The Paper Interviews #4 with Ramona Young & Gbemisola Ikumelo

Summary

Office Ladies – "The Paper Interviews #4" with Ramona Young & Gbemisola Ikumelo

Release Date: August 29, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Guests: Ramona Young & Gbemisola Ikumelo

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey continue their special "The Paper Interviews" series, speaking with cast members from the eagerly anticipated spinoff show The Paper. The hosts chat with Ramona Young (who plays Nicole Lee) and Gbemisola Ikumelo (who plays Adilola Olofin and is also a writer on the show). The conversations dive into audition stories, set culture, creating backstories, the unique collaborative ethos of Greg Daniels’ productions, and plenty of delightful behind-the-scenes revelations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Excitement for The Paper’s Premiere & Episode Structure

• The hosts open with excitement—“We are getting really close to the premiere of The Paper.” (02:24)
• Announce interviews with Ramona Young and Gbemisola Ikumelo, explaining both were grabbed during Office Ladies’ set visit.
• Ramona’s interview was cut short due to scheduling but packed with insight; Gbemisola’s is more in-depth.

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2. Ramona Young on Playing Nicole Lee

Role and Audition Process

• Nicole Lee’s Job: “She works in circulation…she mass emails people who are signed up and keeps subscriptions going.” (Ramona Young, 04:00)
• Audition involved self-tape, followed by an hour-long conversation with creators Greg Daniels and Michael, focused more on her personal story than typical auditions.
• Jenna and Angela reflect on Greg’s unique approach: “He likes to get to know the essence of a person so he can see if he can be, like, a creative collaborator…” (Jenna Fischer, 05:01)
• Ramona: “I do feel like this is one of the first projects where…they do want me to, like, share ideas...” (05:56)

Collaborative Culture on Set

• The cast is encouraged to offer input and ideas.
• Ramona journals Nicole’s backstory to help inspire the writers, even if those specifics haven't directly made it into scripts yet.
• Angela relates by describing her own detailed Pam backstory journal, some of which organically made it into The Office.

Professional Journey and Connections

• Ramona began her acting career with background work and “YouTube shorts” (08:08).
• Discovers she and Angela have been in three previous projects together—even if never sharing a scene: "We were on the real Oneals together...and we also did Never have I ever together." (Ramona Young, 08:53–09:23)
• Heartfelt ending: “I love the original Office cast so much, and you guys seem so intelligent and thoughtful…” (Ramona Young, 09:46)

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3. Gbemisola Ikumelo on Double-Duty as Writer & Actor

Character Creation: Adilola Olofin

• Adilola is “an accountant…her whole aim in life is just to get through the day, have as little interaction with humans as possible, and get home and…sleep.” (Gbemisola Ikumelo, 13:52)
• She lives with her brother and his fiancée—a unique detail Gbemisola created herself for the character’s backstory.

Audition & How She Joined the Team

• The audition used a “dummy script,” keeping show details secret but hinting “talking head stuff” reminiscent of The Office (14:43).
• Eventually learned Greg Daniels was behind the show and participated via self-tape and Zoom calls.
• The writing gig happened organically: “…I said, I'd love to, you know, be in the room, if that's an option. He was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, let's look at that. And the next thing I knew, I was in the room and in the cast.” (Gbemisola Ikumelo, 15:55)

Crossing Over: Writer & Actor

• Similar path on A League of Their Own—began as actor, then joined writing. Writer’s room started remote; transitioned to in-person later.

Character Development & Visuals

• Had significant input on Adilola’s appearance—requested a “weirdo, burnout vibe…less professional…she just…picks out the most clashy clothes, but she’s not doing it on purpose” (18:50).
• Created a detailed character “bible” including backstory, images, and personal history.
• “The wardrobes department…turned that whole new look around in like a 24 hour period. And the next day…color, vibrant septum rings…” (19:59)

Acting Choices & Inner Life

• Adilola’s presence driven by reactions and inner thoughts rather than dialogue:
  “...maybe she. It's a lot of what's going on in her head rather than what she says.” (21:09)
• Backstory includes living with her brother and his fiancée—both named Bola, “1 is spelled with a gb and 1 is with a B…” (22:49)

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4. Cultural Differences: UK vs. US Production

• Gbemisola shares culture shock at the abundance and variety of American craft services:
  “Your crafty is like…on steroids…hot crafty…ramen noodles like an hour before lunch…it's endless…like a bodega and not having to pay for any of the stuff…” (25:01)
• Jenna reminisces about their caterer, Sergio, and his legendary homemade salsa (26:09).
• Gbemisola marvels at on-set steak cooked to order (26:29).

