The Commercial Break: TCB Infomercial with Kate Flannery (April 8, 2025)
Podcast: The Commercial Break | Hosts: Bryan Green & Chrissy Hoadley
Guest: Kate Flannery (Meredith from The Office)

Episode Overview

In this "TCB Infomercial" episode, Bryan and Chrissy sit down with Kate Flannery, best known for her role as Meredith Palmer on NBC's The Office. The conversation covers the show's 20th anniversary, Kate’s journey to the iconic role, life behind the scenes, improv vs. script, her Second City roots, and vibrant post-Office activities like touring with Jane Lynch. The discussion highlights the enduring impact of The Office, nostalgia for ensemble comedy, and what it means to find your place as a character actor. Laced with candid anecdotes and sharp comedic banter, the episode offers both laughs and insights for diehard Office fans and comedy enthusiasts alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Legacy of "The Office" & Meredith's Place in TV History

• Kate's Relationship with The Office:

  • 12:32—"My relationship with the Office is as strong as it was in 2004. It's crazy. It might be stronger." (Kate Flannery)
  • Flannery expresses deep affection for the show and its ongoing relevance to her life.
  • She’s proud of playing a “wacky character that has nothing to do with being someone's girlfriend or mother... a rare thing on television.” (12:57)

• What Makes The Office Enduring:

  • No laugh track; repeat viewings reveal new jokes.
  • As an ensemble comedy, background work and subtle repeating character moments reflect real workplaces and human relationships. (13:46–16:42)

• Behind the Scenes—Ensemble & Process:

  • Flannery did not appear in the pilot, stepping in to replace another actor.
  • The cast was instructed to always look busy at their desks, enhancing the documentary feel. (15:41)
  • Drawing from her years at Second City and Annoyance Theater, Kate discusses the importance of being "a team player" and bringing depth to a character, even without a line. (16:24)

Road to "The Office"—Audition Stories & Early Career

• Auditioning for "The Office":

  • Initially auditioned for Jan, not Meredith. She credits casting director Allison Jones for suggesting the show was a great fit for her. (15:01)
  • Her journey: "I was actually up for SNL... one of my best friends at the time got it. And I always say, it only took 13 short years to get The Office." (00:38, 20:45)
  • Shared that she met with Lorne Michaels, had interviews and lunch, "but didn't do the final round." Now sees the ‘missed’ opportunity as redirection, not rejection. (21:00–21:44)

• Persistence and Survival:

  • She waited tables through the first season of The Office and even after landing the role. (25:32)
  • Lays bare the reality: "I didn't have an agent for a while. I was told we're passing on you because of your age and your looks. I think I was like 38 when that happened." (23:46)

Behind the Scenes of "The Office"—Scripts, Improv, & Dynamics

• How Much Was Improv vs. Scripted?:

  • “Most of it is scripted. Maybe 4%, maybe 5% is improv. Steve and Rain [Wilson] probably improvised more than most.” (18:37)
  • Points out the technique: improvising needs to support the flow and direction, not derail it, especially due to the show's pseudo-documentary camera work. (19:33)

• Early Days & Network Skepticism:

  • The first season was not an immediate hit. Flannery wondered if it was "an NBC show." The network nearly axed it, but the success of The 40-Year-Old Virgin (starring Steve Carell) helped drive interest leading into season two, a turning point. (27:53–29:22)

• Differences Between UK & US Versions:

  • "Something tender and gentle and empathetic about most of the characters in the Office that is lacking in some of the characters [of the UK version]..." (30:09).
  • British Office is harder to sustain emotionally; US version has more humanity.

Fame, Audiences, and Character Experience

• Becoming Recognizable:

  • Full-on fame hit after "Fun Run" in season four—her storyline with Michael hitting Meredith with a car. (31:28)
  • Describes being recognized on a boardwalk, adjusting to fan attention, and how gratitude grows with age: "It's a champagne problem. If you don't make peace with it, you're screwed." (33:10)

• Advice and Reflections on Character Acting:

  • "Stop counting your lines if you get a part... I wasn't the main course. I wasn't the side dish. I was like, kind of always there with some flavor, baby." (36:16)
  • Even being a supporting character can have major impact in an ensemble.

• Could The Office Be Made Today?:

  • Flannery and hosts express skepticism about the streaming era's “three seasons and out” model, and current cultural anxieties around comedy.
  • "'People making fun of other people... when I grew up, it was always a source of affection. It wasn't bullying... Comedy police... need to tone down.'" (37:21–37:48)

The Enduring Ensemble & Cast Relationships

• Friendships and Family/Fandom:

  • Kate's prior connections with cast members, including Angela from their all-female improv group “Bitch Planet.”
  • The cast remains close, with text threads and frequent reunions at fan events and college appearances. (39:39, 40:38)
  • She confirms the group feels like “family” even after the show. (39:47)

• Breakout Stars and Iconic Episodes:

  • Hosts and Kate rave about favorite episodes—Kate picks “The Injury” where Michael burns his foot on a George Foreman grill. (43:28)
  • On breaking character: "I wasn't a big breaker... I'm in a drama. I would tell myself..." (44:28)
  • Cast includes natural improv and comedic talents; Rainn Wilson is highlighted as distinct and fascinating personally as well as in character.

