Office Convention - Q&A with the cast

On Saturday, at the University of Scranton, we were treated to a two hour Q&A session with the cast, writers and producers. Four thousand people showed up, and the crowd was psyched to be there!

Click the link below for lots more commentary, pictures and videos on the Office Convention Q&A. Warning: Some spoilers and speculation about future episodes.

First of all, my cousin Barbie and I were lucky enough to have “press passes” for the convention. This allowed us access into just about every event, which was beyond cool!

For the Q&A “the press” was located just to the left of the stage, and photographers were allowed to sit down front. I took notes and my cousin took pictures with our sad little cameras.

It still makes me smile to think of all the press at these events with their professional cameras, video cameras, lighting, the whole works. And, than there is my cousin Barbie and I with our cheesy little digital cameras that were on the fritz the whole time. It must have looked like we snuck in the place! lol!

Anyway, when the cast came in, the place went nuts. I’m sure they felt like rock stars at that moment (probably for the whole convention actually). Here are a few pictures of some cast members walking up to the stage.

Here is Executive Producer of the show, Greg Daniels, setting up his video camera to tape the audience. I got a chance to talk to him after the Q&A. His parents were sitting behind me. He was so excited about the fan response to the show. He was positively giddy! He asked if I had heard of any couples meeting or coming together because of the show. He thought it would be so cool if people wound up married because of their love of the show or if they met at the convention. So, if anyone out there has had that experience, email me right away! Heck, even if you just hooked up at the convention, that’s cool too! Greg Daniels wants to know your story! lol! Seriously though, he could not have been nicer!

 

Once the cast was settled they fired up the big screen tv to treat the whole audience to never before seen bloopers from Season 4. And, they were hysterical! Warning: the next three paragraphs contain blooper spoilers for this season. Skip ahead if you hate spoilers.

There was alot of bloopers with Steve Carell breaking, which if you’ve ever seen any of the commentary on Seasons 1-3 DVD’s, you know he is known for never breaking during a scene. The cast is always complaining how he is so good at cracking them up, but Steve never breaks. But from the looks of these new bloopers (which will probably be available on the Season 4’s DVD’s) his “stone faced reign” is over!

There is also a funny blooper of John Krasinski’s shirtless talking head from “Fun Run” where he keeps laughing through the line, “Oh I”m sorry is this a working office, or a French beach?”

And yet another good one from “Launch Party” that involved the whole cast. It’s the scene where Michael tells the office he ordered pizza from the wrong Angelo’s and everyone grumbles at him. But instead of simple grumbles, the whole cast freaked out on Michael in a coordinated effort obviously to make Steve Carell break. It was a riot!  Oscar was convulsing on the floor, Creed was throwing papers around the room, and this went on for probably a full minute. You could tell by the look on Steve Carell’s face that he had no idea the cast had planned this joke on him. It was classic!

Then it was time to begin the question and answer period. The questions came from ones submitted to www.theofficeconvention.com and from the live audience. I was a dedicated little note-taker, but I’ll just cover all my bases and say that these questions are not exactly word for word. Still, you’ll get the jist of the conversation. I also put some of my thoughts in italics.

Question to Greg Daniels (executive producer): Which actor is most like their character, and which is most unlike their character?

Greg Daniels: Ed Helms is most unlike Andy Bernard. Mindy Kaling is most like Kelly Kapor. Mindy grumbled a little at that one, while her cast mates teased her. They all obviously have a very comfortable relationship with each other.

Question to Ed Helms (Andy): What is it like coming from The Daily Show with John Stewart to The Office?

Ed Helms: Both shows are an absolute blast! I am very proud to be part of both shows. To answer the question, I’d say on the Daily Show we all just played snarkier versions of ourselves while on the Office we are more three dimensional characters. Both shows are different, but fun.

Question to Angela Kinsey (Angela): Angela is a complicated character. What steps do you take as an actor to get into your character?

Angela Kinsey: (laughing) I think about some ladies that I used to work with at #1-800-DENTIST. I once made the bow wrong for their office Christmas party and it was like the worst thing ever to those ladies. That’s what I think about. I guess our Ms. Kinsey had some “party planning” experience prior to her stint on The Office? lol

Question to Brian Baumgartner (Kevin): I love the faces Kevin makes. Do you practice making faces in the mirror?

