Less than 10 Throwback Thursdays left–that means it’s almost time for Season 4!

THE PILOT

It started a discussion in our forums so please discuss away, and cast your vote. The issue at hand is, when trying to convince your friends how awesome “The Office” is, would you show them “The Pilot” first? Or would you reel them in with a different ep? Diversity Day was one suggestion. The one that got me was “Christmas Party” (Season 2) - the first episode I ever watched. What did it for you?

But yes, yes, back to The Pilot. THE FIRST EPISODE OF THE US VERSION OF “THE OFFICE”! There are some amazing moments that merit a mention: “SHATATATATA” gets me every time, the stapler in Jello, the hint of all that is to come in the Jim/Pam/Roy saga, Jan Levinson and her short skirts, the Dwight/Jim dynamic…pure awesomeness.

Back in 2006, I knew nothing about the UK version of “The Office”. All I knew was that NBC was remaking a BBC show, and I hoped it wouldn’t turn out like the “Coupling” adaptation did. But I didn’t realize how similar the pilot episodes were until a friend pointed it out. I watched the British pilot, and got so hooked I watched every episode (there are only 14, though). But yeah–they were really similar, yet different. In subtle and not-so-subtle ways. For example, I’ve always maintained that while I still hate Ricky Gervais’ [brilliant] David Brent, I often end up feeling sorry for Michael Scott, even though both are jerks. Scott is more relatable, and the scripts and storylines somehow manage to redeem him in certain ways, while Brent is someone I find myself wanting to smack through the screen. And then, of course, there are the explicit differences, which are fun to look out for–i.e., instead of Hillary Rodham Clinton as a code name for the female boss, the UK version uses Camilla Parker Bowles.

Critics had a tepid reaction to the pilot, and I can understand why. “The Office” (US) hadn’t found its identity yet. Some critics, like the Guardian Unlimited, pointed that out and suggested that once the US version took a different path from the UK version, it might pick up steam. And that it did; that it definitely did. Personally, I don’t think I’d start people off with the pilot. But I definitely think it’s something they should watch, especially since it sets so many of the characters and relationships up for later episodes.

Special Announcement:
The script of “Gay Witch Hunt” SIGNED by the cast of “The Office” is up for auction on eBay. Proceeds will benefit Hilltop Nursery School. Thanks to modi frank for bringing it to our attention!

DELETED SCENES

Further Reading
1. Wikipedia entry
2. “Pilot” [Commentary track], The Office Season One (US/NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
3. Northern Attack
4. OfficeQuotes.net
5. Critical Reviews on Wikipedia

“Conflict Resolution.” One of my favorite episodes. Okay, okay, so I say that about almost every episode. But SERIOUSLY. This one gets me every time! Another classic example of how “The Office” can have you falling out of your chair laughing (maybe even ROFLOL) and then, an instant later, make you genuinely FEEL for a character. Jim’s pranks against Dwight are funny. But as he comes to the sobering realization about how much time and energy he’s spent on making his coworker’s life difficult, you feel just as bad as he does. And when he ‘fesses up to Pam that he was the writer of the redacted complaint…oh man.

Another reason this episode is so hilarious is because EVERYONE has some type of complaint, whether they filed it with their HR representative or not, about a coworker. And “The Office” being “The Office,” they made them as true-to-form and laugh-out-loud funny as possible. Phyllis and Stanley…Angela and Oscar…and of course, in the Michael Scott School of Business, the best way to resolve the conflict between Dwight and Jim is a good, old-fashioned cage match. It’s win-win-win, people!

Deleted Scenes. I love love love love LOVE the one with Phyllis!! Also, the JAM/Dwight prank is a CLASSIC. WHAT’S YOUR 20?

Further Reading
1. Wikipedia entry, “Conflict Resolution”
2. Northern Attack, “Conflict Resolution”
3. OfficeQuotes.net, “Conflict Resolution”

Yeah, I’m cool. I know what day of the week it is. I totally thought yesterday was Wednesday…oops!

In any case, this week’s ep is “The Alliance.” I always forget what happened in each specific episode, so I think it’s really fun to revisit all those class Office moments we love…
“Do you want to form an alliance with me?”/”Absolutely I do.”
“I think green is kind of whoreish.”
“Did you get your tickets?”/”To what?”/”The gun show.”
“And I spend hours thinking of ways to get back at him, but only in ways that could get me arrested. And then here he comes and he says ‘No, Jim, here’s a way.’”

