One of my original gripes with how NBC was marketing "The Office" was their cluelessness about merchandising-- all of their T-Shirts said "The Office" on them!  How lame is that?  Surely, real fans would want a "Dunder-Mifflin" T-Shirt instead... that's why I snapped up the "World's Best Boss" mug & the Dwight bobblehead when they became available... I mean, these are actual ARTIFACTS from the show itself.  Very cool.

Someone at NBC must have been paying attention, because suddenly the official store has a TON of actual cool stuff... from T-shirts with Jim, Michael and Dwight, to a mug that has the DM logo and "Dundee award winner" on the side (and plenty of snowglobes and talking keychains thrown into the mix as well).  They even have some slightly higher scale stuff, like a gray polo shirt with the DM logo embroidered on the front, just like Michael and Dwight wore in "The Convention."

Just in time for Christmas.

(I take a XXL, by the way...)

EDIT:

Enter coupon code OFFICETALLY at checkout to receive 10% off on all The Office merchandise. 

Well, here we go folks-- mere hours away from the new episode, penned by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, creators of the original UK "The Office."

Which of the new employees will be proven to have a "criminal" past?  Only time will tell!

EDIT:

Watching now...

Uh oh.

EDIT 2:

Flenderson FTW!

As you may have heard on episode # 8.0, I had the very great pleasure of meeting Sam Van Hallgren a few Mondays back.  Sam is the cohost (along with Adam Kempenaar) of my favorite podcast of all time, FILMSPOTTING (or Cinecast, as it was known before they changed the name for legal reasons).

Sam's is one of the most professionally produced shows out there, and is literally a beacon of excellence in a sea of mediocrity.  If you like film, if you're looking for a show in the Ebert & Roeper vein, if you're looking for a place where listener interaction is appreciated, this is a podcast you should be checking out on a weekly basis.  Just recently, they also parlayed their podcast into an actual radio show on WBEZ in Chicago.

Sam has been a fan of THE OFFICE and a listener of TWSS, and he really was great to talk to during our brief meeting.  He offered lots of good advice and insights into podcasting, and I really appreciated it.

He ALSO did me the honor of a name drop in the most recent episode, #136, at around 22:26-31:23 or so.  Since we're off this week, I ask you to give FILMSPOTTING a listen, if you're haven't already done so.

Great stuff.

While Thanksgiving has interrupted our "The Office" love for now, I'd just like to take this opportunity to wish everyone out there a gut-busting, rip-roaring holiday.

I'll be heading over to my usual family get-together to eat turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole until I regurgitate (that's when I know it's time for pie). 

Gotta love it.

Take care, and see you next week!

As the title suggests, NBC posted more deleted scenes from "The Merger" on their site (5 total, now).  One features Michael commenting on the mysteries of the menstrual cycle & Martin Nash discovering Creed's "old man smell." Another has Michael giving up some words of wisdom, a third has Meredith meeting Karen, while the last two have Andy interacting with Kevin. 

Also, they posted a link for a new "The Office" related solitaire game.  Check it out!

Episode # 8.0 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Ian vying for the bouquet at the wedding of the century. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of this lovely couple in merged bliss... Scranton, do you take Stamford to join your branch, to love, torture and humiliate them, to make things not better but WORSE, as long as you both shall live? You do? Really? It's the moment we've been waiting for, folks-- Jim is back... bringing treble with him. Will things go as smoothly as Michael hopes, or will we suffer a quicky divorce? One thing I *DO* know? Ed Helms + Rainn Wilson = Crazy delicious! 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!

A couple of new things posted today:

NBC.com has posted 2 deleted scenes from THE MERGER.  As usual, NBC is doing this differently again... you won't find them under the "Deleted Scenes" section, only on the main "The Office" page.  The FIRST deleted scene is simply the complete and unedited LAZY SCRANTON video (which seems a shoe-in for Jim's iPod this week). The second deleted scene shows Andy's first meeting with Kevin. Let's just say that Andy feels the cold, cold karmic sting of poetic justice.

Rainn Wilson also posted a new "Schrute Space" entry.

Jenna Fischer also did a live blog last night after the show.  She was only online for 25 minutes, and she didn't really spill any new information... just fielded a lot of Jim/Pam questions.  Check it out at the link above.

Funniest part of the episode? The Andy/Dwight rivalry.  Not only is he after Dwight's position in the office & dissin' the D-man's ride,  he's also charming the chastity belt off of his girlfriend.  The almost killed even this, though, in the "way too long" credits sequence.

Least funniest part of the episode?  Everything else.

