Watching The Office

Watch With Kristin is reporting that Greg Daniels and Michael Schur will head the planned spinoff for The Office. She also confirms that Paul Leiberstein isn’t leaving the show, even as the finale episode is entitled, “Goodbye Toby” | Read Watch With Kristin

On the other hand, Toby leaving Dunder Mifflin isn’t the big season finale twist of The Office, according to TV Guide.

According to several well-placed birdies, whose decision to sing to me like the proverbial canary was clearly in breach of their confidentiality agreements, there are three even bigger plot twists that will profoundly impact Angela, Dwight, Andy, Jan, Toby, Michael, Jim and Pam. I will now possibly reveal what those three twists are among (or not) the following six options (Possible Major Spoiler Alert): an engagement, a death, an infidelity, a pregnancy, a fire and a coming-out. Let the wild speculation begin!

It is also rumored that Toby’s replacement will be guest star Amy Ryan of The Wire (also from TV Guide): I’m hearing that she’s playing Toby’s replacement, a pretty young thing with whom Michael becomes instantly enamored. And by “enamored” I mean horny.

The Office, The Office Season Finale, The Office Spinoff, Greg Daniels, Michael Shur, Paul Leiberstein, Toby of The Office

Michael: I know that a lot of you are very angry at Ryan because he is the reason that we all have to come in tomorrow. However I swear to God, if any of you hurts him in any way, emotionally, or taunts him, or makes fun of his height, or his half beard —-
Ryan: Ok. Thanks Michael.

Ryan: Yes, I’m having the Scranton branch come in on one Saturday so they can reenter sales they made on the phone, as sales made by the website, which they should have done in the first place — if the website had been working.

JIm: Hey man do you mind if I run something by you?
Ryan: Love it! Go.
JIm: Well, I kind of feel like what we had going for us was our customer service. And no matter how much we change this up, I don’t know that a website’s going to be able to replace that.
Ryan: I can tell you’ve thought about this a lot I appreciate that. David Wallace does too. You told him all about this at the Christmas party right?
JIm: ….
Ryan: You did, yeah.
JIm: Hmm.
Ryan: Watch your back, Jim. Just kidding.

(more…)

It’s Toby in Costa Rica! He’s been so embarrassed by this incident…

…so he bolts out of Scranton and does his own show in Costa Rica. Bwaha!

Of course I’m kidding. But I could be right about it, too… since NBC is putting up a live blog for Toby on the show’s season finale on May 15. The title of the entry? “Goodbye, Toby”.

Goodbye, Toby - Live Blog with Paul Lieberstein
It’s the season finale, so we’re going to wrap things up with a live blog with Paul Lieberstein aka Toby! Be sure to join us on Thursday, May 15 at 10pm EST/7pm PST.

Is Paul Leiberstein going to be working on the spin-off?

But back to Toby in Costa Rica — wouldn’t it make a good concept though? And even better if he’s new character shifts from the weakling human resources guy he once was. Would you watch a show with Toby in the lead?

Anyway, how did The Office do last week, against Grey’s Anatomy (which returned from their strike-imposed hiatus)? Here was last Thursday’s standing:

1. “CSI� (CBS) 16.74m
2. “Grey’s Anatomy� (ABC) 16.02m
3. “Without a Trace� (CBS) 13.50m
4. “Survivor: Micronesia� (CBS) 12.98m
5. “Lost� (ABC) 12.33m
6. “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?� (8-10) (FOX) 8.64m
7. “Ugly Betty� (ABC) 8.52m
8. “The Office� (NBC) 7.56m
9. “ER� (NBC) 7.35m
10. “My Name is Earl� (NBC) 6.06m
11. “30 Rock� (NBC) 5.54m
12. “Scrubs� (NBC) 5.30m
13. “Smallville� (CW) 3.56m
14. “Supernatural� (CW) 2.27m

If you’ve been following the ratings from the beginning, it seems like every show that night went down, especially top-rated ones like CSI and Grey’s Anatomy. The Office drops, too. But I was expecting that one and based on the results I still think it remains solid compared to 30 Rock.

Still from last week’s episode, Night Out, OfficeTally held a chat session with Mindy Kaling, the writer (who plays Kelly). She gamely answered viewer questions (such a funny woman!)and provided behind the scenes tidbits.

