TCB Infomercial: Kate Flannery

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Commercial Break – TCB Infomercial: Kate Flannery (Released April 8, 2025)

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Introduction to the Episode

In this special episode of The Commercial Break, hosts Bryan Greene and Krissy Hoadley welcome Kate Flannery, renowned for her iconic role as Meredith Palmer on the beloved sitcom The Office. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the show, Bryan and Krissy engage Kate in a comprehensive discussion about her journey on The Office, her experiences within the ensemble cast, and her ventures post-show.

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Kate Flannery’s Journey with The Office

Kate opens the conversation by reflecting on her enduring relationship with The Office. At [19:20], she shares:

“My relationship with the Office is as strong as it was in 2004. It's crazy. It might be stronger.”

Kate explains how she initially auditioned for a different role, humorously recounting how she almost played Jan, a character far removed from Meredith Palmer. At [21:17], she states:

“I initially auditioned for the part of Jan. No way.”

However, casting director Allison Jones saw her potential and encouraged her to join the show, ultimately leading to her being cast as Meredith. This serendipitous casting highlights the dynamic and collaborative nature of the ensemble.

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Experiences During The Office

Delving deeper into her time on the show, Kate discusses the meticulous balance between scripting and improvisation. At [24:52], she remarks:

“Most of it is scripted.”

She elaborates that only about 4-5% of her lines involved improvisation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the show's documentary-style authenticity. Kate appreciates the ensemble's cohesion, stating:

“Being an ensemble person, being from Second City... is to make sure you're there for everybody else.” [22:38]

This dedication ensured that every character, even those with minimal lines like Meredith, contributed meaningfully to the show's rich tapestry.

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Life After The Office

Post-Office, Kate has diversified her career, taking on various roles and projects. She highlights her work on the animated show Universal Basic Guys and her collaborations with Jane Lynch. At [53:13], she shares:

“We sing with the Tony Guerrero quintet. They're great.”

Kate also discusses her successful Christmas album with Jane Lynch, which reached the Billboard top 10, underscoring her multifaceted talent in both acting and music.

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Current Projects and Collaborations

Kate is actively involved in several creative endeavors. She mentions her participation in the rebooted Night Court alongside legends like John Larroquette, expressing excitement about the new dynamics:

“Wedding Break is in the cast now... So fun to be a part of.” [56:37]

Additionally, Kate highlights her ongoing performances with Jane Lynch, touring annually and performing in large venues. Their collaborative spirit continues to bring joy to audiences, celebrating their shared love for music and comedy.

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The Office’s Enduring Legacy and Spin-offs

The hosts and Kate discuss the timeless appeal of The Office. Kate contemplates whether the show could thrive in today's streaming landscape, expressing cautious optimism:

“I don't think... it's just good, wholesome fun.” [43:52]

They explore the potential for spin-offs, with Kate hinting at possible future collaborations with her former castmates while maintaining a lighthearted skepticism about her involvement in rehashed content. Kate shares her enthusiasm for the upcoming Office Reunion Con in August at the Meadowlands, where she and other cast members will gather to celebrate the show's legacy.

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Office Reunion and Fan Engagement

Kate reveals details about the upcoming Office Reunion Con, emphasizing the strong bond she shares with her former castmates. At [58:41], she excitedly mentions:

“There are... Leslie David Baker, who plays Stanley. We sometimes do... fan events together.”

She also teases exclusive merchandise like Funko Pops featuring Meredith Palmer, showcasing the show's enduring cultural impact and the avid fanbase that continues to celebrate The Office decades later.

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Closing Remarks

As the episode draws to a close, Bryan and Krissy express their deep appreciation for Kate's contributions to The Office and her ongoing creative pursuits. Kate reflects on the show's legacy and her gratitude for the support from fans and cast members alike. Bryan summarizes the heartfelt conversation, acknowledging the significant role The Office has played in shaping their lives and careers.

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Notable Quotes

• Kate Flannery [19:20]: “My relationship with the Office is as strong as it was in 2004. It's crazy. It might be stronger.”

• Kate Flannery [21:17]: “I initially auditioned for the part of Jan. No way.”

• Kate Flannery [22:38]: “Being an ensemble person, being from Second City... is to make sure you're there for everybody else.”

• Kate Flannery [24:52]: “Most of it is scripted.”

• Kate Flannery [25:00]: “If you improvise, even within a sitcom, you have to know the parameters so that you're actually... bringing a gift, not presenting a problem.”

• Kate Flannery [37:11]: “I would tell myself, yeah, that's total professionalism because... you gotta just like, don't mess it up for him.”

• Kate Flannery [53:13]: “We sing with the Tony Guerrero quintet. They're great.”

• Kate Flannery [58:41]: “There are... Leslie David Baker, who plays Stanley. We sometimes do... fan events together.”

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Conclusion

This episode of The Commercial Break offers an intimate glimpse into Kate Flannery's experiences on The Office and her vibrant career beyond the beloved sitcom. Through candid conversations and shared anecdotes, Bryan, Krissy, and Kate celebrate the show’s enduring legacy, the camaraderie among the cast, and the meaningful connections forged with fans over the years. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to The Office, this episode provides a heartfelt tribute to the show's impact and the remarkable talents of Kate Flannery.

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For more insights and episodes, visit TCB Podcast, follow them on Instagram at @thecommercialbreak, or check out their YouTube channel for video content.

Transcript

[Brian Greene]

This episode is sponsored in part by Liquid iv. I love a beach trip and I'm going on one. Can you hear in my voice just how excited I am to get out of this studio? That family beach trip is right around the corner and there will be no rest for the weary there either. We will be running around fun in the sun and I will be bringing along some Liquid IV to help get the most out of these old bones on warm beach days. Liquid IV helps me stay hydrated so I can take on the activities and feel better for longer. Liquid IV is easy to use, it's convenient and it tastes great and I'll certainly have some in my bag that I'm taking to the beach. There's true to fruit flavors to keep me hydrated. Flavors like lemon, lime or pina colada with their hydration multiplier. Or if I want to keep my beach body slim and trim, I'll use a sugar free flavor like raspberry lemonade, white peach or rainbow sherbet. It's got an optimized ratio of electrolytes, essential vitamins and clinically tested nutrients that turn ordinary water into extraordinary hydration. Get ready for the summer with extraordinary hydration from Liquid IV. Get 20% off your first order of Liquid IV when you go to Liquid IV.com and use the code COMMERCIAL at checkout. That's 20% off your first order with code commercialiquidiv.com get that bathing suit out, pack a bag, throw in some Liquid IV and take on the summer with extraordinary hydration. Liquid IV.com and use the code commercial. Thanks to Liquid IV for being a sponsor of the commercial break. This episode is sponsored by Discover. If there's one thing we've learned from the entertainment industry, it's just how easy it is to earn a reputation, even if it doesn't reflect who you really are. For example, everyone thinks that Discover is a card that isn't widely accepted, but in reality, it's accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. Yeah, 99%. So maybe now you'll think twice before judging a book by its cover. Unless it's a celebrity cookbook. In that case, judge away based on the February 2024 Nelson Report. Learn more at discover.com credit card the.

[Chris Hoadley]

Deal is this is my last hurrah because I've made a New Year's resolution that I'm not gonna drink anymore during the week.

[Brian Greene]

This is equal parts Scotch, absinthe, rum, gin, vermouth, triple Sec and two packs of Splenda.

[Kate Flannery]

Call it A one of everything.

[Chris Hoadley]

Oh, my God. Hit me again.

[Brian Greene]

All right, one more time around the block on this episode of the Cult commercial break.

[Chris Hoadley]

I was, I was actually up for snl and I always say I, I didn't get it. One of my best friends at the time got it. And I always say it only took 13 short years to get the Office. It was a long 13 short years.

[Brian Greene]

Did you audition for Lauren?

[Chris Hoadley]

Actually, you know what? I, Lauren came to see a show. I did. I had lunch with Lauren. I had interviews with Lauren. I didn't get to do the final round, but I was in. I was in consideration and I was just at the SNL 50th at the concert at Radio City. And it was so great. Obviously, I've had a lot of therapy because I just had a great time.

[Brian Greene]

The next episode of the commercial break starts now. Oh, yeah. Cats and kittens, welcome back to the commercial break. I'm Brian Greene. This is my dear friend and the co host of this show, Chris and Joy Hoadley. Best to you, Chris, Best to you, Bob, and best you out there in the podcast universe. How the hell are you? Thanks for joining us. It's TC Infomercial Tuesday with Kate Flannery from the Office joining us. We have reached the pinnacle of success, Chrissy. There is no greater hill to climb than having one of the. I, I'd say one of the main characters.

[Rachel]

Oh, yeah.

[Brian Greene]

From one of the best television shows that has ever been, ever and ever will be. I think we can all agree that the Office is hilarious in so many ways. Brilliant. For almost 10 seasons. I think it was 10 seasons. I think it was ten seasons.

