Wed, 16 April 2008
A month has passed since the ill-fated dinner party... can't wait to see what we'll get in the first "post-strike" written episode. *IS* this episode the introduction of the spinoff characters? Will Michael find a new "special someone"? I guess only time will tell. Watch the full episode NOW: CHAIR MODEL 9/8c TV-PG 04.17.2008 Michael's
(Steve Carell) 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 (Brian Baumgartner) and Andy (Ed Helms) 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. Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Oscar Nunez, Angela
Kinsey, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Leslie David Baker, Melora Hardin,
Kate Flannery and Creed Bratton also star.
---------------- Leave your comments below, and don't forget to join us in the chatroom immediately following the episode.
Category:general
-- posted at: 11:51pm EDT
Comments[45]
|
-
\"Dinner Party\" had me mixed up a bit when I first watched it. I like it a lot more when I think it over! Michael\'s plasma screen had me dying! And Jan\'s seductive dance to Hunter\'s awful music was uncomfortable and hilarious to watch. The episode succeeded in making me feel \"trapped\" in the horrible dinner party as well- so again, after looking back at it, I thought it was a really good episode. \"Chair Model\" wasn\'t a real treat for me to watch because I kept getting disgusted with Michael\'s behavior and jerkiness. When before in earlier shows I felt sorry for him, he seems lately to be stuck in jerk mode. I can\'t feel sad or sorry for him, like I did in earlier shows when he was trying so hard to be liked and accepted by his staff. Just me, I suppose. (I\'m convinced that his name stands for: Misguided, Intolerable, Crass, Hopelessly Anguished, Erratic, Loser.) I do still get a laugh from the twisted Michael Scott rationale like in the deleted scene #3 when he\'s explaining that his looking for a \"professional volleyball player who models on the side\". but when Jim asks if he has any objection to a \"blind sex model\", Michael replies, \"It\'s all about personality.\" Or when he said \"So far these are my leads: a blind toll booth operator and a 1200 pound catcher. It\'s a start.\" I died laughing at those Michael gems of thought. Great podcast, btw!!
-
Ok, so after a couple further viewings, Kevin\'s foot massager wasn\'t there. It should have been; that would\'ve been a great, easy and appropriate callback. Still, ever since I first heard/saw what Brian Baumgartner is really like, I\'ve really been impressed with his transformation into the dull-eyed, sad sack that is Kevin. When they finally gave him a big emotional point, it was totally Kevin, still. In one scene, the show very nicely provided an in-character depth to what had been an enjoyable, yet cartoonish character. As to the Pam hesitancy to the proposal idea (and, let\'s face it, for better or worse the gross plot movements have always involved eventually setting up some Jim/Pam issue), I\'ve thought that since Local Ad they have been setting her up for a story about outgrowing the receptionist job at some paper company. I see her either actually or trying to leave Dunder-Mifflin (maybe in \"Job Fair\"?) which leaves Jim, whose every professional move since he started there (stay because of her; leave because he can\'t have her; reject the big corporate job to be with her) in an interesting position.
-
I think a major dick-move on Michael\'s part was the fact that because he had a designated parking space, he didn\'t one bit about his workers\' issue with the parking. He probably could have fixed the whole situation but chose not to out of selfishness. That\'s just f\'d up. but I guess that makes for good television...
-
Great episode! Especially good to have the entire focus back in the office after starting back up after the break without hardly even showing the office at all last week. The Pam/Jim stuff was great. I liked the pretend proposal & hope to see that as a recurring event, but hopefully not every week. The Creed line was priceless, but I don\'t think it has any real meaning. It was funny because it makes the imagination wander as we wonder what in the world Creed would do with 3 chairs. Hands down one of my favorite episodes ever. It had good character development (who could resist cheering for Kevin\'s \"it\'s just nice to win one\" line?), the Kevin-Andy team & the Pam/Jim stuff. I wanted more Dwight (that\'s what she said!). A minor complaint is that there was no painful dig against Flenderson by Michael. Now that he\'s single, I expected him to say something like \"I don\'t want to end up a loser like Toby\" or something to that effect.
-
One major complaint with the episode...If Michael just came out of a relationship with Jan (whose only appeal was her good looks), why is he so easy to fall in love with a catalog model, presumably based only on her good looks? I want to see Michael actually meet a woman that fits his odd ways. Maybe he can meet someone more mature than him who helps him grow up, that appreciates Michael\\\'s warm heart & ignores his ignorant & sometimes perverted exterior. It would be cool perhaps for someone else to like Michael before he likes her, but eventually notice her & come around to her (he shouldn\\\'t be the one who got away!) Maybe someone who starts off as an awesome friend/buddy of Michael\\\'s but doesn\\\'t appeal to him physically. Maybe even let Michael go through what Jim did with Pam. Someone Michael learns to love as a friend, but is in a relationship or just got into one. Please don\\\'t bring Jan back unless she completely changes into a normal person.