Memorable Quotes:

• “For someone like me, who never says no to food…it's rude and I can't waste food. So I become like a human dumpster.” (Gbemisola Ikumelo, 26:54)

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5. Accents, Identity, and Set Culture

• Gbemisola stays in her American accent on set: “Otherwise, people start making me feel British.” (23:10)
• Playful banter about British vs. American stereotypes.
• Angela shares her experience with British craft services while filming in the UK—tea and biscuits “...I thought, oh, my gosh, it’s real.” (24:05)

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6. Reflection and Analysis by Hosts

• Angela and Jenna reflect on the collaborative tradition Greg Daniels brings to his shows.
• Admire how Gbemisola shaped her character's visual identity, connecting it to similar transformative processes Mindy Kaling undertook as Kelly Kapoor (28:13).
• Highlight how detailed backstories can become show canon.
• Angela: “That is something that would totally make it into an episode someday.” (28:51)
• Both love the anecdotes about cast members navigating identity and working environments.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Greg Daniels’ process:
  “He likes to get to know the essence of a person so he can see if he can be, like, a creative collaborator with that person.”
  — Jenna Fischer (05:01)

• On creative freedom on set:
  “I do feel like this is one of the first projects where…they do want me to, like, share ideas.”
  — Ramona Young (05:56)

• On acting and writing crossover:
  “I am one of the crossovers; I am both a writer and an actor on the show.”
  — Gbemisola Ikumelo (16:38)

• On culture shock with American craft services:
  “It is like going into a bodega and not having to pay for any of the stuff…and you'll see me often just…shopping for the…at the end of the week…”
  — Gbemisola Ikumelo (25:01)

• On investing in character development:
  “We love investing in getting to know your character and what's their backstory…”
  — Jenna Fischer (20:31)

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Important Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:24 | Show hosts introduce the guest interviews and The Paper's upcoming premiere | | 04:00 | Ramona Young describes her character and how she got the part | | 05:01 | Hosts discuss Greg Daniels’ interview style | | 05:56 | Ramona on set culture and creative collaboration | | 08:08 | Ramona shares her acting journey and surprising connections to Angela | | 13:34 | Gbemisola introduces herself and her character | | 14:43 | Gbemisola details the audition process—including secrecy and “dummy” scripts | | 15:55 | How she ended up both acting and writing for The Paper | | 18:50 | Discussion of Adilola’s wardrobe/backstory and creative input | | 21:09 | On Adilola’s “inner life” and storytelling through subtlety | | 22:49 | Gbemisola’s “Bola and Bola” backstory for her character’s family | | 25:01 | Gbemisola details the American craft services food experience | | 26:09 | Sergio’s legendary salsa—set catering nostalgia | | 28:13 | Reflection on character wardrobe and Mindy Kaling parallel | | 29:16 | Wrap-up, previewing next episodes and sharing gratitude |

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Final Thoughts

This episode is a deep dive into the collaborative, actor-driven ethos of The Paper—a tradition inherited from The Office. Ramona Young and Gbemisola Ikumelo’s stories reveal a set where creativity flourishes, character work is deeply valued, and off-the-cuff moments and cultural crossover make for rich, relatable comedy. The warmth, humor, and candid reflections from all participants make this episode an excellent listen for fans of both The Office and its comedic legacy.

Transcript

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[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Hello.

[Jenna Fischer]

Hello. Happy Friday, everyone. We are getting really close to the premiere of the paper.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah, it's next week. It's Thursday, September 4th. And then our breakdown of the pilot comes out. September 10th.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

I know.

