Kevin dropped me a line yesterday to point out that Rainn Wilson has supposedly been cast in TRANSFORMERS 2, as "some kind of a professor." 

I guess I'm glad to see him graduating from bit parts in indie films to bit parts in ridiculously overpriced blockbusters, but the original TRANSFORMERS was the mental equivalent of a prostate exam.  I *STILL* feel the pain. 

I think I'll pass on #2, but best of luck to Mr. Wilson.

I know many of us were impressed with Amy Ryan's turn as Holly Flax in the season finale.  The rapport and chemistry with Michael was one of the high points for me, and I was hoping for more of that next season.  Unfortunately, that might not be the case... at least according to TV Guide's Matt Roush--

As for Amy Ryan: Last time I checked this week, there was no news yet about her returning to the show. But it's hard to imagine she won't appear at least once more — unless Holly was so put off by Michael's arousal and later rejection that her absence is explained later in exposition. I hope we get to see her again — but yeah, don't count on her for the spin-off. This actress's career is just taking off, and this Office role is likely something of a fun lark.

That makes me incredibly sad, but then again, I won't start gnashing my teeth until we get some kind of confirmation from NBC.  I *DID* say that Toby could easily come back to the show after having found Costa Rica distasteful for some reason, so who knows.  All I can say is that I'll really miss her character... is it too soon to make my "Team Holly" shirt? (^_-)

NBC recently announced its Fall schedule, confirming that THE OFFICE will return on SEPTEMBER 25th for a one hour season premiere. MY NAME IS EARL also returns on the 25th, and 30 ROCK once again rears its head on October 30th.

Joining the Thursday night comedy block on October 9th is the retooled Austrailian import KATH & KIM.  NBC describes the show thusly:

For "Kath & Kim," they're the most dysfunctional duo in suburbia. Kath Day (Molly Shannon, NBC's "Saturday Night Live") is the mom, a foxy, 40-something divorcée who finally has time for herself and her valiant search for love. Kim Day (Selma Blair, "Hellboy," "Hellboy II") is the daughter, a self-absorbed princess recently separated from her husband who finds consolation in stuffing her face. When Kim decides to move back home, Kath reluctantly agrees -- but to Kim's chagrin, Kath is not about to cater to her every whim as she has in the past. Based on the most successful comedy in Australia of the same name, Kath and Kim are two brassy women who prefer the finer things in life like acrylic nails, big hair and faux diamond chips. The series is produced by Universal Media Studios and Reveille. The executive producer/writer is Michelle Nader ("The King of Queens") and the executive producer/director is Paul Feig ("Freaks and Geeks," "The Office"). Gina Riley, Jane Turner and Rick McKenna also are executive producers.

Only four months to go!

37 years ago today, my sainted mother pushed me forth into this cold, cruel world.  Well... I guess it hasn't been ALL bad-- I did enjoy a brief period back in the 80s... Oh, and THE OFFICE.  Definitely worth it.

Due to my schedule this week and the extra time involved with editing an episode of such extraordinary length, TWSS #45 will take a few extra days to produce.

Seeing as we have no other new OFFICE episodes to worry about, I figure you can cut us some slack :)

Keep checking your RSS feeds.

Despite what we all originally thought, Ricky Gervais did NOT come up with the idea for THE OFFICE on his own.  In fact, he was inspired by a little seen Japanese comedy.  Video of the original version surfaced on the web today, and it's definitely well worth a look!

I'm sort of torn on what to do with the comments section.  These "cut n paste" spam posts lately are really starting to annoy me, but I don't know if this is some kind of spambot (I don't see what monetary value can be gained from this, esp. since there are no links or ads) or just the work of someone with an axe to grind. 

I don't want to have to moderate comments because it really DOES make it less interesting to not see the posts immediately.  On the other hand, I'm tired of having to scroll through the entire pasted contents of my website every 5 messages. 

Let me know what YOU guys want.  Would you rather I just leave them open?

Friend of the show (and graphic designer) Gary sent me a picture of what our 2008 presidential "dream team"* might look like.  Thought I'd share.

