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
I might be "discovering" something incredibly obvious here ("hey, look everyone! The sky is blue! Blue I say!), but the writer's strike and my ingrained resistance to going to bed before midnight has led me to appreciate what I'm calling "the Mac-man/Michael Scott" connection.See, I knew that Larry Wilmore (Mr. Brown from "Diversity Day") created THE BERNIE MAC SHOW. What I didn't know was that Paul Lieberstein was a writer/co-executive producer on the show, and Ken Kwapis was also a frequent director.I guess I find this sort of interesting because the humor couldn't be MORE different than the kind of stuff they've done for THE OFFICE. Quite the versatile group, huh?(Why do I find the idea of Toby Flenderson writing "The Kings Of Comedy" material so amusing? Maybe this is the real life origin of the "Michael does Chris Rock" incident? :))
I'm neither a huge J. J. Abrams fan NOR a monster movie fan, so I doubt I'll be seeing this week's CLOVERFIELD. That didn't stop our friend John Krasinski from hitting the big Hollywood premier event for the film this past Wednesday. From VARIETY:When an untitled trailer for "Cloverfield" debuted last summer attached to prints of Paramount's "Transformers," no one was quite sure what to make of it. Now everyone has an opinion. Variety asked guests at the film's Hollywood premiere on Wednesday to weigh in with their reactions.John Krasinski, star of NBC's "The Office": "I thought it was great! I didn't have any expectations so it shattered them. I think it's both an incredibly innovative script and idea to bring back the monster genre, but they also started breaking some boundaries in film. The night vision shot in the tunnel was wild. It was kind of like 'Blair Witch' on speed."Rainn Wilson was also at the premier, but alas, no smart-alecky quips were quoted. Hit the link above for other celeb reactions.
The Celebrity Baby Blog has an update on Angela Kinsey and her pregnancy (with pictures). According to the article, Angela and husband Warren Lieberstein already know that it's a girl, and the due date is May 9th.Rainn Wilson has reportedly been calling Angela every few weeks and asking her how "Dwight's baby" is doing. Man, as if his turn in JUNO wasn't creepy enough... (^_^;).Wilson's comments go back to what we mentioned before-- how would the writers have dealt with Angela's pregnancy IN SHOW? Lots of baggy clothes and hiding behind filing cabinets, or would it have been played as Dwight's love-child? I can't imagine they'd have gone that route, since there isn't much deadlier to an ensemble comedy than adding an infant into the mix. I guess it will go down as one of those unanswered questions.
From Variety:'Office' relocates to Latin America -- BBC licenses comedy for Chilean remakeBy BOBBIE WHITEMANBBC Worldwide Americas has licensed "The Office" for a local remake in Chile.It's the first format deal in Latin America for Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's comedy and the first Spanish-language version."We stopped making 'The Office' in 2003, but the rest of the world didn't," Gervais said. "I won't be happy until I see an Inuit doing the dance.""The Office" airs in 90 countries, with remakes in the U.S., France and Germany.The license covers season's one and two of the office-set spoof documentary plus end-of-season specials. Chilecorto and Canal 13-Chile, part of leading Chilean network UCTV, will begin production early this year; the show will air on Canal 13-Chile in May.Chilean actor Luis Gnecco will play the role of the smug boss played by Gervais in the British version (and Steve Carell in the NBC remake), which has gone into syndication.BBC Worldwide will advise on the production, and Duncan Cooper, BBC Worldwide's executive producer of formats and local production, will assist Chilecorto and Canal 13-Chile in the show's development.Carmen Gloria Lopez, head of programming at Canal 13-Chile, said: "From watching 'The Office,' we realized very quickly that the working day in Chile is actually very similar to office life in the U.K. and America. Our production will show you we have more in common than you might think."