We also have lots and lots of JAM moments (when Jim says “She is so great” it kills me…), Dwight-in-a-box, some party-planning committee action, Meredith’s bird-day, and Michael’s generous donation to Oscar’s nephew’s charity. One of the reasons I love JAM so much is that the romantic storylines are fresh and real. Near the end of the episode, when Roy walks in on Jim holding Pam’s hand, was a mini-emotional-roller-coaster-ride for me. It’s adorable and sweet to see Jim putting his arm around Pam, and then Roy walks in and Jim totally loses his cool. That was powerful for me, because A) Everyone has had a moment like that, where someone walks in on you doing something you’re not supposed to be doing or misinterprets what you are doing, and B) Jim never loses his cool! And Dwight, being Dwight, could not back up Jim’s explanation that it was all about the alliance. For me, JAM is all about the little moments…SO EXCITED FOR SEASON FOUR…ahhhhh!

I’m very sad I couldn’t find deleted scenes on the Internet, but here is a video that focuses on the JAM and Jim/Dwight storylines from the episode. You also can read the text of the deleted scenes at Office Quotes.

Further Materials
1. Watch the deleted scenes if you can!
2. Fischer, Jenna (Actor), Krasinski, John (Actor), and Daniels, Greg (Producer). 2005. “The Alliance” [Commentary track], The Office Season One (U.S./NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
3. Office Quotes
4. Wikipedia entry

Ah, BASKETBALL! This episode is my dad’s favorite. We can’t watch it enough times! “Basketball” is awesome for a lot of reasons. One is that, if you watched the episodes in the order they aired, you finally understand what then-temp Ryan Howard was holding up in the opening credits. Two, and possibly more importantly, we have a Jim-Roy showdown on the court! Speaking of those two, did you know that the nose-elbowing incident was an unscripted accident? David Denman felt terrible and John Krasinski had to miss a photo shoot the next day because of it! Three, we get to see Kevin and Phyllis show off their skills.

This episode was aired between #4, “The Alliance,” and #6, “Hot Girl,” which was also the Season 1 Finale. The idea for it came from a cut Pilot scene in which Michael brags about hooping in the warehouse. It brings the Jim/Pam/Roy triangle into plain view by pitting the office workers against the warehouse workers in a competition where the loser will come in on Saturday. Pam’s plans are up in the air: will it be shopping with Jim or jet-skiing with Roy? Speaking of jet skis, does this have anything to do with the Season 3 confusion about the jet skis? Just a thought…if someone could clarify, that would be fab! Michael is his typical sexist-, homophobic-, racist-remarking self, calling the game when he knows the office team is up over an accidental foul. But when he feels a little pressure from the warehouse guys, he immediately backs down, saying the office staffers will come in on Saturday. He caves again, however, figuring that the Scranton branch is in enough trouble. That’s the attitude, Michael!

Yeah…Season 1 is not my favorite season, but there are some awesome, awesome moments, and Basketball has definitely got several of them.

Deleted Scenes:

Further Reading:
1. Wikipedia entry
2. “Basketball” [Commentary track], The Office Season One (US/NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
3. Brian Baumgartner’s blog
4. OfficeTally on Basketball

Ah, Casino Night. Possibly my favorite episode, though I constantly change my mind. It’s got everything you could want or expect out of a season finale without losing any of the comedy of a typical episode–in fact, it’s one of the funniest, in my opinion. The Dwangela slap…Kevin’s “I suck…”…Pam’s ‘practice runs’ for Michael on the phone…Toby’s “I’m gonna chase that feeling”…”Dinkin’ flicka”…all totally in character, all totally hilarious!

Then, in the final moments, Jim lays it all on the line. And even though Pam stops him with a crushing ‘let’s-be-friends,’ JAMmers got to see that fabulous last-minute kiss. Knockout performances by both Jenna and John, not to mention Steve Carell and his ‘girls’, Melora and real-life-wife Nancy. Actually, knockout performances by EVERYBODY, as usual. I think the major reason why I loved, loved, loved the Season 2 closer was that it was so REAL. I completely believed (okay, I still believe, I admit it!) that Jim and Pam were real people who couldn’t be together despite this deeply intimate connection; I believed that Jim would finally tell Pam how he really felt exactly the way he did; I believed the dialogue; I ate it up. It wasn’t trite, it wasn’t expected, it wasn’t conventional. It was just…life. And I love it.

