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.
Often imitated, yet never equaled, TWSS is the longest continually running podcast dedicated to the best show on TV.
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Copyright: © Matthew R. Sommer
As most of you surely know, tonight will see a special "Flender-thon" of FIVE (count 'em... five) episodes of THE OFFICE wrapped around a lone episode of ANDY BARKER P.I. The episodes will be "hosted" by the writer/HR rep we love to hate, Paul "Toby" Lieberstein, and the shows in question are linked thematically because they are all (supposedly) "human resource nightmares." The Episodes on the air tonight are: "Diversity Day" (8-8:30pm ET), "Healthcare" (8:30-9:00pm), "Sexual Harassment" (9-9:30pm), "The Injury" (10-10:30pm) and "Gay Witch Hunt" (10:30-11:00pm)For those who came to the show late, this is a great chance to catch some rarely played first season classics (Diversity Day & Health Care), as well as two pretty darn fine second season gems (Sexual Harassment & The Injury). As for Gay Witch Hunt... Eh. Haven't we seen this episode enough times in reruns this season?For those who care, NBC is also hyping that a special trailer for Steve Carell's EVAN ALMIGHTY will air sometime during the marathon.
I'm sure astute THE OFFICE googlers might have seen this already, but just in case you haven't, I thought you could use a little eye candy (heaven knows I certainly can!) -- Our dear "Ole Pammy" can currently be seen gracing the cover of the April issue of WIRED magazine.With BLADES OF GLORY opening this Friday, and two other movies coming out this year, 2007 is gearing up to be Jenna's time to shine.Mmmrooooowr!
Listener and author of the "Office" section at the "Remote Access" blog Brian Howard wrote and asked me for an interview a while back. Imagine my surprise. Me? Interviewed? Well, if you inSIST.With my illness, it's been sort of a bitch to connect, but Brian and I finally got to talk a bit last weekend, and THIS is the result. Brian and I get into my philosophy for reviewing the episodes each week, my origin in podcasting, why I started this thing in the first place, and whether I'm a "JaMichael" or "Dwangela" fan (long time listeners know where I stand on that one, natch!). From the article: Matt Sommer considers himself a passionate fan of The Office, but he doesn't see why he shouldn't criticize the show when he sees something he doesn't like.
Too bad not every reviewer of his podcast at iTunes or comment poster at its companion blog sees it that way. Maybe Sommer should be used to that. After all, he even got a bad review just because he got sick and couldn't post a new episode for a few weeks.
"I'm inexplicably flummoxed by people like that,? said the 35-year-old high school English teacher from Racine, Wisc., who has been recording his and his friend Ian Casselberry's musings on Michael Scott and Co. since August 2006. "That's the kind of (expletive) that just really drives me crazy with doing something like this, I've got to say.?
But it doesn't get him or podcast partner down... (READ MORE)
Head on over to Brian's blog (and bookmark it, for gosh-sakes!) to read more that you've ever wanted to know about me.I tuned in to THE OFFICE at 7:30, so I'm not sure exactly what new material, if any, there was to be found in THE RETURN (other than the "I've been sent to anger management" stuff, of course). But I *DID* stick around to catch the pilot episode of Andy Richter's new show ANDY BARKER P. I.Good stuff.Very good stuff. Lots of promise.I really enjoyed ANDY RICHTER CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE, and weeped openly at his second, much MUCH lamer show QUINTUPLETS. So naturally, I am glad to see his return to quality TV comedy. Say what you will about NBC, but they are leading the league in quality SMART comedies right now. Nice work, guys.ANDY BARKER's cast is also fantastic, especially Tony Hale (a.k.a. Buster Bluth from ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT) as Andy's mini-mall video clerk neighbor. I have a feeling that like 30 ROCK, this show will most likely tank in the ratings because people just arent... well, I don't want to be a snob, but dammit, what does it take for hilarious shows to get watched these days?If you missed the first episode, iTunes was offering the pilot as a free download.