[Jenna Fischer]

Ah, there is no special episode next Friday because we assume you're all gonna be busy watching the paper.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. So today we have two interviews for you. The first one is with Ramona Young. You might know her from Mindy Kaling's show Never have I ever. She played Eleanor or maybe on DC's Legends of Tomorrow. And, you know, we've been sharing in these interviews how during our set visit, we were just grabbing people as they became available. Mm. Well, within like, seven minutes of talking to Ramona, a production assistant came over and pulled her back to set.

[Jenna Fischer]

I know, and she's so lovely. She shared some fun tidbits, but because our interview with her was cut so short, we thought that after the break, you could hear the interview we did with Bimasola Ikumelo, who is both a writer and an actor on the show. She was also a writer and actor on the TV series A League of Their Own.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yes. Carrying on the tradition of having writer performers on a Greg Daniels show.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

You know, we'll have even more to share about that when we get to our full breakdown of the paper, but let's jump in. Here are your interviews with Ramona Young and Bimasola Icumello.

[Jenna Fischer]

Ramona, thank you so much for talking to office ladies today about your role on the paper. Can you tell us your character's name and who she is in the world of the show?

[Ramona Young]

Yes. I like that you're holding the microphone like a reporter. Yeah. So my character's name is Nicole Lee. She works in circulation. So basically that means she mass emails people who are signed up and she keeps subscriptions going.

[Angela Kinsey]

How did you get your job on the paper? We always like to hear people's like.

[Ramona Young]

Origin stories I sent. It was a long process. It took like several months. And so it felt like a really big deal and it is. But I started off with a self tape and then I did like a sit down. Did you guys have that too? Like a sit down with just like Greg and I sat down with Greg and Michael and we just talked for like over an hour about my life and I didn't know what to expect. I was just told to show up.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is very Greg. You know, Kelly Cantley, who's one of the first ads on the show, was also first ad on the office. And her interview, when she shares about when she interviewed with Greg was they talked for like an hour and he just asked her about her hobbies and that she likes to sail and didn't ask her at all about being an ad. But I think he Likes to get to know the essence of a person so he can see if he can be, like, a creative collaborator with that person.

[Angela Kinsey]

Yeah. I mean, I think there's. There's so much about building a community when you're making a show, and I think Greg is really cognizant of that. And so I think he's looking for people who inspire him, you know, and so I think that's part of his process. It's weird, though, right? Cause as an actor, you think it's just all about the audition.

[Ramona Young]

Right. Like, I'm used to just kind of, like, showing up and doing my job, but I do feel like this is one of the first projects where I feel like, oh, this is, like, really personal. And they do wanna, like, you know, they do want me to, like, share ideas, and if I want, I can, like, reach out. Like, I. You know, like, I never felt really comfortable or as comfortable doing that in the past, but I feel like on this show, it's kind of, like, a necessity.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, we felt that, too. We were able to pitch storylines or ideas that we had, and some of them ended up being episodes. And when we both left the office, we learned pretty quickly that is not the norm on a set.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Are there any character traits or storylines that you've pitched so far that have made it into the episodes storylines?

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

No.

[Ramona Young]

I don't know if I've actually pitched anything just because I love seeing what the writers come up with. But I do like, journaling a lot, and so I'll journal, like, what I think Nicole's been through in her life and stuff, so that maybe it'll inspire something for other people to write. You know what I mean? Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Oh, I do. I had a whole Pam document, and her whole backstory were things that I invented. And every once in a while over those nine years, some little thing that was in my journal, my backstory was. Would find its way into the show. Just little bitty details. So keep it up.

[Ramona Young]

Yeah, it makes a difference. Sometimes I'm like, oh, I hope I'm not, like, overstepping. But they kind of make it feel really welcomed. So.

[Jenna Fischer]

No, I knew my character really well. I still know exactly how she would react in any moment. In fact, we were watching a scene with Oscar, and I was like, oh, I know exactly how Angela Martin would react in this moment. I could just walk right on that stage. So it's really fun to know your character that well, because then you can play whatever they throw your way. You know what she's gonna say. We Would love to ask you about your journey in your career and, like, how it started and what your background was. Sort of like how you got to where you are today.

