HAPPY THANKSGIVING
To all our fellow American fans of The Office, we wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! 

Kevin and the missus are off debauching themselves in Las Vegas, but you can rest assured that I'll be spending a wholesome family Thanksgiving day at my parents' house, stuffing my face with an assortment of traditional holiday fare (hopefully followed by some fearsome rounds of Rock Band 2 and Ticket To Ride).

Hope everyone else has a great day, wherever (or HOWever) you choose to celebrate.

See you in the chatroom next Thursday!


Category:general -- posted at: 12:12pm EDT
Comments[0]





It's about four minutes longer than the original cut, and as I thought they (for the most part) simply wove the footage from the already aired deleted scenes back into the episode.  There were a few new bits (Angela's wedding dress, Phyllis talking about her house, etc.), but most of them weren't too essential.

Kevin might be happy, as this new cut definitely fleshed out the microwave plotline-- the escalating notes definitely rang true to me (and the "I'll knock your teeth out" line will be worthy of speculation). A big "boo" to Hulu for blacking out the penises on the notes, though--took a bit of humor out of that deleted scene.

I honestly think this cut DOES make FRAME TOBY a better episode than the original cut, although that might be faint praise for some.  What did you guys think? Did this change your mind at all, or was it just more of the same?

Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm EDT
Comments[6]

Episode # 56 -- "Frame Toby" (11/20/08) Episode # 56 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Kevin heading down to the quarry. Noooooo! Noooooo! NOOOOOOOOOO! Flenderson's back, and Michael has to come to terms with this evil snail once again infiltrating his garden of eden... or does he? I'll take one caprese salad, extra weed please. Pam hunts a microwave slob, Jim buys a house, Ryan and Kelly... well, END, and Dwight looks mighty tempting in that mustard shirt. Illegal? That's OK, EVERYthing they do on The Shield is illegal. 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!
Direct download: TWSS56.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:22pm EDT
Comments[21]

From the AP:

Sat Nov 22, 3:58 pm ET

LOS ANGELES – The Screen Actors Guild said Saturday it will ask its members to authorize a strike after its first contract talks in four months with Hollywood studios failed despite the help of a federal mediator.

The guild said it adjourned talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers shortly before 1 a.m. after two marathon sessions with federal mediator Juan Carlos Gonzalez.

SAG, representing more than 120,000 actors in movies, television and other media, said in a statement that it will launch a "full-scale education campaign in support of a strike authorization."

Talks broke down after the studios sought the right to create productions for new media, such as the Internet, using nonunion actors and without paying residuals, said Doug Allen, SAG national executive director and chief negotiator.

Residuals are payments to actors that are made every time a production airs, such as TV reruns. Many SAG members rely on residuals for more than half of their income, Allen said.

"They're asking us to bless a system we believe would be the beginning of the end of residuals and that's a very scary thought for working actors," he said.

The producers' alliance condemned the SAG decision and said it remains the only major Hollywood guild without a labor deal this year.

"Now, SAG is bizarrely asking its members to bail out the failed negotiating strategy with a strike vote — at a time of historic economic crisis," a producers' statement said. "The tone-deafness of SAG is stunning."

SAG's national board has already authorized its negotiating committee to call for a strike authorization vote if mediation failed. The vote would take more than a month and require more than 75 percent approval to pass.

SAG wants union coverage for all Internet-only productions regardless of budget and residual payments for Internet productions replayed online, as well as continued actor protections during work stoppages.

But the AMPTP said it was untenable for SAG to demand a better deal than what writers, directors and another actors union accepted earlier in the year, especially now that the economy has worsened.

Earlier this week, the producers' group said it had reached its sixth labor deal this year, a tentative agreement on a three-year contract with the local branches of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts, accounting for 35,000 workers.

The stagehands alliance accepted Internet provisions that were modeled on agreements with other unions, the producers group said.

Actors in prime-time television shows and movies have been working under the terms of a contract that expired June 30, with the hope of avoiding a repeat of the 100-day writers strike which shut down production of dozens of TV shows and cost the Los Angeles area economy an estimated $2.5 billion.


Category:general -- posted at: 12:24am EDT
Comments[1]

Get TWSS Anytime with iPhone / iPod Touch 2.2 Software
by Kevin Crossman

Apple released operating system version 2.2 yesterday for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Notable among the new features is the ability to download podcasts over Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Which means that That's What She Said listeners can listen anytime, anywhere.



Step 1 - Through iTunes, upgrade software to 2.2 (free update from 2.1)

Step 2 - Go to iTunes app on device. Search or browse to the podcast that turns you on the most (That's What She Said!)

Step 3 - View the show page for the podcast. Press the "Free" button next to any episode you want to download. Confirm the selection by pressing the Download button.