Episode # 18 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Ian wondering just how many shots it takes to prevent us from collapsing in on ourselves like dying stars. Michael's all a twitter when Jan asks him to sign a "love contract" before their "coming out party," but does Jan truly want what Michael's selling? Slam you against Where? Remember-- "no" means "please don't!" Will Dwight find any termite damage in the crawlspace? Will Jim sink the trey? Will Karen battle Phyllis for the title of "easy rider"? will fancy new Pammy Beesly show the world who's boss? And please, seriously, won't someone think about the Jet Skiis?? Incidental music provided by the Podshow Podsafe Music Network. Email us at TWSSpodcast @ gmail. com, or leave a comment on our blog page at thatswhatshesaid. libsyn. com. iTunes reviews are always appreciated! Help spread the word!
Well, it's been three weeks, and I'm finally starting to feel better. My voice still isn't 100%, but Ian and I are gearing up to record episode #18. I know it's been a while, and I appreciate your patience. If anyone has any fresh comments from the last week or two, send 'em in or post them under this thread-- especially any reactions to the Paley Fest stuff. Be talking to ya soon. Seacrest out.
As many of you no doubt are aware, the (nearly) entire cast of THE OFFICE participated in a Q&A session on Friday March 2nd at the Museum of Radio and Television's 24th Annual William S. Paley Television Festival.So what IS the Paley Festival? According to the website:MTRs annual William S. Paley Television Festival is one of LAs hottest tickets. The events often sell out to Members so join today to take advantage of the Member discounts and advance ticket dates. Over twelve nights from March 1 to 15, 2007, MTR will unite stars, creators, and their fans for behind-the-scenes looks at the most talked-about shows. PaleyFest 07 takes place at the DGA Theatre Complex at 7920 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Named for William S. Paley, founder of both MTR and CBS, the Festival is an annual celebration of televisions great programming and the creative process behind it. During these events, the audience watches episodes or highlights of the featured work and participates in a Q&A with the shows cast and creative team.Several sites have done write-ups of the whole thing, so it's almost like being there. Sort of.http://tv.ign.com/articles/770/770400p1.htmlhttp://www.givememyremote.com/remote/the-office-paley-festival/http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/I'm sure there are more out there-- OfficeTally is usually better at this kind of thing that we are.
I am sick, people. Sick. My weekend in NYC was marred by this illness, and I have been forced to call in sick to work for the past two days as well... congestion, a wicked cough, and all the trimmings... I can hardly think straight.I appreciate all the kind words people have sent me in the last few days about the show, and I'm sorry the COCKTAILS episode of TWSS is so late. I don't know WHEN I am going to be able to get back into gear. Sorry.UPDATE:After one full week, I am STILL sick. I called in sick every day last week, got lots of sleep and drank lots of fluids, but the same congestion and coughing keeps right on bothering me. I went to the doctor last Wednesday, and he gave me some antibiotics, but I'm not sure they did anything. At this point, I can only say that the new episode will be out whenever my voice returns (right now, it's at about 50%... and might get worse since I now have to go back to work and yell at kids all day long). I'll keep you updated as I can, and again I apologize for the long delay.
As I said on the last podcast, I will be in NYC this weekend for the Second Annual New York Comic-Con, being hosted in the Jacob Javits Center. The NYCC has set up a "Podcasters Arena" and invited a lot of the big names in comicbook podcasting to attend with free passes. As some of you know, I got my start in "comics" podcasting, first with AROUND COMICS, and later with COMIC TIMING (the host, Ian L., is an occasional contributor to the TWSS blogpage). Thanks to "the other Ian" (as TWSS's own Ian Casselberry calls him), I'm getting a free pass and a chance to meet many of the friends I've met and made in the comic community over the last few years.If you're going to be attending the con, stop by and see me (if I'm there, I'll be at the COMIC TIMING table). If you live in the area and want to participate in some sort of meet-up, let me know as well.So what does this matter to the average TWSS listener? Not much, except for the fact that being gone will delay the release of episode #18 of TWSS. Ian and I probably won't be able to record until Tuesday night at the earliest. But look at it this way-- instead of a rerun of The Office next week, you can look forward to us! Just as good... right? right?ah well.
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