-
I\'m glad to see so many positive comments on this episode on the blog. I thought there was so much heart in this episode; major kudos to BJ Novak for a very well-rounded episode. I loved Dwight the way he stepped up to be Michael\'s Wing Man on the search for the chair model after Jim blew it all off. I thought his line to Michael about needing closure not only showed a sane & true friend in Dwight and was possibly a comment that we might see in the future with him & Angela. Loved seeing Kevin showing some heart with his line about winning one--awesome. And of course the PB&J stuff with the engagement talk. I\'d have to watch it again, but I think he had a bigger ring than the one she wore from Roy. A couple of things struck me when I watched it and reading the blog: Michael in this episode didn\'t strike me so much as a dick as desperate. It reminded me of the Benihana Christmas episode when he brought back the waitresses and had to mark their arms. Michael had more heart at the end of that episode than this one but who hasn\'t known someone to deal with a breakup by jumping into a rebound? You feel that the best way to get over someone is to get either on top of or under someone else (TWSS). PB&J: I agree with a previous poster (sorry I can\'t remember who) who said that Pam might have been hesitant to get engaged to Jim at this time. FNB was just getting her groove and I can understand why she would just want to enjoy the dating stage. I thought Jim\'s fakeout at the end was a clue that he was serious and she needs to be prepared. How that goes after that is up to the writers for Pam. My husband laughed at me for buying Halpert\'s fake proposal hook, line and sinker. Mostly because I had a stronger reaction to that proposal than when he proposed to me. It was funny in this house at least. It was nice to see the episode get back on its feet so quickly with a good mix of subtle humor, awkward humor (Michael at the coffee shop when the barista called his order), romantic humor and character humor (only long-time office fans would find Creed\'s throwaway line funny). Can\'t wait to see what the rest of the season brings.
-
Let\'s see... I think we can all say that the Office is back. Well at least for a couple more episodes this season. I was impressed... I got a couple really laugh out loud moments last night. And the fact that writers actually have set it up for Jim to propose, do I smell season finale? Cliff hanger? Jim proposes and Pam doesn\'t know if she can say yes? (I\'m calling it.) Yep one of the better episodes of the season.
-
On first viewing, I thought Chair Model really lacked the teeth of Dinner Party, which for many reasons is among my favorite Office episodes. However, the Office writers were pretty judicious in toning down the plot and overall momentum of this episode; this was a nice chaser after the bitter double shot of cringeworthy awkward that was last week\'s return from the strike. I am glad that they let some of the other players have a day in the sun. Kevin came across as less than a one-dimensional dolt, scoring back the parking spots from W.B. Jones (albeit through whining about his sweat problems) and delivering a touching little \'It\'s nice to win one\' TH. Andrew Bernard was awesome...I loved his canned notes for the meeting of the \'Five Families,\' and his goofy break dancing at the end was probably the funniest Ed Helms moment since Zombie-American. Even though I love him, I do agree with many who have dismissed Andy Bernard as being too Michael Scotty - his soliloquy about \'saving the parking space for Joe Sixpack\' could have just as easily come out of Michael\'s mouth (TWSS). Not a big fan of the main plot thread: Michael\'s monomaniacal obsession with a chair model. The visit to cemetery, and the modified \'American Pie\' song were both unnecessary and failed horribly. Also, I don\'t know if it was intentional, a tribute, or just bald-faced plagiarism, but Michael\'s blind date with Pam\'s landlord was taken almost directly from The Office UK. That scene, along with the overall tone of the episode, made Michael Scott seem like a David Brentish ogre, and negates any of the humanity we saw in episodes such as \' Survivorman\' or \'Business School.\' I guess his personality shift makes sense though, in light of all the drama he has been through. And the PB and J storyline – not so much. It was nice to see Halpert step up with an engagement ring, but their sugary sweet extended game of footsie is kind of sickening. It would be more realistic to introduce some of the tension that we saw in season 2 (\'You don\'t want to spend the rest of your life being a secretary, do you?\').