Remote Access has an interview with Carrie Fliegel, the actress playing the woman Dwight Schrute made-out with in last week’s episode. She relates not knowing about the kissing scene when she got to the set, ready to shoot for two days. But she also say this was the “most significant thing I have ever done.” Carrie is a Harvard graduate who has appeared in reality shows before this.

Lastly, Night Out deleted scenes are up. Check it out!

The Office, Toby from the Office, Paul Leiberstein, Mindy Kaling, Carrie Fliegel, The Office Night Out

God bless Kelly! How she addressed Ryan in last night’s episode was the way I imagined most women would feel about addressing a dou****bag like him:

“Yes I have lots of questions. First — how dare you?!”

However, what is up with this episode Mindy Kaling wrote (Kelly)? I don’t know how I should feel about it and I can’t say which parts I disliked more and which parts I appreciated. I can say though that it was an odd episode, with some role reversals…and maybe it was intended to be that way.

Ryan returns to Scranton because he wants to make sure everybody is on board with working on a Saturday. The staff have been asked to come in and translate the sales they’ve made in the online store, Dunder Mifflin Infinity (Ryan’s pet project) since he wants to make it a more credible and legitimate website. Apparently DMI, which is oddly and partly a social networking site now, has been overrun by sexual predators and it isn’t generating enough sales. This decision has not made Ryan very popular among his colleagues.

Michael, as usual, appears less sympathetic. As with last week’s episode — he’s more concerned about the fact that he badly needs to be with a real woman, someone with a certain amount of “Crawford-ness” in her. He claims later that this “isn’t about the horniness but the loneliness”.

He asks Ryan if he could hook him up with girls from New York and Ryan tells him about the amazing women he sees at the club he frequents. Michael took that as an invitation to come and party with him (it wasn’t, really) and so he and Dwight leave Scranton early to join Ryan at the club. When the two do get there, they are greeted by Ryan with a hug. Something is very peculiar about the way Ryan was behaving that night, and between that hobbit looking friend he had with him, the young and pretty girls Michael wanted to impress but couldn’t, the college basketball beauty that was playing tongue tonsils with Dwight (he got the girl, not Michael!), the brawl Ryan was involved in, no one could tell that Dunder Mifflin’s golden boy was actually high on drugs! Even if he sort of said he did. Michael and Dwight didn’t get it.

Jim had this incredible idea for work that looks really solid on paper. As soon as Michael and Dwight left, he tells everybody that if they can work late on the DMI task that night, then they won’t have to come in for Saturday. Everyone agreed, of course — like I said, it’s a brilliant idea. And true enough at 9 PM, they were all ready to retire and go home and enjoy the weekend. Jim’s plan was genius!

Except that Jim forgot to tell the night guard they were still in the office. So, everyone is locked in the business compound.

The gang all blame Jim for this oversight so he has no choice but to fix it and call the night guard at home — someone he didn’t actually know or have forgotten to give the Christmas tip pool to.

In a parallel world, this would have to be something that happens to Michael a lot. Which leads me to ask — why do people in charge at Dunder Mifflin become people their co-workers loathe? Michael is definitely one. Ryan has grown to become one and Jim had to only assume the take-charge role for the night and they already hate him?

Some random stuff on this episode:

Sorry, but I think I am the only one who did not know what this one is for. It’s supposed to get the bubble gum out of Michael’s hair without any hitches?

We now know he’s not getting any from Angela because — “The old ball and chain has been more chain than ball lately.”

Ewwwww! I was so creeped out by this. Awkward, awkward moment. Made a lot funnier when Toby attempted to flee. To Costa Rica. He actually climb the building’s gate!

So, what do you think of tonight’s episode? Did you find it absolutely dark and bizarre too? Ryan’s looking like a little boy lost, maybe working at corporate isn’t the best choice he’s made…

The Office, The Office Night Out, The Office episode recap, The Office Season 4 Episode 11

Oh, are the boys gonna get lucky tonight?

Michael Scott needs to get in to the action so badly, he actually hugged Ryan? “Best night ever!” Michael says… Now, that should be something to look forward to.

Episode Synopsis: Michael (Steve Carell) and Dwight (Rainn Wilson) decide to surprise Ryan (B.J. Novak) in New York for a night of clubbing and meet his friends. Meanwhile, the Scranton branch is upset when they find out they have to come in on a Saturday for Ryan’s website project. Jim’s plan to save them has unexpected results. Brian Baumgartner, Ed Helms, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Paul Lieberstein, Oscar Nunez, Angela Kinsey, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Leslie David Baker, Kate Flannery, Craig Robinson and Creed Bratton also star.