Step 4 - Watch the download progress. File downloads are limited to 10 MB over cellular networks, so most episodes of That's What She Said will require a WiFi connection. Once the download is finished, the episode will now be available in the device's iPod app.

Step 5 - Go to iPod app and listen to the episode. A handy "Get More Episodes" link will take you to the show page in the iTunes app where you can repeat the process.

It's great to be able download podcasts away from the computer. And thanks for all those great reviews for That's What She Said - 4.5 stars is nothing to sneeze at!  If you haven't reviewed and rated the show in iTunes, please do so today!

Review That's What She Said on iTunes.


Category:general -- posted at: 11:29pm EDT
Comments[3]

They haven't done this since season three, but NBC is planning to offer a streaming "producer's cut" version of FRAME TOBY on Tuesday, November 25.

Perhaps the extra content will appease many of the blog posters who seemed to really dislike this week's episode?

 
Category:general -- posted at: 3:41pm EDT
Comments[1]

by Kevin Crossman

NBC.com is featuring the first in a four-part webisode series called "The Outburst" today. Though most fans of The Office were underwhelmed by the previous webisode series, "The Accountants" and "Kevin's Loan", fan will surely find this one more satisfying. "The Outburst" features a much larger cast of supporting actors from The Office and the writing and direction is on-par with broadcast episodes of the show.



The plot is fairly simple and shown during the first episode of the series. Oscar (Oscar Nunez) screams at someone on the telephone and storms off in anger, setting off curiosity by the others in the office. Andy (Ed Helms) offers a $100 bounty on who can find out who Oscar was talking to, setting off a series of vignettes where the other employees play amateur-detective. In the fourth episode, we learn who Oscar directed the outburst towards - and the result may surprise you.

Directed by Lee Eisenberg & Gene Stupnitsky and written by Nate Federman & Jonathan Hughes, "The Outburst" feels like an eleven minute broadcast episode - albeit without the "big five" stars Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, and B.J. Novak. For example, there is an intense conclusion to the third episode that features Oscar addressing the rest of the office as well as the documentary team that may get you to jump from your seat in excitement and perhaps fear. The participation of nearly the entire supporting cast really sets this webisode series apart. Every supporting player except Craig Robinson is on board, including Toby (Paul Leiberstein) who is returning to the show. There are several scenes that use Creed (Creed Bratton) effectively and a hilarious scene with Kelly (Mindy Kaling) that will warm the hearts of cellphone fans everywhere.

Perhaps what sets "The Outburst" apart is the effective use of the character of Oscar. As shown in episodes like "Business Trip" the character is more nuanced than often portrayed and Nunez is given a lot of room to stretch the character. Unlike Brian Baumgartner's one-note portrayal of Kevin in "Kevin's Loan," Nunez keeps fans interested with a range of emotions including anger, exasperation, and a bit of condescension.

Every fan of The Office should go out of their way to watch "The Outburst."  The interplay between the characters is top-notch and the writing is crisp and hilarious.  Additionally, unlike "Kevin's Loan" this series has a great payoff to the mystery in the fourth episode. In fact, the twist is so good you'll want to go back and rewatch the series to see the clues that were sprinkled along the way.

"The Outburst" is hilarious and is "appointment TV" for your computer.

Matt says:

I don't have a whole lot to add to what Kevin has written above, and what I've already said on the podcast, but I DO want to emphasize that this is by far the most entertaining webisode series to date.  Must see TV, as the saying goes.




Category:Webisodes -- posted at: 12:02pm EDT
Comments[4]

From TVGuide.com (because NBC.com didn't bother to update their "next on" page):



FRAME TOBY | 11.20.08 | 9/8c TV-PG

Dirt is dished over a dirty dish: Tension boils over when a mysterious someone leaves a culinary mess in the office microwave. Meanwhile, Michael has trouble accepting that personnel changes were made without his knowledge.

--------------

FLEEEEEEENDERSOOOOOOON!

As always, leave your comments below and join Kevin and Me in the TWSS chat room after the show.


Category:general -- posted at: 8:34am EDT
Comments[39]

Big news today about the still unnamed Amy Poehler sitcom set to debut in 2009--

Despite the earlier news denying involvement, Rashida Jones has indeed joined the cast. According to VARIETY, Jones will play "Ann Logan, a nurse whose boyfriend has a strange injury. It's that injury that leads Jones' character into the world populated by Poehler and Aziz Ansari."

Writer Mike Schur, one of the show's creators, called Jones "funny, talented and beautiful... She is perfect for this new show, which -- just to remind everyone -- is not a spinoff of 'The Office,' It is a spinoff of 'MASH' called 'Seinfeld II.' "

According to the article, Jones is also set to appear at least once this season on THE OFFICE.


