He directed Dinner Party, Niagara, and Office Olympics, among many others. And since then, the man, the legend, and everyone’s favorite “bundle of joy” has completely rocked the comedy genre. Director and producer Paul Feig joins Brian this week to jump head first into the big questions: why did the real documentary crew make us relate to the show? How did Paul end up directing Dinner Party? And the most important of all - was Michael *really* the bad guy? Learn more about your ad-choices at htt...
Aug 24, 2021•1 hr 5 min
In this special Thursday edition of the podcast, Brian kicks off his favorite time of the year (football season) with a new mini deep dive celebrating The Office’s Fantasy Football League, formed by the cast and crew of the show. As the league celebrates their 17th season, Brian will invite a new member each week to talk all things The Office… and maybe a little football. For this first podcast, Brian welcomes his friend and league commissioner, Stephen Saux, to discuss his role as stand-in extr...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 10 min
As a surprise for the one and only Steve Carell, Brian invited pop icon and Office superfan Billie Eilish onto the podcast after her epic Grammy win in 2020 to talk about why The Office is her “strange addiction” and what she’s learned from the show. Plus, Brian opens the floor to fans in this special Mailbag episode: he answers all your questions, from comparing the cast with their characters to Brian’s favorite Kevin scenes to the iconic Stress Relief cold open. Learn more about your ad-choice...
Aug 17, 2021•54 min
We continue our dive into the writer’s room with writer, director, and producer Brent Forrester. Brent joined The Office in Season 3 and worked on highlight episodes like The Merger, but of course Brent’s #1 accolade is directing the iconic chili scene with Brian Baumgartner himself. This episode, Brent and Kevin spill (the chili) about the scene (did you know Brian actually carried the 74 pound pot?) and talk about the art of attention to detail in writing. Learn more about your ad-choices at h...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Scott’s Tots, The Dinner Party - what do these episodes have in common? Besides being some of the most iconic episodes of The Office, they were both co-written by the legendary Lee Eisenberg. This episode, Brian brings Lee on the podcast to talk about the show’s on and off screen dynamics, including the Scott’s Tots cringe factor, the nostalgia of The Office, and building jokes through character relationships. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudi...
Aug 03, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Brian welcomes the beating heart behind the scenes of The Office - writer, director, producer Jen Celotta. On the show, Jen took us into the brains of our favorite characters and now we get to pick hers; this episode, Jen talks about the art of character crafting, what makes people tick and - of course - the madness that is Michael Scott. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 27, 2021•57 min
Brian brings back Greg Daniels - showrunner extraordinaire and the Office’s true regional manager - to kick off our mini deep dive into the writer’s room of The Office. As the showrunner, Greg knows the ins and outs of the writer’s room better than anyone; this episode, Greg shares it all - from writing on napkins to crafting the intricacies of Michael Scott to finding truth and beauty. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...
Jul 20, 2021•58 min
Brian welcomes Mike Schur, known for his iconic role as Mose Schrute on The Office. Oh, and also for his role as writer, director, executive producer/creator of America’s best comedies, from The Office to Parks and Recreation to The Good Place. This episode, Brian and Mike bring us into the writer’s room, discussing its “Unlikely Duo” segment, how chance contributed to the show’s writing, and - of course - Michael Scott’s idea of a good party. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihea...
Jul 13, 2021•54 min
The Office revolutionized the “mockumentary” — and we owe it all to the people behind the camera. Director of Photography Matt Sohn joins Brian on the podcast to talk all things production — from how the show highlighted background moments so effectively to Matt’s very own Season 9 cameo. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr
Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica. Though Dwight never actually said the iconic phrase, the one and only Rainn Wilson returns to the podcast to share the story behind the line, as well as his favorite parts of working on the show -- including his classic comedy duo with Steve Carell and finding a “framily” in the cast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 29, 2021•48 min
In this bonus episode to celebrate her birthday, the wonderful Angela Kinsey returns, sitting down with Brian to reminisce over the accounting they did (or didn’t do) over the years. They dive further into the show to discuss the camera as a character, the Dwangela romance, on-set injuries, a possible The Office reunion, and more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 25, 2021•46 min
On The Office, the camera is a character -- and so is the person behind it. Brian welcomes Director of Photography, Randall Einhorn onto the podcast to talk about how he went from shooting extreme sports to The Office, using the camera to create the show’s “ultra-real” world and bring iconic moments like Jim and Pam’s first kiss to life. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 22, 2021•59 min
What do pantsuits, candlemaking, and Sandals, Jamaica have in common? The one and only, Jan Levinson (Gould), of course. Actress Melora Hardin joins Brian to talk about her time on the Office, from portraying Jan’s struggle with femininity to keeping a straight face while throwing Dundies during the Dinner Party episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 15, 2021•54 min
The verdict is in, and everybody agrees that Michael Scott really was the world’s best boss! The incredible Steve Carell joins Brian in the studio for an extended interview to talk all things The Office. They go back to the days when they were working the best job in the world, when Michael Scott had a hunger for acceptance but didn’t know how to get it, and the emotional torture of his endless goodbyes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/...