[Rachel]

I think it's eight. But.

[Brian Greene]

How many shoes are in the office? Nine. And some bonus episodes. Okay, so, so anyway, so there you go. Kate Flannery, who plays Meredith on the Office, is going to be with us in just a few minutes. And I'm really excited about this because this is one of my favorite television shows of all time. And I don't know too many people whose it isn't. So many people I know literally watch the Office on rerun all the time. You know how I have my favorite shows that I watch at night? The Office isn't in rotation, but I do watch Office episodes pretty often if I see them on live tv. I, I was watching one the other day. I think it was a Parkour episode with one of my kids and he's like, what's parkour? I was like, well, let me show you what Parkour is. And then we went To a park this weekend and I showed him parkour. Because, you know, parkour. I'm a parkour master, Chrissy. I don't know if you know that.

[Rachel]

I did not know that.

[Brian Greene]

With my bad hip and my bad back and my bad heart, I just run around doing parkour all the time. So many quotable lines. And Meredith owns a few of those throughout the season. So anyway, we'll talk to her all about that. Celebrating their 20th season. The Office is available on Peacock. 20th year rewatch. Yeah, it's. Yeah, 20th year. Wow. And lest you think that Kate only did the office, she has done many other things in her career. We'll talk to her about some of that. But one of the things I think you got excited about was the Jane lit. Jane Lynch Christmas variety show that they do. They do go out and sing, and they do it with a big band and coming to a town near you during Christmas season. So we're. We're only, you know, nine short months away from that. But it'll be here soon enough. It'll be here soon enough. All right, so I have a little. Let's do a little game before that game, but let's talk about it a little bit.

[Rachel]

Okay.

[Brian Greene]

Before we have Kate in here, what is your favorite line from the. What is your most quotable line from the office?

[Rachel]

Oh, God, I don't know. There's so many. There's the one that my sister and I used to always laugh about when Michael, he talks in his southern accent and they're going down to Savannah.

[Brian Greene]

My favorite office quote of all time has got to be jan all over. Tan all over. Do you remember that when they went to Mexico and he had picture, like, nude photograph, topless photograph of her, and it was floating around the office and he goes, jan all over, tan all over. What a great character. All right, I got a few more for you. I want you to. I want you to tell me which character said this following line. Okay?

[Rachel]

Okay.

[Brian Greene]

Sometimes the clothes at gap kids are just too flashy, so I'm forced to go to the American girl store and order clothes for large colonial dolls. Who is that? Yeah, I'll give you. You want me. Give you a choice?

[Rachel]

Yes.

[Brian Greene]

Is it Dwight? Is it Pam? Is it Angela?

[Rachel]

I'm going with Pam. I'm sorry, Angela.

[Brian Greene]

Angela.

[Chris Hoadley]

It is Angela.

[Rachel]

She used to dress up as those colonial or Dwight.

[Brian Greene]

I think Angela, she was like the prude in the group. You know, she was always very tight wad, so to speak. I consider myself a good person, but I'm Going to try and make him cry. Who said that? Was that Oscar, Michael or Dwight?

[Rachel]

Dwight.

[Brian Greene]

No, that was Oscar said that if I don't have cake soon, I might die. Is that Stanley, Dwight or Jim?

[Rachel]

Stanley.

[Brian Greene]

Of course it's Stanley. I'm faster than 80% of all snakes. Is that Dwight?

[Rachel]

Dwight.

[Brian Greene]

Okay, I don't even go any further on that. I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious. Who said that? Dwight, Pam or Michael?

[Rachel]

Michael.

[Brian Greene]

Of course he did. Yes. Let's see here. I talk a lot, so I've learned just to tune myself out. Is that Pam, Dwight, or Kelly Kapoor?

[Rachel]

Kelly, of course. Yes. All right, let's go a little Mindy Kaling.

[Brian Greene]

What's that? Mindy Kaling. That's right. Let's go a little deeper. I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.

[Rachel]

Jim.

[Brian Greene]

Is that Jim? Is that Michael, or is that Andy Jem? Yeah, it's Andy.

[Rachel]

Andy.

[Brian Greene]

Andy was a great character on that show. And even though he was only in the later seasons of the Office, he was a great character in that show. I did like Andy's character. One day, Michael came in and complained about a speed bump on the highway. I just wonder who he ran over. Jim. Okay, all right. Sometimes I'll start a sentence and I don't even know where I'm going. I just hope I find it along the way. It's like an improv conversation. Michael. Jim or Dwight?

[Rachel]

Michael.

[Brian Greene]

Michael. That's right. Identify. Identity theft is no joke. Jim. Millions of families suffer every year. Dwight. Michael, or Pam?

[Rachel]

It's gotta be Dwight.

[Brian Greene]

It's Dwight. Okay, let's see here. Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me. Michael Scott. Dwight Schrute. Which one gave that?

[Rachel]

Michael.

[Brian Greene]

That's right. When you're a kid, you assume your parents are soulmates. My kids are gonna be right about that. That's a sweet line from Pam. I'm just gonna say that you guys, like, I'm really smart now. You don't even know. You could ask me, kelly, what's the biggest company in the world? And I'd be like, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, giving you the exact right answer every time.

[Rachel]

Kelly.

[Brian Greene]

Let's see if I can find another deep cut here. These are all great lines, and I can almost remember the episodes.

[Rachel]

Oh, yeah, it takes you back.

[Brian Greene]

I'm fast to give you a reference point. I'm somewhere between A snake, a mongoose and a panther. Somewhere between.

[Rachel]

I mean Dwight, of course.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah. Yes, the Dunder Mifflin. The Dunder Mifflin stock symbol is dmi. Do you know what that stands for? Dummies, Morons and idiots. Because that's what. Because that's what you'd have to be to own it. And as one of those idiots, I believe the board owes me answers. Oscar, that's great.

[Rachel]

Oscar.

[Brian Greene]

Oh, here's one from a. From a lesser known character. Oh, I don't think it's blackmail. Angela just does what I ask her to do so I won't tell everyone that she's cheating on Andy with Dwight. I think for me it would be black. For it to be blackmail. I would have to put it in a formal letter. That's Phyllis. Phyllis.

[Rachel]

Phyllis.

[Brian Greene]

Phyllis.

[Rachel]

Yes.

[Brian Greene]

Okay, here's a little interesting. Like tie in. I believe that Phyllis and. Oh, now I can't remember his name. The bigger guy in the office, like kind of the bald headed one. Do you know who I'm talking about? What was his name in the. In the office? I can't remember now. I can't. Why can't I remember office characters? Let's see here.

[Rachel]

Stanley.

[Brian Greene]

No, but it's. It's not Stanley characters. I'm gonna find this out. Cause I don't wanna get it wrong. Kevin. Oh yeah, Kevin.

[Rachel]

Kevin.

[Brian Greene]

Okay, so Phyllis and Kevin went to a local high school here in Atlanta. And they went to school with a couple of people that I know and by all accounts were very lovely people. And so just thought I'd share that.

[Rachel]

Just a little weird connection was from here. I did not know Phyllis.

[Brian Greene]

I believe it was Phyllis and Kevin that was here. I know Kevin for sure and I believe Phyllis also. I think they went to the same high school. If I'm not mist. Be. But that was the story that rolled around the bars for a long time. And I knew a couple people who knew specific. More specifically talked about Kevin being a re. I say Kevin. His name is Brian. Actually. Kevin and Brian, that's what. That's me and my brother's names. Yes. Talked about him specifically being a very nice guy. So there you go. If you wanted to know in real life, let's find out if Kate is a really nice person too. Why don't we do this? Yes, I bet she is.

[Chris Hoadley]

I.

[Brian Greene]

We haven't. We've had a good streak. I'd say of the 110 guests we've had, 108 of them have been pretty good. And one of them wasn't their fault. I would have been a dick to us, too. All right, let's do this. Let's take a break, and when we get back through the magic of tele podcasting, we'll have Kate Flannery, Meredith from the office celebrating 20 years of the Office. Yeah, let's do that. What do you think?

[Rachel]

I think we should do it.

[Brian Greene]

We'll be back.

[TCB Announcer]

Hey, it's Rachel, your new voice of God here on tcb. And just like you, I'm wondering just how much longer this podcast can continue. Let's all rejoice that another episode has made it to your ears. And I'll rejoice that my check is in the mail. Speaking of mail, get your free TCB sticker in the mail by going to tcbpodcast.com and visiting the Contact Us page. You can also find the entire commercial break library audio and video, just in case you want to look at Chrissy at TCB Podcast. Want your voice to be on an episode of the show? Leave us a message at 212-4333, TCB. That's 212-433-3822. Tell us how much you love us and we'll be sure to let the world know on a future episode. Or you could make fun of us. That'd be fine too. We might not air that, but maybe. Oh, and if you're shy, that's okay. Just send a text. We'll respond. Now I'm gonna go check the mailbox for payment while you check out our sponsors, and then we'll return to this episode of the Commercial break.

