“Mafia” was an interesting choice for an Office episode. Way back when, the Scranton area economy was rocking with coal mining, and large numbers of different ethnic groups moved there for the jobs. Many Italians settled in the region, including my father’s family. Growing up, we used to make jokes about all the “organized crime” in the area, mostly because many of us had colorful names that sounded like “Sopranos” hit men. But they were only jokes. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it. (I don’t want to “disappear,” only to be found taking a “dirt nap” at “Bushwacker’s Cove”… or end up “sleeping with the fishes” at the bottom of the Lackawanna River!)
So, as “The Office” writers search for material for the show, inevitably the “mafia” angle would surface. I thought they did a nice job with the subject, keeping Angelo Grotti’s real motives vague, and his personality polite but firm. Growing up in Scranton, I knew lots of “Angelo Grottis.”
Jim Halpert’s address is given as “383 LInden Avenue.” Linden STREET runs through downtown Scranton, parallel to Mulberry, which can be seen in the show’s opening credits. If Jim and Pam indeed live at 383 Linden Street, then their charming, little bungalow sits in between old storefronts and concrete parking garages. (Yes, I checked it out on Google Maps AND Google Earth!)
In “Deleted Scene” #2, we see Erin sitting at the receptionist’s desk. A pennant is shown that says “Keystone College.” So now we know where Erin went to school, about 12 miles outside Scranton, past Clarks Summit, where my sister lives. The most famous graduate of Keystone College is baseball Hall-Of-Famer Christy Mathewson, who played in Babe Ruth’s era. Now, “Erin” the Office receptionist is poised to take that title. The only possible problem might be that “Erin,” uh… doesn’t actually exist. But that is just a minor technicality for Office fans!
… Bob
When Oscar an Michael are talking in the kitchen, after they are done the camera pans over to Dwight who is drinking out of a Sheetz cup. On the east coast the Sheetz corporation is a large convience store chain and was started in a town about 4 hours from Scranton.
Thanks for the insider information, Jamlover14. There were no Sheetz when I was growing up in the Scranton area. But I googled it, and sure enough there’s a Sheetz right near where I was born and raised in Dunmore, on the O’Neil Highway.
I bet everybody has a good time with the name “Sheetz,” at least when they first hear it!
Oscar Nuñez will be a guest on “That Morning Show” (http://www.thatmorningshow.com) this THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, to discuss his experiences working with the cast of “The Office” as well as his upcoming projects.
Catch Nuñez’s interview on “That Morning Show” from 6AM – 9AM on E! Entertainment network! Check local listings.
Hm. That was an interesting message. Anyway, that was a good Scrantonicity, Bob! Christy Mathewson? Holy cow, that’s going way back. So, there is no 383 Linden Avenue, huh? Shows do that on occasion, just to keep the more.. interesting fans from showing up at the door of some unsuspecting family. My wife (who is a huge “I Love Lucy” fan) always tells me that the address they gave for Lucy and Ricky would put them right smack in the middle of the East River.
And Jamlover14, we are so happy you dropped by and left a message! We here at LITO would love for more readers and we really appreciate you taking the time out to say something. Thanks!
Back in 2007, internet excitement was building for the upcoming Office convention in Scranton. The show’s writers were crafting bogus biographical information about the Dunder-Mifflin employees, and releasing these “teaser tidbits” through the NBC website. I remember reading a funny, off-the-wall article about Creed, and a house he supposedly used as a “crash pad.” They listed a Scranton address, and I googled it, and it was REAL house!
I HOPE the people who lived at that real address were “in” on the joke! Having drunken Office fans ringing your doorbell and asking “Is Creed home?” might be funny the first 50 times it happens, but then it could possibly get old…
lol… yeah, really! I’m surprised they did that.
Yep anytime. I really enjoy reading your articles on here. I wait every week for the recaps and Scrantonicity articles. Keep up the great work!!!
Linden STREET is right southeast of Mifflin Ave, coincidence? Also, close to Poor Richards, Alfredo’s, etc.