Jun 08, 2021•1 hr 20 min
Brian returns to his conversation with the “heart of The Office”, Jenna Fischer aka Pam Beasley. Jenna reveals her only regret from the show (ugh, thanks, Toby!), how Rainn is both deeply soulful and a curmudgeon, and how Steve has a really good idea for a reboot. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 01, 2021•55 min
Today we hear from Big Tuna himself, Jim Halpert AKA John Krasinski. He rewinds with Brian to the moment in casting that John knew Jenna was the one, the time he inadvertently filmed one of the most iconic shots in the opening credits (and how naive he was when he sold that shot), and the lesson he’s carried with him ever since the show ended. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 25, 2021•56 min
Kate Flannery, who you may know as Meredith Palmer, stumbles into this week’s episode to talk all things The Office with Brian. They discuss the origins of her character, how she was a 40 year old waitress when Steve was a 40 year old virgin, and, of course, boobs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 18, 2021•52 min
Brian is joined by another member of the accounting trio, the hilarious Oscar Martin AKA Oscar Nuñez. Oscar attempts to build his own soundscape as they talk about the comedy icons that influenced him as a kid, the time he had to duck into the warehouse to cry, and what life would be like if The Office were shot now... and the YouTube videos that could have been. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 11, 2021•49 min
Today we hear from the man everybody at Dunder Mifflin loved to hate, Toby Flenderson aka Paul Lieberstein. Brian and Paul go over the moment that Michael Scott’s hatred for Toby welled up inside of him, the many ways Paul was the unheralded hero of the show, and their dreams to bring the Dwight spin-off “The Farm” to the world. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 04, 2021•1 hr 1 min
An enigma wrapped in a riddle... Creed Bratton is full of surprises as always when he sits down with Brian. Creed tells tales from his rock-n-roll days and reveals the name that is actually on his passport, PLUS a special bonus interview about writing our Deep Dive theme song, Bubble and Squeak. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 27, 2021•1 hr 2 min
Brian finally gets his Oprah moment when he surprises his former castmate Phyllis Smith with a very special guest, her old boss and friend Allison Jones. They reunite to talk about the child actor that blew their mind with only one line, how Phyllis really got into showbiz, and that time Greg Daniels jumped out of a window. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 20, 2021•48 min
What do The Office, Freaks and Geeks and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air have in common? If you said one of the greatest comedy casting directors of our time, you would be correct! Brian welcomes legendary casting director Allison Jones into the studio to chat about how bad stand-up comedians are at auditions (God bless them), the time she talked back to a studio executive, and the shame she feels after passing up Kristen Wiig for a reading. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodc...
Apr 13, 2021•46 min
If The Office were a puppy, director Ken Kwapis would be “the country vet that birthed it” (according to Greg Daniels, at least). Ken speaks on the decisions he made that let the audience feel like they were catching the action on screen by accident, how no one was allowed on set while filming the first few episodes - not even hair and make-up - and the moment he knew that Phyllis just belonged in a paper company. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnys...
Apr 06, 2021•49 min
This week Brian sits down with the unsung hero behind the Office, the man who laid it all down for the show, former NBC executive Kevin Reilly. He and Brian discuss the casting process that felt too good to be true, how The Office was a generational turning of the page if you will, and the decidedly not-lame webisodes of The Accountants that ended up winning an Emmy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 30, 2021•44 min
The American Office turns 16 today! In this very special Sweet 16 episode, Brian responds to listener comments, questions, and reviews. He is joined by some VERY special guests and friends of the pod - Green Bay Packers QB and Office guest star, Aaron Rodgers, and Rainn Wilson himself as Terry Carnation from his new podcast, Dark Air with Terry Carnation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 24, 2021•1 hr 7 min
Sure, they made it look easy, but executive producer Ben Silverman knows the true struggles behind bringing The Office to American television. Ben tells the tale of his decision to adapt the British sitcom and the meeting with Ricky Gervais that followed only 24 hours later, and the time he found out about the show’s second season pickup … while watching Brad Pitt sleep on an airplane. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...
Mar 23, 2021•1 hr 8 min
To truly Deep Dive into The Office, Brian must go to the person who started it all - the creator and star of The Office U.K., the incomparable Ricky Gervais. In this episode, Ricky shares David Brent’s deepest desires, talks about the greatest love story ever told (hint: it’s The Office) and discovers a shocking truth about Steve Carell. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 16, 2021•50 min
Brian is joined by The Office U.K. co-creator Stephen Merchant, all the way from London. Stephen talks about meeting the quintessential Hollywood producer, Ben Silverman, and finding just the right American counterparts to make The Office work on the other side of the Atlantic. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 09, 2021•50 min
High school sweethearts (well, classmates) Brian and Ed Helms (Andy Bernard) reunite to talk about... the weather. Ed also dives into his Daily Show years, the Stamford office, and what it took to play the yuppie bro with a heart of gold. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 02, 2021•47 min
He drove her insane as Kevin in the accountant’s corner, but in real life Brian and Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin) are the very best of friends. After reminiscing about the time they both almost got fired for ruining a take, Angela talks about her first love (improv), Sprinkles the cat, and trading in her old Chevy Blazer for a Hummer limo to Scranton. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 23, 2021•43 min