[Brian Greene]

This episode is sponsored by one of our favorites, Squarespace. I was having a conversation with my brother Patrick the other day about all of the challenges and hurdles that come with being an entrepreneur. Making revenue is just one of many things you have to deal with when you're starting or scaling a business. So when I find a tool that helps me knock down multiple bullet points on the to do list of entrepreneurship, I get excited to share. And that's why Squarespace is a tool that we use ourselves. Squarespace is an all in one website platform designed to help you stand out and succeed online. Whether you're just going into business for yourself or you're scaling a business you've had for a while. Squarespace gives you all the tools you need to claim your domain, showcase your offerings, and get paid. Squarespace allows you to have cutting edge design even if you're not a designer with their blueprint AI. And you get SEO Tools Search engine optimization is not something on the wish list anymore. It's a must. Squarespace has integrated search engine optimization tools to help you get noticed when people are searching for your product or service online. And of course, once you get those customers, you're going to need to nurture that relationship over time. Squarespace Email Campaigns gives you all the tools you need to engage with your client, promote your services, and grow your revenue. Head to squarespace.com commercial for a free trial and when you're ready to launch, use the offer code commercial to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. We use Squarespace. We love Squarespace, we endorse Squarespace, and we thank Squarespace for being a sponsor of the commercial break hey all you cats and kittens out there in the podcast universe, I want to tell you about Rule breakers with Soraya. It's a new podcast from our partners at Odyssey that celebrates the rebels, the risk takers, and the ones who make their own way. It's these people who often change the lives of the people around them and the world at large. And while in the moment it may be hard to see the forest through the trees, those rule breakers often define what it means to be a success. Each week, former wrestling superstar Saraya sits down with the boldest voices in sports, entertainment and beyond to talk about breaking barriers, defying expectations, and rewriting the rules. They're talking about it all the fights, the failures, and the moments that changed everything. You can follow and listen to Rule breakers with Saraya on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. And here here to the rule breakers for keeping life interesting. This episode is sponsored in part by Chime Checking. A few years ago I was doing my end of the year bookkeeping and I got white hot when I realized that I had spent hundreds of dollars in banking and overdraft fees on one of our checking accounts. An unexpected monthly bill comes through a check that's been sitting out there for a While and wha. Bam. 35, 45, sometimes even $50. No thank you. That stuff adds up over time, but when you open a Chime Checking account, you can be one step closer to a better financial future. Because with no maintenance fees, fee free overdraft of up to $200, or you can get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Chime Checking will have you covered and you can make progress on those financial goals that sometimes are hard to achieve. A Chime Checking account allows you fee free overdraft. With Spot Me, you can overdraft up to $200 without any fees. With Spot Me. When you set up a qualifying direct deposit, are you feeling a little stressed a couple days before your paycheck comes? Well, get my pay. When you set up a qualifying direct deposit, you can make your payday any day. Make progress toward a better financial future with Chime. Open your account in two [e-mail] commercial. That's chime.com commercial. Chime feels like progress. Banking services and debit card provided by the Bancorp NA or Stride Bank NA members. Feic, Spot Me eligibility requirements and overdraft limits do apply. Fees apply at out of network ATMs. MyPay eligibility requirements do apply. Credit limits range from $20 to $500. $2 fee applies to get funds instantly. Chime checking account required. Go to chime.com disclosures for more details. And thanks to Chime Checking for being a sponsor of the commercial break. Kate is here with us now. Kate, so grateful for your time today. Thank you for joining us.

[Rachel]

Welcome, Kate.

[Brian Greene]

What can we say that probably hasn't already been said a million, billion times? I have, like, one question. That is when we when I knew you were coming on, it just was burning through my mind. You how do you feel about the Office, given some space between the last episode that you, you know, the closing of the the office version 1 Now, what is your relationship with the Office, the thing, the show, the entity, part of your life? How do you feel about.

[Chris Hoadley]

Is as my relationship with the Office is as strong as it was in 2004. It's crazy.

[Brian Greene]

I am so happy.

[Chris Hoadley]

It might be stronger. Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

You've grown to, you've grown to love it. You've grown to find that this is just something you're really attacked. It's such an iconic role playing Meredith. This, like, in my opinion, one of the best characters on the Office is Meredith perfectly played by you.

[Chris Hoadley]

You're very kind. 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.

[TCB Announcer]

Oh, yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Even though she's a mother and she's and she's a floozy, but still it's like she's not defined by that.

[Rachel]

Yes.

[Chris Hoadley]

And that's a rare thing. It's a rare thing on television. It's a rare thing in movies. Like, women don't get to play exactly like the boys. And so it's really fun when I'm just really proud that they let me.

[Brian Greene]

Go there and There the entire time. You were there for the entire stretch. How did you get involved in, by the way? It's 20th anniversary of the Office, and.

[Rachel]

It'S one of those shows, too, that I love. Cause you can just watch over and over and over again, and you can pick up from the very first episode or the middle or the end, whatever. I just. I love those shows. There's very few of those.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, I think we. There are. And I. What I love about our show, too, and why I think kids really like it, is that, you know, we never tell you when to laugh. There's no, like, wait, you know, there's no laugh track, obviously. But I also feel like you can be laughing over something and then watch the episode again and find something funny about it that you didn't notice the first time.

[Rachel]

Absolutely, Absolutely.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's kind of fun. You know, that's. And that's a rare. You know, it's a rare thing. We're all, you know, we're just so lucky because, you know, normally British shows don't translate on American television. So our showrunner, Greg Daniels, took such good care of this and was so careful and so wonderful. And he's a former Saturday Night Live writer, a former Simpsons writer, and he's also the creator of. Co creator of King of the Hill, Craig Daniel. He's amazing. He's amazing. So we were. I mean, we were in good hands from the start. And I knew Steve Carell when I was at Second City. We weren't in the same cast, but we were there at the same time. And it was just so nice to be. I mean, so incredible to be a part of his stardom, his breakout.

[Rachel]

Oh, yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Now the whole world knows what a great actor, smart, funny, genius Steve Carell is.

[Brian Greene]

He really is. How did you. How did you get approached about doing the project? Or did you. I'm sure you had some auditions with Greg, or how did that come about?

[Chris Hoadley]

I actually initially auditioned. I initially auditioned for the part of Jan. No way.

[Rachel]

Okay.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

Oh, my God. That would have been a whole different show.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, it would have. And the guy's tan all over. I'm sorry. I just had to say it.

[Rachel]

I just had to say it right now.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's crazy, right?

[Brian Greene]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Serenity Canyons. I don't know, but.

[Rachel]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Hunter. I don't know, but I think. I think, you know, the casting director, Allison Jones, said, I don't know if this is the part for you, but I feel like this show is right for you. So I actually did not do the Pilot. I actually replaced somebody from the pilot that was cut out.

[Brian Greene]

So very interesting.

[Chris Hoadley]

Strange when you come into a project. So I did not do the first episode, but I did every other one.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, no, fair enough.

[Chris Hoadley]

Because. Yeah. It's just odd because they actually asked us to bring paperwork and to look busy at our deaths. Season one. And, you know, I thought that was such a cool idea so that when the camera catches you, you're not, like, suddenly working. You know, you're actually still in progress in process. And so it did have that documentary feel from the start. So, you know, as an ensemble person, being from Second City and, you know, I did Del Close as a Paralympic for years. I worked at the Annoyance Theater. I've worked at a lot of funky theaters and did a lot of stuff where being an ensemble was really the most important part, is to make sure you're there for everybody else.

[Brian Greene]

Giving everybody else. Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Team player. Yeah. From whether you talk or not, you are in there. You're in it.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

So I love being a fully actualized character, even if you don't speak, which I think is one of the most brilliant things about the Office, because we all work with people and we all went to school with people, and you did not get to know everyone equally well right away.

[Brian Greene]

Sure.

[Chris Hoadley]

Things were revealed slowly. And sometimes there's people. You'd be like, I didn't know that. Or you find out later. You're like, oh, my God, I had no idea. That guy's nuts.

[Rachel]

Yeah, right.

[Chris Hoadley]

Whatever.

[Brian Greene]

It's just funny.

[Chris Hoadley]

Totally. But our show had a slow, slow reveal in such a great. It was just. Everything was just well timed. And even if I didn't speak for episodes, I felt like when I did, it was totally worth the wait. I felt like something wonderful and interesting was revealed and messed up sometimes.

