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
Saturday: Well, today was pretty crazy. Woke up-- still raining. Since Adam and Laura were hungry/thirsty, we hiked to the Steamtown Mall and found the famous food court home of the "Scranton Welcomes You" sign. The place was essentially deserted, and we were goofing around taking pictures... I suddenly looked over and frigging Mindy Kaling was standing two feet away from me (also getting her picture taken with the sign). I got up the courage to ask her to talk, but alas, she didn't have time for me right then. Walking back to the main square, we hung around the autograph tent for a while, sneaking pictures of Phyllis and Bobby Ray, Melora, Angela, Ed and Mindy (again) as they signed autographs for the people lucky enough to have tickets. I did the paparazzi thing and yelled "MELORA!" to get her attention, and it worked-- she looked right into my camera. Good stuff! At three, Creed and The Scrantones hit the stage and played a few tunes (including the theme song, and the song Creed sang during the deleted scenes from "Booze Cruise"). Craig Robinson got up on stage next, singing a Daryll-rific version of Radiohead's "Creep." Unfortunately, I had to take off for the press conference at four, so missed the rest of the show. The press conference... wow. Me and about 30-40 other members of the press got to ask the cast anything we wanted. I got up the gumption to ask them about the writer's strike (they all laughed when I said I was from the TWSS podcast... they thought I was joking). Greg Daniels didn't have a specific number of how many episodes they had in the can, but they eventually said that every month of the strike would knock three episodes off the schedule. I'll post the audio from the press conference eventually. After the conference, I got to go around and talk to EVERY. SINGLE. CAST. MEMBER. Only for a few seconds, but I got them to record little bumpers for the show, which you should be hearing sometime soon as well. Definitely very cool to shake everyone's hands and introduce myself. At around 5:15 pm, we moved across the hall into the PUBLIC Q&A session (download the audio podcast below). Crap, that place was packed... it was essentially a basketball arena, and it was filled to the top of the bleachers on all sides. With my press pass, I wormed my way into the "photographer" area directly in front of the cast... essentially sitting 4-5 feet away from them during the entire show. Great, great times. After the event, I tried to find the Lackawana College campus, as it was hosting the "cast lookalike" contest and Scrantones encore. Needless to say, I got lost, and when I finally got there, I spent 10 minutes running up and down stairs trying to find the frigging bathroom. I walked around for a few minutes, but I just had to bail. I was wiped. Tomorrow, I plan to hit the "Blogger's Breakfast" and then the "Writer's Block" sessions (more audio to come).Peace out.P.S. Adam got a hug from Melora Hardin. He's ready to die now.
Live, from Scranton, PA... it's SATURDAY NIGHT! A Saturday night cast Q&A, that is. Join Greg Daniels, Ed Helms, Angela Kinsey, Brian Baumgartner, Melora Hardin, Leslie David Baker, Mindy Kaling, Craig Robinson, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Creed Bratton, Phyllis Smith, Bobby Ray Shafer, and Andy Buckley for 85 minutes of fun. The auditorium was packed, and the place was loud. Can you feel the love? I apologize for the quality of the audio-- it was the best I could do. Hope it brings everyone who wouldn't make it a little closer to the convention.
Well, we made it here in one piece, despite a ridiculously long and tiring drive. Five minutes after pulling into the parking lot, though, we saw Oscar (we waved, he waved back). Going into the hotel, we saw Leslie (Stanley) standing by the registration desk (he shook hands and made fun of the sleeping bag I was carrying at the time).About 10 minutes after that, I went back downstairs and ran right into Brian (Kevin) coming in the front door-- he was kind enough to pose with me for a picture, but I looked like someone's "special" illegitimate step-son. Ah well.Walking outside immediately after seeing Brian, I bumped into Bobby Ray (Bob Vance).They're EVERYWHERE! :)I'll keep you updated. In the meantime, check out Adam's FLICKR page for updated photos of our journey (mine will have to wait until I get home).EDIT: Around 5:30 PM, there was supposed to be a "kick off" party here in the hotel. Not sure what's going on with that, but Phyllis Smith, Leslie David Baker, and Bobby Ray Shafer were being mobbed in the lobby. I got a few paparazzi shots, but my ancient camera eats through batteries faster than Kevin through M&Ms... long story short, it died on me.I don't know if anyone reading the blog is going to be AT THE SHOW, but give me a shout here if you'd like to try and do a meet-up. Last minute, of course, but what the hell.EDIT 2: It's about 7:30 PM, and Adam & Laura have left to the "casino night" event. Sadly, as a reporter, I am unable to attend this function, so instead I will go to sleep (something I haven't done for about 30 hours). Only one other cast sighting-- I saw Creed & "The Scrantones" jump on the elevator. I guess he must have been in a hurry, because he didn't stop or pose for pictures with anyone waiting nearby.
Can't believe I forgot to put this up... blame it on the stress of trying to get everything ready before the big trip! Augh.LOCAL AD9/8c TV1410.25.2007THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ADVERTISING - When the Scranton branch is asked to participate in a Dunder Mifflin ad, Michael seizes his chance to exhibit his creativity. Meanwhile, Dwight explores the online world of Second Life.
Holy crap.Looks like I'm going to Scranton this weekend.I got my press pass, and I've got a car-pool lined up. I'll be able to get into anything EXCEPT the VIP cocktail parties (damn that Ryan!). I'll also be able to attend the "press only" chat with the cast and crew on Saturday. I might be able to interview people as well! GAH!Here's where I need your help-- you have 24 hours to send in ANY questions you'd like asked of the cast members (be serious, please). Post your questions here in the comments section. I will be recording ALL of the cast events, and will assemble them into a podcast sometime next week. I'm not sure when the LOCAL AD episode will be up, but I might be able to work on it during some down-time this weekend.Ain't no party like a Scranton party!
