• Ned opens with a classic conference meeting — only one staffer, Mare, has any newspaper experience (“I tweeted”/“I have a text thread” = the rest).
• Ned presents his favorite front-page headlines (1945–1961).
• Ken (one of Angela’s “Stirrers” for the episode) excuses himself with the framed pages… and accidentally drops them (30:12). Left in for authentic laughs.
  • Chelsea Fry (via Jenna): “Tim Key dropped them by accident, and it broke the tension in the room. Everybody couldn’t stop laughing. And they left it in.” (30:13)

[31:04] The Popcorn Tin Running Gag

• Ned stress-eats ancient popcorn from Mare’s desk — revealed to be years-old and possibly six years’ out of date.
• Red Vines vs. Twizzlers debate breaks out; prop popcorn was real, frequently eaten by cast.
  • Quote, Jenna: “She ate so much of it, she was sick by the end of the week!” — regarding Chelsea Fry (34:16)

[35:28] The Wire Service is Canceled

• Esmeralda passive-aggressively “helps” by ensuring no AP stories can be used, forcing the team into original reporting — which she knows will likely fail.

[37:18] Shared Roots: Jenna’s & Angela’s Journalism Background

• Jenna reminisces about college days as “Jenna Fisher for the Index,” sharing original news clippings featuring classic 90s campus news.
  • Quote: “I used to walk around with a spiral pad and say, ‘Hi, Jenna Fisher from the Index…’” (40:03)
• Angela discovers her grandmother’s “Around Archer” local column archived online, reading delightful community-oriented snippets.
  • Quote: “‘Rattlesnakes are moving in. Ron Mullins killed one in town. 47 inches long.’” (41:36)
• They express nostalgia and affection for the lost art of local, neighborly news.
  • Quote, Jenna: “This is what is missing from today…We need more of that in our lives today. That builds community.” (42:28)

[45:00] Flailing as Reporters; Crime Beat Fears

• Nicole panics about crime reporting, swapping with Ned to write the “Letter from the Editor” instead (“I need my bubble of ignorance!”).
• Ned’s desperation for any news is palpable — even cold-calling the morgue asking about new bodies. (56:00–56:08)
  • Quote, Jenna: “Have any new bodies come in? Have you looked everywhere?” (56:04)

[46:12] On the Beat: Dog Park Fiasco

• Adam and Adilola’s “investigation” into dog park parking goes nowhere; teenagers later prank them with a fake trend: “dogging.”
• Guest star alert: Park employee played by Nick Thune.

[51:40] Favorite Scene: The Fish & Game Triangle

• Travis and Detrick (reporters) meet the local Fish and Game warden — who happens to be Travis’s ex, Harper (Tahni Newsome) and her boyfriend, Gary.
• Classic mock-doc awkwardness, as Travis tries to insert personal closure questions under the guise of reporting.
  • Quote, Travis: “As a member of the press, you have to respect me…The First Amendment compels you.” (52:27)
  • Quote, Detrick: “That was a setup question, Gary. I obviously need to ask a follow up.” (53:04)
  • Physical comedy of being literally thrown out of the office.

[59:39] Restaurant Scene: Sabotage & Set Secrets

• Esmeralda drags out Ned’s welcome lunch, “accidentally” making him late (sends her fish back three times; orders wine.)
• Scene filmed on Universal's New York street backlot; 64 extras created a bustling street visible out every window.
  • Quote, Jenna: “When you shoot in a fakie restaurant, you have to create all of the business outside of the windows…all actors.” (59:45–59:51)
• Ned eats a cupcake by making a “cupcake sandwich” — reveals it’s Jenna’s real-life method, too! (60:05)
  • Quote, Jenna: “That’s how I eat my cupcakes!” (60:05)

[63:12] The False Crime Story

• Just as Ned gets a call about a “possible serial killer,” it’s revealed the only “suspect” is… him, after pestering the morgue.

[65:16] Crisis: No News for the First Issue

• With only an ad and a sudoku puzzle (secretly provided by Oscar — tying to Dunder Mifflin nostalgia), Ned owns up and pens a tongue-in-cheek “no news is good news” letter as his editor’s note.
• Pads it shamelessly with plagiarized Elmore Leonard passages.