[Ramona Young]

Yeah, I guess I started off just kind of like everyone else. I started making a profile on Actors Access back when I was a teenager and did a lot of background work and YouTube shorts and booked my first co star and did that. And I don't know if you know this, Angela, but we've worked together, like, three times.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Oh, my God.

[Ramona Young]

We've never had any scenes together, but we were on three projects together where I watched you do scenes, which is really creepy to say. I.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Hi. Oh, no.

[Jenna Fischer]

Can she finish this one thing? Yeah, yeah.

[Ramona Young]

Okay, so I will fess up and say that we were on the real Oneals together. We were on a Netflix show that I was then recast in, but I showed up for that week together and we were.

[Jenna Fischer]

What show?

[Ramona Young]

I forget the title. It was like, Miranda Haters.

[Jenna Fischer]

Back off.

[Ramona Young]

Yes. Yeah, yeah, I was there. And we also did. Never have I ever. Together.

[Jenna Fischer]

Never have I ever. Yes. I mean, I have a very small cameo in that.

[Ramona Young]

You were great.

[Jenna Fischer]

I have, like, I'm barely in it, but that. Wow. So you know what this means? We're meant to finally be in a scene together. Someday. Me and you are going to have a scene together. We're just putting it out into the world.

[Ramona Young]

I really hope so. That would be great. Yeah.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Well, thank you so much for your time. We hope we get to talk to you again. We know you have to go to work now, but thanks for making the time for us.

[Ramona Young]

Thanks. And I just want to say, like, I love the original Office cast so much, and you guys seem so intelligent and thoughtful, and that was one of the things that made me really excited about this project, was how great everyone was.

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[Angela Kinsey]

Hello.

[Jenna Fischer]

Hello.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Hello.

[Angela Kinsey]

Could you please tell us your name and your character name?

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

My name is Bimisala Ikumelo and I play Adilola Olofin, or as you guys may say, Adalola Olofen.

[Jenna Fischer]

And will you tell us what your character's story is on the show, who she is to the world?

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Yeah, I mean, I think Adalola is. She's an accountant, so she works under Oscar and she works with Adam. And I think she's been there for a while. And I think her whole aim in life is just to get through the day, have as little interaction with humans as possible, and get home and get under the covers and sleep and generally sort of build up enough money so that she can move out of the place that she lives with her, her brother and his fiance. That's kind of the story I have in my mind for her.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, I love that we both knew our characters very well and kind of had our own backstories. We would love to know a little bit about your audition process and how you came to be on the show.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Yeah, I mean, it was just like, just like any other day. I got a. A sort of tape sort of come through, a sort of self tape for a top secret show. And I. They was like, they can't tell you what it is. So it was just. And it was obviously sort of dummy script and there was sort of lines in there that said talking head stuff. And I started going, sort of stroking my whiskers going, could it be? Could it be? But I didn't want to assume anything, but yeah. So I just sort of did a lot of tapes for a random character whose name I don't even remember anymore. And then my agent after that was like, yep, Greg really liked the tape. And we can confirm it is for a show that's gonna be set in the Office universe. I was like, okay. And then I met with Greg and with Coleman via Zoom, because I was in the uk and he was just like, yeah, we loved it. And talking a little bit about what this is going to be because it, I mean, even the scripts didn't. Weren't what they were. So it was all, we have no idea where we're going with this story with this character. So it's also just trusting the genius that is, you know, that are the creatives on this show. And then, and then we started bringing up writing. Because you're a writer, right? And I said, yeah, yeah, I wrote on another US show. I was in the writers room for another US show called League of Their own. And he was like, oh, great. And I said, I'd love to, you know, be in the room, if that's an option. He was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, let's look at that. And the next thing I knew, I was in the room and in the cast. So it kind of. Yeah, it happened really quickly, you know. Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

So you're one of our crossovers. You are both a writer and an actor on the show.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

I am one of the crossovers. I am both a writer and an actor on the show. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

So.

[Angela Kinsey]

So is that something.

[Jenna Fischer]

I'm sorry, you go. You go.

[Angela Kinsey]

Is that something you've ever done before where you've done both on the same project?