And in the spirit of Throwback Thursday, check out this awesome post Brian wrote after Casino Night: “>Even More Info on Kevin’s Band.

Deleted Scenes (I know I say this every Throwback Thursday, but they are a MUST-SEE if you haven’t seen them yet!!):

Further reading:
1. Wikipedia Entry, Casino Night (Trivia here)
2. Jenna Fischer’s blog, Casino Night
3. OfficeQuotes.net, Casino Night
4. Northern Attack on Casino Night
5. The Chicago Tribune on JAM
6. Televisionary Blogspot on the Season 2 Finale

So, since Throwback Thursday was posted so late last week, and since voting was practically tied this week, I’m doing TWO Throwback Thursdays this week! Just a warning: the second one will probably be posted later Thursday evening.

Directed by Joss Whedon, this episode featured everything from VampireJim to Pam’s art show (some of the saddest scenes all season, in my opinion) to Michael’s hilarious candy bar presentation at business school. I often read complaints about Ryan the [Former] Temp’s smug attitude and cocky demeanor. I get that, but I never found BJ Novak’s character to be smarmy or annoying–I always thought it was funny. Essentially, Ryan is like the viewer-he was introduced to “The Office” at the same time we were, way back in the pilot episode. I always though his deadpan looks and Michael-avoidance techniques were to be expected. But in “Business School,” Ryan outs himself as a tool by dissing Dunder-Mifflin and feeding Michael to the [MBA-hungry] wolves. Maybe ‘outs’ is the wrong word, since we kind of knew he was a tool all along. But I think you get my drift. Or maybe not. Hash it out in the comments section, I might be on my own here.

But I digress. Jim convinces Dwight that he’s been bit by the bat and has turned into a vampire:

Dwight: If a vampire bat was in the U.S., it would make sense for it to come to a “sylvania.” Like PENN-sylvania. Now that doesn’t mean that Jim is going to become a vampire. Only that he carries the vampiric germ.

Karen plays along with the joke, and does a nice job as Jim’s sidekick. Meanwhile, Pam spreads the word about her art show. I have to say, I was completely shocked when Jim didn’t show up. I was just watching and waiting for the last moments of the episode, sure he’d show up, apologize for being late, and slip into that easy, breezy, Halpert-Beasly conversation we love to see. But no! Roy, on the other hand, shows up with his brother, and gives Pam this amazing compliment:

Your art.. was the prettiest art of… all art.

Roy demonstrates that he feels like Pam’s art show is just a way to score points with her now that they are back together, and it’s just another indicator that Roy just doesn’t understand her. By the way, how cute was Jenna Fischer in that smock, and how bad did you feel for Pam as each ‘guest’ commented on her work? I harbored a little resentment towards Oscar (and a LOT towards Gil) after their inconsiderate conversation.

Finally, Michael saves the day in a touching Michael-Pam scene. For all the grief that he gives her, Michael was the only one from “The Office” who truly came through for her. At the end of the day, they are good friends who take care of each other (though Pam is usually the one doing the taking care of).

I couldn’t find the deleted scenes anywhere on the Web yet (let me know if they’re somewhere!) so a life lesson from Michael Scott will have to suffice:

Further Reading
1. Wikipedia Entry, Business School
2. Jenna’s Blog, Business School
3. Episode Recaps at NBC.com, Business School
4. OfficeQuotes.net, Business School

Remember to VOTE for Throwback Thursday!

I’ll keep voting open til 8 PM EST on Wednesday, then try to have the post up *early* on Thursday.

“Ben Franklin,” Season 3, Episode 15

Quick Recap

Click “More”…it got a bit long this week!

Comments

What a fun episode! One thing I didn’t pick up on during my first viewing was Dwight’s telling question to Jim re: the stripper. “Redhead or brunette?” Jim refuses to choose, saying, “Blonde.” Then the camera cuts to Pam and Karen, the redhead and the brunette (though I’d consider Jenna a brunette as well). Another awesome and true-to-character moment was when Dwight, Jim, and Michael first meet the stripper. Jim admits he’s never seen a stripper, Michael texts Jim “Is she hot?” and Dwight tells Jim (right in front of the stripper) to text back, “Kind of.” Finally, I loved Michael’s insistence that Ben Franklin was a president.