So I guess it's official-- Jim and Karen are "dating." This certainly wasn't the reunion the "HalpEesley" fans were hoping for, and it also seems like it's following along with the UK version... which is OK in and of itself.  Like the last few episodes, this was definitely a plot mover.  I hope that being settled officially in Scranton we can get on with the regular office- hijinx episodes we've come to know and love.

I think Martin hit the nail on the head-- too much filler, not enough meat.

People magazine just came out with it's annual "Sexy Men" issue, and our boy John Krasinski is on the list alongside such luminaries as Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Taye Diggs, Ashton Kutcher, and George Clooney (the 2006 winner).



Now tell me somethin' I *DON'T* know, People Magazine!

Some Jenna Fischer news:

She and husband James Gunn will be on LoveLine tonight, November 15th... Check it out if you're interested (and if you read this in time!).

As Greg Daniels did last week, Jenna will be doing a live blog on NBC.com following the East Coast/Central airing of "The Merger" on November 16th. (which should be around 9:20pm/8:20pm). Personally, I haven't been a huge fan of NBC's blogs, but hey, you never know when a tasty bit of information might leak out.  AND Jenna might respond to your question, so there's that.

Episode # 7.0 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Ian scared, lost, confused and baffled... what do we do when our jobs are downsized? It's the moment we've been dreading since season 1, folks... Scranton is being shut down... but michael won't let it go without a fight. It's brains and brawn vs... michael and dwight, corporate greed vs. blind ignorance, it's the bout to knock the other branch out! Will Jim return? Will Josh enjoy his time at staples? Will Andy find solace in the cornell alumni network? Only time will tell... 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!

In case anyone doesn't want to bother going through NBC.com to view the "Producer's Cut" of BRANCH CLOSING, I just noticed that the iTunes Store is selling this version for the usual $1.99.  In fact, they're ONLY offering this version... the regular "over the air" version is nowhere to be found.

Just got done watching it... took me about 20 minutes to find the damn thing, so if you're stuck, try this:

Go to NBC.com, click on the "24/7" link, choose the "Prime Time" tab, select "The Office." and then FINALLY choose EPISODES.

The producer's cut is presented in 4 parts.

Aside from some incidental extra scenes, we get two large plotlines that were cut from the version that aired-- one dealing with Meredith, and one with Creed.  Neither of which is really all that interesting... Poor Kate Flannery... her only big scene all season ends on the cutting room floor.

Anyway, it's worth a re-watch.

Anyone have any pre-show comments?

Don't forget-- the "Producer's Cut" will start streaming at 9pm PACIFIC time... also, Greg Daniels will be doing another live blog right after the episode airs in the Eastern/Central time zones (i.e. 9pm/8pm central).  The first one wasn't all that great (too many comments from fans, not enough time or ability to address all of those comments on the part of the person being interviewed).  Still, if you want to see it, go to NBC.com and click on the "live blog" link.  If you miss the party, NBC posts the transcripts on the regular "The Office" web page.

I hate to buy into needless hype, but Jenna Fischer saying this is the "best episode we've ever done" has me definitely intrigued.
 

So two more DIWALI deleted scenes up at NBC.com. 

First up, is a rather short scene where Kevin tries to drum up business for "Scrantonicity" at next year's Diwali party.  It's pretty short, and pretty pointless... good cut.

The second scene, though, is hilarious.  Michael calls Jan to explain why the entire office is leaving early for the party... Michael plays her like a violin, spinning her from point A (I am going to rip you a new one) all the way to point B (Why didn't you tell us? We could have chartered a bus!) in the span of 45 seconds.  Masterful, big man... just masterful. Who says Michael doesn't know how to manipulate the PC system?

Well, looks like this slow trickle is our future, folks.

The third deleted scene has Carole introducing herself to Ryan, and sharing an extremely awkward moment with Dwight.  I know Nancy Walls is Steve Carell's real-life wife, but I'm just not a big fan of her acting style in this episode... it's just too self-consciously "twitchy."

Maybe that's a side effect of dating Michael...

So Jenna posted a new Myspace blog, talking about how she's getting ready for a flight to NYC for her Letterman appearance (she's also going to do a taping for the Rachel Ray show, airdate TBD).

She also gave this edict to the fans:

Wow... this is pretty big news.  Not sure if I appreciate having to watch the show on the web, though. 

---

NBC'S 'THE OFFICE' WEB EVENT STREAMS ONLY ON NBC.COM

"Producer's Cut" To Be Web-Exclusive Event On NBC.com On November 9th

BURBANK, Calif. November 6, 2006 NBC's Emmy-winning comedy "The Office" (Thursdays, 8:30 9:00pm ET/PT) will offer fans a first-ever, web-exclusive "producer's cut" on November 9th. The episode will include additional scenes and extra footage not shown in the broadcast version. Viewers can log onto NBC.com at 9:00pm (PT) on November 9th to see the web-exclusive event.

