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The Office Paley Festival Report
So I'm going to start right from the beginning. I see the DGA and am all excited and nervous about finally getting to see the cast of The Office in real life. Immediately outside, I see a guy in a suit and I'm like, OMG is that Darryl? Which it is! So I'm speechless and just look at him as I pass and then finally I say, "I love the show and I love your character and how you play him!" as he walks past me and he looks at me and smiles. So already I was off to a great start and SO excited about getting to see the cast. I walk in the DGA and there's a long line of people hoping to get a ticket to the left and right ahead of them is the MTR signs with all the cast with lots of photographers standing in my line of view. I go up to the box office they have there to get my ticket (problem with my membership number, long story, dont ask) and as I wait through all the people I see MELORA. And she looked gorgeous and I was just all excited that I was in the same room with her. Such a fangirl OMG moment. I had a bunch more of those as I saw Kate, Paul, Brian and Phyllis. Later on Ed and Rashida came out and had a bunch of pictures taken of them. Much easier to see them. So finally I get into my seat and the cast comes out with Melora coming out first and then she goes to sit 10 rows ahead of me! So surreal to actually be able to see her hair lol. All of the cast sat up front to watch Cocktails (SO happy they showed that!), the next episode and then the blooper reel which I was so excited to see. They really are so nice to fans. It was so fun to see Cocktails with a group, everyone was laughing at all the funny parts including the Michael/Jan scenes which made me happy to see. And there was lots of awws for Toby and Pam which was cute.
First a disclaimer: I may have remembered something wrong or misread something in my notes and wrote something down wrong.
So it opens with Michael and Jim sitting in Michael's office while Michael explains that he wants to prepare to do a salary negotiation with Darryl. He has a list of negotiation tactics that he printed out from Wikipedia which as he explains, everyone can put in the information so it has "the best possible information". So funny. So Michael starts whispering and Jim is like, "What?" and of course Michael keeps doing it. He explains its one of the tactics so then as Michael goes outside, Jim whispers something and Michael stops and is like, "What did you say?" and keeps asking him, obviously losing all his so called power in their interaction. So after the theme, Darryl comes into Michael's office and Michael tells him they should take it into the conference room. Which he explains in a talking head is a negotiation tactic to confuse him. So they go into the conference room and both just sit there as Michael isn't talking (another tactic) and Darryl just looks at him in that poker face he has. The silence goes on for awhile and its just SO hilarious to see Michael try to keep quiet. Finally Michael says, "I'm declining to speak." So then Darryl says he deserves a raise because after the merger, they're shipping more paper.
So then somehow Michael's "power suit" gets mentioned and Darryl realizes that it's woman's clothes. SO funny! Michael's like, it's not a woman's suit but says at one point that it's "bisexual". So awesome! So Michael goes outside to Pam and he's like, Pam, tell me this isn't a woman's suit. And she looks at it and is like, "OMG it's a woman's suit" so now everyone notices and looks at him. Pam does a TH saying that Michael said he bought Secret deodorant because if its strong enough for a man, who cares who wears it or something like that. Hilarious! So on the inside of Michael's suit you see an obvious female tag and Michael keeps trying to say its not and sticks his butt out. There are no words really. So then Michael does a TH where he says he found it in a discount bin and it fit him so he bought it. Then we switch to a scene with Kelly and Ryan in the annex Kelly says something about being on a Ferris wheel with Ryan (maybe that he was clinging to her or something?) and Kelly was all excited about something and Ryan tells her to calm down. I can't read my notes well at this point but I think they kiss or something here. I do remember it was kind of cute. So then we switch to seeing Toby listening to them in pain and he tries to tell them he's working so keep it down or something like that but they don't hear his soft voice. Toby does a TH where he says that he doesn't think Michael did it on purpose because of hating him but if he did, then Michael's a genius.