Category:general -- posted at: 7:02pm EDT
Comments[2]

Episode # 55 -- "Business Trip" (11/13/08) Episode # 55 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Kevin arguing over which of them is Dandy Dale and which is Foppy Magee. Take off, eh? Michael, Oscar and Andy head off to the great white north to sell some paper, and Mike is psyched to sow his wild oats in kah-nah-dah. Will concierge Marie make him forget his lost love? Meanwhile, Pam fails art school, Ryan and Kelly reunite, Andy finds Oscar Deeelightful, and David Wallance gets an earful. It's true what they say - Long Island iced-tea IS stronger in Canada. *BONUS* preview of THE OUTBURST webisodes set to debut November 20th. 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!
Direct download: TWSS55.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:22pm EDT
Comments[15]

Kevin and I already told you a while ago about BJ Novak signing on for a part in Quentin Tarantino's WWII movie "Inglorious Basterds" [sic]. Michael Ausiello is reporting this week that Novak HAS asked for time off from NBC to film the role, and that it has been granted.  How long he'll be gone, exactly, is still a matter for speculation.



This isn't really new-- As you recall, Oscar Nunez took a similar leave back in season three, to return a few months later.  This might be the same with Novak, although Ausiello is claiming that an "insider" had this to say:

According to one insider, Novak will be MIA for "several episodes" but will return later this season. Another source, however, says Novak may be done with The Office for good, at least as a performer. "He may write more episodes," whispers my mole, "but as far as playing Ryan, I think he's ready to move on."

It's unclear how Novak's absence will be explained on screen, but making Ryan a victim of the current recession would be the logical way to go -- particularly if you-know-who returns to Scranton and decides she wants her old receptionist job back (hint, hint).

 Kevin's been ragging on Novak this season, and I haven't been a big fan of his cartoonish "villainy," but I don't think either of us would like to see him leave. 

Thoughts?

Category:general -- posted at: 8:57am EDT
Comments[6]

Steve Carell and Friends Signed for New 3D Animated Film

Steve Carell will voice the title character in Despicable Me, a new 3D animated film from Universal Pictures-based family film unit Illumination Entertainment. Horton Hears a Who's Chris Meledandri is producing from a script from Horton writers Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin are directing.

Joining Steve are the voices of Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Russell Brand, Jack McBrayer, along with Jemaine Clement ("Flight of the Conchords") and Julie Andrews. The film will be released in 2010.

According to Variety, "Carell's title character is a deplorable man known as Groo who masterminds the mother of all heists when he plots to steal the moon. Egged on by an evil mother (Andrews), Groo finds one obstacle in his way: a trio of orphan girls who temporarily come under his care and won't leave."

For more info from Variety, CLICK HERE.

Category:general -- posted at: 12:14pm EDT
Comments[1]

From NBC.com:

BUSINESS TRIP | 11.13.08 | 9/8c TV-PG




CANADA BOUND - Michael (Golden Globe winner Steve Carell) is ecstatic when David Wallace (Andy Buckley) decides to send him on a business trip to Canada. Andy (Ed Helms) and Oscar (Oscar Nunez) become unlikely friends when Michael decides to bring them along on the trip. Meanwhile, Jim (John Krasinski) is counting down the days until Pam (Jenna Fischer) gets back from art school. Rainn Wilson, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, Phyllis Smith and Creed Bratton also star.

-----------------------

Andy and Oscar, huh? An unlikely pairing, especially given their obvious animosity during the whole "Finer Things Club" fiasco. Will our favorite gay accountant stop worrying and learn to love the Nard-dog? Only time will tell.

As always, leave your comments below and Join Kevin and me in the TWSS chat room after the show.


Category:general -- posted at: 11:16pm EDT
Comments[39]

Episode # 54 -- "Customer Survey" (11/06/08) Episode # 54 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Kevin arguing the bug-busting merits of The J. Geils Band. It's customer feedback time at Dunder Mifflin, and things are looking a bit poopy for both Jim and Dwight. Is it the mob? NASA? Or a dusky, exotic customer service rep out for revenge? Andy books the perfect wedding tent, but who wants to get married like a hobo? Jim and Pam spend the day on bluetooth, but Jim learns that some conversations are better left un-heard.  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!
Direct download: TWSS54.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:05pm EDT
Comments[11]





(thanks Gary!)

Category:general -- posted at: 8:06pm EDT
Comments[5]

It doesn't happen very often, but occasionally the real world conflicts with my ability to produce That's What She said.  For me, this week is the end of the first quarter and that means I've got to enter report cards and finish grades before Tuesday morning.

Normally I edit the show and post it to the servers by Monday night, but this week it's just not going to happen.  I should be able to have the episode posted on TUESDAY night, though.