[Brian Greene]

I read a book one time, and it was mentioning Aaron Sorkin in the West Wing, of course, the breakout drama about the West Wing, the White House. And one of the interesting choices that they made from the beginning, and I'm sure this is a choice that was made by Greg or whoever at the time, also, was that even if you're not in the scene, I want you on the set. So you'll look at where the, you know, Leo McGarry and the President are talking and in the background is, you know, Bradley Whitford or whoever, and they're shuffling paper or they're reading or they're having a conversation with someone else. It adds depth and layer and color and clarity to the whole situation. It's not doesn't feel like everybody just runs out of the room. It feels like an actual working office. When you watch the Office, it's a sense of reality.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's a sense of reality. Yeah. It's awesome. And it's, it's. I just feel like the level of thought and intelligence that was put into every script, you know, and just having a great cast of great, great directors, great producers, great editors, you know, you just feel like you can't, you know, you're in good hands all the time. You're in good hands, so you can trust the process.

[Brian Greene]

Do you. I mean, I'm interested to know how much of this is actually improv then. Do you have bullet points you're heading in a direction you've. You know, I can improv inside of these parameter. How much of that was improv and how much of that ended up being scripted, percentage wise or most of it is scripted? Most of it is scripted.

[Chris Hoadley]

Oh, yeah. I'd say maybe 4%, maybe 5% is improv.

[Brian Greene]

Interesting.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah. Steve and Rain probably improvised a little more than most of us, but they also had more to say. Sure. So we would kind of like hit the actual script. And then I learned quickly that if I improvise within my lines or had like one little addition while I was speaking, because, you know, you're having to deal with camera. Camera guys who are like documentarians who are moving to, you know, they know who they're going to look at, you know, and focus on. So if you're. You can't just like, suddenly have an idea and railroad the whole process. You have to be, like, in focus and, you know, actors.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

But if you're, if you're. So I always say if you're improvising, even within a sitcom, you have to know the parameters so that you're actually. You're bringing a gift, not presenting a problem.

[Brian Greene]

Wow.

[Chris Hoadley]

Even if it's a funny idea, it has to go somehow within the lines of forwarding the action or.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah. You've got to hit a note. You've got to hit the notes. Yeah. So that you don't mess up the rest of the band.

[Chris Hoadley]

Maybe reveal something. Yeah, exactly. So that was the big learning curve for me for sure. And also because I had done so much stage, I was, I constantly reminded, like, bring it down, bring it down. And I actually learned a great relationship with the camera, which I had never learned before. And I'm so grateful that they had the patience to go, okay, can you just do it one more time? Just do it a Little less. A little less. Because sometimes shows, you know, that's. Oh, she didn't get it. You're done.

[Brian Greene]

Bye bye.

[Chris Hoadley]

You're gone. Bye bye, bye, bye, bye. So I'm grateful.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah. Because what is the trajectory? You're at Second City, obviously, the. One of the most famous, if not the most famous, improv comedy theater in the world. Right. With so, so many. And I know there's a couple of them, but for me as a Chicago boy, Second City is like, you know, the gold standard.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yes.

[Brian Greene]

And that's where a lot of the SNL characters came from. So you're in Second City, so obviously you're good at this. Like, you have a talent for this. If you're sitting with the other people at Second City, then you're doing okay.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's a validation for sure.

[Brian Greene]

Absolutely.

[Chris Hoadley]

And I actually was. I was. I was actually up for snl. And I always say I, I didn't get it. One of my best friends at the time got it. And I always say it only took 13 short years to get the office. It was a long 13 short years.

[Brian Greene]

Did you audition for Lauren?

[Chris Hoadley]

You know what? Lauren came to see a show. I did. I had lunch with Lauren, I had interviews with Lauren. I didn't get to do the final round, but I was in. I was in consideration. And I was just at the SNL 50th, at the concert at Radio City, and it was so great. Obviously, I've had a lot of therapy because I just had a great time. I should have. No, no. I just was like, oh, my God. Worked out the way I was supposed to.

[Rachel]

Woo hoo.

[Brian Greene]

Kate, you don't know me, but let me tell you, if I was. If Lorne Michaels had even said my name out loud, I would consider that the end of the road for me. I'd be like, that's good. I can die happy just being in consideration for such an iconic show.

[Chris Hoadley]

Right. And that was. The therapy move is like, not feeling like, oh, you were up for the dream, and it's gone. It's like, no, no, no. You're in. You've been recognized, you've been validated, and you can just move forward. Because there's a lot of people that have been up for SNL that didn't get it, that we all know Stephen Colbert. I mean, there's a ton of people, you know, it's just, it's one of those things. But you just, you know, hopefully you take. You. 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. Just keep it up. And I remember, you know, I started to do a Comedy act in 2001 with a friend of mine from Second City Days, and we did a two person dying lounge act. We did it for 20 years. We still did it when the Office ran. We did a lot of comedy festivals and comedy clubs. We did it every Saturday for five years initially, even when the Office was running. I did it for another year every week and just really enjoyed it because I also realized my friends were getting famous and they weren't necessarily calling me. And I was like, oh, I think I have to figure out how to show up on another map. Like, how do you keep yourself in the game?

[Brian Greene]

Sure.

[Chris Hoadley]

And doing comedy live at clubs was a great way to do it. And so I kind of. We kind of found a funky way to get in. So we were sort of in the COVID band comedy world. So we were opening for people like Richard Cheese for the Dan Band Kennels, Pity Party, Garfunkel Notes. Like, there's a bunch of, like, there was a world of music and comedy that we were a part of. And that was. That was. It was great for me.

[Brian Greene]

So Saturday Night Live, let's call it consideration. For your consideration. We just had a whole episode about this. For your consideration. Yes.

[Rachel]

Great movie.

[Brian Greene]

Great movie, right?

[Chris Hoadley]

The best. The best.

[Brian Greene]

So for your consideration, Short. Oh, my God. Like all of them. It's great ensembles. You talk about great ensembles. All the Christopher Guest movies. The Office is another one you think of when you. Thirteen short years later, as you put it, what does your agent just call you? And she says, I think that. I think we got this role. I think it's good for you. I want you to go and audition. Or does Greg. Dan does. How did you. How did they.

[Chris Hoadley]

Oh, no, it was just. It was an audition. It was an audition. It was an audition. And you know, it's also like, 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. I'm like, what the hell? But I was doing comedy clubs. I had done off Broadway. I had like a big hit with a show off Broadway that we did in la. First it was a stage production of the movie Valley the Dolls.

[Brian Greene]

Okay.

[Chris Hoadley]

I have a lot of great movies. I have a little buzz. Like, I had some yeses. I had some attention. I felt like I was getting recognized in New York, even If it was below 14th Street, I felt like it was a. You know, our show had sort of a Rocky Horror Picture show cult following for a while. And, you know, I mean, it was. It was good. And I also sang in a band in New York with one of the guys from they Might Be Giants. Oh, really big in the 80s and 90s. Yeah, they had another band called Monopuff, and I was in Monopuff, and we would open for the Giants. So I had, like, a world. I was in the world. I did, like, a sketch on Conan. Like, I was kind of part of that. I think I did some sketches on Jimmy Kimmel. I showed up in weird places. And then I was on Bernie Mac show and a show called. It was actually the Boomtown. I played Neil McDonough's secretary. And I was so excited because they were like, oh, they want you to recur now. They loved you in your first episode. So I got the second script, and two days later, I got the call that the show was canceled. So that was right before the. That was right before the Office. So it's okay. You know, you got. You know, that's all right. And then again, like, if I had been on that show, I couldn't have done the Office. So I think it worked out.

[Rachel]

Yes, it did.

[Brian Greene]

You were on the Bernie Mac Show. Did you. Did you have a chance to meet and sit with Bernie Mac to talk?

[Chris Hoadley]

Yes, I got to hang out. Bernie, he was the best man.

[Brian Greene]

Everybody says this.

[Chris Hoadley]

He was the greatest. He would have a separate lunch for all the kids and their parents in. In his huge dressing area, like a. You know, it was like a house just for him. He was the great. He was the greatest. He saw everyone so kind, so funny, so smart. I. I felt very lucky to. To. To guest star. And I was still waiting tables, by the way, at a restaurant in Beverly Hills when all this was going on, by the way. And I kept my restaurant job up and through the first season of the Office. Yeah, it's just like I was waiting on a lot of famous people.

[Brian Greene]

You know, I have an interesting story. So the other day, I was watching reels, and a reel came up about Bernie Mac cutting a promo for the Bernie Mac show, which, by the way, I think is one of the more underrated comedies of our generation. It's so good. It's so funny, and it's poignant. It's poignant. He's a good dad and he teaches. Anyway, so one of the directors of this promo is trying to get this little girl or. Excuse Me, this little guy to sit on his. Or this little girl to sit on his lap. And Bernie keeps telling the director, not gonna do that. Not gonna. It's not appropriate. I'm not gonna do that. And the director keeps pushing him until finally Bernie says, not doing the promo. I'm not having this person sit on my lap. But it was just, like, Bernie had, like, a moral compass, and it didn't matter about Hollywood. It just. It just goes to, like, I'm not making a larger point about kids and who's sitting on laps and all that. What I'm making. The point is, is that Bernie was a. Like, he had a umami about him. Like this life force about him that really comes through on screen. Did you get this sense?