We go back to Michael's office with Darryl where Michael says he can't give him that high of a raise because it'd close to what he makes and to prove it gives him his last check. Which is apparently low so Darryl makes fun of him and takes a picture of it with his camera phone (he took one of Michael's suit before) and you can see Michael feels bad. Stanley says in a TH that he still thinks Michael is way over paid. Michael is in the break room and Kevin gives him back some money he loaned him and then Creed does the same. Back in Michael's office, Darryl tells Michael he needs to call his girl (ie Jan) at corporate to show who wears the pants (his female pants ;)) in the relationship. Michael calls Jan at work and gets her secretary and while he waits Darryl asks him why he still has to go through her and doesn't just have her cellphone number. Michael says he has never done this but he thinks after so many years with the company that he deserves a raise. So Jan tells him to come down in person and talk to her in person by five but that he needs a third party. Michael suggests Darryl and Jan's like, "the warehouse guy?" (incredulously) and tells him it should be an HR person...Toby. Michael starts protesting saying I'll kill myself and that Toby is the worst human being. So then we go to Toby who is still listening tortuously to Ryan and Kelly and Michael goes up to him and says, come on with me Toby or something like that. Toby is like, why and Michael says he's going to smack his head with a hammer. And Toby says, okay and goes with him lol.
Michael rides to NY with Darryl driving and Toby to the other side of Michael. They're listening to music and Michael says something about it not being black enough or similarly offensive and Darryl's just like, what?! Darryl says he's staying with his two counsins and Toby can come but when Michael asks him, he says no. So then they go into Dunder-Mifflin NY into the reception area. There Michael sits next to a woman wearing almost the exact same suit as him and its SO funny. She just looks at him with this hilarious WTF face. Darryl says in a TH that he told Michael some more black phrases which of course are completely inappropriate and which Michael uses. Her new assistant comes in who is this cute, younger guy that Michael gets jealous of and asks her why she didn't tell him about her new boytoy or "James Van Der Beek". I think Michael called them lovers and says that with his personal, close relationship and history with Jan that he needs a raise. Especially after buying jade earrings and that if he doesn't get one there will be "no more sex". Hee! Jan asks Toby to leave which he gladly does (he is not liking the direction of the conversation hehe). He does a TH about withholding sex leading to a lawsuit so he needs to take notes for the disposition. Michael says something about stabbing himself in the heart with a pen...or something equally as dramatic.
Jan asks, "What is wrong with you?" but it has a kind aspect to it. Michael says that he had a horrible day where he "accidentally cross dressed", looked bad in front of everyone, didn't get enough money, was stuck in the car with Toby and then finds out that Jan has a young and hot new assistant that she didn't tell him about. So Jan says that she can give him a 12% raise but he has to ask for 15%. Michael is all like, what? why while Jan explains it needs to go on record that he said it. Michael finally says it, Jan says we can give you 12% and then Michael says "But you just said 15%". Too funny. So then there was something about them all getting higher salaries and Michael says its "win, win, win" (Conflict Resolution continuality!). So then Michael does an apparent talking head where he says the job is all about the perks like sex with Jan. The camera then quickly reveals Jan is standing right next to him and she looks exasperated as she moves him along past the camera. There was also a blooper reel but I quickly gave up trying to do notes of it although I did write that Steve yelled STFU.
So then the moderator introduces each person. Oscar starts running and then trips which was horrifyingly funny (which fits The Office really well). Big news was STEVE CARELL was there after all this time being the only person who wasn't coming. On the left of him was Rainn and on the right was Melora which was perfect as I could look at my favorite three actors all next to each other. There was a bunch of moments where Steve and Melora would lean in and talk to each other. So cute! The disappointing thing was no John (apparently out filming in SC) but I just focused on Steve being there and that made it all better for me. The moderator asked a lot of questions and I wish she had let the audience ask more but oh well. First she asked about how they wrote the scripts. They gave the example of Cocktails as one that didn't get rewritten at all (go Paul!) but that sometimes they get rewritten a lot. They said they spent a lot of time coming up with storylines with less polish just to get a sense of where they were going which happen about 8-10 weeks before they shoot anything. They then usually know everything that happens in the first half of the season and then they have to make emergency plans for everything else that comes up. But now they know everything that's happening in the latter half of the season.
The moderator asked about the talking heads (they had to tell her what those were called) and whether they were improvised (another duh question). They said the talking heads were easy to shoot so they did a lot of them. Someone said that Rainn never NOT gives alternatives to the script. Jenna popped in (in a cute way) that she had an antidote where Greg the executive producer called her house the night before her first scene and she was worried he was going to fire her or something but he just wanted her to come up with ideas for her TH scene. She said that was when she knew that The Office was special show that valued the actors input. As an example she gave the terrace TH from Boys and Girls as coming from her improv of a choose your own adventure book. Greg said that in the UK one as well the actors were the writers and in choosing the actors, they looked for ones that could be both a performer and writer. They gave Paul as an example where he was just onscreen and looked funny so they included him more. Then they talked about how Mindy did a portrayal of Ben Affleck and someone asked how did they see a ditzy girl from that to many laughs.
