Office Ladies – "The Paper Interviews #3 with Sabrina Impacciatore"

Date: August 22, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Guest: Sabrina Impacciatore ("The Paper," "White Lotus")

Episode Overview

In this special installment, Jenna and Angela continue their exclusive breakdown of "The Paper"—the highly anticipated series set in the universe of The Office. They sit down for a lively and heartfelt conversation with Sabrina Impacciatore, acclaimed Italian actress and new cast member of "The Paper." The episode explores Sabrina’s unique audition journey, her approach to building the character Esmeralda Grand, the joys and anxieties of joining an Office-adjacent show, and memorable stories surrounding the role. True to Office Ladies style, the discussion is both insightful and packed with laughter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "The Paper" Early Impressions (02:15 – 04:31)

• Jenna and Angela express genuine excitement about "The Paper," having seen the first four episodes at Greg Daniels’ invitation.
  • Jenna: "It feels like The Office. Like, it’s very clear that this is the same universe." (02:41)
• They reiterate their independence: "We are not sponsored by Peacock or NBC." (02:51)
• Highlight that their participation came about organically thanks to Greg Daniels’ support. (03:05)

2. Meet Sabrina Impacciatore & Esmeralda Grand (05:07 – 08:51)

• Character Background:
  • Sabrina: "My character’s name is Esmeralda Grand." (05:07)
  • Esmeralda is a resourceful, sometimes wild Italian immigrant in the office, not a real journalist, but fiercely determined to survive and stay in the U.S.
  • Sabrina: "She does everything she can to just try to stay where she is... every time she feels threatened by something, she uses anything she can—even the worst things possible just to protect herself." (05:27)
  • She’s the only Italian in the office and dreams of becoming a star through the documentary, mirrored in her appearance: "That’s why I decided to have this kind of hair like a diva from the 40s." (07:55)

3. On Inspiration and Auditioning for Esmeralda (08:51 – 17:07)

• Audition Story:

  • Sabrina received the audition call just as she was boarding a flight from Cape Town to Rome, with a tight deadline for learning 11 pages of script in English. (09:15)
  • She had never seen The Office before; watched two episodes during her flight and “fell in love” with its unique style.
  • Sabrina: "I had never saw The Office in my life... The first two episodes, I saw them on the flight from Cape Town to Rome and I felt like, oh my god, what a weird project." (10:07)
  • Her initial Zoom audition was mostly improvised due to fatigue—"I completely invented everything else. I was improvising, improvising, improvising." (11:37)
  • She was asked to audition again with the lines memorized, sent in a self-tape, and then waited a month with no answer.
  • On the same night she landed a major role in another project, she found out she’d gotten the role in "The Paper" as well—leading to a "six hour cry" as she struggled to choose (15:55).

• Memorable Quote:

  • Sabrina: "When I took the decision, I cried for six hours... I thought this is how crazy my life is. I have to say no to something unbelievable because some other thing that is unbelievable is happening." (15:55)

• Greg Daniels’ Influence:

  • Notably, Greg Daniels insisted she keep her natural accent: "After watching your audition, we cannot imagine any other actor, any other actress, doing this role. And we also love your accent. It’s so charming." (16:31)

4. Joining the Office Universe – Blessings, Anxiety & Steve Carell (21:44 – 24:48)

• Joining the Cast:

  • Sabrina shares she was initially "terrified" about matching the original show's acting caliber, calling Steve Carell's work "epiphanic." (21:48)
  • In a fortuitous move, she flew to New York from Rome to watch Steve Carell perform in "Uncle Vanya," then met him backstage.
  • Sabrina: "He was the sweetest man ever and so humble... He was telling me the most sweet things, like, ‘You are going to crush it. You are going to have so much fun. Greg is the best.’" (23:34)

• Jenna’s Own Blessing Story:

  • Jenna recalls being "blessed" by Peter Boyle upon joining The Office, drawing a parallel to Sabrina’s Steve Carell moment. (23:46)

5. Manifesting Success and Superstitions (24:48 – 26:15)

• Angela Manifesting Her Career:

  • Angela recalls driving to Mulholland Drive to shout her dream into the Hollywood sky—"I am going to be on a hit television show on NBC on Thursday nights." (25:41)
  • Sabrina matches this with her own ritual: she booked a stay at the legendary Chateau Marmont to absorb its "ghosts’ blessings" before filming. (26:02)
  • Both women highlight the importance of positive energy and self-belief.

• Memorable & Uplifting Quote:

  • Sabrina (in Italian to her fans, translated): "It’s the biggest dream coming true... I was wishing that all the Italian girls that have a big dream... should still believe in their dreams and just go for them." (27:28)

6. The Paper: Details, Easter Eggs & Sabrina's Future (28:00 – 29:43)

• The segment ends with Sabrina being called to set, leaving her origin story untold (to Jenna and Angela’s disappointment).
• Both hosts are effusive about Sabrina’s performance and character set design: "The amount of details... the whole look of her office for the show, it’s perfection." (29:29)
• Jenna teases a particularly fun storyline for Esmeralda in episode four. (29:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Angela on manifesting: "I looked out into the valley and yelled very loudly. I said, I am going to be on a hit television show on NBC on Thursday nights." (25:41, Angela Kinsey)
• Sabrina on her character: "She acts like a star. She behaves like a star. She thinks big. She’s big. The way she dresses, the way she acts. She’s also very manipulative." (07:55, Sabrina Impacciatore)
• On Greg Daniels: "Greg, after watching your audition, we cannot imagine any other actress doing this role. And we also love your accent. It’s so charming." (16:31, relayed by Sabrina)
• Sabrina's Italian message: "I was dedicating this to the Italian girls that should still believe in their dreams and just go for them." (27:28, Sabrina Impacciatore)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:15-04:31 – Hosts describe previewing "The Paper" and how they got involved.
• 05:07-08:51 – Sabrina introduces herself and Esmeralda Grand.
• 09:15-17:07 – Sabrina’s dramatic, comedic audition story.
• 21:44-24:48 – Sabrina on meeting Steve Carell for a blessing.
• 25:41-26:09 – Angela and Sabrina on manifesting and rituals.
• 27:28 – Sabrina’s message to Italian girls.
• 28:00-28:48 – Sabrina is called to set, hosts reflect on her impact.
• 29:18-29:40 – Hosts highlight Esmeralda’s episode 4 storyline and office design.

Conclusion & Tone

This episode radiates the signature warmth, humor, and behind-the-scenes camaraderie Jenna and Angela are known for. Sabrina Impacciatore emerges as a passionate, relatable new member of the Office family, full of wit and heart. The candid sharing of audition nerves, creative processes, and a dash of superstition will charm long-time fans and newcomers alike. There’s an open invitation for Sabrina’s (hopefully soon) return and an infectious excitement for The Paper’s September premiere.