Vanessa Juarez of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY sat down to chat with Rainn Wilson for their "Q&A" column this week. Rainn is still getting attention for his micro-cameo in JUNO, and is also slated to host the FILM INDEPENDENT'S SPIRIT AWARDS in February. Lots of the other questions in the interview covered these spots. Still, this is an OFFICE blog/podcast, so what did he have to say about our favorite show?ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How are you and your Office castmates doing? Are they experiencing strike fatigue?RAINN WILSON: Yeah, it was a really lovely break, and it's just turned into a living hell. I just spoke to Jenna [Fischer, who plays Pam on The Office] the other day and we are so ready to go back to work. I feel bad because they had so many amazing things planned for season 4 with Dwight and Angela, and I was so excited to film those. And we may not have a season 4! Period. That may be it. It's a very real possibility.Have you been out to the picket lines?Oh yeah, I've been out three or four times. The Office writers are very active in the strike. I hope the people hold strong.What's everybody from The Office doing for entertainment? Have they become Netflix addicts, or engaged in other hobbies like competitive eating?Well, I think Leslie [David Baker], who plays Stanley, has taken up rock climbing and Meredith is actually a prostitute now. Steve Carell is a pool shark. And John Krasinski has gone into international diplomacy. So people have stayed very active and are doing a lot of very interesting stuff. I've taken up spelunking. So there you go... right from Rainn's own mouth. Hmm. I wonder if he could possibly be... kidding? Nahhhhhh.
Speaking of THE OFFICE popping up nearly EVERYwhere these days, online retailing giant Amazon.com has teamed with NBC and TurboTax in asking the question "what kind of filer are you?"Are you a Pam (an "E-Z Breezy filer")? Or a Jim (a "procrastinator")? How about a Dwight (otherwise known as a "fancy filer")? Clicking on a profile will help narrow down which of the two hundred thirty seven versions of TurboTax may be right for you. From the Dwight "fancy filer" Schrute profile: Fact: You've got a full-time job and an inherited family business and a burgeoning side project in the agritourism field (permits are pending). Fact: You're going to need to account for your extra income or losses (because your cousin Mose can't possibly guarantee the beet farm will turn a profit). Fact: The right tax software will help you get through even the most intricate tax return--alone and on your own time over a bowl of Count Chocula--without ever having to divulge private information.As a bonus, Amazon will also suggest character appropriate ways for you to spend your refund (assorted teas and a foot massager for Pam, a recorder and a home hair-cutting kit for Dwight).Head on over to Amazon to check out the other profiles (and buy some tax prep software, if need be). (What, no Michael Scott "I declare BANKRUPTCY!" profile? What a rip!)
Just saw this over on TheVegasEye.com-- looks like our boy Johnny K. was doing a little partying in "the LV" this past weekend. Apparently, he was in town for a friend's bachelor party at the Hard Rock.Check out that scruff. Letterman, O'Brien... Krasinski? A sign of writer solidarity, or a simple fashion statement? Only his barber knows for sure...EDIT:Another article, another picture... same one expression.
Kevin passed this along to me today, and it might come as vindication for the office writers! See, people ARE that stupid...D'oh! Man follows GPS onto train tracks -- when train comingBEDFORD HILLS, New York (AP) -- A Global Positioning System can tell a driver a lot of things -- but apparently not when a train is coming.A computer consultant driving a rental car drove onto train tracks Wednesday using the instructions his GPS unit gave him. A train was barreling toward him, but he escaped in time and no one was injured.The driver had turned right, as the system advised, and the car somehow got stuck on the tracks at the crossing. He jumped out and tried to warn the engineer by waving. He got out of the way just before the train slammed into the car at 60 mph, Metro-North railroad spokesman Dan Brucker said Thursday.The car was pushed more than 100 feet during the fiery crash.Some 500 train passengers were stranded for more than two hours during the Wednesday evening rush hour. The accident also heavily damaged 250 feet of rail, Brucker said.
Episode # 36 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds Matt and Kevin enjoying the endless perks of the gold plan. I'm hot blooded, check it and see... I've got a fever of 103... I just hope it's not a bad case of Count Choculitis! Especially now that Dunder Mifflin is cutting back on their health insurance to save some cash. When Michael's forced to be the bad guy, he passes the buck to Dwight... but who needs a health plan when they have the ability to raise and lower their cholesterol at will? The rest of the office is in revolt, and it's up to Michael to smooth things over with a big surprise-- ice cream sandwiches for all! 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. Check out Kevin's blog and podcast at the-frat-pack. com. iTunes reviews are always appreciated! Help spread the word!
Just FYI: CBS will be airing the 2007 KENNEDY CENTER HONORS tonight at 9 pm Eastern/ 8 pm Central. The honors are essentially a "lifetime achievement awards" for people in the arts. This year will see the induction of musician Leon Fleisher, comedian Steve Martin, filmmaker Martin Scorsese, and musicians Diana Ross and Brian Wilson. Steve Carell will be doing the introductory speech for fellow comedian Martin. EDIT:The video...
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