[Chris Hoadley]

And he would fly back to Chicago every weekend because he had friends and family in Chicago that he didn't want to abandon. Like, he really. He was. He was on the move. He was always moving.

[Brian Greene]

Yes.

[Chris Hoadley]

Unbelievable.

[Brian Greene]

A great loss.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, I know. I know. What a loss. Devastating.

[Brian Greene]

Did you get this sense after the first season of the Office? Didn't. Wasn't. I might be mistaken about this, but I think I remember. And, you know, because I'm like, everybody else in the world have watched a million Office a million times, and behind the scenes and all that other stuff. Am I right? That it wasn't the. It wasn't a breakout hit after the first season? It wasn't. There were. That you guys were almost. You were on the chopping block. They didn't know if there was gonna be a second season, and NBC granted you that second season, and that's really when you started to hit your stride. But did you guys get the sense in the room that that something magical was happening?

[Chris Hoadley]

I knew it was a great show, but I didn't think it was an NBC show.

[Brian Greene]

Oh.

[Chris Hoadley]

One of the few times I improvised in season one was during health care. And, you know, there was a whole conversation where I said. I say, you know, to Dwight, you know, because he's trying to cut the healthcare.

[Brian Greene]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Chris Hoadley]

And I say, like, uterus is different from a vagina. I still have a vagina. We have this argument about hysterectomies, but that was one of the few times I got to improvise. And I was like, oh, my God. And then I remember seeing Greg Daniels in the restaurant where I was working. He. He just happened to come in, completely ignored that I was in the weeds and wearing a uniform, and he's like, oh, my gosh. That line that you improvised about the vagina. We're fighting with the network. We're hoping it stays. And luckily it did stay in, but it's just like that never would have happened if it was hbo. But I also feel like part of why TV changed was because Friends was over. Frasier was head ended. Joey was on the air and not doing well. And so that's when our first season, we were on during the time when Joey was on. And I think the NBC was just looking for something. And also 40 year old virgin. Steve made 40 year old virgin between the pilot and the second episode of the Office. And when it was about to come out, which was the beginning of when we were filming season two, the buzz was like, oh, my God. Oh my. Because the posters were everywhere. I remember that. And I remember we got to go to the premiere. We all came from the studio, our set. And I remember Ben Siller was there and Will Ferrell and Jim Carrey. And I was like, they were like, checking out the new guy. They were nervous about the new guy. And the movie was so, such a big hit. And you know, they're like, oh, my God, we have that guy. So I feel like it was really Steve Carell. I think his magic, that.

[Brian Greene]

That kind of allowed us to.

[Chris Hoadley]

And also his heart. Yeah. And also he understood. He understood how to. How to make a guy who's just so awkward, says the wrong thing all the time, but has a heart.

[Rachel]

Yes.

[Chris Hoadley]

Like, because I feel like the British version was so mean and so dark and like, really funny, but like, whoa, really tough.

[Brian Greene]

I agree with you on this. And I have had arguments about this with friends of mine and other people. I am not the biggest fan of the Office uk. I'm not. And I think it's funny in its own way. And I love British comedies. I mean, you can ask Chrissy. I know them all and I watch them all and I'm tuned into that universe. But something about that Office uk, because I watched the Office Us first, There is something tender and gentle and empathetic about most of the characters in the Office that is lacking in some of the characters. That just gives it this depth. It's like. I don't know, it's like soup after.

[Chris Hoadley]

I think that's why you.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, it's like soup after you've been sitting for a couple days. It's better. It has more flavors. It's like the flavors come out or something. I don't know how to explain it.

[Chris Hoadley]

Totally. No, no, no. I think that's. That's well stated. And I also think that, you know, I don't think. I mean, there's a reason why the British office has so few episodes. I feel like it's really hard to watch this character because he's not really growing as a human. It's hard to get behind him for years.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, I agree. Yeah. So, yeah, really easy to get behind, you know, Michael Scarn, as he's been called.

[Chris Hoadley]

Michael Scarn.

[Brian Greene]

Yes. Yes, totally what he is. And I know that. So now you're. When are you world famous? When do you get out of your house and realize, holy shit, I can. I am. I did it. I made it. Here I am. People are recognizing you. They're repeating the lines. They're probably saying, you know, I don't know, they're. I can only imagine all the lines.

[Chris Hoadley]

I feel like for me, it was. No, totally. I feel like for me personally, it felt more like season four for me, because that was. We started the season with Fun Run, where Meredith Scott. Michael Scott hits Meredith with his car.

[Rachel]

Yes.

[Chris Hoadley]

So that was sort of like a what? And then I remember I got a call. Joaquin Phoenix had canceled on the Tonight show and they asked me to be on instead. And I was like, oh, my God. So that was sort of like the first big. Oh, my gosh. And I remember being at my parents summer place in New Jersey and I was on the boardwalk and like, I just felt like all these kids were like running toward me and I started running. I'm like, wait a minute, when am I running? I'm not. But there was definitely like a. Oh, my gosh. You know, you better. You know, don't curse. And you better watch what you say in front of other people.

[Brian Greene]

Sure.

[Chris Hoadley]

Better be grateful.

[Rachel]

How fun.

[Brian Greene]

Well, it's gotta be such a huge change. You're waiting tables through season one, right? Probably the character is growing, but still limited in season two and three. And then you. Then all of a sudden this ensemble, like this kind of core group of characters starts to come into play. And now people are becoming familiar with them. So now everyone's. Everyone knows you as Meredith and they're familiar with you. And we were talking about this with. With someone else just last week is like, you grow an affinity and a relationship with these characters on the screen and it's.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yes.

[Brian Greene]

It's interesting how in our minds, it's like we. We do have a friendship with these people that. That were watching. Do you. Did you ever feel uncomfortable with the amount of attention that was. That the office was being paid or everybody, you know, kind of Knowing who you were, I mean, it's.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's a champagne problem. It's champagne. You know, you gotta make peace with it. If you don't make peace with it, if you don't make peace with it, you're screwed.

[Rachel]

Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

I mean, really, I just feel like it's literally like deciding to be happy or not.

[Brian Greene]

Right.

[Chris Hoadley]

You know, I mean, sometimes people come up to you and they think, I'm their third grade teacher. And they're like, no, no, no. I think I was in your. I was like, oh, no. And then, oh. And I'm like, oh, my God, I messed up. You know, which is totally fine. So funny. But I, you know, I. I'm so grateful also. It's really nice to be. I was 40 when I got the Office. It's much better. You know, you're much wiser when you're a little older. And you, you have much more perspective and gratitude when you're older, I think, than when you're in your 20s. You think, this is never going to end. I'm going to go from show to show to show. And you don't realize that these things are very, very, very rare.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah. And to be in such an iconic show that will probably live for a very long time somewhere. I mean, it bounces from, you know, streamer to streamer. And every time it's got. There's a huge PR push and everyone, you know, falls in love again with the Office and it gets introduced to two new generations. I have a six year old child and I was watching the Office about two weeks ago. I was watching. I can't. The Parkour episode.

[Chris Hoadley]

Casual day.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, a casual day. I hope not.

[Chris Hoadley]

I hope not. Oh, God.

[Brian Greene]

I was watching the. I think it's a Parkour episode. And I. Then I was in my son. I saw my son, like, engage with this episode and he was like, what's Parkour? Why are they yelling? Why did that guy fall in the trash can? But he was starting to laugh at it too. And I thought to myself, there's the next generation of Office fans coming up right here. And that's got to be like when you go to bed at night sometimes. I bet, I bet there is a sense of like, gratitude and holy cow, I did it. I was a part of one of the best, right? I was there.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah. And I totally. And as a child of like, 70s TV, I remember watching shows like MASH and like Mary Tyler Moore where they had these wonderful long runs and they had these wonderful finales. So I feel like we Got that, too. We got a wonderful finale. So trust me, I am beyond grateful. I feel like, you know, I sometimes.

[Brian Greene]

No, please, go ahead. I want to hear what you have to say.

[Chris Hoadley]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I just. The other thing I was going to say is that I feel like sometimes when I put. When I say to actors, like, don't count your lines. Stop counting your lines if you get a part. Because sometimes people want to talk more when they want to talk more. And I feel like I learned to stop doing that because I realized, like, you know, I mean, sometimes I had a lot to say, and most of the time I didn't. And sometimes I still got a laugh, even if even I just got a look and I would get a laugh. So I trusted, like, okay, that's just part of this process. And you can still be very present in a scene and not speak and still, like, people know who. You know, it's a contribution and you're. And it's a platform. So I felt super lucky with that. So I also think, like, you know, some people want to be the star. Some people want to be the sidekick. I feel like, you know, in many ways, I describe Meredith as like, I was the onion.