Episode # 31 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Ian L. seriously reevaluating their DVD purchases. They say money is the root of all evil, and for Michael Scott, the LACK of it is just as bad. With Jan around, he doesn't NEED a second job... but he has one, you know, as a hobby. Who wants to play golf anyway? Dwight opens his home to agrotourism, and Pam and Jim spend a night at the Beets Motel. One in six? I'll take those odds, mister! Andy shows he's got game, Darylley rears its ugly head, and sometimes a man just has to blow town (that's what she said). 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! Check out Ian's podcast, Comic Timing, on iTunes as well.
Fresh off the AP wire: Oct 20, 12:43 AM (ET)
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Members of Hollywood's film and television writers union have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike anytime after their contract expires at the end of the month.
More than 5,000 members of the Writers Guild of America cast ballots, with 90 percent voting in favor of authorizing the strike, the union said Friday evening. Members voted Thursday.
"Writers do not want to strike, but they are resolute and prepared to take strong, united action to defend our interests," guild President Patric Verrone said in a news release. "What we must have is a contract that gives us the ability to keep up with the financial success of this ever-expanding global industry."
Since July, the guild has been in talks with film studios and production companies represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Both sides acknowledge they have not made progress.
Nick Counter, the alliance's president, said he was not surprised by the vote.
"Our focus is on negotiating a reasonable agreement with the WGA," he said in a news release.
A key issue dividing producers and writers, as well as actors, whose contract expires next June, is compensation for DVD sales and productions that get distributed on the Internet or in other new media formats.
The writers' current three-year contract expires Oct. 31, and their vote gives the union's leaders authorization to call a strike anytime after that day.
Studios and TV networks have accelerated filming of shows and movies and begun stockpiling scripts in case of a strike.
The last strike in 1988 lasted 22 weeks. Losses to the industry were put at $500 million.
Now, this doesn't mean they are definitely GOING to strike. It simply means that they COULD strike at any time after the contract expires on October 31st *IF* they don't come to an agreement. Knowing the WGA is ready to strike will hopefully spur the studios to make a quick negotiation before the entire industry is shut down once again. Here's hoping for the best.Apparently, the reviewers at Slate.com haven't been too thrilled with season four of THE OFFICE. In a post on this past Thursday, they lay out just where exactly they feel the show is going wrong so far. To quote from the article:'We believe that the show's new long format is to blame. The season has kicked off with several hourlong episodes, the fourth of which airs tonight. In seasons past, each 22-minute episode has been a model of comedic restraint. Easy jokes were avoided. Funny ones landed swiftly and moved on to make room for the next. Rather than encouraging actors to mug and showboat, the camera paused briefly on subtle glances and smirks. Mindy Kaling, who writes for the show and plays the ditzy customer-service rep Kelly Kapoor, told Rolling Stone that The Office is a show without "chuffa"—a writers'-room term for "filler that seems like it's funny but isn't really a joke." The hourlong episodes make us wonder if there's a word for "filler that seems like a joke but isn't really funny."'(click HERE to read the rest of the article)I don't agree with all of their conclusions, but I do think they're dead-on with some points (especially with how Ryan has been handled so far, and whether or not a happy PB&J is best for the series). I will admit that we have a LOT of room left this season, and it's hard to say how the whole thing will play out. I wouldn't say I'm "worried" about the show at this point, but this article has tapped into some of my fears about what COULD happen.So what do you guys think?
Sounds like a pretty Jan-heavy episode, so this might be interesting. And seriously, Dwight's B&B? This is either going to be pure comedy gold or a horrible, horrible disaster. Let's hope for the former!From NBC.com:MONEY 9/8c TV14 10.18.2007 EASY COME, EASY GO - As Jan (Melora Hardin) renovates the condo, Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) confronts his growing debt every way he can, which includes pressuring his employees for a loan. Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski) spend a night out on Dwight's (Rainn Wilson) family farm, now a bed and breakfast. B.J. Novak, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton and Craig Robinson also star. EDIT:Remember, this is going to be the LAST hour-long episode in a good while (they only ordered five, and I'm guessing the last one will be the season finale). I guess we'll see next week whether or not we miss the 45 minute running time or not! I have a feeling that 21 minutes is going to seem a bit too short... wish we could hit the sweet spot of about 30 total minutes of show. Seems like it'd be just about perfect.Also, remember to join us in the TWSS CHAT room after the show.
Listener Luke sent me an e-mail today, pointing me towards a headline on IMDB regarding the possible writer's strike. From IMDB: Raising legitimate hopes for the first time that a strike by the Writers Guild of America against Hollywood film and TV studios could be averted before the expiration of the current WGA contract on October 31, the producers on Tuesday withdrew a proposal that would have delayed payment of residuals to writers until the costs of production, distribution and marketing were recouped. Nick Counter, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, said that the group was withdrawing the proposal "in the overriding interest of keeping the industry working and removing what has become an emotional impediment and excuse by the WGA not to bargain." The WGA issued a terse response, stating that it hoped that the withdrawal of the recoupment proposal "means the companies are ready to begin serious negotiations." Sounds good. Let's hope for the best, otherwise I'll have to start that long awaited DEAL OR NO DEAL podcast I've been toying with.
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