The announcement was made today by Vivi Zigler, executive vice president NBC digital entertainment and new media.

"This is a first-of-its-kind and a real bonus for fans of 'The Office,'" said Zigler. "It's also a natural for this show which has continually pushed the envelope in the digital landscape. We're seeing an incredible audience reaction to the evolving digital extensions of our programming and anticipate this being one of their favorites."

In the pivotal November 9th episode, Jan (Melora Hardin) tells Michael (Steve Carell) that the Scranton Branch will be shutting down and Michael strives to keep his staff's spirits up. Meanwhile, everyone privately begins to envision how their lives will change in the aftermath. Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, David Denman, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey, Phyllis Smith, Paul Lieberstein and Mindy Kaling also star, and Ed Helms ("The Daily Show"), Rashida Jones ("Wanted") and Charles Esten ("Whose Line Is It Anyway?") guest-star.

Through October 29, "The Office" has averaged a 4.0 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 8.5 million viewers overall, making it this Fall's #3 half-hour comedy on any network in adults 18-49. "The Office" is also primetime's most upscale comedy, with the highest concentration of homes with $100,000-plus incomes and highest median income for its 18-49 audience among network comedies. "The Office" has improved the Thursday 8:30pm half-hour for NBC by 14 percent versus the network's 18-49 average at this point last season. "The Office" has matched or improved upon its adult 18-49 lead-in from "My Name is Earl" with every first-run telecast this Fall.

Episode # 6.0 of THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID finds both Matt and Ian battling for the hearts, minds, and souls of the American people.  It's Diwali time folks, and the office gang heads out into the real world for some big fun... hindu style!  Could Jim get any drunker? Could Michael retain any self esteem?  The indigo boys reunion tour? Will Kevin see a podiatrist? Just what, exactly, *IS* the union of the monkey? and What's wrong with dating Zack Braff? From Jim's iPod this week, Michael Scott with the DIWALI SONG. 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!

This is sort of a really horrible weekend for me... I have to calculate the final quarter grades for 150 students, to be turned in by Tuesday at 8am.  This means that I am going to have to be busting my ass today and Sunday (and Monday night) to try and get this task accomplished.

Long story short, I'm not sure when episode #6.0 will be recorded/posted.

Now, don't freak out or anything :) but I just want to give you all a heads up in case it is perhaps later than usual.  It still might be up on Sunday night as usual, but I can't promise anything.

Thanks for your patience.

So I'm guessing this may be old news for the forum browsing crowd, but it was news to me tonight--

Kristin Veitch over at TV Guide is reporting that original "The Office" creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have turned their attention to the US version and have penned an episode set to air on November 30th.

Titled "The Convict," the episode will revolve around Michael discovering that one of his new coworkers has a criminal past.

Stay tuned... I'm sure the Daytona Beach News-Journal will soon declare it the "funniest episode ever!"

(ah, sweet, sweet sarcasm...)

Well, I've only managed to watch this episode once so far, so I'm not sure what my FINAL opinion will be by the time we record TWSS #6.0, but I'll try to give some of my initial impressions...

Seems like there was some "hate" for this episode, or, if not HATE exactly, a lot of "eh, it was OK" kind of sentiment.  I think my biggest let-down is the simple fact that this episode has been hyped as being all about Michael at a DIWALI celebration when in fact the actual party scenes were too few and far between.  What did he really DO?  Ok, he came in his Halloween costume, somehow (?) mistook "simosas" for "s'mores," askes one SORT OF inapropriate question to the Kapoors, and had fun dancing.  Oh, and he also humiliated himself with Carole.  But still... I certainly didn't find myself squirming at his behavior (except for that kiss/lean-in thing... brr!).

I think this episode was striving to be like "The Christmas Party" or "The Booze Cruise," where the entire cast is placed inside a situation and we see their interactions with that situation as a backdrop.  Part of why this episode perhaps didn't work as well as those other episodes is the simple fact that we kept breaking away from the party to go to Stamford-- we kept leaving that "bubble" and shifting over to another plot that wasn't really all that interesting (and leads to other strange questions, like "did Karen do this whole thing to have her way with Jim?" :) ).

I know we are only a few weeks away from having Jim back in Scranton, so hopefully these kinds of things will work themselves out in the PS (post Stamford) era.

The "outro" where Michael and Dwight performed a Diwali version of Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song" was also kind of funny, but really didn't seem to have a place in the actual world this episode took place in... it played more like an appreciative group of citizens applauding Steve Carell. 

Ah well... as I said, this is based on only one viewing... I'm sure I will find my opinion softening with repeated viewings. 

And Martin-- I'll take your challenge.