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jossifer
LITO Forum Admin
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
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Location: in cahoots
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 Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 9:52 am Post subject: S08E09 - Mrs. California |
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| 1 DEC 2011: Robert gives his wife (Maura Tierney) a job in the office. Meanwhile, Dwight opens a gym in the building. |
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Bob
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Joined: 03 Jan 2007
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Location: 2780 miles from home (Scranton)
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| Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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| I really liked "Mrs. California." |
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Danjlion7
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Joined: 08 Nov 2011
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Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:01 pm Post subject: Me too! |
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| So did I!!!! |
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Bob
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Joined: 03 Jan 2007
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Location: 2780 miles from home (Scranton)
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| Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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Nice to hear from you again, danjlion7! I was busy over on the main LITO page writing "Scrantonicity," so I didn't get a chance here to elaborate on the episode. But I want to do so now. I'm going to work soon, but I'll be back soon to discuss the funny "Mrs. California."  |
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Danjlion7
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Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:58 pm Post subject: Ok |
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| I'm going to watch the episode for a second time. |
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Bob
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Location: 2780 miles from home (Scranton)
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: Ok |
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| Danjlion7 wrote: | | I'm going to watch the episode for a second time. |
"Mrs. California," in my humble opinion, has so many good lines and funny scenes that it is definitely worth multiple viewings. I think all this episode needed to qualify as a near-classic was a "Pam-cameo."  ... Would that be a Pam-eo?  |
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Danjlion7
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Joined: 08 Nov 2011
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Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 12:29 pm Post subject: Agree |
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| Haha, I agree Bob. The cold opening was great, classic Jim Dwight conflict. The story moved along nicely and I enjoyed seeing Robert California off balance. Plenty of funny lines throughout, and the close with Robert's wife sealing a date with Andy was both funny and intriguing. Poor Andy. That one line promises hilarious future episodes. I hope they keep it up! |
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Bob
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Joined: 03 Jan 2007
Posts: 3182
Location: 2780 miles from home (Scranton)
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: Agree |
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| Danjlion7 wrote: | | I hope they keep it up! |
Danjlion7, here's one way that I know "The Office" is still relevant: I work as a bartender in Seattle, and my nametag lists my hometown "Scranton, Pa." This weekend, there were three separate incidents of customers seeing my nametag, which then reminds them of "The Office," and then they subsequently asked me if I watched the show on Thursday. We all agreed that "Mrs. California" was a strong episode.
Yeah, I hope they keep it up for the rest of the season. That ending with hapless Andy and Mrs. California was an intriguing touch.  ...  (meant to represent, uh... "intrigue.") |
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Danjlion7
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Joined: 08 Nov 2011
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Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 3:15 pm Post subject: Hey! |
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Hey Bob,
I only live 3 hours south of you! I'm in Portland, Oregon! |
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Bob
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Joined: 03 Jan 2007
Posts: 3182
Location: 2780 miles from home (Scranton)
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Hey! |
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| Danjlion7 wrote: | Hey Bob,
I only live 3 hours south of you! I'm in Portland, Oregon! |
Danjlion7, my wife and I consider Portland our own "Schrute Farms Bed & Breakfast" getaway. Since I work for a major hotel chain, I qualify for free hotel rooms downtown. We like to take the Amtrak train down from Seattle a couple times a year for mini-vacations. Portland's a great city.
A few years ago here on the freewheelin' LITO forum, the fading celebrity Val Kilmer was discussed, in typical freewheelin' LITO forum-fashion. Which made it even funnier for me when Dwight Schrute made his Val Kilmer remark at the end of "Mrs. California." For reference, here is a picture of Val Kilmer these days: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Val-Kilmer-Washes-Up-On-the-Beach-32556.shtml |
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Danjlion7
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Joined: 08 Nov 2011
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Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject: Cool |
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Bob,
Next time you're down here, let me know. I live in downtown Portland so am probably close to the hotels you frequent. It's a small world. |
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kgreene
Koi Story
Joined: 05 Jan 2007
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HotDogFingers
Monkey, I'm an ARM
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Posts: 513
Location: NY
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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| kgreene wrote: | I thought that the producers missed a good casting opportunity. I always thought that Maura Tierney should've played an older sister to Pam. They look a little alike. It's funny that she finally shows up on the show and Jenna Fischer is not even in the episode.