[Rachel]

It's good to be the onions.

[Brian Greene]

Yes.

[Chris Hoadley]

You know, I wasn't the main course. I wasn't the side dish. I was, like, kind of always there with some flavor, baby.

[Brian Greene]

You know, the sauteed mushrooms, the salt shaker on the table. You come in and you sprinkle some flavor on the. On. On a lot of these episodes, a little bit.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

I would. You know, in my mind, at least, Meredith is a major character in the Office. Right. And so.

[Chris Hoadley]

Well, it's great to be there every day and just, like I said, be part of this energy. Like, we were just. I mean, we were there all, you know, all day, every day, and was fantastic. So even if I didn't speak, I was, like, really enjoying every. Every day, every moment of the process and watching, you know, just the funniest scenes take place.

[Brian Greene]

Could the Office get. Could the Office as it stands today, could it get made? First of all, I know the answer to this is no. Because Netflix, I mean, and God bless Netflix, and I know that, you know, they probably pay some bills or something, but the Netflix and these streamers now have this kind of habit of three and done, right? Three and out, so to speak. Three seasons and out. Do you think the Office could. Could the Office survive today? Could it do. Could you do another run similar?

[Chris Hoadley]

I don't. I Mean, I think everybody's so scared of comedy, too. We're getting better, but it's still, like, I feel like people making fun of other people. Is it? When I grew up, I feel like it was always a source of affection.

[Brian Greene]

Yes.

[Chris Hoadley]

It wasn't bullying.

[Brian Greene]

Agreed.

[Chris Hoadley]

And I feel like it's been misunderstood. And I think we've had some. Some comedy police that need to. They need to tone down.

[Brian Greene]

Tone down.

[Chris Hoadley]

I just agree. Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

I think it. I think it is getting better. I think there's some level heads coming into the conversation. And listen, I also think that, you know, there. There might be situations where it gets taken too far, but that's in the comedy club. To work it out and you find that funny, then there's somebody you'll find funny. And if you don't find that funny, you don't have to go. Right. It's not your thing. You don't have to go. But the. The office, to me is just good, wholesome fun. And I agree with you. When I was a kid growing up in the 80s, you know, and the 90s, this was a way to endear yourself to your group of friends. It was like you poked. You poked at people and, you know, you. You. And that. It toughened you up a little bit. It toughened you up. But then it also was good fun. It was like, oh, you know, it was good fun to. To jab at your friends. Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

If they don't. If they don't give you a hard time, they don't love you.

[Brian Greene]

That's it.

[Chris Hoadley]

Really. That's what I always grew up with. Like, that's how they show love.

[Brian Greene]

Are you Irish Catholic?

[Chris Hoadley]

Can you tell.

[Brian Greene]

Me?

[Chris Hoadley]

My dad owned a bar.

[Brian Greene]

Flannery Tower, baby.

[Chris Hoadley]

I'm an alcoholic. Napo, baby. Right.

[Brian Greene]

Is there. Is there a Meredith in Kate and Kate and Meredith? Is there is. I mean, I imagine there is somewhere, Right. A little bit of that wild child.

[Chris Hoadley]

You know, kind of say it was last week. Yeah, I'm still recovering.

[Brian Greene]

That's why we had to reschedule. A week later, she's like, no, no, St. Patrick's Day. I can't find it. Yeah, I got it. After you have a few drinks. Does. Does Meredith ever come out? Do you have, like, idiot friends who say, you know, repeat a line from the office?

[Rachel]

Not really.

[Brian Greene]

Good. God bless your friends.

[Chris Hoadley]

No, Yeah. I mean, I have a lot of actor friends, so.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

Then I'd have to be like, okay, you repeat your line for the show.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, exactly. Were you guys all friendly? I mean, I'm sure, there were. It's like a family. And you were together for so many years. There were moments when this person or that person.

[Chris Hoadley]

Oh, yeah, absolutely. I knew Angela before because we were in an women improv group called Bitch Planet.

[Rachel]

I love that.

[Chris Hoadley]

We did for a couple years. Yeah, that was like in the early, like 2000, 2001. Yeah, we had. We had a great time. And I knew Steve from Second City and Oscar and I should have met a million times. I knew Dave Koechner who played Packer. Yeah, I knew a few people, you know, and some of the directors I knew. But yeah, it was. It was. But, yeah, but it was. It was definitely, you know, just the greatest group of people. I mean, they are family. We are a family.

[Rachel]

And to see some of them, like Mindy Kaling and John Krasinski and all these people, really, just amazing.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yes. Such talented. Such hardworking, super talented individuals.

[Brian Greene]

And the Office Ladies. And the Office Ladies has been a breakout podcast hit.

[Chris Hoadley]

They have, absolutely.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah. And I know you've been on that. You've been on that show on Office Ladies. Yes. Do you. So do you all still stay in touch? Is there some camaraderie that happens still to this day?

[Chris Hoadley]

We have text threads that we do and then some of us do some fan events together still. Like, I just did a. I was just a Texan, Texas A and M with Leslie David Baker, who plays Stanley. We sometimes do. We speak at colleges. And then I doing some fan fan event with Rain and Oscar and I think Brian. Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

So we get around, you know, biggest surprise personality outside of the Office, like the person who was on the screen, who I found to be, like, different in the most engaging and wonderful way. Besides Kate, of course, our new friend is Rain. Rain is a really interesting human being out, you know, it's so.

[Chris Hoadley]

But he does know a lot about Battlestar Galactica.

[Brian Greene]

Well, fair enough. Okay.

[Chris Hoadley]

He's Dwight adjacent. Yeah. But, yeah, he's a lovely person. I actually just saw he was doing a Broadway show, Urinetown, and I got to see the last performance when I was in New York a few weeks ago. He was great. He was great. He was singing and he was great. He was great.

[Brian Greene]

I think Dwight is one of the most iconic television characters ever. And I don't think you can't have a little bit of Dwight in you to play that role so well. I think you have to have Dwight in there. All right. You're stuck on an island. Fact. Yeah. You're stuck on an island and you gotta bring two Office characters with you. Who you bringing?

[Chris Hoadley]

I think Michael Squat. Michael Scott and Dwight.

[Brian Greene]

Yes.

[Rachel]

Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

Yes. That's a good answer, I think.

[Chris Hoadley]

I mean, I just, you know, I mean, I love Jim and Pam. I love everybody, but I feel like, I don't know, for me, I don't know. I just.

[Rachel]

They could step on.

[Chris Hoadley]

They did. I always loved the, the Jim, Dwight, you know, the, the games that they would play. The dueling.

[Brian Greene]

Yes.

[Rachel]

The death dueling.

[Brian Greene]

All the pranks that they would play.

[Chris Hoadley]

So great. And I love the Jim and Pam love story. I love, love, love, love, love.

[Brian Greene]

Were you guys rooting for that love story in like.

[Chris Hoadley]

I was.

[Brian Greene]

I was too. Yeah. Yeah, me too. Yeah.

[Chris Hoadley]

But the back and forth, like, I could so relate. So relatable. So relatable.

[Brian Greene]

It really is, it's like, it's so touching. And the little looks that they would give each other and the way that they would just be so like, you know, caring for each other. You were just rooting from the beginning for, for Jim and Pam. And when it worked and it worked and it, and it worked out in such a wonderful way in a non cheesy way where you're like, oh my God. O. You wanted. Every, every moment that they showed of that relationship was a poignant moment and one that then furthered the story. So it didn't get overly, like, it didn't become about Jim and Pam. It wasn't the Jim and Pam show, which is what I feared at the time, like, oh, now it's gonna be the Jim and Pam relationship show. But it wasn't. It was still the. Very much the Office. What is your favorite episode of the Office?

[Rachel]

It's hard to choose.

[Brian Greene]

I know.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, I know. But I know I feel sudden death.

[Brian Greene]

Death, but sudden death. You know what?

[Chris Hoadley]

I love the. I love the. I love the injury. I love when Michael Scott burns his foot on George Foreman. But that phone call when he's like calling to tell everybody that he. And he's on speaker that he burned his foot. And then the talking head afterwards where he explains in his office, like why he has a George Foreman girl by his bed because he likes to wake up to the smell of bacon and he doesn't have a butler. It's like, you cannot. I'm sorry. And that was like the episode where Scott, where. I'm sorry. Where Dwight has a, A, a concussion and they're driving in marathon. Had a minivan. Oh my God. That was with the squirt bottle for the, for the cat. I can't even. And Jim's trying to Keep him awake. Oh, my gosh. I love it. So great.

[Brian Greene]

Did you break character? Were you, how often did you break character or did you guys just get really good at it?