Brian Baumgartner: (laughing) No, not usually. But there was one of Kevin’s talking heads on “Fun Run” where he thinks Pam and Jim are dating that Greg Daniels wanted to get just right. Greg took me into the bathroom (the audience starts hooting and hollering, Brian and the rest of the cast are laughing). No, no, nothing like that! But Greg wanted Kevin to have a specific facial expression for that talking head. So, that one I did practice. (Someone from the audience yells out for Brian to show his Kool-Aid man face. He does) See picture below.

Question to Melora Hardin (Jan): Which is more fun to play, repressed Jan or Domestic Goddess Jan?

Melora Hardin: She’s fun to play both ways. I love where the writers are taking my character Jan. The writers have really been giving me alot of meat to sink my teeth into. The crowd and cast members yell out, “That’s what she said”. Everyone is laughing.

Question to Leslie David Baker (Stanley): When your character gets annoyed, how do you keep a straight face?

Leslie David Baker: (laughing)I bite the back of my tongue alot! I think about dead dogs, cats, animals etc…All that puts me in a sour place.

Question to Mindy Kaling (Kelly): Which do you prefer, writing or acting on the show?

Mindy Kaling: (laughing) Wow! I feel like a kid deciding which parent to live with after a divorce! (audience laughs)As a writer, I can be more of a slob. I can come to work at 10am, wear whatever I want, etc…As an actor, I have to report to work at 6am for hair and wardrobe, etc…Both are awesome though.

Question to Craig Robinson (Darryl): (The audience is chaning; Darryl, Darryl!) First, will you be around more this season? And second, is there more to come with the Kelly/Darryl storyline?

Craig Robinson: To answer question number one, Please God Yes! And number two can only be answered in one way. He leans in to give Mindy (Kelly) a big kiss. The crowd goes crazy.

Mindy: All weekend long every question that Craig has been asked, he answers with, “this can only be answered in one way” (she mimes him kissing her) Everyone is laughing. See embedded video below.

Question to Kate Flannery (Meredith): What is Meredith’s back story, beyond the alcoholism and divorces?

Kate Flannery: She’s been divorced twice. I think one of her ex’s is a serial killer (she laughs). I think there is a dark, dark story there! (the crowd is cheering for her) You know, people tell me I’m beautiful in Scranton, I’m never leaving!

Question to Oscar Nunez (Oscar): Has your improv background helped you with the show?

Oscar Nunez: Improv has helped tremendously. (he deadpans) Any kids out there who are studying to be a doctor or a lawyer, don’t! Quit now and join an improv group. The audience laughs.

Question to Creed Bratton (Creed): How much real Creed is in the character Creed?

Creed Bratton: (His castmates are all laughing and saying, “it’s all him!”) When I first passed out in the back of a van, I woke up in Scranton…Creed seemed to be pretending to be in character. He never really answered the question, but the crowd loved it anyway!

Question to Phyllis Smith (Phyllis): Did working in casting help you as an actor?

Phyllis Smith: Yes, it did. I was able to practice lines with other actors. It’s how I honed my craft, working with fellow actors.

Question to Bobby Ray Shafer (Bob Vance): What does Bob Vance have planned for Phyllis for their first wedding anniversary?

Bobby Ray Shafer: (laughing) I think Phyllis needs a new car. I think the producers should look into that. He kisses Phyllis and the crowd goes crazy.

Question to Andy Buckley (David Wallace, CEO of Dunder Mifflin): Who was your inspiration for David Wallace?

Andy Buckley:(laughs) You all know him, he’s your local Merryl Lynch guy. No, really he is a hodge podge. I don’t know. I guess my inspiration is “don’t get fired”.

Question to Greg Daniels(executive producer): I see similarities between The Office and the classic tv show MASH. What is the reason for that?

Greg Daniels: (the audience is screaming “No!”, Greg is laughing and shaking his head) During the episode, “The Fire” we had helicopters flying around. No, no really. There are no similarities in my mind.

Question to Ed Helms (Andy): You knew Brian Baumgartner back in High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Is it weird to work with him now?

Ed Helms: Yes. (he deadpans) Brian had a hard time back then. He had a heroin addiction. He was on trial for murder. Those were bad years for him. No seriously, we were in plays together. We were both nerds. So yes, it’s awkward.