Here are the promo videos to tonight’s episode:

The Office, The Office Night Out

Evidently, shooting of The Office’s finale for this season was shrouded in so much secrecy that the press had to sign a confidentiality agreement for the first time, according to Kristing from E! who was able to go behind the scenes.
What we viewers are told however, is to expect the following to happen in the season finale:

An engagement. Clearly, we know whose engagement it is. But the how it happens, that’s something no one has any clue. And we may even expect a twist. Jim has the ring, sure. But what if Pam proposes? Or Dwight steals the thunder and proposes to Angela? There will be an engagement but anything can happen. Pam is also supposed to reveal something about her before the big finale. It sounds like a nasty, disgusting habit we don’t know she can actually be capable of doing. But it may also have something to do with the big engagement.

A farewell. Someone is definitely leaving. It’s not difficult to figure out why — it’s for the spin-off with Ed Helms (Andrew Bernard).

A new boss. Again, for the spin-off. TV Guide’s Ausiello has confirmed she’s going to be none other than Amanda Peet. Well, I wasn’t so sure about the spin-off but I actually like Amanda Peet, so I’m pretty psyched about this news.

What do you think about all these news? And more importantly, is the spin-off starting to sound favorable to you now? Ed Helms and Amanda Peet — so far, I’m liking the combination.

The Office, The Office spoilers, Jim and Pam, The Office engagement, Ed Helms, Andrew Bernard, Amanda Peet

 Michael: Hello Oscar Meyer Wiener -lover. I bet, that you have a bunch of very liberal girl-type friends, who trust you implicitly, because they know you’d never touch them given your condition.

Phyllis: Michael?
Michael: What?
Phyllis: I have a friend who’s single.
Michael: Oh.
Phyllis: Sandy. She gorgeous and she’s got a feisty personality too.
Michael: Hmmm feisty. So she’s not jolly or sassy? Not like a jolly, sassy opera singer?
Phyllis: Uhm, no she’s a professional softball player.
Michael: Eeooh… Catcher or in-field?
Phyllis: I don’t know Michael.
Michael: Is she a dress wearer or a pants wearer? Could we share a rowboat? Could- could a rowboat support her?
Phyllis: What are you asking?
Michael: I think I’m being very clear, what I’m asking. Would an average size rowboat support her without capsizing?….. It bothers me that you’re not answering the question.
Phyllis: No. Alright! No she can’t fit on a rowboat.
Michael: Yes! I knew it. I knew it!

Stanley: There’s nobody I hate enough to write their name on this card.
Phyllis: Well, I’m setting Michael up with my fat friend anyway and he can just deal with it.

Michael: Okay. Wendy. “Hot and juicy redhead.” I’ll give this a try. (dialing)
Woman: Wendy.
Michael: Hello, Wendy. This is Kevin’s friend, Michael.
Woman: This.. isn’t Wendy.
Michael: Oh I’m sorry could you put her on please.
Woman: Dude, this is a Wendy’s resturant.
Michael: Okay.. Okay. Could I just have a Frosty and a baked potato please?
Woman: You have to come to the resturant to order food.
Michael: Well I’ll send somebody to pick it up. Just have it ready.
Woman: It’s ready now.
Michael: Well, put it aside! (Hangs up)

Michael: Uhm, his one says Chair Model?
Dwight: I wrote that. Michael, you shouldn’t have to settle. This is my pledge to you. I will find her, and I will bring her to you. And as God as my witness, she shall bare your fruit.
Michael: That sounds good. Go get her! Wait — first, go to Wendy’s get my food, come back and then go.

Dwight: The furniture company gave me the name of the advertising agency. They gave me the name of the photographer. The photographer, a Spaniard, used the Wilkes-Barr Modeling Agency. The agency gave me the following information: Debra Sholevski, 142 South Windsor Lane. Dead. Car accident. Case closed.

Andy: I left my cell phone in my car.
Phyllis: Call us when you get there so we know you’re ok.

Michael: She is wearing blue jeans and a black top. So… behold my bachelorette. I give her 10 for looks and a 3 for her ability to describe herself…. Hello milady.

