Office Ladies – Episode Summary: "Webisodes: The Podcast & The Office Ladies Podcast Pilot"

Release Date: April 16, 2025

Hosts: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

Overview: In this engaging episode of Office Ladies, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey embark on an in-depth exploration of The Office webisodes, specifically focusing on "The Podcast" series. Additionally, they unveil the origins of their own podcast pilot, offering listeners a unique behind-the-scenes perspective that only the show's original cast can provide.

1. Introduction to "The Podcast" Webisodes

Discussion Points:

• Focus on Gabe Lewis: The hosts begin by dissecting the three-part webisode series titled "The Podcast," which revolves around Gabe Lewis's attempts to launch a podcast for the Sabre website.

  Angela Kinsey (02:17):
  "We're doing a podcast about an episode called the Podcast. So this was a three-part series and, you know, it's all about the character Gabe. It's really centered on him as he tries to start a podcast for the Sabre website."

• Role of Junior Writers: Jenna and Angela emphasize how these webisodes provided junior writers and assistants the opportunity to step beyond their usual roles, fostering creativity and directing skills.

  Jenna Fischer (04:20):
  "The webisodes were a really cool way for them to break out of those roles and get to create content."

2. Insights into NBC’s Digital Writers Program

Key Highlights:

• Email from Karen Angelo: Angela shares an insightful email from Karen Angelo, highlighting NBC's pioneering digital writers program initiated during The Office era. This program was designed to:

  1. Showcase the writing talents of junior writers.
  2. Compensate them for creating additional digital content.
  3. Collaborate on creative concepts beyond regular episodes.
  4. Provide opportunities for supporting cast and crew to write and direct.

  Angela Kinsey (05:53):
  "Carol said our digital writer program, with your writer's assistance, was the first of its kind and as far as I know, the only one of its kind."

• Impact on Future Shows: The success of The Office webisodes influenced the creation of online series for other NBC shows like Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, Heroes, and Parenthood.

  Angela Kinsey (06:47):
  "They tried to pitch these webisodes and then original broadcast airing crossovers, but the only time it actually happened for them was with Parks and Recreation."

3. Unproduced Webisode: St. Patrick’s Day Special

Details:

• Concept: Angela reveals an unproduced St. Patrick’s Day webisode scripted by her and Brian Kinsey, where Kevin gets lost in a parade.

• Reason for Non-Production: Logistical challenges and budget constraints led to the project being shelved.

  Angela Kinsey (10:13):
  "We had to figure out how to film these and then stay on budget. That might be also why it got pushed to the bottom of the list because ours was a pretty big budget."

4. Listener Mailbag and Fan Interactions

Highlights:

• Lindsay M. from Philadelphia: Addresses the misuse of the phrase "sliding into DMs," clarifying its meaning in modern social media contexts.

  Lindsay M. (12:00):
  "According to Urban Dictionary, it means when you start a direct message chain on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, when you slide into someone's DMs, it's with the hopes of booty."

• Sam L. from Ithaca, NY: Introduces Pocket Bandits, a Danish American funk rock trio, who share their appreciation for The Office and contribute the song "Second Drink" in honor of the hosts launching the "Second Drink" segment of their podcast.

  Sam L. (16:58):
  "We want to share our new song Second Drink in case it might get a grin out of y'all."

5. Exploration of Podcasting History

Insights:

• Origins: Jenna delves into the history of podcasting, noting key milestones such as the creation of Radio Source in 2003 and the coining of the term "podcast" in 2004 by Ben Hammersley.

  Jenna Fischer (24:16):
  "The first podcast was Radio Source by Christopher Lyden. It was released in 2003 and it's still around. It's history's longest running podcast."

• Growth: The hosts discuss how podcasting remained niche until 2014, when podcasts like Serial propelled it into mainstream popularity.

  Jenna Fischer (25:39):
  "But it wasn't until 2014 that podcasts really started to become popular. And that is credited to the popularity of the True crime podcast Serial."

• Evolution Since "The Office": They acknowledge the exponential growth of podcasting over the six years they've been hosting Office Ladies, highlighting how many television shows now feature their own podcast recaps.

  Angela Kinsey (27:38):
  "I also have noticed that so many television shows now have their own podcast, you know, so sort of the way we did DVD commentaries."

6. Gabe Lewis’s Podcast Attempts in "The Office"

Analysis:

• Character Interactions: The hosts break down Gabe’s interactions with various characters like Kelly Kapoor, Creed Bratton, Meredith Palmer, and Kevin Malone as he attempts to secure guests for his podcast.

  Jenna Fischer (43:38):
  "Gabe is going to welcome his first guest, and it is Kelly Kapoor."

• Challenges Faced: They highlight Gabe’s struggle to gain support and participation from his colleagues, culminating in humorous and heartfelt moments that reflect the show's signature blend of comedy and emotion.

  Angela Kinsey (50:00):
  "This will be my first and last podcast, as Oscar has decided he desperately needs me to help him with his blog."

7. Sharing the "Office Ladies" Pilot Episode

Special Feature:

• Origin Story: Jenna and Angela share their very first, informal pilot recording of the Office Ladies podcast. They recount how their casual conversations about organizing office memorabilia organically evolved into the structured podcast beloved by fans today.

  Angela Kinsey (55:20):
  "We said, you know what, before we clean out all these bins, maybe we need to document some of this so we don't forget, even if it's something we could give our kids someday."

• Early Recording Anecdotes: The pilot episode captures their initial setup, discussing favorite memories like Halloween episodes and the camaraderie on set.

  Jenna Fischer (57:11):
  "This is what we gave them as an example of what our podcast might be. So we thought it might be fun for you to hear how it all started."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Sometimes it pays to be a detective, but it always pays to Discover."
  Jenna Fischer [01:12]

• "We were the pioneers."
  Karen Angelo (as quoted by Angela) [04:44]

• "It's an audio podcast."
  Gabe Lewis [38:24]

• "Look at me. I'm the most content person I know, and I live in a tent with a woman made of old soup cans."
  Creed Bratton [45:07]

Conclusion

In this episode, Office Ladies hosts Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey offer a rich and detailed analysis of The Office webisodes, particularly "The Podcast" series, while also unveiling the heartfelt beginnings of their own podcast journey. Through engaging discussions, listener interactions, and personal anecdotes, they provide both deep insights and nostalgic moments that resonate with long-time fans and newcomers alike. This episode serves as a testament to their enduring friendship and shared passion for The Office, making it a must-listen for anyone eager to delve deeper into the beloved series.