Brian Baumgartner: We were shooting the webisodes the first time I saw Ed on set. I was right in the middle of a scene and over the camera I see Ed talking to someone, and it freaked me out. It was like this surreal moment. Why are you here?

Question to Angela Kinsey (Angela): What’s Angela and Dwight’s current relationship?

Angela Kinsey: Well, Dwight’s in the dog house for mercy killing my cat Sprinkles. I think she’s gonna make him suffer a little for that.

Question to Brian Baumgartner (Kevin): Have you ever been in a band like Kevin?

Brian Baumgartner: Paul Lieberstein (Toby) taught me to drum for the show. But, I’ve never been in a band. I’m not that cool.

Question to Melora Hardin (Jan): Do you think Jan should sing on the Office because you sing in real life?

Melora Hardin: (laughs) No, it’s not appropriate. I guess it would only be right if it was a twisted sweet lullabye to Michael. She sings (very well I might add) in a soft psycho-kind of voice, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star”. The crowd laughs and cheers.

Question to Leslie David Baker (Stanley): Who is Stanley’s least favorite person in the Office?

Leslie David Baker: Well, Michael obviously!

Melora Hardin: Has anyone ever told you that your character is like Eeyore?

Leslie David Baker: Yes they have! (to the moderator, doing a Stanley impression) Is that the best question you got? I want a better question!

Question to Mindy Kaling (Kelly): What do you think of Kelly’s transition on the show?

Mindy Kaling: When the show started I was 25 years old, a single girl in LA. I was soo not like the character. First off, I hated the outfits. So, I kept pitching ideas to Greg Daniels about what Kelly should be wearing, etc. I slowly wore him down with all my badgering. But now, she’s become more like a mall rat.

Question to Craig Robinson (Darryl): How long before Darryl flips out on Michael?

Craig Robinson: (he leans in to kiss Mindy again, the crowd goes crazy) He laughs. No, no Darryl is too cool for Michael Scott. He is two steps ahead of him. He comes to work prepared.

Question for Kate Flannery (Meredith): What was your reaction when you heard you were going to be run over by Michael?

Kate Flannery: The first thing I did was ask Kent Zbornak (producer) if I was going to live. She laughs. He said, this isn’t “All my Children”. Kent showed me how he wanted the stunt done, and I did my own stunt work for the scene.

Question to Oscar Nunez (Oscar): Are you still with Gil? Who would your character date if he were to date a woman?

Oscar Nunez: he jokes around referring to Brian’s comment about Greg taking him into the bathroom to work on facial expression. Well, I asked Greg Daniels and he took me into the bathroom…He nods suggestively at Greg. The crowd goes crazy.

Question to Creed Bratton (Creed): Will we be seeing you playing guitar again on the show like we did in the episode, “Booze Cruise”?

Creed Bratton: I don’t know. I’m not the one to ask. He looks down toward Greg Daniels. The crowd cheers.

Greg Daniels: I’m not sure, maybe.

Question to Phyllis Smith (Phyllis): Was it fun to tell Angela off?

Phyllis Smith: You better believe it! The crowd cheers.

Question to Bobby Ray Shafer (Bob Vance): When will we see more of Bob Vance?

Bobby Ray Shafer (Bob Vance): His voice is gone, but he whispers to Phyllis to tell the crowd, Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration a few times. She does. The crowd goes crazy.

Question to Andy Buckley (David): How does your real job feel about your role on The Office?

Andy Buckley: It doesn’t take a lot of time. So, so far so good! Go Nittany Lions! The crowd boos and cheers.

Melora Hardin (Jan): For those of you that don’t know, Andy is a stock broker for Merryl Lynch as his full-time real job. He used to act, and ran into the casting director on the street. She used to know him when he acted and begged him to play the CEO on the show.

Question to Greg Daniels (executive producer): What would your Second Life character be?

Greg Daniels: Oh, I think I would be stronger, fly. I would shoot fire out my eyes. I’d have rotating gattling guns coming out of my forearms. I’d do it up!

Same question to rest of the cast:

Leslie David Baker (Stanley): (laughs) I’m on my 9th life! He names all the jobs he’s done in his life before and during acting. I think I’d be someone sitting in front of a big screen TV. I’ve done it all!