-
Kevin Crossman - Argh! I didn\'t know there\'d be people in the chatroom for us \"West Coasters.\" I got on towards the beginning of MNIE, had a nice chat with Garu, then left at the beginning of 30 Rock. So close, yet so far away. I also didn\'t like the way Michael acted this episode. His jerkiness was just too much. When he\'s a been a jerk at other times (Diversity Day), at least he has good intentions, and we can kind of put up with it because we know he\'s trying, but not this time. I would have liked to hear him at least acknowledge and apologize for his rudeness to Pam\'s landlady. I also agree with Grace and Nikhil; the PB & J thread didn\'t sit well with me, either. It seemed really sitcommy. Creed was hilarious, as always. I really liked the chair \"inheritance\" thread; I bet that kind of stuff goes on in offices all over the country. Andy and Kevin were great. I enjoyed how Andy didn\'t really lose his stride when W.B. stared him down, and the way Kevin wilted under pressure (to quote Angela and \"that other\" podcast: \"[he doesn\'t] hold up well even under severe scrutiny\"). I especially enjoyed the irony of Andy\'s victory speech! He was, in fact, describing W.B.\'s crew, proving once again that the \"well-to-do\" are out of touch with the rest of us.
-
I loved this episode! Just when I thought I was over JAM, they suck me right back in. Jim and Pam seemed very geniune and not like any other tv couple I\'ve ever seen. But, I think Chair Model would have been great even without the Jim and Pam moments. I personally loved the plotlines about the chair and the parking lot (especially the cold open!) because they were so office-y. The episode was so rich (definite A, B, and C plotlines) and packed with lots of little gems--Oscar Meyer Weiner Lover, Burger King, Creed wanting three chairs, Dwight & Michael singing American Pie...and was Kevin soaking his feet in his footbath from Christmas Party? It seems like there have been supersized episodes with less going on. I\'ve been concerned lately that the Office has been too focused on romances and things going on outside the actual office, but this episode demonstrated the writers\' ability to continue these plotlines, but still keep the Office true to its roots.
-
I loved this episode. Last weeks had some funny moments, but it left me feeling really uncomfortable at the same time. I think Michael was good. Every so often we need some of his ridiculous and jerky attitude. Yay for the landlady putting him in his place. JAM was great. I really wasn\'t expecting it, but realized it would be a great finale for th season. Then they has the scene at the end. I thought they were going to do the whole thing in one night. As for Pam\'s comment about getting engaged before moving in, I can totally understand. I lived with someone right out of college and said the same thing after we broke up too. I maintained that belief until I had been with my current BF for 4 years. A breakup and move-out is not an easy thing to do. Probably as tough as a divorce, but you don\'t have the court to sort things out.
-
I can see Pam ready for engagement. She was, after all, engaged for a \\\"few years\\\" and had made some wedding plans. And she has known Jim for years (including his profession of love for her). They have a quicker start-up than most couples. I took her comment seriously that she would not move in without an engagement though that doesn\\\'t seem normal these days. (you move in together to see if you can live together?) As to Creed - I always assumed he slept on the couch in the Ladies \\\"lounge area\\\" when he had his office sleepovers.
-
Loved it! There are so many LOL moments. I say just put them all in the office and give some of them a little outside adventure and you might just have a classic episode like this one. Some highlights among many: • Kevin\'s emotional talking head after the victory with the families... it felt very genuine. • Creed\'s chair craving • Jim\'s fake proposal • Michael, Dwight, Jim, and Pam where perfect!
-
I\'m surprised to be in the minority here- I didn\'t like it much. Some very funny moments but overall way too uncomfortable for me. Poor Pam\'s landlady; too mean. The Jam stuff was great, but it didn\'t fit very well with the overall tone of the episode, and I\'m still very unsure about where that story is taking us. I\'m worried they might be setting us up. I\'m not sure whether I buy what\'s going on there- was Pam serious about pushing for engagement? It\'s cute, but a little troubling that every conversation they have is 2/3 joking. And is Jim\'s devotion a little idealized, or am I just too cynical? That said, the fakeout proposal was hilarious. I just want a little bit more.
-
Jim on this episode was perhaps the least dickish I\'ve yet seen him this season. I think what we saw here was him being genuine, being sincere, and letting her know that he wasn\'t going to be another Roy (i.e., making her wait nine years while he decided to commit). As for the fake proposal -- he\'s still Jim. He can\'t resist teasing her just a LITTLE. But I think he\'s also letting her know, subtlely, that when it happens it\'s going to be something genuinely special. Also, quick aside to \"The Dinner Party\" -- somehow, it never occurred to me that Hunter\'s song could be about Jan until Matt and Kevin suggested it on the show. Now I can\'t get that idea out of my head. It haunts my very nights.