Then the moderator asked Ben Silverman that since he worked on the American version of Couplings and that failed, how did he think it was different. He said that it was fresh and was like the new Archie Bunker and that it was edgy in how it handled issues of race, class and sexual orientation through comedy. They said some of the testimonials, talking heads were influenced by Survivor and Big Brother that shaped the look of it. The moderator then asked the Director of Photography, Randall about the mockdocumentary style and he said that the camera was like a hidden character that chose the timing for the different looks. Melora said that it was exciting being on set because you never knew when the camera would be on you so you always had to be prepared and stay in the moment. The moderator asked Steve what it was like to play a lot of doofuses (laughs and a mock offended Steve there) and something about Michael. Steve said that Michael lacks awareness and that if he saw what he looked like to others his head would explode. He said the joke was if you didn't know someone like Michael Scott then you are him. I have in quotes "best thing I'll say" but I forget the context. Steve said that Michael's fun to play because he can say anything and get away with it. He said that Michael says terrible, offensive things but he's not an offensive person. Steve goes onto say that Michael is not a homophobe or intrinsically racist, he just doesn't understand the world and has no frame of reference and when he does gleam things, he misinterprets them. Steve said that Michael has a decent heart and tries his best.
So then something was said about the "full on boy on boy kiss" in Gay Witch Hunt wasn't in the script but that Steve improved it instead of the side cheek kiss that was scripted. Steve raised his glass and then suggested recreating it. So Steve goes over to Oscar who gets up and they KISS, full on, right on the lips with their arms around each other. So funny, everyone was laughing and enjoying it. I can't read the next part of my notes unfortunately (I was trying to look up to see what was going on!) but Oscar says "asshole" to Steve mock angrily. So then Oscar says that Steve was wearing a linen suit so he felt his erection and points to it. Everyone laughs while Steve just looked on and then laughed as well. The moderator kept asking how NBC reacted to the kiss and let it on and Greg said that he was worried since NBC was promoting the episode as Jim/Pam with videos and he knew what was really coming. Then the moderator asked something about how there's an anger at the pay gap on the show and no one really replied but Dwight dropped his microphone so he took it and asked "what was the question again". Moving on...they were talking about Dwight and apparently Greg sent Dwight an "Ode to Dwight" that someday he wants to find and post it online. Rainn said that when he plays Dwight and wonders who this character is, he thinks of Dwight as having an "adolescent love of hierarchies" and that reminds him of the foundation of Dwight. He said that he thinks Dwight would have made an excellent Nazi to some laughing. Random cute Steve/Melora moment was when Melora poured Steve some water *is automatically programmed to keep close watch on them*
The moderator asked about the American Dream on the show and it was said that if Michael didn't believe Dunder-Mifflin was the American dream, he would die because that's all he has. They said that Michael prepares comedy at home and looks forward to work because he has so few tangible things. Okay finally they let the audience start asking questions. Someone from Scranton asked about how close they kept to the Scranton area like one of the things was they had no trains. Paul was just like, "No trains?" like he couldn't believe it. They said they had a pile of Scranton sites card and they would deal them to think up ideas for the show like the coal mines. Rainn says that they're cozy with Scranton and that he went to a mall there and had a stretch limo and was driven around by the mayor. The whole city is gaga over the show and lined up along the street for him. There was also a big banner welcoming him, this hair place offered Dwight haircuts and 5 guys got them and he was made an honorary sheriff deputy and honorary mall security guard. Some people pointed out Poor Richard's bar and then said "don't go there". Someone asked Brian if there would be a Scrantonocity cd or iTunes release (to many cheers) and he said they'd like to. Brian said that Sting asked if Scrantonocity would open for them.
Some girl from Myspace asked about the waitresses in the Christmas scene and how they changed looks and Greg said some people though it was racist but that wasn't the intention. Another audience member said she was part of Team Karen, sorry Jenna (who looks down all mock sad) and she asked Rashida how it felt to come into the cast. Rashida said at first she was terrified and was afraid fans would launch eggs at her. She knew there was Jim/Pam loyalists out there so she was glad there were people who liked her at all. The relationships between the cast came up and Melora jokingly said, "we hate each other" to laughs. They said they get along well and believe in the show and want to do it. Stanley said something funny I missed but then said something about having such a different reaction than his character in terms of laughing and reactions. Melora said that from the first episode she did as a guest star/possible reoccurring character, she was treated well with understanding and that the show considers every person an important voice to be valued. Jenna said that after shooting the first 6 episodes, she cried for 2 days because she was sad about not seeing these people again. She wanted to have a BBQ with them and get paid to do the show with everyone. Melora said she was expecting that BBQ now.