Question to Ed Helms (Andy): Can you sing the song you sang to Pam when you were trying to woo her, “The Rainbow Connection”? See video below.

Angela Kinsey: Ed does the best impression of Tom Brokaw and Al Gore. He does the impressions and the crowd goes crazy.

Question to Angela Kinsey (Angela): You are so great with the fans. Why are they so important to you? See video below.

Question to Brian Baumgartner (Kevin): In around the world basketball, who would win Kevin or Jim?

Brian Baumgartner: Kevin would! John Krasinski and I play a basketball game called “Horse” outside of our trailers. I kept winning. John challenged me to double or nothing. I kept winning. Eventually, John would beat me though, maybe!

Question to Melora Hardin (Jan): Saline, Silicone or Underwire?

Melora Hardin: (everyone laughs and cheers) What you see onscreen is a fabulous feat by our wardrobe department. It’s a D sized bra and lots of hard padding that pushes me way up! When we are done filming, I can’t wait to take my strap on off! That’s what she said!

Question to Leslie David Baker (Stanley): Sudoku or traditional Crossword puzzle?

Leslie David Baker: Absolutely traditional crossword puzzle.

Question to Mindy Kaling (Kelly): The episode your wrote, “The Injury” is very popular. Why do you think so?

Mindy Kaling: I think it’s probably the best episode I ever wrote. It was one of the silliest premises we ever did. The entire episode was centered around Michael’s grilled foot. We actually had that as the original name for the episode, “My Grilled Foot”, but we changed it later. The original idea was that Michael had fallen asleep outside and had sunburned it. Then, we changed it to the George Forman Grill burning it.

Greg Daniels: The premise was so ridiculous that we didn’t think we could pull it off. It took Steve Carell talking for two minutes about it during his talking head to make it work.

Craig Robinson leans in again to kiss Mindy.The crowd goes crazy.

Mindy Kaling: (laughing and pulling away) My boyfriend is here!

Leslie David Baker: (laughing) You had a boyfriend!

Question to Kate Flannery (Meredith): What was your favorite part of growing up in Philly?

Kate Flannery: My family owned a bar. There were alot of bar flys. It was a total old man bar filled with characters! Philly is great though. I went to Archbishop OHara HS. So great! I’ve met alot of people here in Scranton that went to my High School.

Question to Oscar Nunez (Oscar): How many takes was it to film your famous kiss scene with Michael in “Gay Witch Hunt”?

Oscar Nunez: It took three takes, but Steve and I insisted on twenty! (the crowd laughs) We were actually supposed to hug and not kiss, but Steve kept leaning in closer and closer and we just decided to go for it. (in a high falsetto voice) And I saw fireworks! (everyone laughs)

Question to Creed Bratton (Creed): What drugs is Creed into now?

Creed Bratton: The phenol gland of a Reeses monkey. It’s a slide extract you put on your tongue. (laughs) Actually, that’s a Greg Daniels question.

Question to Phyllis Smith (Phyllis): What’s your key to practicing Flonkerton for the Office Olympics?

Phyllis Smith: Practice alot. Persistance and good balance.

Angela Kinsey: Phyllis was a dancer.

Phyllis kisses Bob Vance and the crowd goes crazy.

Question to Bobby Ray Shafer: Do you get tired of hearing people say, “Bob Vance - Vance Refrigeration”?

Bobby Ray Shafer: No. Bobby Ray’s voice was gone, but he was a trooper and tried to answer every question he was asked.

Question to Andy Buckley (David): Do you get recognized?

Andy Buckley: Yes, my son recognizes me! (laughs) Yes, once I got recognized. I got a kick out of it.

Question to Ed Helms (Andy): What is your most favorite song you’ve sang on an episode so far?

Ed Helms: I guess, “Take a chance on me”. See video

Question to Ed Helms (Andy): Finish this phrase, “Give me a break, give me a break. Break me off a piece of that…”

Ed Helms: Football cream! (everyone laughs)

Question to Greg Daniels: Was the British version of The Office a big influence to you?

Greg Daniels: Yes, most definitely. It was a huge influence.

Question to Phyllis Smith (Phyllis): What’s the deal with Phyllis’s one night stand? Who was it with?