[Chris Hoadley]

I wasn't a big breaker. I mean, there's some people that were like super laughers. I mean, sometimes we would laugh, but I usually was not the first person, but I felt like I'm in a drama, I'm in a drama. I would tell myself, yeah, that's total.

[Brian Greene]

Professionalism because I don't know how I would not be a breaker on that set. But then again, you know, I'm watching the final finished product and we were talking to someone else who was on a great comedy show and he was explaining it was our friend Tim Baltz. So Tim Baltz was saying, listen, you, sometimes you have 14 hour days and you know that if you break, we're adding an extra hour and 15 minutes onto the day. And so I just, that gives me all the motivation I need to stay in character.

[Chris Hoadley]

Totally. And I also, like, would watch Steve Carell just do most of the talking and I feel like if somebody else laughs, you're like, dude, you're going to make him start this whole scene all over again. Like, like, you gotta just like, like, don't mess it up for him.

[Rachel]

Get together.

[Brian Greene]

Okay. But there's life after the Office. I know, and thank you for indulging me, indulging us on all these Office questions. But there's life after the Office and you're not all about the Office. Tell us what else? You also have a wonderful show with Jane Lynch. What else is going on for Kate?

[Chris Hoadley]

Well, I do a bunch of, I work her on a cartoon or two. I'm on Universal Basic Guys, which is a Philadelphia comedy. I think it's on right after the Simpsons on Sunday nights on Fox. So fun. I got to do the pilot and I, I just got to do a guest organ. So I, it's, it's, it's so well written. I'm so happy for those guys because it's their first and, and the fact that they got on Sunday Nights on Fox is huge.

[Brian Greene]

It's really good. I, I, I watched three episodes and I really liked it. I thought, no, this is a good, this could be another. I mean, I mean, King of the Hill is one of my favorite. Also another Greg Daniels show.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yes, the best.

[Brian Greene]

It's coming back and so we'll see what happens with that. But Universal Basic Guys is not the King of the Hill, but it's just something about the writing on that Show. It's so good. It's really well.

[Chris Hoadley]

It's really. Yeah, it's definitely worth your time. And I feel like I'm. I'm doing. I don't know, I feel like I'm kind of all over the place right now. But things are good. I get to sing with Jane pretty frequently. I mean, we're always on tour every Christmas because we did a Christmas album together that did very well. We were literally on the Billboard top 10 for a couple weeks.

[Brian Greene]

That's insane.

[Chris Hoadley]

I love it. I know, right? Let's win a little Christmas. You can find it on itunes and Spotify and all that stuff. Or you can buy the CD on Amazon. You might need to get a new car. Yeah, right. But, yeah, so. So it's. It's a joy. And we get to play really great, great, great places. Big halls and like, you know, sometimes we play for 2,000 seats or 3,000 seats or 500 seats. We're kind of all over the place. But it's really been a joy. And we've been doing that for 10 years.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, that's really fun.

[Chris Hoadley]

And we have a non Christmas show as well.

[Brian Greene]

How did you enjoy.

[Chris Hoadley]

Go to Jane Lynch Official.

[Brian Greene]

Okay. Jane Lynch.

[Chris Hoadley]

The first time.

[TCB Announcer]

Okay.

[Chris Hoadley]

They never. The first time I ever went to second city, Jane lynch was understudying. She was on stage page understanding for Bonnie Hunt. And then a year and a year later, a year and a half later, I became chains understudy. It's crazy. Then we. And then we started singing together for benefits and like there were a couple live shows that we would do just like little bits in some sketch shows we did together. Then we were. We did a sketch show in LA where we got to sing in that with a bunch of other people like Ana Gostar and oh my God, it's like so many. So many people that were coming. And Joey Soloway. And then we got to do. Then we became award show buddies because Glee and the office were right. And then our shows got canceled around the same time. So Jane asked me to kind of join her in this cabaret endeavor in New York. I can't wait to never look back. We had a great time.

[Brian Greene]

It's really fun.

[Chris Hoadley]

We sing with the Tony Guerrero quintet. They're great.

[Brian Greene]

I think it's. I think it's great. I love Jane. Jane is also iconic.

[Chris Hoadley]

She's the greatest.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, she really is.

[Rachel]

Her role in murders and only murders in the building.

[Brian Greene]

So great.

[Rachel]

I know. I love it.

[Chris Hoadley]

She'd be Steve. Steve Martin. And we were just watching Mrs. Maisel again. She's so great on the Marvelous.

[Rachel]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Chris Hoadley]

That part is nuts.

[Brian Greene]

I love that show. Okay, so one more question. How do you. How are you feeling? There's been a lot of talk about Office reboot. I think it's happening. I think there's been, you know, I've read in the trade rags that it. That it's happening. Has there been any conversation about old characters? Not that. Not you. Not that you know of.

[Chris Hoadley]

No, there's a. There's a spin off. There's a spo.

[Brian Greene]

Spin off. I'm sorry. Okay.

[Chris Hoadley]

Spin off.

[Brian Greene]

It's a spin off.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, yeah.

[Brian Greene]

It's not a reboot, so it's a spin off of the Office. Do you think there'll be any intertwinglings between the two offices? Like, for any reason?

[Chris Hoadley]

I'm not sure. I know. I told you. I just saw. I just ran into our editor the other day who's. I mean, a lot of the same crew is on the show, so it's like, I miss you guys. So I don't know. I don't know. That'll tell me squat. Plus, I'm a big mouth, so I have to watch. But you'll. You'll know when I know. Right? But. But I. You know, I don't know. I mean, it was nice to get to do an AT&T commercial with five other people from the Office.

[Brian Greene]

Oh, that's great. Yeah, that's right.

[Chris Hoadley]

Really, really fun. That was really fun. I felt like we just all fell right back into the groove. It was great.

[Brian Greene]

It seemed like you guys were having fun. Am I not mistaken? That was on the Super Bowl? That. That commercial.

[Chris Hoadley]

One of those commercials we're always on. Yeah, we're always on. Like, we tend to be on sports events like on. During the Masters and like now on the. During the March tournament all the time. Yeah, I would. There's a couple different shorter versions and stuff too. Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

I would happily pay the 1999amonth double if they would make new offices of the actual Office with all of the characters back. I mean, I know everyone.

[Chris Hoadley]

I will let them know. Brian, I report back to the.

[Brian Greene]

You're the best. Text me. I'll have my people call your people and we'll talk to Greg and see if we can't get another 10 episode run on Netflix or something like that. You are.

[Chris Hoadley]

Sounds good.

[Brian Greene]

Oh, yeah, go ahead.

[Chris Hoadley]

You guys are awesome. I meant to mention, I'm on a new episode of Night Night Court with the great John Larroquette. And Melissa Rush. Those guys are so awesome. I love that they're doing it. So fun. It was so fun. So fun to be a part of. Wedding Break is in the cast now, too. It's. Yeah, it's. It's. And I feel like I've gotten to do some really, really super fun shows, so I feel super.

[Rachel]

Congratulations.

[Brian Greene]

That is a reboot that I thought, oh, my God, how are they gonna reboot Night Court? Cause, you know, how do you do that? But honestly, it's a good show.

[Rachel]

It works.

[Brian Greene]

It's a good show. They made it work.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah, it is.

[Brian Greene]

They made it work. And I think it's well acted and it's really funny. And John, of course, is legend, so.

[Chris Hoadley]

He is a legend.

[Brian Greene]

And all they're missing is Harry. And God bless Harry. I wish, you know, but they're doing a great job with the new characters over there. Kate Flannery is, of course, Meredith in a little show called the Office, which, you know, every couple of years she gets another $200 million check for it to move from streamer from streamer to streamer. How much do they give?

[Chris Hoadley]

Phone they brought.

[Brian Greene]

I know. That is. That is a freaking Dundee. She is holding up YouTube.com.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yes, it's my second Dundee that. The first one is Grace Under Fire. This is. It's not best redhead, though, so screw it.

[Brian Greene]

That is crazy.

[Chris Hoadley]

Oh, my God, our funk. I'm not full of props, Meredith.

[Brian Greene]

Funko Pop.

[Chris Hoadley]

My first casual day.

[Brian Greene]

What else do you have? What else do you have?

[Chris Hoadley]

There's the Funko Pop from Fun Run. So it's my cast. My pelvis cast. Oh, my gosh. I love it.

[Brian Greene]

You know, there is some.

[Chris Hoadley]

And here's my. Oh, wait, sorry, go ahead.

[Brian Greene]

No, I was gonna say, you know, there's some guy or girl out there that would pay seventeen hundred thousand dollars for that. For that Dundee. I know it.