They said they were shooting the 50th episode next week and it was hard to believe that back in early S2 they had shot only 6 episodes and weren't sure if they would shoot any more. Jenna said that The Dundies was the 6th episode they shot and she wanted a kiss, "not just because John is a hottie" but because she knew if it ended, people would be frustrated and she wanted to have a little resolution. They said they were coming back with a super sized episode and a Director's Cut. Someone asked BJ if anyone gave him massages for writing something (can't understand my notes here) and BJ had this perfect um... expression on. So funny. Next they did trivia with Greg Daniels saying "Some are hard and some are medium hard...that's what she said!" which was funny. They asked what was Andy's Call of Duty name, Michael's favorite sandwich, what gift Dwight gave Michael for his birthday, what did the certificate behind Michael's desk say (apparently Oscar couldn't say Seiko for the webepisodes) and what Karen's Call of Duty name was. The girl who answered the last one first said, first of all Steve and Brian, "you complete me" which was just too cute and fangirlish. But then it was embarrassing when she got it wrong. Someone asked Creed what his job was and he said he was the quality insurance for the paper and assured people that it was good.
So then it was over. I wasn't sure if they would be available for autographs and some people started leaving but then a few people in the front approached the cast and they started signing things. So I rushed down there with Melora set in my sights as she was one of the first people to start signing things. Good thing I did because it quickly became REALLY crowded. Melora is just...stunning when you're right near her. Really nice in signing everything and taking pictures so I wait my turn and finally I'm right in front of her *squee* I told her that I loved Michael and Jan and that they were my favorite couple on the show and that I love how she plays Jan and that the last episode blew me away and was absolutely amazing. She was like, thank you so much and seemed really grateful. And then I got her autograph AND got a picture right next to her. I touched her! *has fangirl moment* Luckily, Steve was right next to her because it was soo hard (TWSS) to move and I desperately was trying to get over to him. All I knew was I wanted to meet Melora and Steve and then I would be fine. I waited awhile near Steve and he was just so nice with everyone, signing everyones autographs and getting his picture taken and have I mentioned he was super, super cute? When I finally got up to him, I told him that I loved Michael (while I got his autograph) and how he played him and that he really touched my inner soul and Steve told me thanks in this really nice voice. And I told him I loved his movies, Little Miss Sunshine, Bruce Almight, 40 year old virgin and he was really appreciative of it. So then I got my picture taken next to him and it was just SO COOL to stand right next to STEVE. Also, Steve said something that sounded exactly like Andy from 40 year old virgin and that's when it hit me that I was actually here with him.
Then I saw Rainn next to him so I waited awhile to get his autograph and he was just great with everyone and would pretend to steal stuff people gave him for fun. He talked and hugged someone he had talked on the phone before. Finally I got my autograph and I got a picture with him which was just the coolest thing. B.J was on the other side of him but it was way too crowded for me to get to him (I have to say he looks even hotter in real life) so I went over to Jenna and waited a long time but didn't get an autograph (but no worries, I got it later). She was REALLY nice though and so sweet with everyone who wanted something and was always smiling. Angela came down though so I got a picture with her and that made me happy. I got a bunch of other pictures of the other cast members, just didn't get to actually meet them. Steve left early so I was glad to have done him (TWSS) and Steve and Melora were all I wanted anyway.
The cast then all left but I noticed Greg talking to some people in a corner so I went down to talk to him and he was really friendly. I told him thanks for doing the show and how much I loved it and how amazing it was from acting, writing, everything and he agreed. I said that I loved Arrested Development and how I was glad that The Office filled the void it left when it was canceled. Greg said he loved AD too! I told him I had never loved a show so much before where I was so obsessed and completely in love with it. He said that he was glad and thankful of that :) I'm a bit frustrated now that I didn't ask anything about Michael/Jan but in my defense, I was kind of overwhelmed with actually talking to the EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of The Office. I waited around a little more outside the room and then Jenna came back outside to go to the bathroom but instead stopped to do more autographs. So self-sacrificing ;) But I got an autograph from her so I was happy.