Michael: How did she die?
Dwight: I guess you could say she died of… blunt force trauma and blood loss. She got into a car accident, plowed into the side of an airplane hangar.
Michael: So innocent.
Dwight: She was stoned apparently.
Michael: You know I used to think that I had this perfect person out there waiting for me, but now I know that’s just silly. Because she’s dead. What do you do?
Dwight: Wait ’till next year’s chair catalog comes out and find someone who’s still alive. Yeah.

Pam: I’m not gonna move in with anyone unless I’m engaged.
Jim: Have I not proposed to you yet?
Pam: Hmmmm…I don’t….no.
Jim: Well, that’s coming.
Pam: Oh, right now?
Jim: No…I won’t do it right here, that would be rather lame
Pam: Okay, so then when?
Jim: Pam, I’m not gonna tell you. I hate to break it to you but that’s not how it’s gonna work. I’m serious…it’s happening. And when it happens, it’s going to kick your ass, Beesly. So, stay sharp.

Jim: Where do you wanna go for dinner?
Pam: I don’tknow… I kind of hate all our regular places right now. Oh, you know what? That one–
(Jim gets down on his knees)
Jim: Hey,Pam….Will you….wait for me one second, while I tie my shoe?
Pam: I hate you.
Jim: What! My shoe was untied. What is your problem? Oh my God! You thought I was—- Oh, no no…

The Office, The Office Chair Model, The Office Quotes, The Office Chair Model Quotes

Well, this is what people have been talking about most from last week’s episode:

Have you been one of those who’ve thinking Jim and Pam have now become a boring couple since they admitted they are together? And now that we know where they are headed since Jim has made it clear he’s ready for a bigger commitment, are you still on the same boat? Or…based on what happened last week (watch the video again) are you like the half the women population out there, anticipating when the big question pops?

And what’s all the secrecy over the proposal? On her last set visit, entertainment writer Kristin of E! notes that for the first time, she was made to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Wouldn’t it be great if the surprise turns out to be — that Pam actually proposed to an unsuspecting Jim? That would have to be so like ‘em, huh?

The Office, Jim and Pam The Office, Jim and Pam Engagement, Jim and Pam Proposal

A lot of people want to know more about them. These guys are being hunted down by fans!

The five families consist of the heads of the five companies inside the building where Dunder-Mifflin is occupying. Michael Scott is, of course, the head of one family. Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration is one and is more well-known among viewers. And last week’s episode, we got to meet the other three: Paul Faust of Disaster Kits Limited, W.B. Jones of W.B. Jones Heating and Air, Bill Cress of Cress Tool and Die.

This site has an interview with Paul Faust…which is actually his real name. He’s been a fan of the show and he does have a real company called — Disaster Kits Limited!

Fans of The Office? No detail is lost on them. People have been trying to call this guy’s number, noting two things: 1) It’s the same number as Dwight’s (from a previous episode) and 2) When you call, WB does answer (pre-taped) and then thanks you for calling him:

photos from The Office LJ community

Kevin introduces The Five Families of Scranton:

The Office, The Five Families of Scranton, Paul Faust of Disaster Kits Limited, W.B. Jones of W.B. Jones Heating and Air, Bill Cress of Cress Tool and Die

A day after Chair Model aired, most reviews are saying that the episode was classic The Office, that it felt a lot like the British version. However, this was met with opposing responses.

That scene with Michael meeting Pam’s landlady was straight out of the UK version. In the last episodes of The Office UK, the Christmas Special, David Brent was also set up on a date by one of his staff. And he was, expectedly, not too thrilled about it. He couldn’t find himself attracted to his date and when he could not contain his disappointment, he ranted off to the camera about it.

So what do you think? Was it great to see the show taking inspiration from the original version or did the writers of this episode run out of ideas? Chair Model is credited to B.J. Novak.

Personally, I am not bothered by it at all. And maybe it’s because every season, I keep expecting the USA version to pick up some ideas from the UK version and do it in their own context. I say, how they executed this scene was right on track. So, I’m one of those satisfied viewers.

I know others have been disappointed though. Right now, I don’t see where they’re coming from because I’ve been enjoying the season so far. And it seems I’m not alone. The Office’s ratings continue to climb in the last two weeks. But, I know this week is the real test (when Grey’s Anatomy returns on air).

The Office, The Office Chair Model, The Office UK

The Office, The Office deleted scenes

Before I start the recaps off, I first wanna say this and get it out of the way — Did everyone put on weight while the show was on hiatus?? It looks like it. They’ve got really rounder faces now and not that it’s bad (I’ve got one myself, ha!) but the strike really left them with plenty of time and nothing to do, huh?