I’ve read a few criticisms of Jenna’s performance (we know she was very sick while filming the episode) but I thought her semi-out-of-it state was pitch-perfect. After all, her scenes with Karen and Jim were supposed to be uncomfortable. She stammered, she had a Freudian slip, she made bad jokes . . . and it worked for me. What did you all think?

WINNING HAIKU:

by Elisabeth

Agent Michael Scarn
Gets his Catherine Zeta
Jim finds his.

The votes were super close! jacsonian would have tied, but two votes were cast after midnight, and Quessadilla was only one vote out of first place. Thanks for everyone who entered & voted–hopefully the Haiku contests will return to their former glory, with lots of entries and votes!

Further Reading

1. Wikipedia for “Ben Franklin”

2. Quotes from “Ben Franklin” at OfficeTally

Homework

1. VOTE FOR NEXT THROWBACK THURSDAY IN THE FORUM!

2. Find the Deleted Scenes somewhere on the InterWebs, and I’ll post them on the site. I apologize that I couldn’t find them for you!

Quick Recap

(more…)

This week’s winner: “Ben Franklin” (Season 3, Episode 14).

Next order of business: Please vote on the Haikus!  Haiku winner will be announced in the Throwback Thursday post, so vote by tonight at midnight!

1. Quessadilla

Meeting at Chili’s
Surprising Jan, Michael pulls through
Awesome Blossom Sale

2. jacsonian

Can Agent Scarn save
us from Goldenface if Dwigt
forgot the luggage?

3. Elisabeth

Agent Michael Scarn
Gets his Catherine Zeta
Jim finds his.

Let me know if I missed anybody!  Vote in the comments section!

It’s the first edition of Throwback Thursday!
Throughout the summer, we’ll be flashing back and revisiting old episodes, with brand-new analysis, links, contests, & more.

First up?

“The Client,” Season 2, Episode 7

What a HUGE episode for this show! I didn’t realize it until I sat down to write this post, but WOW. So many things happen!

Quick Recap
The cold open is Michael and his beloved, dry-cleaned jeans. We hear about the staff’s worst first dates, including a background check (Oscar) and abandonment at a local hockey game (Pam), as Michael and Jan try to win a major account. The eponymous ‘client’ of the title is played to perfection by Tim Meadows, and the business meeting is conducted at Chili’s–the new golf course. Back at the office, Pam finds the now-infamous screenplay, ‘Threat Level: Midnight’ and the entire office crew performs a read-through. This marks a major point in two Office relationships: Jim and Pam share a rooftop dinner, and Michael and Jan share a kiss. Also, we get to see Dwight in his underwear (which apparently were changed at the last minute at Rainn Wilson’s request, according to BJ Novak).

Comments
A tremendous episode for JAM and Jichael. Remember, the episode before “The Client” was “The Fight,” which also has a lot of JAM tension. In this episode, Jim continues to test the limits of the relationship, commenting on the hockey game incident and calling their time together (by the way, was that the most intimate, heartbreaking swaying you’ve ever seen or what?) ‘a date.’ Again, Pam is put off. While she enjoyed herself just as much as Jim did, calling it ‘a date’ makes it too real for her. Michael is having his own issues with Jan, who is not feeling the love. The awkward phone calls set the stage for the rest of their crazy relationship. At the end of the episode, the look between Jim and Michael is positively priceless. According to Paul Lieberstein, it was the first idea for the episode, and the rest of the episode was written so it would lead up to that moment. This episode also introduces us to Dwigt, Agent Michael Scarn, and Michael’s killer drawings (actually done by producer Greg Daniels).

“The Client” Deleted Scenes

In the commentary, we learn that Jim’s best/worst first date was with Pam, just as you probably suspected. So sad! I wish this had made it into the episode. I also love the Pam-staring-at-her-desk and the Phyllis/Stanley deleted scenes. Remember, a kick and a chop are two different things!

Further Reading
1. The Client Wikipedia entry (especially the Trivia section)
2. BJ Novak’s blog of The Client for TV Guide.com (same BJ Novak link as above)
3. Northern Attack on “The Client”
4. Commentary, Season 2 DVD, Disc 2 (highly recommended)
5. Transcript by Nikki at Scriptanic

Homework
1. Vote for next week’s Throwback Thursday episode (forum)
2. Write a Haiku about “The Client”. (forum)
3. What’s your take on this episode, the deleted scenes, trivia, or anything else? Post your thoughts in the comments below!