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Yes. So with League of Their Own, I did. It was the same thing. I auditioned as an actor, and when they were put in the room together, I just went, hi, I'm also a writer, and I would love to be considered. And. And they considered me. And it was such an amazing experience. And that was sort of in the height of. And everyone was. So it was very remote. It was the first sort of remote writers room thing that I'd done that was for League of Their Own. And it was kind of. There was a similar vibe with this because I. For the first 40% of the room, I was in the UK, zooming in. And then in the summer, I flew out and joined the room in person. So. Yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

Okay. Well, I'm very curious. Where do they have you seated in the world of the show? You're right in the middle of the bullpen. Right. They don't have you tucked away somewhere so you can sneak off to the writer's room.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

God. I actually, in hindsight, I'm like, yeah, we should have tucked me away somewhere, because, yeah, I'm there all the time. There are days I'm just like, oh, I just sit here and then the shot and just type away. Cool. Got it, got it. But, yeah, so there's no sneaky. There's no sneaky offy. I'm right there, but not in the middle. It's a very. It's a very much bigger kind of office than the office. And so there's sort of lots of. There's very few staff for the space that it is, you know, which is, I think, an interesting commentary on where we are with journalism, you know, so, yeah, so we're in the incountant's corner of the room, but, yeah, we are definitely in that. The middle of that space.

[Jenna Fischer]

Right. You're not back in the annex. That's where they Put Paul and Mindy, they were way back there.

[Angela Kinsey]

How much input did you get to have into your character's look, into your hair, makeup, wardrobe? Sabrina talked a little bit about how maybe she had some ideas about how her character dressed. And I'm just curious. We had a lot of input on the Office, so how has that been here?

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Actually really great. It was actually really interesting because she went on a very interesting journey, the character. And I think Greg was. And Coleman were really great at sort of letting me figure her out and kind of go in a little bit of a different direction. And I sort of woke up one day and I said, I think she. I wanted to feel more. A bit weirdo, burnout vibes. Just I wanted to feel a little bit less professional. Like she sometimes hasn't figured out what she's gonna wear and she's running late for work and she just, you know, effortlessly picks out the most clashy clothes, but she's not doing on purpose. She's just like, ah, these'll do. And I sort of put a charact, a Bible together as well. So I'd sort of nerded out a bit. And because I really was trying to. It was a little bit. It's a bit of a challenge when you're. You've got other characters in your head as a writer that you're pitching for and you know, to actually spend time with just Adelola and figuring out who she is. So I had to go away and just go, who is she for me? And so I did this big old document and with images of what she looked like and what, you know, where she, where she studied, where she was born and. And so when I gave that reference to Greg, he was like, yeah, that look, let's do that. And to the wardrobes department's like, credit, they turned that whole new look around in like a 24 hour period. And the next day came in and she was just, it was just color, it was vibrant septum rings and you know, and things like that. So now I was really. So I did get some input in there, but the team turned that around in such a. And elevated what was in my head in a really different way.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is our favorite thing. We love investing in getting to know your character and what's their backstory and the fact that you did a character like Bible. We just love it. We love going back and looking at the characters from the office and reading their show Bible. It's just so cool. I love that you did that.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

I don't always do that. For characters as an actor, but for this one, it was just like. And, you know, I think there's, you know, there are some characters that are. That kind of, you know, will grow as a story gets along. So. And especially in the office as well, it was just characters that suddenly, you know, they had smaller parts and then they became fan favorites and they sort of grew and they, you know, became sort of really iconic. And some characters are just like. It'd be a look that they do that would. The audiences loved. And so with. With Adelola, I don't think she's right. You know, she doesn't always say much. It's always that sort of look, and it's always the sort of her interpretation of what's visually what's going on in the space around her. But so for that, I felt like I needed to know what her inner life was even more than I would normally, because actually, maybe she. It's a lot of what's going on in her head rather than what she says. So that was. Yeah, it felt really necessary for me.

[Jenna Fischer]

What she's not saying says more. Yeah.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

How she's not saying it and how she's not saying it with, like, a roll of the eyes and, you know, and an inhale of breath and, you know what that is. And. Yeah. So it was really good for me to know what her inner life was and what she's going back home to and where she's come from and what the expectations of her are. So I can. Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

So in your backstory, she lives with her brother.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

She lives with her brother and his fiance, who both have the same first name, and she finds it really annoying.