[68:02] Dunder Mifflin Connections

• Oscar’s sudoku appears in the paper; he calls Stanley for feedback. Oscar’s character is slowly pulled into “The Paper” team, providing clever fan continuity.

[69:03] Ken Kwapis on Mockumentary Visual Challenges (Listener Letters)

• Director Ken Kwapis talks about the visual and logistical challenge of a new, bigger bullpen (compared to “The Office”) and the complications of using smaller blinds for “spy shots.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Angela: “It’s easy to climb on that wheel.” (04:10)
• Jenna’s ex, re: shark boat: “It was one of the worst days of my life.” (07:30)
• Angela’s Dad, after falling: “I’m all right, but my dignity took a hit.” (11:46)
• Angela: “We were able to see our breath. And then he’d turn the car on for a little bit…We were doing this, like, intermittently and just sitting there watching car after car try this hill and go into the snowbank.” (11:08)
• Jenna: “That was my mantra — time passes, time cannot stop. This day will end…” (08:23)
• Jenna: “I think 2026 is going to be the year of fiber. I feel like protein took over in 2025. I think it’s fiber now.” (19:03)
• Esmeralda: “If a man eats quick, he also finishes quick.” (57:00)
• Jenna: “We need more of this in our lives today…That builds community. That is beautiful. It’s meaningful.” (42:28)
• Travis, to his ex during an ‘interview’: “Harper, is there any part of you that still loves me?” (53:09)
• Angela (re: Oscar): “He’s getting curious about being a reporter. And this is going to pay off later.” (64:09)
• Mare’s deadpan talking head: “Maybe I’ll just type up the train schedules to be safe.” (65:52)
• Jenna: “For ‘The Office,’ he’s doing the supersized episodes — for Peacock, he had to do like, reverse supersize.” (23:59)

Notable Behind-the-Scenes Details

• Set & Prop Trivia: Real Ohio popcorn used for prop tin; fake backlot restaurant brought to life with 60+ extras; set designed with smaller window blinds for a unique visual vibe.
• Cast & Crew Input: Chelsea Fry (Mare) and propmaster Scott McGinnis shared production stories at the Office Ladies’ request; Director Ken Kwapis and first AD Kelly Cantley explained their creative problem-solving.

Fan Engagement & Community-Building

• Jenna and Angela invite fans to submit their own “Around the Town” local tidbits in homage to Angela’s grandmother’s newspaper column.
• Emphasis on community-driven positive news as a counterpoint to today’s “recycled news.”

Structure & Show Flow

• Personal stories and audience questions kick off the episode.
• Deep dive into the “The Five W’s” episode with scene-by-scene analysis, cast/crew trivia, and extensive behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
• Layered with best friend banter, real-life connections, and ongoing callbacks to “The Office” and Dunder Mifflin.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:17] New Year’s resolution
• [04:31] Chit Chat: Listener Q&A – Worst place stuck
• [05:22–08:42] Jenna’s Shark Boat story
• [08:52–16:56] Angela’s Texas Blizzard story
• [21:32] Paper Ep 2 breakdown begins
• [22:09] Fast Fact: editing for TV vs streaming
• [31:04] The Popcorn Tin running gag
• [46:12] Dog park “investigation”
• [51:40] Fish & Game love triangle scene
• [59:39] Restaurant sequence, set secrets
• [63:12] Serial killer confusion
• [65:16] Final crumbling before paper goes out
• [69:03] Ken Kwapis on set challenges

Tone & Takeaways

The episode blends classic “Office Ladies” warmth, behind-the-scenes gold, and deep affection for storytelling, journalism (local and fictional!), and fandom.
The Paper may be about floundering reporters, but as Jenna and Angela show, the real story is in the details, the friendships, and celebrating every little around-the-town tidbit.

For Next Week

The hosts tease more “Paper” episode breakdowns and encourage fans to submit “Around the Town” notes for new segments.

Summary prepared for fans old and new — perfect to catch up, revisit, or get hyped for the next episode.