Stay ConnectedTHAT’S WHAT SHE SAID takes an in-depth look at the world of NBC’s THE OFFICE. Each and every week we will offer audio highlights, episode commentary, news, reports on upcoming media appearances of the cast, retro reviews, a selection of podsafe music, and much more.
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Copyright: © Matthew R. Sommer
Meghan Keane blogged recently, saying: 'The Office' is the Most Depressing Show on Television.Here are some of the choice cuts from the lengthy essay.In the last two seasons, our hero Jim Halpert won the girl, got the big promotion and upgraded to a suit. These were all things fans were happy about. It was encouraging. But wanting romantic tension to be relieved is never as satisfying as the relief.All of Jim and Pam's witty asides and eyerolls in response to their officemates' antics have stopped being expressions of untapped potential and started to look like passive-aggressive attempts to undermine their peers—who are the only people who will socialize with them.Now Jim has developed into the most depressing archetype: a mediocre man who has already realized his full potential.Gone is Jim's charming lack of enthusiasm for his job. Now he's proving exactly where a lack of drive is likely to lead you—to the mediocrity of middle management, where one is gripped by the fear of losing whatever corner of inanity you've carved for yourself in the workplace.What do you think about this provocative premise? Is The Office truly depressing?
From Wikipedia:SCOTT'S TOTS | 12.03.09Written by Lee Eisenberg & Gene Stupnitsky. Directed by B. J. Novak.Michael (Steve Carell) is forced to face the music after he realizes he can't keep a promise he made to a group of kids 10 years ago. Meanwhile, Jim (John Krasinski) starts an employee of the month program to increase employee morale.----------Definitely curious to see what exactly this "promise" entails, although it sounds like this might be pretty heavy on the "awkward" humor that many people love (and I tend to not be too thrilled with). Shall we assume Michael promised to pay these kids' way through college, or something equally ridiculous? Michael always has loved making people happy and promising things. It's that damn FOLLOW THROUGH that always seems to kick him in the butt...Lee and Gene wrote this season's (arguably) best episode THE LOVER, and B. J. Novak is hot off his directorial work on SUBTLE SEXUALITY, so I hold out high hopes for tonight's installment.As always, leave your thoughts in the comments section below and join Kevin and me in the TWSS Chatroom during and after the show to share your thoughts (click on the green "chat" button in the right sidebar).
Episode # 84 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Kevin checking their investment portfolios. Rock-n-roll! When Michael is whisked away to the Dunder Mifflin (sorry, BLUNDER Mifflin) shareholder meeting in a limo, he finally feels he's getting the recognition he deserves. Too bad the natives are extremely restless. Can this plucky manager from Scranton save the ailing company with the help of his Mexican sidekick? Three guesses, and your first two don't count. Back on the ranch, will Jim finally nut up or shut up when Ryan calls him out? He'll need to do more than exclaim to take this ne'er-do-well down for the count. Oh, and finally, God bless NBC for their green week episodes, and God bless YOU Re-cyclops, and your cold robot heart. Incidental music provided by the Podshow Podsafe Music Network. Email us at TWSSpodcast @ gmail. com, or leave a comment on our blog page at TWSSpodcast. com. iTunes reviews are always appreciated! Help spread the word! Also, PLEASE help support the show by signing up for a FREE 14-day trial of Netflix. Instantly watch every episode of the office from the comfort of your laptop, desktop, PS3 or xbox360-connected TV. Go to http://www.netflix.com/twss to start your free trial today. Also, check out http://www.audiblepodcast.com/shesaid for a free audiobook download.
From Wikipedia:SHAREHOLDER MEETING | 11.19.09Michael gets excited when he's invited by David Wallace to be honored on stage at the Dunder Mifflin shareholder meeting in New York, and he brings Andy, Dwight and Oscar along for the ride. Meanwhile, Jim has a hard time getting Ryan to do work. ------------With the big bankruptcy bomb dropped last week, I'm curious as to what David Wallace thinks Michael can do for the failing Dunder Mifflin. We enjoyed the Andy and Oscar action last season on BUSINESS TRIP, so hopefully we'll see some nice bonding moments this time as well. As we mentioned in the last podcast, Ryan really put the screws to Jim in season four, so it would be interesting to see if Jim turns that around on him here. He never really DID get his revenge, but Ryan has become such a different character since then that I'm not sure if it would still be a relevant thing to do. I guess we shall see tonight.I'm probably NOT going to be able to make it into the chatroom tonight, but don't let that stop you from talking to all the other TWSS listeners. Kevin should be around during and after the Pacific time showing, though, if you Eastern/Central folks want to wait around. As always, please leave your episode comments below.
Episode # 83 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Kevin eying each other VERRRY carefully. I do declayah! The productivity murderer was Caleb Crawdad with a bad accent in the conference room! When Dunder Mifflin once again faces financial troubles, Michael decides to host his own murder mystery party (much to Jim's chagrin). Has Michael finally snapped, or will his co-manager learn the method to his crazy ways? Meanwhile, Andy makes his move, but Was it Erin or Nelly Nutmeg who accepted his indecent proposal? Oscar pouts, Dwight buttles, and Pam finds herself caught up in a Mexican stand-off. You know, here's a thought-- maybe if CFO David Wallace WASN'T micromanaging the Scranton branch the company wouldn't be going bankrupt? One word, David-- Priorities. Incidental music provided by the Podshow Podsafe Music Network. Email us at TWSSpodcast @ gmail. com, or leave a comment on our blog page at TWSSpodcast. com. iTunes reviews are always appreciated! Help spread the word! Also, PLEASE help support the show by signing up for a FREE 14-day trial of Netflix. Instantly watch every episode of the office from the comfort of your laptop, desktop, PS3 or xbox360-connected TV. Go to http://www.netflix.com/twss to start your free trial today. Also, check out http://www.audiblepodcast.com/shesaid for a free audiobook download.