[Jenna Fischer]

This is what you've created. I love it. Has Greg signed on to that?

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

I mean, this is. I mean, it's there. It's there for the taking. Who knows if that'll, you know, that'll happen down the line, but. Yeah, that's.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, I love that. You know, my husband, on his side of the family, his cousin's name is Corey. Girl Corey, married a man named Corey. So they're Corey and Corey.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Yeah, I kind of. Yeah. In my mind, I'm not sure if I should say if it ends up getting used, but in my mind, they're Bola and bola. And 1. Bola is spelled with a gb and 1 is with a B and. And that's. Those are their names.

[Jenna Fischer]

Is your character British or is she. She's American. Can we hear your American accent?

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Oh, God, don't make me talk in an American accent.

[Ramona Young]

Please.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

But, like, literally, I. I have to just talk like this the whole time on set. Otherwise, like, people start making me feel British. So I, like, every time I open my mouth, Melvin will be like, oh, my God. Trumpets, crumpets. And it's like, dude, I can't.

[Jenna Fischer]

Top of the morning to you, governor. It's all that nonsense.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

It's all of that. It's like scones.

[Jenna Fischer]

What?

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

In it?

[Jenna Fischer]

Blood.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

So I've. I sort of. And I don't know that I'm doing it anymore, that I'm sort of slipping in and out of the accent. I'll just suddenly start talking like that and then I'm like, oh, God, I'm here. I didn't realize. So, yeah.

[Jenna Fischer]

That's so wild.

[Angela Kinsey]

I worked on a show over in London. I did a show called you'd Me and the Apocalypse. It ran for one season. The three Americans in the show were Megan Mullally, me and Rob Lowe, and then otherwise a fully British cast. And one of the things that I remember when I would get to work, I asked for a cup of coffee, and it was like 15 minutes later, a single cup of like, French press coffee in a mug. And it was so civilized. And I coveted this cup of coffee. And then around 4 o', clock, the craft services would bring in tea and biscuits, like a whole tea setup and little biscuit cookies. And I thought, oh, my gosh, it's real. They really stop for tea and biscuits at 4pm this is wonderful. What are some of the quirks coming the other way as you've come to America to work, what are you Tell us our quirks.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Oh, no, your crafty is like. Is like on steroids. It's like you talk about little quaint cuts and then cut and then little biscuits. You guys have donuts on donuts. And then there's like hot crafty. Like hot crafty. I'm like, aren't we about to have dinner? No, but there's also hot crafty. There's like kimchi bowls and pasta. We had ramen noodles like an hour before lunch. And then there's like hot dogs and bagels and juice and then little, like, pasta salad things in the fridge. It's endless. And then obviously then the. Just the popcorn and the nuts and the this and the that. So it is like going into a corner shop, like a. Or call it like a. A bodega. A bodega. Yeah. Going into like a bodega and not having to pay for any of the stuff in there and just. And you'll see me often just taking. Shopping for the, like, at the end of the week, I'll just be like, well, I'll just take that for the week home or for my trailer.

[Jenna Fischer]

Also, you have the best caterer because you have Sergio, who we also had. And if you haven't tried his homemade salsa yet, it's his mother in law's recipe. It is the best salsa I've ever had. I have years have said, you need to sell this salsa. And he goes, no, it takes too long to make it. We couldn't turn a profit. So you have the best of the best on this set.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Food is amazing. The first day I did a sort of video of it when it was just steak and everyone would like, how would you like your steak? I was like, how would I like my steak? They were making steak to order. I was this. It was. It was insane. The food is amazing. Like, on, like. Yeah, it's crazy. It's just crazy. And I. Every time I come to America and film here, it's. It's the same thing. It's just so much food. And it's a beautiful thing. But for someone like me, who never says no to food, like, it's the African in me, it's like, it's rude and I can't waste food. So I become like a human dumpster. Even when I'm full, I'm just like, oh, I gotta keep eating. So it's not good.