Good stuff. |
Kevin, I don't remember you mentioning that you thought Maura Tierney would be a good fit for the show. I'm so used to seeing her in more serious roles, like Abby on ER.
To be honest, I didn't think that she was actually that funny in the episode and it seems like she was actually written to be a more serious character. I did like her talking head when she said that when she used to work, she didn't like the bosses wife either; of course she was married to Robert. So we seem to get a little insight as to her background and Robert's as well. Hes' clearly on at least his second marriage and he probably had some sort of affair with Susan when they worked together before ending his marriage and marrying Susan. So when she goes ahead and makes a "date" with Andy, it doesn't seem so out of character.
The whole thing about her being the only one who can figure Robert out and knowing all his tricks and games seems typical for any couple who know each other well. It never works when Jim and Pam go head to head either; since they know each other so well, it's almost impossible for them to outsmart each other (like in the Pam's Replacement episode with the Matchmaker test; or in The Surplus when Pam wanted new chairs and Jim wanted a new copier).
Overall, I wouldn't say this episode was my favorite, but I did like it better than the Gettysburg episode and it is up there as one of the better episodes of the season.
I did enjoy the Cold Opening with a classic Jim prank and I thought the B story with Dwight opening a gym in the building was funny. Especially his first attempt, so Dwight. So yeah, one of the better ones.
BTW, does anyone know who's recapping this week. I thought it was Donna. Has anyone heard from her? |
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Bob
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Joined: 03 Jan 2007
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Location: 2780 miles from home (Scranton)
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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| HotDogFingers wrote: |
BTW, does anyone know who's recapping this week. I thought it was Donna. Has anyone heard from her? |
Why yes, we have heard from Donna. And I urge everyone to get a move-on over to the main page STAT* and read her laugh-happy recap.
*STAT means now. |
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Bob
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Joined: 03 Jan 2007
Posts: 3182
Location: 2780 miles from home (Scranton)
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| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:58 pm Post subject: Re: Cool |
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| Danjlion7 wrote: | Bob,
Next time you're down here, let me know. I live in downtown Portland so am probably close to the hotels you frequent. It's a small world. |
Danjlion7, here's how much I like Portland, Oregon: I have the Oregonian website bookmarked, and I check it frequently. How else would I find out about crazy stuff like this:
Detroit Lion Ndamukong Suh is back in his hometown Portland while he sits out his two-game suspension for stomping on a Green Bay Packer. However, two nights ago, he stomped on his car's gas pedal in front of Voodoo Donuts, lost control, and crashed into a Bensen Bubbler water fountain. 
How could you not love Portland? Voodoo Donuts: http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.php "The magic is in the hole."
Bensen Bubblers: http://www.uniquely-portland-oregon.com/benson-bubblers.html
OK, this off-topic stuff has gone on long enough; back to "Mrs. California."  I really enjoyed reading Donna's recap after several days had passed. There was a lot of fun in that episode, and it felt good to be reminded of it. |
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HotDogFingers
Monkey, I'm an ARM
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Posts: 513
Location: NY
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| Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, that's one angry Lion. 
Or could it be that living in Detroit has made him just that crazy. Being originally from Detroit myself, I should know. And just to prove my point, take a look at some of the other eccentrics that hail from Detroit, like Madonna and Kidd Rock; just to name a few.
Thanks for the interesting links Bob, that Voodoo Doughnut place sure looks scary.  I wonder, if you don't like their doughnuts, do they put a hex on you? Or do they just make a doll in your likeness and poke you with a pin? |
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Bob
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Location: 2780 miles from home (Scranton)
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| Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 2:02 pm Post subject: |
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| HotDogFingers wrote: |
...Or could it be that living in Detroit has made him just that crazy. Being originally from Detroit myself, I should know. |
Suri, you make it sound as if the next great TV comedy should take place in Detroit, like The Office is set in Scranton. You could even write write a weekly account of the local references, and call it, uh... Detroit-icity. I'd read it!
There's a song by Robert Plant called "Worse Than Detroit." I'm not really familiar with it, but I see that the lyrics don't even mention the city. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmeYob11D78
I'm glad you checked out Voodoo Donuts. It's one of those places that are so colorful, ya just gotta love 'em; even if you don't love their specialty doughnut, which is a maple bar with a slab o' bacon on it. http://wishyouwerehere.us/article/Voodoo-Doughnut-Eating-a-Bacon-Maple-Bar/
But I digress. Now back to "Mrs. California."  |
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Donna
King of the Stupid Universe
Joined: 21 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | HotDogFingers wrote:
BTW, does anyone know who's recapping this week. I thought it was Donna. Has anyone heard from her?