Thanks for your understanding.


Category:general -- posted at: 6:03pm EDT
Comments[4]

Ricky Gervais was at the Paley Center this past week to promote his new HBO production "Ricky Gervais: Out Of England -- The Stand-up Special." When asked by the intrepid TV Guide reporter if Gervais would like to make a guest appearance on the US version of THE OFFICE, Gervais had this to say:

Gervais even has an idea for how he could appear: as himself, playing struggling actor Andy Melman on HBO's Extras.

"I'd quite like them to maybe be watching an episode of Extras, and Michael Scott comes along and goes, 'This guy is no good. If they ever do a remake, I think I should do that part."

Personally, I think Gervais shouldn't come within a country mile of the US Office.  Sure, he can write another episode (he still owes us for "Prison Mike," after all) or direct, but to have him appear as David Brent would be incredibly silly (and having him appear AT ALL would be a major distraction).

30 ROCK has really been milking the celebrity cameo this season, and I can see the temptation of getting Gervais to appear.  Still, I think once we go down that road there will really be no coming back.





Category:general -- posted at: 1:52pm EDT
Comments[5]

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Steve Carell is apparently considering starring in "The Beaver," written by newcomer Kyle Killen. HR describes the film as being:

about a man who walks around with a beaver puppet on his hand, treating it as something close to a human creature with human feelings. It's a whimsical and winning script, according to those who have seen it [...] The fable, which occupies the fantastical territory somewhere between "Being John Malkovich" and "Lars and the Real Girl," has a lot of studios interested.

Sounds to me like Steve is gunning for his own "bushiest beaver" award at this year's Dundies!




Category:general -- posted at: 3:13pm EDT
Comments[2]

Thanks to some general ass-hattery, comments are now being moderated.  What that means is that once you POST a comment, it will go to my inbox for approval.  Anyone posting without a valid email address will have their comment deleted immediately.

EDIT:

This is pretty much the best explanation I've seen yet for why this happens (thanks to the guys at Penny Arcade):



Category:general -- posted at: 5:43pm EDT
Comments[4]

From NBC.com:



CUSTOMER SURVEY | 11.06.2008 | 9/8c TV-PG


THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT - Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Jim (John Krasinski) are shocked when they get the results of the annual customer survey report. Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim decide they want to spend every minute together using their bluetooth phones. Meanwhile, Angela (Angela Kinsey) and Andy (Ed Helms) pick an unusual location for their wedding. Steve Carell, B.J. Novak, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Phyllis Smith, Oscar Nunez and Creed Bratton also star.

----------------------

Based on the way things have been going, I'm not sure how anyone would be surprised by a POOR survey of customer satisfaction. Guess we'll just have to see what the fuss is all about... hey, maybe they're surprised because people actually LIKE their company?

As always, leave comments below and join Kevin and me in the TWSS chat room after the show.

EDIT:

Someone jokingly brought this up in the chatroom last night, but it turns out that YES, NBC is indeed selling those MUGS at the NBCU store as of today.  You can buy them separately for $12 each, or get all 10 for $90.  If you order before next Monday, you can get 15% off your order using the code OFFICEFAN.




Category:general -- posted at: 9:56am EDT
Comments[35]

Episode # 53 -- "Employee Transfer" (10/30/08) Episode # 53 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Kevin searching for a little place with some great bacon. Life is a highway, and I wanna drive it all night long... or at least for 14 hours round-trip. A misplaced kiss lands Michael in hot water and Holly back in Nashua. Will their relationship survive the move? Creed creeps the hell out of me, Pam's prank on Jim goes awry, and Dwight decides to further his education Big Red style. Andy's head to explode in 3... 2... 1. 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!
Direct download: TWSS53.mp3
Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:54pm EDT
Comments[19]


Help Support TWSS:



Get a FREE audiobook from Audible.com:



Order ANYTHING from Amazon:



The Show:

That's What She Said is a weekly podcast dedicated to NBC's Emmy Award winning show The Office. Every episode of TWSS includes TV episode clips and commentary, news, reports on upcoming media appearances of the cast, a selection of podsafe music, and much more. If you have a news item, piece of gossip, comment, constructive compliment, or are interested in promotional cooperation, please contact us:

Matt Sommer, host
Kevin Crossman, co-host
TWSSpodcast@gmail.com


The Host: Matt Sommer

The Co-Host: Kevin Crossman

The Conference Room: TWSS Chatroom

The Song:

The Stalking:

follow SommerMatt at http://twitter.com

follow KevinCrossman at http://twitter.com

The Swag:

The Convention:

The Map: Our Frappr Map

The Team:

The Cult: Join the DAC!


-->

Subscribe

Categories

Links

Archives

Other Stuff

November 2008
S M T W T F S
     
            1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30