Scranton Insider on “Valentine’s Day”
As always, Dave gives us the view as a Scranton Insider:
Ok, first and foremost: I want a Dwight bobble head. There, I said it. Now, on with the show.
Towards the end of the episode, we saw a Froggy 101 bumper sticker. Froggy is a local country radio station.
This episode finds Michael off to New York to make a financial presentation to the Dunder Mifflin big wigs. While taking in the sights (and chain restaurants) of the big city, Michael compares New York to “…Scranton on acid. No, speed. No, steroids.” This got me thinking: If Scranton were a living thing, and was able to take drugs, and did take drugs, what would its experience be?
Scranton is an old coal mining town. Anthracite coal was (and still is, for all I know) mined all over the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania. In fact, my parents’ house is still heated by a coal furnace (the hot water, too). Every few months an enormous “coal truck” backs up to the house, attaches a sled to a small door at the foundation of the house and dumps two tons of coal into a “coal bin” in the basement (yes, tons). For the uninitiated, a coal bin is a small room that can hold a couple tons of coal, and is primarily used as a means to make your male child’s life miserable by forcing him to lug coal from the bin to the “hopper” next to the furnace via a rusted and habitually damp pail several times per week, covering himself with black coal dust and soot (I’m only a little bitter). So, if our “junkie Scranton” were to take acid, I imagine it would have hallucinations of talking lumps of coal, a floating coal truck and any number of nasty things you can imagine a pail doing. Since none of these options say “The Big Apple” to me, we can assume that NYC is not Scranton on acid.
Scranton on speed is possible, but I think that Scranton on steroids would closely resemble New York. Bigger, lumpier and prone to occasional bouts of ‘roid rage.
The highlight of the Valentine’s Day episode was easily Michael’s presentation that he “…made on [his] Mac.” I’m glad Michael’s a Mac user. That would explain his iTunes playlist. Anyway, in his video he says, “Life moves a little slower in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and that’s how we like it.” Slower? Hm, I’m not certain what he meant by that. Slower than Scranton on speed, surely.
My one disappointment from this week: I really wanted to see the name of the florist who was bringing all the flowers and gifts in. Ah well, you can’t have everything. That’s it for this week folks. Thanks for reading, and I’ll talk to you again soon, heyna?
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February 10th, 2006 13:15
Th movie was made on My MAC? I am almost getting tired of hearing Apple products on the show.
A Michael “Joint”
Why Robin Wiliams and Steve Martin at the end????
February 10th, 2006 14:00
I got an e-mail Thursday morning that said the florist was Dreams Come True Floral & Gift on Ash St. in Scranton. Don’t know if the person who sent the e-mail is the owner or an employee or how they might know that. Maybe the show called at some point to ask permission/inform them that the shop would be mentioned and it ended up not happening? Don’t know. I have an e-mail back to the sender asking how they knew and what happened. Keep ya posted!
John Webster
Rock107
February 10th, 2006 15:55
Steve Martin and Robin Williams were at the end because Micheal Scott thinks he learned from the greats (like Drew Carey haha). His character is developed better than almost any on TV and things like that shouyld be expected after knowing the charecter of Michael.
February 11th, 2006 09:37
Dave, Anthracite coal hasn’t been mined extensively here in NEPA (Northeastern Pennsylvania) since the Knox Mine Disaster in 1959, at least not in the old traditional workin’-in-a-coal-mine manner that we wtill see in other places. There’s some strip mining and surface mining, but it’s not as extensive as it was in the olden days. We’re gradually recovering from the environmental devastation wrought by deep mining. Many of the old culm banks are gone, but there are still a lot of mine-runoff-poisoned streams and the occasional mine subsidence that cracks foundations or swallows cars. Many houses are heated with coal, because a)they were originally set up for it, b)coal is still available from a few sources locally, and c)coal has become a relatively economical alternative to heating oil and natural gas in the past year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_Region
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knox_Mine_Disaster
February 11th, 2006 21:08
Harold, thanks for the great info!
John: Cool! Let us know.
February 12th, 2006 16:58
Dave, I’d love to see your comments on Poor Richard’s Pub if you find some room in your next post. Poor Richard’s is mentioned in at least two episodes as a popular hangout for The Office folks.
February 13th, 2006 10:43
Dave, got the “explanation” about the absence of a mention of Dreams Come True Floral & Gift in an e-mail from Maria:
“My sister owns the shop. NBC called her and asked for a delivery uniform. She had to overnight it that day and sign something stating they could use the store name. They called her after it taped and told her she would be “very pleased with the episode”. She called the day after it aired to see what the deal was and left a message. She received a call back from both the original person she spoke to and a producer who informed her it was cut–obviously (after she told everyone to watch and felt like an ASS). They told her they still have the stuff and would definitely use it in the future. She said they both apologized and said this had happened several times with other places in Scranton and that they cannot control exactly what is going to be on the show until all the taping is complete.”
That explains it I guess.
John Webster
webster@rock107.com
February 13th, 2006 12:41
John,
Thanks so much for coming back to the site and reporting this. That is very very interesting. I hope you’ll encourage more Scrantonians to visit the site and share their stories with the show.
February 13th, 2006 16:47
I didn’t catch the Froggy bumper sticker. It would have been cool to see it since I actually designed the new Froggy 101 Logo (the circular one used on all the billboards throughout our region). Regardless it is pretty neat to have a show based in our area.