Nice work, Gary.

EDIT:

Here's some love for the other side.



*This is in no way an endoresment of John McCain or the Republican party in general. 

Well, here we are folks... the end of the strike shortened fourth season.  We've had a lot of plot building this past month which all seems to be leading towards some big revelations/changes in tonight's episode.  Will Toby REALLY leave? Who is going to be getting engaged? Will JAM become "Philly JAM"? I guess we shall see soon enough.


From NBC.com:

IT'S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE - SPECIAL ONE HOUR SEASON FINALE - OSCAR NOMINEE AMY RYAN ("Gone Baby Gone") GUEST STARS - It's Toby's (Paul Lieberstein) goodbye party at Dunder Mifflin and Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) demands a huge celebration that matches the joy in his heart. Angela (Angela Kinsey), sick of Michael's unreasonable last minute demands, refuses, and Michael turns to Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) to take over the party planning committee. Meanwhile, Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Meredith (Kate Flannery) haze the new HR woman, Holly (Oscar Nominee Amy Ryan). John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B.J. Novak, Melora Hardin, Ed Helms, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Oscar Nunez, Mindy Kaling, Creed Bratton, and Craig Robinson also star.

As always, leave your comments below.  Join Kevin and me in the TWSS Chat room immediately following the conclusion of the episode.  If you'd like to leave an audio comment (which might end up on the next episode of the podcast) call 206-666-FRAT and leave a voicemail.

Oh, and don't forget that Paul Lieberstein will be doing a live blog over at NBC.com after the finale.  Hmmm... chat with us, watch the blog... decisions, decisions!

(The blog will always be there, if it helps to make your choice...)

In her "The Watcher" column in the Chicago Tribune, columnist Maureen Ryan has gone all "Comic Book Guy" and declaired JOB FAIR to be the "worst episode ever." of THE OFFICE.

Now, you've heard out take in the podcast.  I agree with a lot of what she says, but also think she's going a bit too far.  Still, to each their own.

Scroll down to the bottom of the article for a summary of Steve Carell's interview with PLAYBOY.

(Thanks to "SavannahMark" for the tip)

"The Bryant Park Project" aired an interview with BJ Novak yesterday.  It runs about 15 minutes (intermixed with audio clips from "Chair model") and apparently our dear intern/boss/half-beard gives his take on the whole "McCain watching THE OFFICE" question we mentioned in the last episode.

Well, looks like I owe John McCain a can of Duff... according to BJ Novak he IS a fan of the show (or at least knows the "Dinner Party" episode). Now the only burning question is "is OBAMA a fan"?  Maybe we'll see an OFFICE "quote-off" in November... extra bonus points to whichever candidate quotes from "Dwight's Speech" in their inaugural...

TWSS listener Greta pointed out that the folks over at TBPP have released an uncut version of the interview which runs about 40 minutes.  I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but we'll definitely share any useful information we find in the next episode of the podcast.

Looks like Libsyn is trying out a NEW spam-deterrent on the comments, so I'll take a leap of faith and open them back up again so that no moderation is required.

That doesn't mean you can be a jerk, though.  Remember-- comments are here to talk about THE TV EPISODE or THE PODCAST.  Please address the issues or statements made by the other posters, NOT the individual making the comments (ex. "I disagree with your comments about the ____, I found the show to be _____!" and NOT "You're stupid.").  Please do not post under someone else's name.  If you have a comment about THE PODCAST, try to keep it CONSTRUCTIVE (ex. "I thought Matt was way off base with his comments about ______, because..." and NOT "You're stupid.").

The biggest reason Kevin and I keep producing TWSS is for the interaction with and feedback from other THE OFFICE fans.  Let's keep things civil.

Thanks.

Something incredibly bizarre is going on with the comments this past week, so I have once again turned on comment filtering. That means that I will have to "approve" your comment for it to appear on the blogplage.  I know it kind of sucks and limits the back and forth discussion, but I don't know what else to do.  We're seeing tons of double and triple posts, giant random texts, and all sorts of other odd stuff.  When it gets sorted out, we can go back to normal.