[Chris Hoadley]

Well. Yeah, actually. And we're gonna be. A bunch of us from the Office are gonna be in at the Meadowlands. I think it's the first weekend in August there's a reunion Office. Reunion Con. So I think. I think, yeah, Angela's gonna be there. Oscar Creed, Leslie, David Baker, Brian Baumgartner. There's. And a bunch of people that were. That have done, like guest stars. Andy Buckley, who played David Wallace. Oh, yeah, it's gonna be great. Yeah. Wayne Wilderson, who played Martin. There's some really fun, fun, fun people that'll be on it. You got Bob Van Dance. It'll be fun. First week in August coming and then you can, you can, you can get your. Your Funko Pop sign.

[Rachel]

I love that song.

[Brian Greene]

I love that Funko Pop. I want one of those.

[Chris Hoadley]

Crazy. Yes. First, I'm very proud.

[Brian Greene]

I will put the links to all of this information and make sure that our listeners hear it. And if they want to go to the Meadowlands or they want to see your shows, Jane lynch, the office, all of that stuff, I feel very grateful. Just like a note of seriousness, I feel very grateful to have spoken with you because. Because you were part of an ensemble.

[Rachel]

That played part of a period in our lives.

[Brian Greene]

Yeah, a period in our lives growing up. And 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.

[Chris Hoadley]

I'll drink to that. I will drink to that. You guys are awesome.

[Brian Greene]

Best to you. You're welcome back anytime. Thank you, Kate. We'll talk to you.

[Chris Hoadley]

Really appreciate you guys. Take care.

[TCB Announcer]

Bye.

[Chris Hoadley]

Bye.

[Brian Greene]

Bye.

[TCB Announcer]

Let me do something Brian has never done. Be brief. Follow us on Instagram at the commercial break. Text or call us 212-433-33, TCB. That's 212-433-3822. Visit our website tcbpodcast.com for all the audio, video and your free sticker. Then watch all the [e-mail] thecommerce commercial break and finally share the show. It's the best gift you could give a few aging podcasters. See, Brian, that really wasn't that difficult, Mal, was it? You're welcome.

[Kate Flannery]

Hey, I'm Andy. If you don't know me, it's probably because I'm not famous. But I did start a men's grooming company called Harry's. The idea for Harry's came out of a frustrating experience I had buying razor blades. Most brands were overpriced over, designed and out of touch. At Harry's, our approach is simple. Here's our secret. We make sharp, durable blades and sell them at honest prices for as low as $2 each. We care about quality so much that we do some crazy things like buy a world class German blade factory. Obsessing over every detail means we're confident in offering a 100% quality guarantee. Millions of guys have already made the switch to Harry's, so thank you if you're one of them. And if you're not, we hope you give us a try with this special offer. Offer. Get a Harry starter Set with a five blade razor weighted handle, shave gel and a travel cover. All for just three bucks plus free shipping. Just go to Harry's dot com and enter code man at checkout. That's Harry's dot com code man. Enjoy.

[Rachel]

Getting healthy on a budget can be tough, but that's where Nourish comes in. Nourish connects you with a registered dietitian for expert nutrition advice without the high cost. The best part, 94% of patients pay $0 out of pocket. Since Nourish works with hundreds of insurance plans like Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Aetna and United. Meet with your dietitian online from home or message them through the Nourish app for extra support. Staying healthy has never been this affordable. Match with your [e-mail] that's usenourish.com.

[Brian Greene]

I was so happy to talk to K. Kate. It's like, what a pleasure. I know. You know, when I was thinking about this this morning in my shower, my 15 hour shower, when I was thinking about having Kate here, I thought, could I have imagined 15 or 20 years ago when I first started watching the Office? And I watched it from the beginning.

[Rachel]

Oh, yeah.

[Brian Greene]

And that doesn't make me special or anything. I'm not like that guy who says, you know, oh, I saw it before, they were cool. I just watched it from the beginning and it was my kind of comedy. And I really enjoyed what they were doing. Didn't understand the, like the first episode, a little confused as to how it was all going down. But I loved what they were attempting. I loved where they were going with it. And I mean, I could never have imagined sitting here talking to Meredith from the Office when I was watching the Office. So this is one of those childhood dreams come true, Chrissy. They really do all you have to do.

[Rachel]

I know. I was wondering too. I thought that crossed my mind too, was thinking about how, you know, the office culture has changed so much now after the pandemic, would people still be able to, like. I mean, the comedy itself is so funny. But, you know, I think working in that environment. Which everybody did.

[Brian Greene]

Yes. Well, a lot of people had those kind of jobs, like cubicle type jobs where you would sit in an office with other people and actually communicate.

[Rachel]

A week, 40 hours a week. That's it. Clock in, clock out, office romances and, and the people that you hated and the people that you liked and all that.

[Brian Greene]

Now an AI Chatbot is doing all the sales for you. There would be no Pam or gym. They would just Be AI assistants at this point. So, yeah, a lot of things have changed, and they will continue to change, but I believe that the Office will far outlive any kind of Office.

[Rachel]

You can always watch that.

[Brian Greene]

Yes. All right. Well, thanks to Kate. The Office, available on Peacock. All episodes go. Re. Watch it. I know you've watched it, so rewatch.

[Rachel]

I've rewatched it.

[Brian Greene]

Re. Watch it. Put a little jingle jangle in Kate's pocket. I. She's got to get, like, some kind of, like, residuals or something from that. I have to imagine. I. I wasn't so rude as to ask her, but in my mind, she's getting residual payments. Every time I press play, she's getting a penny in her pocket. So I'll keep pressing play because I like those people. They're my. They're my flavor of hot sauce. Chrissy.

[Rachel]

As I would say, so many breakout stars.

[Brian Greene]

All of them. Yeah, all. All of them breakout stars. And what a great idea at the New Jersey Meadowlands. That's a big venue.

[Chris Hoadley]

Yeah.

[Brian Greene]

To do an Office reunion. I don't imagine that Steve Carell will show up, but, you know, maybe. You never know. Maybe Will Ferrell stops by. Who knows? But Kate's gonna be there along with some of the other characters and. And people that she mentioned. So if you're in the New Jersey area or you're that kind of Office fan, you can fly up and check it out. August 1st. I'll put links in the show notes. All the details are available down below. As always with our guests, and we'll keep reminding you this week to go check it out. And the Jane Lynch Christmas.

[Rachel]

Yeah, I don't think the day.

[Brian Greene]

Show interview. Yeah, the day to look. Yeah.

[Rachel]

But they will come out. They do it every year.

[Brian Greene]

So we will make a note that we will certainly forget to remind you during Christmas season to go check out Kate and Jane Ledger. Who know, maybe. Maybe she'll come back because that. I just scratched the surface. I could ask a million more questions. I could go really deep on the Office. But also, I don't want to irritate the shit out of her. You know what I'm saying? Like, there might be a point where an actor or an actress who's done a character like that goes, okay, I really don't want to rehash every single thing that ever happened. But then you got the Office ladies who rehash every single thing that ever happened. Yeah. So I don't know, maybe we'll start an Office podcast with Kate. Hey, maybe that one will make money. You never know. Tcppodcast.com that's where you go. You find out more information about Chrissy and I. All the audio, all the video, all the show notes, links to every single guests, every single thing. It's all there. You can go on the website and see it there at the commercial break on Instagram, TCB podcast on tick tock and YouTube.com the commercial break for all the episodes on video the day they air Here on the audio 212-4333 TCB Questions, comments? Concerns? Content? Ideas okay Chrissy, that's all I can do for now. I'll tell you that I love you. I love you. Best to you and best you out there in the podcast universe. Until next time Chrissy and I will say we do say and we must say good goodbye.

[Unknown]

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[G]

As a parent, you want to give your child every opportunity to succeed. But let's be honest. Sometimes homework questions leave us stumped or we wish they had it a bit more challenging when they're ahead in class. That's where IXL Learning can help. IXL is an online learning program that supports kids from Pre K to 12th grade in math, language arts, science, and social studies. It's designed to help kids truly master topics while keeping learning fun and engaging. Whether your child is catching up, staying on track, or aiming to get ahead, IXL offers personalized learning to meet their needs. Plus it saves you time and money. No more searching for multiple tutors or programs. IXL is like having everything you need in one place. The best part? It's backed by research. Kids using IXL consistently score higher on tests and it works for all kids. No matter their grade or learning style. IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the U.S. so you know it's the real deal. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and listeners of this podcast can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixlearning.com audio visit ixllearning.com audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

[Unknown]

If you're a parent or share a.

[Brian Greene]

Fridge with someone, Instacart is about to.

[Unknown]

Make grocery shopping so much easier because.

[Brian Greene]

With family carts you can share a cart with your partner and each add the items you want want. Since between the two of you, odds are you'll both remember everything you need. And this way you'll never have to eat milkless cereal again.

[Unknown]

So minimize the stress of the weekly.

[Brian Greene]

Shop with family carts, download the Instacart app and get delivery in as fast as 30 minutes. Plus enjoy. Zero dollar delivery fees on your first three orders. Service fees apply for three orders in 14 days.

[Unknown]

Excludes.