Phyllis Smith: I don’t think I should disclose that. It was a private relationship. (everyone laughs)

Question to Angela Kinsey (Angela): Who is more “boyfriend material” Dwight or Andy?

Angela Kinsey: In my opinion Dwight is her weird soulmate. But I think she’ll check out Andy for a little while.

Question to all of the cast: Did anyone want to take a different path for their character?

Creed Bratton: I want a sugar momma! (everyone laughs)

Angela Kinsey: I want Dwight, Mose and Angela to take a road trip. Mose could be sort of like their slow child! No, I would like Angela to have a drink at the Christmas party.

Question to all the cast: Did anyone have any prior knowledge of Scranton before the show?

Melora Hardin (Jan): No one!

Creed Bratton (Creed): I might have been here in the 60’s, I can’t remember!

Question to Ed Helms (Andy): Do your nipples chafe?

Ed Helms: I did a triathalon after “Fun Run” was filmed, and there was some chafing. No squirting blood or anything though.

Question to all of cast: How do you deal with jokes about your ethnicity or your weight?

Mindy Kaling: You can’t have thin skin!

Brian Baumgartner: My anal fissures are just fine, thanks!

Greg Daniels: I think most people get that it’s a joke. Sometimes though they might not. When I was producing “King of the Hill” I know of this old man who used to smack his wife on the butt and say “woman! get me a sammich!” When we wrote that joke we didn’t mean for it to be taken seriously! (everyone laughs)

Question to Greg Daniels: Are you in contact with Steve Merchant or Ricky Gervais from the british version of The Office?

Greg Daniels: Steve Merchant is set to direct the Christmas episode. They are busy with their own projects but stop by and visit when they are in LA.

Question to Ed Helms (Andy): How does it feel to be the only person to survive the Oompa Loompa Chocolate Factory?

Ed Helms: D’Awesome! Crowd goes crazy

Question to Greg Daniels: Will the documentary being filmed on the show ever air?

Greg Daniels: We’ve talked about it in the writing room. But we need to pace it because we don’t see the end coming anytime soon. (laughs) It might take ten years! Crowd cheers

Question to Kate Flannery (Meredith): How many times did you have to shoot the topless scene from the Christmas party episode?

Kate Flannery: We had to do it twice. Steve Carell would say, “I’m not staring at them. I’m just looking at your clavicle”. (everyone laughs)

Question to Greg Daniels: How did you choose the character names?

Greg Daniels: Well, Tim from the UK version of the show became Jim. Jim Halpert is actually a friend from elementary school. Angela Kinsey is Angela. Oscar Nunez is Oscar. (the crowd laughs)

Question to Greg Daniels: Why Scranton?

Greg Daniels: It was almost Stanford guys! (crowd boos) John Krasinski came with friends and filmed the opening shots. When we saw the footage across from the Paper Company was a bar called The Office. It’s no longer there. But, it was like serendipity.

Question to all cast: Is the show more effective as an hour, or half hour?

Greg Daniels: The show should really be 45 minutes.

Question to all cast: How do you feel about how the show unites people?

Creed Bratton: Overwhelming! (he leans in to kiss Mindy, mimicking Craig Robinson’s amorous advances, everyone cheers)

Brian Baumgartner(Kevin): The support from everyone has been outstanding. We have people here all the way from Ireland.

Angela Kinsey (Angela): Ruth and Paul!

Ruth and Paul from Ireland stand up in the audience and everyone cheers!

Melora Hardin (Jan): It’s surreal how everyone is so excited about the show.

Angela Kinsey (Angela): No matter what else we do in our careers nothing will ever compare to this. I mean really, an Office Convention?! The crowd cheers

Leslie David Baker (Stanley): You are making history by being here. The crowd cheers

Mindy Kaling (Kelly):We look to Cheers and Seinfeld as an example of it should be. It’s so cool to be part of a someting so cool!

Craig Robinson (Darryl): (loudly to the crowd) Did Cheers have a convention? Did Seinfeld have a convention? (The crowd chants No! And cheers for the cast.

Then End! I hope you all enjoyed the commentary from the Office Convention Q&A. Feel free to comment! There was alot of information here. Some interesting things to discuss. What did you think LITO readers?

More Office Convention posts to come…stay tuned!

~Donna

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