This one sounds pretty promising-- Jim, Andy and Kevin on the links? A situation rife with comedic possibilities if I've ever heard one. 


From NBC.com:

Jim (John Krasinski) hits the links with Andy (Ed Helms) and Kevin (Brian Baumgartner) to try and land his biggest client ever. Meanwhile, Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) sets up a booth at a local job fair, which happens to be at Pam's (Jenna Fischer) alma mater, to find "the best and the brightest" for Dunder Mifflin's summer internship. Rainn Wilson, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Angela Kinsey, Creed Bratton, Oscar Nunez, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Phyllis Smith and Craig Robinson also star.

-----------

Leave your comments below, and join Kevin and me in the TWSS chat after the show.

The first trailer for THE ROCKER was just posted over at Yahoo! Movies, and it's definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a glimpse of the "wilder" side of Dunder Mifflin's favorite beet farmer.

I dunno... looks like it could go either way, as the trailer seems heavy on "getting hit in the nuts" and "falling off stuff" jokes.  Not exactly subtle... but then, when is rock ever subtle? In the plus column, one of the writers is listed as Wallace Wolodarsky, a verteran writer on THE SIMPSONS (you know, from the GOOD seasons before it jumped the shark...?).

If you're unfamiliar with THE ROCKER, allow Yahoo! Movies to elucidate:

A failed drummer is given a second chance at fame. Robert "Fish" Fishman (Rainn Wilson) is the extremely dedicated and astoundingly passionate drummer for the eighties hair band Vesuvius, who is living the rock n' roll dream until he is unceremoniously kicked out of the band. Twenty years after his rock star fantasies are destroyed, just when Fish has finally given up all hope, he hears that his nephew's high school rock band A.D.D. is looking for a new drummer. They reluctantly make him the newest member of the band, giving him a chance to reclaim the rock God throne he's always thought he deserved, and taking the young band along for the ride of their lives.

Friend of the show Brian Howard over at the Remote Access TV blog offers up yet another interview with a recent THE OFFICE guest star, this time talking to Five Families member Paul "Cool Guy Paul" Faust.

Head on over to Brian's blog for all the details.

Dwight buying and then flipping Andy's Nissan Xterra was one of the funniest bits to be found in DID I STUTTER? this past week.  Dwight's Jedi mind-trick sales techniques, the "three way bidding war"... pure comedy gold.

Inspired by the episode, the actual OWNER of said Xterra (one of the hairstylists on THE OFFICE) has put the car up on eBay as well. 

If you happen to be lucky enough (or foolish enough, given the current bid price) to purchase this vehicle, you'll also receive a copy of the DID I STUTTER script signed by the whole cast, the actual prop "for sale" sign used on the show, and a few other props that were used in filming (like a Cornell window sticker).

If you live int he Van Nuys, CA area and just HAVE to own a piece of OFFICE history to drive around in, this might be the chance you've been waiting for. 

Hurry... bidding closes on MAY 8th!

Strange title aside, I am curious to see how this clash of the titans plays out tonight.  Michael trying to give Stanley an attitude adjustment? After going through an entire BRANCH WAR to get him back? :)  There's no Stanley tree out there, people.

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE NOW:

TAKING ON THE BOSS - When Stanley (Leslie David Baker) snaps at Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) during a meeting, Michael tries to give Stanley an attitude adjustment. Dwight (Rainn Wilson) decides to buy Andy's (Ed Helms) car. Meanwhile, Pam (Jenna Fischer) deals with an unexpected inconvenience after spending the night at Jim's (John Krasinski). Brian Baumgarter, Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Craig Robinson and Creed Bratton also star.

As always, leave your comments below.

EDIT:

Here's a link to a large size picture of the organizational chart. Whose name is crossed off on the accountants side? And if Devon is here, where are the other Stamford people? :)

EDIT 2:

NBC has made a PDF file of the chart available for download. Click HERE to get the PDF of Dwight's "emergency" plan overlay.