[Jenna Fischer]

You just slipped into American. It's not good.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

I don't even know that I'm doing it anymore.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, thank you so much for talking with us. This was amazing. We are wishing you much success on the show. Can't wait to see it.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yes. Thank you, thank you.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Thank you so much.

[Jenna Fischer]

You're so lovely.

[Angela Kinsey]

Ange. I'm bummed that we didn't get to interview Melvin during our visit. Cause he is so great. He is one of my favorite supporting characters.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, we did get to meet him on the set, but we didn't get an actual interview with him. And now that I'm four episodes in, I want to see more of his character. He's so good and he really makes me laugh. Yeah, I love his character's take on things as they happen. Also, I can't believe how many times Ramona and I have almost shared the screen together. I feel like fingers crossed, Ramona. The odds are in our favor here.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, maybe in season two of the paper.

[Jenna Fischer]

Don't put it out there. Someone's going to write it up that we're in Season two.

[Angela Kinsey]

Well, I also love how much input Bimasola had in her character's wardrobe because it reminded me a little bit of Mindy how the first instinct for the character of Kelly was for her to be this buttoned up, like, high neckline, conservative character that Mindy slowly transformed her. I just kind of like it that Bimasola was like, no, from the beginning. I'm unbuttoning her immediately. And from the beginning. Oh, and also her backstory for her character, that her character lives with her brother and her brother's fiance and they have the same names.

[Jenna Fischer]

It was so, so detailed. I know.

[Angela Kinsey]

I feel like that is something that would totally make it into an episode someday.

[Jenna Fischer]

I hope it does. I thought it was hilarious. I really loved her story of how she usually stays in her American accent while she's on set. It must be so wild for her castmates when she is suddenly very British.

[Angela Kinsey]

I wondered if Donal Gleason stays in his American accent too.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Angela Kinsey]

A question for next time.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah.

[Angela Kinsey]

Okay, everyone, thank you for joining us these past few Fridays. This has been a lot of fun.

[Jenna Fischer]

Yeah. Thanks again to Greg for inviting us to the set for that visit. We will be back next Wednesday with All About Phyllis Lapin and then on September 10th with our breakdown of the pilot of the paper.

[Angela Kinsey]

See you then.

[Jenna Fischer]

See you then.

[Angela Kinsey]

Thank you for listening to Office Ladies.

[Jenna Fischer]

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

[Angela Kinsey]

Our executive producer is Cassie Jerkins, our audio engineer is Sam Kiefer and our associate producer is Ainslie Bubaco.

[Jenna Fischer]

Odyssey's executive producer is Leah Reese Dennis.

[Angela Kinsey]

Office Ladies was mixed and mastered by Bill Schultz.

[Jenna Fischer]

Our theme song is Rubber Tree by Creed Bratton.

[Angela Kinsey]

As a young adult, finding the right path to your future can feel overwhelming.

[Jenna Fischer]

It starts with Year Up United's tuition free job training program, Career Pathways.

[Angela Kinsey]

If you're without a bachelor's degree but have a high school diploma or ged, you can get skills first training to succeed in the industries you're passionate about. All while earning a weekly educational stipend to offset basic expenses.

[Jenna Fischer]

From there, you'll have access to internships and hands on experiences with Fortune 500 companies. And with Europe United's job placement services and personalized coaching and mentorship, you can put your knowledge, skills and most importantly, confidence into practice.

[Angela Kinsey]

Apply to Europe United today and take the first step toward achieving the career you want. Visit europe.org to learn more.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

New season, new chaos in college football.

[Angela Kinsey]

Big stage, big opportunity.

[Jenna Fischer]

This labor Day weekend. Wildness lives on ABC, ESPN and the.

[Angela Kinsey]

All new ESPN app.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

What a way to start. Featuring top 10 teams like Clemson, Notre.

[Jenna Fischer]

Dame, Alabama and LSU.

[Angela Kinsey]

And Bill Belichick's debut at North Carolina.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

It's so special. These teams collide.

[Jenna Fischer]

Don't miss a lineup filled with electric matchups.

[Bimasola Ikumelo]

Welcome back to College Football Kickoff Week.

[Jenna Fischer]

Presented by Modelo Labor Day Weekend on ESPN and abc. Also available to stream on the all new ESPN Apple.