Why yes, we have heard from Donna. And I urge everyone to get a move-on over to the main page STAT* and read her laugh-happy recap. |
Sorry I was so darn late this week everyone. I don't have any dramatic excuses, just sick kids and a few dozen responsibilities that kept me from my favorite tv show and blog. 
I'm very glad I finally caught up with it though. It was well worth the wait. Dwight was on fire this week! He was great from the c/o to the closing credits. The whole cast really shined. Pam was missed, but it almost felt like she was a part of it all after Jim's heartfelt speech about loving working with his wife. She was there in JAM-spirit!
I'm excited for tomorrow's episode. 
_________________
"Sandals Jamaica Mon" |
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HotDogFingers
Monkey, I'm an ARM
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Posts: 513
Location: NY
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:25 am Post subject: |
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| Bob wrote: | | HotDogFingers wrote: |
...Or could it be that living in Detroit has made him just that crazy. Being originally from Detroit myself, I should know. |
Suri, you make it sound as if the next great TV comedy should take place in Detroit, like The Office is set in Scranton. You could even write write a weekly account of the local references, and call it, uh... Detroit-icity. I'd read it!
There's a song by Robert Plant called "Worse Than Detroit." I'm not really familiar with it, but I see that the lyrics don't even mention the city. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmeYob11D78
I'm glad you checked out Voodoo Donuts. It's one of those places that are so colorful, ya just gotta love 'em; even if you don't love their specialty doughnut, which is a maple bar with a slab o' bacon on it. http://wishyouwerehere.us/article/Voodoo-Doughnut-Eating-a-Bacon-Maple-Bar/
But I digress. Now back to "Mrs. California." |
Bob, there was already a pretty successful TV comedy set in Detroit, it was called Home Improvement starring Tim Allen. It was around from 1991-1999. Seeing as it was cancelled 12 years ago, maybe it's time for another sitcom set in Detroit. I would certainly tune in for that.
Thanks for the Robert Plant link, but I can't make out any of the lyrics so I have no idea what he's singing about. Kidd Rock recently did a song with a lyric that goes something like, "I heard they closed Detroit down." I think he was talking about the economic downturn. It hit Detroit really hard since GM shut down plants, ended the Pontiac brand of cars and put thousands of people out of work. They have the highest foreclosure rate in the country. People were literally abandoning their houses and even leaving many possessions that they couldn't take with them behind, like furniture and other large items. You can literally buy a house there now for what the prices were like almost 30 years ago; 80K, 90K. My sister looked into some of these homes when her house was being foreclosed upon, since she had to leave it b/c the bank was taking it back. She ended up moving out here and lives near me now. Of course, she's renting.
Wow, that doughnut sounds like a really interesting combination. However, seeing as I only eat Kosher, I don't think I'll be sampling that particular pastry. They did have one with a fruit loop topping that looked interesting though. I thought it was funny that they throw weddings and their price ranges are based on whether or not you want a legal marriage. If nothing else, the website is certainly entertaining. |
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HotDogFingers
Monkey, I'm an ARM
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Posts: 513
Location: NY
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| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:26 am Post subject: |
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| Donna wrote: | | Quote: | HotDogFingers wrote:
BTW, does anyone know who's recapping this week. I thought it was Donna. Has anyone heard from her?
Why yes, we have heard from Donna. And I urge everyone to get a move-on over to the main page STAT* and read her laugh-happy recap. |
Sorry I was so darn late this week everyone. I don't have any dramatic excuses, just sick kids and a few dozen responsibilities that kept me from my favorite tv show and blog.
I'm very glad I finally caught up with it though. It was well worth the wait. Dwight was on fire this week! He was great from the c/o to the closing credits. The whole cast really shined. Pam was missed, but it almost felt like she was a part of it all after Jim's heartfelt speech about loving working with his wife. She was there in JAM-spirit!
I'm excited for tomorrow's episode. |
Don't sweat it Donna. Even if Dwight thinks that motherhood is the easiest job in the world, we know that's not true. Tonight's episode looks like a good one. I hope we keep this good ep streak up. |
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