Joe Angrisano
DigiSquid.com
February 13th, 2006 17:35
John: Thanks so much for looking into that! Too bad about the editing, I guess that happens sometimes. Still, thanks again for looking into that.
You know, I really wish i were in Scranton right now. Imagine how cool a video podcast would be from “The Office” locations throughout town! Darn geography!
Joe: I think this was actually the 2nd time the Froggy logo appeared (can anyone else confirm this?), so maybe you’ll see it again. I’ll try to grab a screenshot for you so that you can see it. Pretty cool if it’s your design!
February 13th, 2006 18:04
Joe: Here’s that screenshot:
http://dave.typepad.com/froggy_office.png
February 13th, 2006 18:06
Heh, I just purchased the episode on iTunes since I was wondering myself. Turns out it was the old logo design. Oh well, there goes my brush with fame.
As for wishing you were in Scranton, right now it’s about 24 degrees and we’re covered in snow and ice here (I’m about 6 miles outside the city). And although Pennsylvania can be quite beautiful after a recent snowfall, somehow seeing the snow blanketed over the giant mounds of culm, a waste byproduct of Anthracite, sets an entirely different tone.
February 14th, 2006 08:31
Dave, love the video podcasting idea. Where would you go to shoot? Obviously the Penn Paper and Supply building, the tower seen in the opening credits. Also the Welcome to Scranton sign. Poor Richards seems like it’d be a hit, although I wonder why they would go there and not Tinks, Farley’s, Sambuca. Probably something outside the edited-out flower shop. Where else? Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour, Lake Wallenpaupack, Rock107…that’s an easy one…any other suggestions? If I can get motivated and a few hours to kill I’ll drag the camcorder out and shoot it myself.
John Webster
webster@rock107.com
February 14th, 2006 11:06
::Wanders in having been sent his link by a friend::
Well, hello. I hail from DC (that’s Dickson City- the *other DC*) and must commend you on your blog. As a vocalist/musician that has over the years played nearly every club in the Scra-in area (there *is* no T in Scranton) I can say to Poor Richards Pub- I been there!
I had no clue so many Scranton references were in the show and now that I know, must become a regular viewer! Thanks for your site!!
Happy Valentines Day.
~Lace~
February 14th, 2006 13:19
John: All of the opening credit shots are a must, obviously: The Penn Paper building, the Scranton sign, Mulberry St.
Rock 107 was specifically mentioned in an episode (as you know, of course) which prompted me to write about the building and the Times tower. This could be a cool idea (or a tour of 107, hint, hint!). I also once saw a flyer for Abe’s Deli in the staff break room. Another good idea for a podcast episode. Another thought I had was to visit locations mentioned in each episode.
I am simultaneously excited and jealous of your tossing around the idea of this project. I’m sure it will be great and you’ll have a ton of fun doing it, and at the same time I wish I could take part! Confounded restricting geography!
Anyway, let me know how it goes or if I can help in (seriously) any way at all. I’m more than eager to help out.
Thanks!
Dave
February 14th, 2006 13:20
John:
One more quick thought (you’ve got me in a creative frenzy now): How could we forget the Paupack and BIshop O’Hara hight school?!? Two more episodes right there!
February 14th, 2006 18:21
ROCK 107.. hey we played Rock 107’s 17th birthday party at Pep O’Briens, Old Forge. Opened the night for The Habits, Mad Passion and Maxus.
Long live Rock 107!
~Lace~
formerly of Leather & Lace
February 15th, 2006 10:31
That’s just interesting. I think the whole thing with the Michael Scott Joint — it he was saying, that the Office is a Michael Scott Place. But that was just my thought on it after I’ve heard the phrase over and over again.
February 27th, 2006 05:58
The “Michael Scott Joint” is a reference to how spike lee names his movies. they are all “a spike lee joint”. michael is obviously giving props (or ripping him off).
also, if one of the writters of the show is supposed to be a scranton natyive, why do they get so many references wrong? (i.e..no chilli’s no hooters)
call me a scranton outsider…i live in carbondale
February 27th, 2006 09:01
I’m guessing that, in additional to any promotional fees, they’re trying to make the setting appeal to a brad range of viewers. Which is interesting, since my understanding is that the British original series tried to make the setting (Slough) appear as vile and miserable as possible.
March 1st, 2006 18:29
Maybe someone could point Mayor Chris Doherty here and the city might sponser a Dunder Mifflin float in the St. Patty’s parade. Maybe put a “cuppa two tree of dem” stars on the float and send the film back to NBC.
March 9th, 2006 20:19
BTW…. nice to hear Webster’s still alive. His show has gone WAAAAAAy downhill since they lost DangerBoy. or at least that’s what Jimmy Conner’s keeps telling me. ( Of course, he keeps showing up at funeral’s uninvited ’cause he still thinks he is the Mayor.)
March 16th, 2006 13:57
The floral delivery person in this episode is wearing a William-Edward Florist hat and jacket for the first delivery. I know because my parents own William-Edward’s, and we were also contacted by the NBC props people and asked to send in some things with the shop’s name on it. (This, of course, freaked my freak because I am such a big fan of the show.) It’s virtually impossible to tell, though, because there are no really clear shots of the hat or jacket in the episode.