Here's a scan of my autographs, in clockwise order: Melora, Rainn, Jenna and Steve:
And that was my experience. Now I not only love The Office with all my being but I love the cast SO MUCH. They really are great with all their fannish interactions. Definitely a night I'll always remember in happiness and excitement. Best. Cast. Ever.
First a disclaimer: I may have remembered something wrong or misread something in my notes and wrote something down wrong.
So it opens with Michael and Jim sitting in Michael's office while Michael explains that he wants to prepare to do a salary negotiation with Darryl. He has a list of negotiation tactics that he printed out from Wikipedia which as he explains, everyone can put in the information so it has "the best possible information". So funny. So Michael starts whispering and Jim is like, "What?" and of course Michael keeps doing it. He explains its one of the tactics so then as Michael goes outside, Jim whispers something and Michael stops and is like, "What did you say?" and keeps asking him, obviously losing all his so called power in their interaction. So after the theme, Darryl comes into Michael's office and Michael tells him they should take it into the conference room. Which he explains in a talking head is a negotiation tactic to confuse him. So they go into the conference room and both just sit there as Michael isn't talking (another tactic) and Darryl just looks at him in that poker face he has. The silence goes on for awhile and its just SO hilarious to see Michael try to keep quiet. Finally Michael says, "I'm declining to speak." So then Darryl says he deserves a raise because after the merger, they're shipping more paper.
So then somehow Michael's "power suit" gets mentioned and Darryl realizes that it's woman's clothes. SO funny! Michael's like, it's not a woman's suit but says at one point that it's "bisexual". So awesome! So Michael goes outside to Pam and he's like, Pam, tell me this isn't a woman's suit. And she looks at it and is like, "OMG it's a woman's suit" so now everyone notices and looks at him. Pam does a TH saying that Michael said he bought Secret deodorant because if its strong enough for a man, who cares who wears it or something like that. Hilarious! So on the inside of Michael's suit you see an obvious female tag and Michael keeps trying to say its not and sticks his butt out. There are no words really. So then Michael does a TH where he says he found it in a discount bin and it fit him so he bought it. Then we switch to a scene with Kelly and Ryan in the annex Kelly says something about being on a Ferris wheel with Ryan (maybe that he was clinging to her or something?) and Kelly was all excited about something and Ryan tells her to calm down. I can't read my notes well at this point but I think they kiss or something here. I do remember it was kind of cute. So then we switch to seeing Toby listening to them in pain and he tries to tell them he's working so keep it down or something like that but they don't hear his soft voice. Toby does a TH where he says that he doesn't think Michael did it on purpose because of hating him but if he did, then Michael's a genius.
We go back to Michael's office with Darryl where Michael says he can't give him that high of a raise because it'd close to what he makes and to prove it gives him his last check. Which is apparently low so Darryl makes fun of him and takes a picture of it with his camera phone (he took one of Michael's suit before) and you can see Michael feels bad. Stanley says in a TH that he still thinks Michael is way over paid. Michael is in the break room and Kevin gives him back some money he loaned him and then Creed does the same. Back in Michael's office, Darryl tells Michael he needs to call his girl (ie Jan) at corporate to show who wears the pants (his female pants ;)) in the relationship. Michael calls Jan at work and gets her secretary and while he waits Darryl asks him why he still has to go through her and doesn't just have her cellphone number. Michael says he has never done this but he thinks after so many years with the company that he deserves a raise. So Jan tells him to come down in person and talk to her in person by five but that he needs a third party. Michael suggests Darryl and Jan's like, "the warehouse guy?" (incredulously) and tells him it should be an HR person...Toby. Michael starts protesting saying I'll kill myself and that Toby is the worst human being. So then we go to Toby who is still listening tortuously to Ryan and Kelly and Michael goes up to him and says, come on with me Toby or something like that. Toby is like, why and Michael says he's going to smack his head with a hammer. And Toby says, okay and goes with him lol.