Life After "The Office"

• Other Acting and Touring Work:

  • Animation roles—recently on "Universal Basic Guys" after The Simpsons on Sundays.
  • Touring with Jane Lynch each Christmas (they charted on Billboard's top 10 with a Christmas album; for tour info: “Jane Lynch Official.”)
  • Appearance on NBC’s “Night Court” reboot. (45:46–50:32)

• Nostalgia & Conventions:

  • Office fan events and reunions, such as at New Jersey’s Meadowlands (August), with many cast members attending. (52:26)
  • Flannery reveals prized props: her Dundee awards and Funko Pops. (51:35–53:08)

• Potential Office Spin-off:

  • There is a new Office spin-off in development, with familiar crew involved, but Kate has not been called yet: "I'm a big mouth, so I have to watch. But you'll know when I know." (49:05–49:19)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Women in Comedy:

  • "I'm actually most proud that I'm a female and I get to play a wacky character that has nothing to do with being someone's girlfriend or mother." – Kate Flannery (12:57)

• On Resilience:

  • "Rejection is protection. If you look at it that way and just realize, oh, I'm just being redirected, there's something else waiting for me." – Kate Flannery (21:44)

• On Being a Character Actor:

  • "I was the onions. ... I was, like, kind of always there with some flavor, baby." – Kate Flannery (36:16)

• On Comedy's Changing Landscape:

  • "I think we've had some. Some comedy police that need to... tone down." – Kate Flannery (37:45)

• On Finding Peace With Fame:

  • "If you don't make peace with it, you're screwed." – Kate Flannery (33:10)

• Nostalgia:

  • "You were our friends on the other side of the screen. And I know you got me through a few hard days and still to this day, you're good for a laugh and you know, parkour. That's all I gotta say. Parkour, Kate." – Bryan Green (53:32)

Important Timestamps

• 00:38 / 20:45: Kate’s SNL backstory—near misses and redirection
• 12:32: Kate on her still-strong connection to The Office
• 15:01: Auditioned for Jan before Meredith; joined after the pilot
• 18:37: Improv vs script discussion—less improv than fans might think
• 29:21: Steve Carell’s stardom helped save "The Office" after a shaky first season
• 31:28: Fame hits—after "Fun Run;" recognizing the shift to public attention
• 36:16: Advice to actors on "counting lines" and ensemble roles
• 37:21–37:48: Could "The Office" happen today? Navigating streaming and “comedy police”
• 43:28: Favorite episode—“The Injury”
• 45:46: Life after The Office—animation, Jane Lynch tours, Night Court
• 49:05: Clarifies rumors: “It’s a spin-off, not a reboot” of The Office
• 52:26: Meadowlands Office Reunion announcement

Additional Highlights

• Games & Trivia:

  • Early on, Bryan and Chrissy run through a series of "Who said that?" Office quote trivia, delighting in beloved punchlines and deep cuts.

• Real-Life Connections:

  • Fun Atlanta fact: Phyllis and Kevin (actors) went to a local high school with the host’s acquaintances. (09:35)

• Audience Generations:

  • The Office’s multi-generational appeal witnessed by Bryan’s son enjoying physical comedy (“parkour!”). (34:26)

• Props & Memorabilia:

  • Flannery shows off her Dundie awards and two Meredith Funko Pops from iconic episodes. (51:35–52:08)

The Tone and Vibe

Casual, nostalgic, irreverently funny — but never mean-spirited. The hosts riff and banter through the conversation, drawing out both serious artistic insight and lighthearted Office callbacks. Flannery is sharp, grounded, and full of gratitude, illustrating why "ensemble energy" still means something 20 years on. The episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at TV comedy’s secret sauce and a celebration of surviving a chaotic industry with humor intact.

Useful Links & Plugs

• The Office streaming on Peacock—20th anniversary celebration
• Jane Lynch & Kate Flannery Christmas tour: Jane Lynch Official
• "Universal Basic Guys" (Fox, post-Simpsons)
• Night Court reboot, NBC
• New Jersey Meadowlands "Office"-themed convention, first weekend in August

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who:

• Loves The Office (hardcore or casual)
• Cares about ensemble comedy and the art of supporting characters
• Wants the authentic, unpolished wisdom of long-haul career actors

“You were our friends on the other side of the screen… Parkour, Kate.”
– Bryan Green, 53:32