Anyway, on with last night’s episode which had three subplots.

The first one was with Michael, who finally confirms that it is all over with Jan and him and that he’s ready to get meet someone and get hurt again. Michael scene opens with him intently staring at page 85 of the supply catalog. In there is the image of the woman he would like to date — the Chair Model.

Michael tells his staff that should they want to fix him up with their friends, they’d have to look at page 85 for the template. He goes around the office and asks Kevin and Oscar if they can hook him up with someone. Phyllis had a lady in mind; but when Michael asked what type of woman this friend was and “if a rowboat could support her without capsizing”, Phyllis is offended and humiliated.

He tells everyone to submit him names and numbers of women he should date.

• Kevin gave the number of a hot and juicy redhead named Wendy. Turns out it’s that fast food establishment. Haha! Big props to Kevin!
• Phyllis, out of spite, still gave the number of her fat friend.
• Dwight went through all the channels and tried to contact a lot of people. He gave Michael the information he so badly needed — the Chair Model’s. But unfortunately, as Dwight learns, she’s already dead.

The thought left Michael sad and depressed…for a woman he barely knows!

Seeing how upset he was, Pam gave her landlady’s number and Michael and him meet that same day at a coffee shop. But you know, Michael… the prick! He found her the least bit attractive and compares their short time together to something like “talking to the sweet old lady on the bus”.

Michael muses his single state and dating life back at his desk, when Dwight told him he probably needs closure. I thought all along he meant closure with Jan. But I was wrong…Dwight meant closure from her:

The Chair Model’s grave site…

The two end up singing Miss American Pie in front of her grave (with Michael changing the lyrics a bit).

With Michael and Dwight? This doesn’t seem so silly.

The second subplot involves their parking problem at the Scranton building. This was originally the title of the episode (Parking) but I see why they now changed it.

Another tenant in the building is renovating their offices and the construction crew is using the gang’s parking space. So, many of them are forced to park ten minutes away from the office and then walk back. According to Kevin, it’s not such a good idea for people who sweat a lot. (Kevin so cracks me up in this episode!)

With Andy’s help, they arranged to meet with the Five Families, otherwise known as the bosses of the other building tenants, to solve this problem. To be truth about it, Andy didn’t even break sweat convincing the bosses.

Michael was too pre-occupied to help them (he’s trying to get back to dating, remember?). Besides, he’s got a reserved parking slot and don’t really care for their problems.

The final sub-plot and probably the one fans look forward to the most? It’s Jim’s proposal to Pam:

He didn’t do it yet. That’s obviously coming in the next episodes. But he’s got the ring, bought it the first week since they got together and casually warns Pam the proposal is coming and it will blow her away.

Was he warning Pam or warning the female fans who pine for him? Well, I tell you right now — my heart is giddy with anticipation!

The Office, The Office Chair Model, The Office episode recap

Tonight’s episode of The Office was initially entitled Parking but was now changed to Chair Model. This episode is written b B.J. Novak (who plays Ryan on the show).

Episode Summary: Michael’s fascination with a woman modeling a chair in an office supply catalog makes him feel things he hasn’t felt in a while. With Michael distracted, Kevin and Andy team up to win back Dunder-Mifflin’s stolen parking spaces, forcing them into a showdown with the bosses of the five businesses of the office park.

Here’s the promo video:

This April 17 episode is one to definitely watch for, since according to TV Guide, this will set as a “staging ground” for what is about to happen on the following Thursday. It’s supposedly a “big stuff” between Jim and Pam.

The Office, The Office Sneak Peek, The Office Chair Model

Photo courtesy of Sparklies Org

A big thing between Jim and Pam…Pam’s quirks…problems with the Dunder Mifflin website…and who could be leaving? (My guess is either Jan or Ryan!) All these are coming up this spring on The Office…

And so, that I don’t ruin it for you, you can read it all after the cut.

(more…)

You took me by the hand
Made me a man
That one night
You made everything alright
That one night
You made everything alright
So wrong, so right, all night alright
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
So wrong, so right, all night alright

Everyone is speculating Hunter is dedicating this song to Jan, his former boss at Dunder Mifflin. And the song is reportedly written by Todd Fancy of the New Pornographers.

If you’re playing Dunder Mifflin Infinity, you’ve got a new task in relation to this CD because the company is asking you to create a music video. Are you up for the challenge?

The Office, That One Night, The Hunted