Michael rides to NY with Darryl driving and Toby to the other side of Michael. They're listening to music and Michael says something about it not being black enough or similarly offensive and Darryl's just like, what?! Darryl says he's staying with his two counsins and Toby can come but when Michael asks him, he says no. So then they go into Dunder-Mifflin NY into the reception area. There Michael sits next to a woman wearing almost the exact same suit as him and its SO funny. She just looks at him with this hilarious WTF face. Darryl says in a TH that he told Michael some more black phrases which of course are completely inappropriate and which Michael uses. Her new assistant comes in who is this cute, younger guy that Michael gets jealous of and asks her why she didn't tell him about her new boytoy or "James Van Der Beek". I think Michael called them lovers and says that with his personal, close relationship and history with Jan that he needs a raise. Especially after buying jade earrings and that if he doesn't get one there will be "no more sex". Hee! Jan asks Toby to leave which he gladly does (he is not liking the direction of the conversation hehe). He does a TH about withholding sex leading to a lawsuit so he needs to take notes for the disposition. Michael says something about stabbing himself in the heart with a pen...or something equally as dramatic.
Jan asks, "What is wrong with you?" but it has a kind aspect to it. Michael says that he had a horrible day where he "accidentally cross dressed", looked bad in front of everyone, didn't get enough money, was stuck in the car with Toby and then finds out that Jan has a young and hot new assistant that she didn't tell him about. So Jan says that she can give him a 12% raise but he has to ask for 15%. Michael is all like, what? why while Jan explains it needs to go on record that he said it. Michael finally says it, Jan says we can give you 12% and then Michael says "But you just said 15%". Too funny. So then there was something about them all getting higher salaries and Michael says its "win, win, win" (Conflict Resolution continuality!). So then Michael does an apparent talking head where he says the job is all about the perks like sex with Jan. The camera then quickly reveals Jan is standing right next to him and she looks exasperated as she moves him along past the camera. There was also a blooper reel but I quickly gave up trying to do notes of it although I did write that Steve yelled STFU.
So then the moderator introduces each person. Oscar starts running and then trips which was horrifyingly funny (which fits The Office really well). Big news was STEVE CARELL was there after all this time being the only person who wasn't coming. On the left of him was Rainn and on the right was Melora which was perfect as I could look at my favorite three actors all next to each other. There was a bunch of moments where Steve and Melora would lean in and talk to each other. So cute! The disappointing thing was no John (apparently out filming in SC) but I just focused on Steve being there and that made it all better for me. The moderator asked a lot of questions and I wish she had let the audience ask more but oh well. First she asked about how they wrote the scripts. They gave the example of Cocktails as one that didn't get rewritten at all (go Paul!) but that sometimes they get rewritten a lot. They said they spent a lot of time coming up with storylines with less polish just to get a sense of where they were going which happen about 8-10 weeks before they shoot anything. They then usually know everything that happens in the first half of the season and then they have to make emergency plans for everything else that comes up. But now they know everything that's happening in the latter half of the season.
The moderator asked about the talking heads (they had to tell her what those were called) and whether they were improvised (another duh question). They said the talking heads were easy to shoot so they did a lot of them. Someone said that Rainn never NOT gives alternatives to the script. Jenna popped in (in a cute way) that she had an antidote where Greg the executive producer called her house the night before her first scene and she was worried he was going to fire her or something but he just wanted her to come up with ideas for her TH scene. She said that was when she knew that The Office was special show that valued the actors input. As an example she gave the terrace TH from Boys and Girls as coming from her improv of a choose your own adventure book. Greg said that in the UK one as well the actors were the writers and in choosing the actors, they looked for ones that could be both a performer and writer. They gave Paul as an example where he was just onscreen and looked funny so they included him more. Then they talked about how Mindy did a portrayal of Ben Affleck and someone asked how did they see a ditzy girl from that to many laughs.
Then the moderator asked Ben Silverman that since he worked on the American version of Couplings and that failed, how did he think it was different. He said that it was fresh and was like the new Archie Bunker and that it was edgy in how it handled issues of race, class and sexual orientation through comedy. They said some of the testimonials, talking heads were influenced by Survivor and Big Brother that shaped the look of it. The moderator then asked the Director of Photography, Randall about the mockdocumentary style and he said that the camera was like a hidden character that chose the timing for the different looks. Melora said that it was exciting being on set because you never knew when the camera would be on you so you always had to be prepared and stay in the moment. The moderator asked Steve what it was like to play a lot of doofuses (laughs and a mock offended Steve there) and something about Michael. Steve said that Michael lacks awareness and that if he saw what he looked like to others his head would explode. He said the joke was if you didn't know someone like Michael Scott then you are him. I have in quotes "best thing I'll say" but I forget the context. Steve said that Michael's fun to play because he can say anything and get away with it. He said that Michael says terrible, offensive things but he's not an offensive person. Steve goes onto say that Michael is not a homophobe or intrinsically racist, he just doesn't understand the world and has no frame of reference and when he does gleam things, he misinterprets them. Steve said that Michael has a decent heart and tries his best.