Or should that be "muckduck"?From Wikipedia:MURDER | 11.12.09Michael's world is rocked by troubling rumors about Dunder Mifflin. He forces the office into a day of strange diversions, upsetting Jim and leading others to wonder if Michael has gone insane. Meanwhile, Andy finds that his chief obstacle in courting Erin is his own awkwardness. -----------This description is actually so baffling that I have abslutely no guess as to what could be going on with the Michael "A" plot. Guess I'll just have to strap myself in and enjoy the ride.As always, leave your thoughts in the comments section below and join Kevin and me in the TWSS Chatroom during and after the show to share your thoughts (click on the green "chat" button in the right sidebar).
Episode # 82 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Kevin enjoying delicious fish stick sandwiches for breakfast. They say it's your birthday... we're gonna have a good time! When Michael works his magic for Helene's birthday, skeptical Pam begins to see the light. But will Michael be down with robbing the grave once he finds out his girlfriend's true age? Meanwhile, Dwight steps up his plan to take down Jim, but Andy Bernard's frightening level of politeness seems like it might queer the deal. One thing's for sure-- I'm getting concerned that you don't seen to understand what's going to happen. Do you? Incidental music provided by the Podshow Podsafe Music Network. Email us at TWSSpodcast @ gmail. com, or leave a comment on our blog page at TWSSpodcast. com. iTunes reviews are always appreciated! Help spread the word! Also, PLEASE help support the show by signing up for a FREE 14-day trial of Netflix. Instantly watch every episode of the office from the comfort of your laptop, desktop, or xbox360-connected TV. Go to http://www.netflix.com/twss to start your free trial today. Also, check out http://www.audiblepodcast.com/shesaid for a free audiobook download.
From Wikipedia:DOUBLE DATE | 11.5.09Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) are out of excuses so they have no choice but to go out with Michael (Steve Carell) and Helene (Linda Purl), Pam's mother. Meanwhile, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) is strangely doing nice things for everyone in the office.--------As Kevin mentioned in the last podcast, the "Jim and Pam finally run out of excuses and have to go on a date" thing definitely smacks of DINNER PARTY from season four. Don't get me wrong, I loved THE LOVER, but that was mostly an episode about the CONCEPT of Michael dating Pam's mom. I hope when we get to see the "real thing" that it doesn't get too weird to take. I enjoyed the last few episodes, though, so I am curious to see what they can pull off tonight.As always, leave your thoughts in the comments section below and join Kevin and me in the TWSS Chatroom during and after the show to share your thoughts (click on the green "chat" button in the right sidebar).
Episode # 81 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Kevin mocking each other with wordplay. Koi Vey! When Michael returns soaking wet from a business meeting, tongues begin to wag. Can Michael's fragile ego survive once the office learns his fishy secret? This calls for a DO NOT MOCK list, I fear. Meanwhile, Pam and Andy hit the road for some cold calls, but will Pam's dismissive attitude towards Andy's matrimonial suitability queer the deal? Perhaps a little belly kissing can salve those wounds? One thing's for sure-- you can't go wrong with Miss Janet for all of your birthing coach needs. Incidental music provided by the Podshow Podsafe Music Network. Email us at TWSSpodcast @ gmail. com, or leave a comment on our blog page at TWSSpodcast. com. iTunes reviews are always appreciated! Help spread the word! Also, PLEASE help support the show by signing up for a FREE 14-day trial of Netflix. Instantly watch every episode of the office from the comfort of your laptop, desktop, or xbox360-connected TV. Go to http://www.netflix.com/twss to start your free trial today. Also, check out http://www.audiblepodcast.com/shesaid for a free audiobook download credit.
From Wikipedia:KOI POND | 10.29.09It's Halloween and the Office plans a Haunted House for the kids in the community. At an important business meeting, Michael falls into a Koi Pond. Meanwhile, Pam and Andy go cold-calling to try to stir up some new business. ------I mentioned on the podcast how odd it struck me that Reggie Hudlin was tapped to direct this episode, as nothing in his past experience seems to scream "The Office." Still, he worked on THE BERNIE MAC SHOW, and so did Paul Liberstein, so maybe that's the connection. In any case, hopefully Hudlin will bring something new to the plate.This is billed as a "Halloween" episode, but I'm guessing it's going to be EXACTLY like last season, with only the cold open having anything to do with the holiday. Michael falling into a pond has the potential to be as ridiculous as the "driving into a lake" plot line from season four, and once again they'll have to walk a fine line to keep the episode from being TOO ridiculous. Here's hoping. The Pam and Andy stuff has a great deal of potential.As always, leave your thoughts in the comments section below and join Kevin and me in the TWSS Chatroom during and after the show to share your thoughts (click on the green "chat" button in the right sidebar).
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