-
Wow! This episode made me feel so much better about the direction S4 is going (kind of). As far as the humor and getting back into the office and looking more like The Office and less like Everywhere But The Office, I\'m satisfied and smiling (thats what she said). It felt very season two-ish, and I\'m glad to see that. However cute the JAM storyline was, I\'m not impressed and I feel kind of jipped. I don\'t want to see Jim and Pam engaged yet--I was really looking forward to seeing them dating, and even though, yes, Jim\'s been pining after Pam for years, and yes, they\'ve been dating for six months (right? May-Novemberish?) but still. I don\'t think Pam\'s ready, and you can kind of see it by the way she reacted AFTER Jim left her desk, and even somewhat when he was down on his knee. I don\'t know. I sense an end of the season proposal (Did I Stutter, actually) and a \"uhhh i cant [yet]\" from Pam. I can\'t see an engagement being the right thing now. As far as timing... The Deposition and Dinner Party were set in October (yeah?) and then Chairmodel is a month later--so Novemberish. These people were NOT dressed for November! They\'re all in long sleeved shirts, but doesn\'t it snow and get REALLY cold in PA in Nov/Dec?
-
Thursday Kevin and the rest of the west coast chatters loved this episode. Lots of laugh out loud moments and a great \"closure\" twist. There\'s one deleted scene on NBC.com that\'s definitely worth viewing to learn what happened to Jan (and which room Michael stayed at). Jim Halpert is my new favorite character. Nuff said!
-
@Michelle Actually, I think creed wants 3 chairs so he can sleep on them when staying overnight at the office. That\'s the first thing that popped into my mind, anyway. But then again, why wouldn\'t he just borrow a few chairs? I don\'t know. But knowing Creed, he has a reason.
-
YAY! The office seems to be back on track. I was delighted with this episode. Although Micheal\'s Jackassery this episode was frustrating, the rest of the episode was great. I loved watching Andy and Kevin work together... I think you might have something there with the Andy/Kevin spinoff. Also, the Creed line was probably the most laugh out loud moment for me >:}
-
This episode wasn\'t that laugh out loud funny but the JAM moments were priceless. I don\'t think Jim is being a jerk with the fake proposal - Pam\'s laugh just shows that they are comfortable and goofy enough with each other that they can do stuff like that. I was out of my seat when I thought he was really proposing and then I was falling down laughing when he was joking - brilliant.
-
The fact that they didn\'t even attempt to explain why Creed needs three chairs is why that line was so fantastic. (My immediate thought was that he needs it to sleep on... but in that case, couldn\'t he just have taken other people\'s chairs?) Bottom line, I don\'t think a brain other than Creed\'s could really answer this question, and that\'s awesome.
-
PB&J won me over in this episode. I have had doubts all season 4 about their relationship being the downfall/death of the show but this brought me back to some of the great season 2 JAM moments. Anyone else feeling an official proposal for the season finale? I still thought Karen was going to get the JOB, so I suppose anything could happen. Other than Michael being broken up with Jan(and the \"remember that dinner party\" reference to Pam) I didn\'t notice that they went out of their way to point out the time jump. If I wasn\'t paying attention I wouldn\'t have noticed at all. And on that note I wish we could have found out if Michael got to stay in Dwight\'s irrigation room.
-
Nice, very nice. I am deeply digging this incremental proposal. It\'s fitting for Jim and Pam, and might make for a few good recurring jokes. I have to say, though... I\'ve been warming up to Michael over the past few episodes, but tonight was extremely off-putting. The callous jerk levels went soaring right past \"sick and wrong\" and peaked in \"nausea inducing.\" Oh well. And I\'d say that the parking issue was pointless, but we got some good, solid Kevin time, so I\'m not complaining.
-
Enjoyed it very much. A few laugh out loud moments for me: - Just the idea of bringing the five families together cracks me up (big Godfather fan) and when they cut to each of the bosses, I lost it. -Creed waiting for Pam\'s chair so he could have it, and then he just needs one more, which I don\'t understand, but found funny anyway. - Wendy, Hot and juicy redhead! Saw that one comin\'! Then Michael saying \"Burger King\" later on. - OSCAR MAYER WEINER LOVER!!!!! Didn\'t care for the landlady date. I agree that was Michael at his dumbest and most insulting. Is Pam REALLY going to have to move out now? All in all, BIG improvement for me over last week.
Adding comments is not available at this time.