So then something was said about the "full on boy on boy kiss" in Gay Witch Hunt wasn't in the script but that Steve improved it instead of the side cheek kiss that was scripted. Steve raised his glass and then suggested recreating it. So Steve goes over to Oscar who gets up and they KISS, full on, right on the lips with their arms around each other. So funny, everyone was laughing and enjoying it. I can't read the next part of my notes unfortunately (I was trying to look up to see what was going on!) but Oscar says "asshole" to Steve mock angrily. So then Oscar says that Steve was wearing a linen suit so he felt his erection and points to it. Everyone laughs while Steve just looked on and then laughed as well. The moderator kept asking how NBC reacted to the kiss and let it on and Greg said that he was worried since NBC was promoting the episode as Jim/Pam with videos and he knew what was really coming. Then the moderator asked something about how there's an anger at the pay gap on the show and no one really replied but Dwight dropped his microphone so he took it and asked "what was the question again". Moving on...they were talking about Dwight and apparently Greg sent Dwight an "Ode to Dwight" that someday he wants to find and post it online. Rainn said that when he plays Dwight and wonders who this character is, he thinks of Dwight as having an "adolescent love of hierarchies" and that reminds him of the foundation of Dwight. He said that he thinks Dwight would have made an excellent Nazi to some laughing. Random cute Steve/Melora moment was when Melora poured Steve some water *is automatically programmed to keep close watch on them*
The moderator asked about the American Dream on the show and it was said that if Michael didn't believe Dunder-Mifflin was the American dream, he would die because that's all he has. They said that Michael prepares comedy at home and looks forward to work because he has so few tangible things. Okay finally they let the audience start asking questions. Someone from Scranton asked about how close they kept to the Scranton area like one of the things was they had no trains. Paul was just like, "No trains?" like he couldn't believe it. They said they had a pile of Scranton sites card and they would deal them to think up ideas for the show like the coal mines. Rainn says that they're cozy with Scranton and that he went to a mall there and had a stretch limo and was driven around by the mayor. The whole city is gaga over the show and lined up along the street for him. There was also a big banner welcoming him, this hair place offered Dwight haircuts and 5 guys got them and he was made an honorary sheriff deputy and honorary mall security guard. Some people pointed out Poor Richard's bar and then said "don't go there". Someone asked Brian if there would be a Scrantonocity cd or iTunes release (to many cheers) and he said they'd like to. Brian said that Sting asked if Scrantonocity would open for them.
Some girl from Myspace asked about the waitresses in the Christmas scene and how they changed looks and Greg said some people though it was racist but that wasn't the intention. Another audience member said she was part of Team Karen, sorry Jenna (who looks down all mock sad) and she asked Rashida how it felt to come into the cast. Rashida said at first she was terrified and was afraid fans would launch eggs at her. She knew there was Jim/Pam loyalists out there so she was glad there were people who liked her at all. The relationships between the cast came up and Melora jokingly said, "we hate each other" to laughs. They said they get along well and believe in the show and want to do it. Stanley said something funny I missed but then said something about having such a different reaction than his character in terms of laughing and reactions. Melora said that from the first episode she did as a guest star/possible reoccurring character, she was treated well with understanding and that the show considers every person an important voice to be valued. Jenna said that after shooting the first 6 episodes, she cried for 2 days because she was sad about not seeing these people again. She wanted to have a BBQ with them and get paid to do the show with everyone. Melora said she was expecting that BBQ now.
They said they were shooting the 50th episode next week and it was hard to believe that back in early S2 they had shot only 6 episodes and weren't sure if they would shoot any more. Jenna said that The Dundies was the 6th episode they shot and she wanted a kiss, "not just because John is a hottie" but because she knew if it ended, people would be frustrated and she wanted to have a little resolution. They said they were coming back with a super sized episode and a Director's Cut. Someone asked BJ if anyone gave him massages for writing something (can't understand my notes here) and BJ had this perfect um... expression on. So funny. Next they did trivia with Greg Daniels saying "Some are hard and some are medium hard...that's what she said!" which was funny. They asked what was Andy's Call of Duty name, Michael's favorite sandwich, what gift Dwight gave Michael for his birthday, what did the certificate behind Michael's desk say (apparently Oscar couldn't say Seiko for the webepisodes) and what Karen's Call of Duty name was. The girl who answered the last one first said, first of all Steve and Brian, "you complete me" which was just too cute and fangirlish. But then it was embarrassing when she got it wrong. Someone asked Creed what his job was and he said he was the quality insurance for the paper and assured people that it was good.
So then it was over. I wasn't sure if they would be available for autographs and some people started leaving but then a few people in the front approached the cast and they started signing things. So I rushed down there with Melora set in my sights as she was one of the first people to start signing things. Good thing I did because it quickly became REALLY crowded. Melora is just...stunning when you're right near her. Really nice in signing everything and taking pictures so I wait my turn and finally I'm right in front of her *squee* I told her that I loved Michael and Jan and that they were my favorite couple on the show and that I love how she plays Jan and that the last episode blew me away and was absolutely amazing. She was like, thank you so much and seemed really grateful. And then I got her autograph AND got a picture right next to her. I touched her! *has fangirl moment* Luckily, Steve was right next to her because it was soo hard (TWSS) to move and I desperately was trying to get over to him. All I knew was I wanted to meet Melora and Steve and then I would be fine. I waited awhile near Steve and he was just so nice with everyone, signing everyones autographs and getting his picture taken and have I mentioned he was super, super cute? When I finally got up to him, I told him that I loved Michael (while I got his autograph) and how he played him and that he really touched my inner soul and Steve told me thanks in this really nice voice. And I told him I loved his movies, Little Miss Sunshine, Bruce Almight, 40 year old virgin and he was really appreciative of it. So then I got my picture taken next to him and it was just SO COOL to stand right next to STEVE. Also, Steve said something that sounded exactly like Andy from 40 year old virgin and that's when it hit me that I was actually here with him.
Then I saw Rainn next to him so I waited awhile to get his autograph and he was just great with everyone and would pretend to steal stuff people gave him for fun. He talked and hugged someone he had talked on the phone before. Finally I got my autograph and I got a picture with him which was just the coolest thing. B.J was on the other side of him but it was way too crowded for me to get to him (I have to say he looks even hotter in real life) so I went over to Jenna and waited a long time but didn't get an autograph (but no worries, I got it later). She was REALLY nice though and so sweet with everyone who wanted something and was always smiling. Angela came down though so I got a picture with her and that made me happy. I got a bunch of other pictures of the other cast members, just didn't get to actually meet them. Steve left early so I was glad to have done him (TWSS) and Steve and Melora were all I wanted anyway.
The cast then all left but I noticed Greg talking to some people in a corner so I went down to talk to him and he was really friendly. I told him thanks for doing the show and how much I loved it and how amazing it was from acting, writing, everything and he agreed. I said that I loved Arrested Development and how I was glad that The Office filled the void it left when it was canceled. Greg said he loved AD too! I told him I had never loved a show so much before where I was so obsessed and completely in love with it. He said that he was glad and thankful of that :) I'm a bit frustrated now that I didn't ask anything about Michael/Jan but in my defense, I was kind of overwhelmed with actually talking to the EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of The Office. I waited around a little more outside the room and then Jenna came back outside to go to the bathroom but instead stopped to do more autographs. So self-sacrificing ;) But I got an autograph from her so I was happy.
Here's a scan of my autographs, in clockwise order: Melora, Rainn, Jenna and Steve:
And that was my experience. Now I not only love The Office with all my being but I love the cast SO MUCH. They really are great with all their fannish interactions. Definitely a night I'll always remember in happiness and excitement. Best. Cast. Ever.
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Ahhhh, I really want to see your pictures!
Thanks for all of the detail about the episode. I can't believe I have to wait another month to see it. I'm ripping my hair out over here.
Oh, and this?
Random cute Steve/Melora moment was when Melora poured Steve some water
...made me squee. A lot. Is that sad? :p
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(OMG I touched Melora and Steve and Rainn! *squee*)
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Random cute Steve/Melora moment was when Melora poured Steve some water *is automatically programmed to keep close watch on them*
Heeee! :D
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\\Melora poured Steve some water *is automatically programmed to keep close watch on them* I love you- I would be doing the exact same thing.
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