Charlie Grandy answers ‘Crime Aid’ questions

I’m very excited to present a Crime Aid Q&A by Charlie Grandy, one of this season’s new writers to ‘The Office’!

Charlie talks about Jim’s drive to New York, what it was like to work with Jen Celotta as a first-time Office director, and a Kelly scene that I hope makes it into the Season 5 DVD. Good stuff!

Q. How do you feel being a new writer of this five season old show? Is the challenge bigger (that’s what she said) when you write for a new series or an older one? | Fire-ed Guy

Charlie: I’ve never been on a new show, so I’m used to coming in with a bunch of pitches and having the old guard say, “yeah, we all thought of that ages ago.” It’s a bit humbling, but forces you work harder. I’m not sure I’d be any good with a seemingly infinite number of story ideas.

Q. Is there a full list of what everyone auctioned off (like Secret Santa in ‘Christmas Party’)? | astird

Charlie: In addition to what was in the episode, the following items were shot :

• Meredith auctions something, but no one knows what it is because of her drunken slurring. Oscar buys it for a dollar. Turns out it’s a brand new iPhone. Oscar’s excited.
• Kelly auctions off dance lessons for Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em’s “Crank That” dance. (This also explains her outfit during the auction.) Ryan bought it for $40. Kelly TH: she plans to drive him wild with lust but not sleep with him.

I think that was it. We intentionally didn’t want to focus too much on the items in an effort to keep the stories moving.

An early pitch was Michael auctions a magic lesson for $800, but it felt similar to Holly’s yoga lesson so we dropped it.

Q. Was it written or improvised how Michael lost himself (8 mile reference) in the flow of auctioneering? | jan of a preacher man

Charlie: I wrote the “hey batta batta” and “one million dollars!” stuff, which Steve then took to a whole new level. He is a master of comic jibberish.

Q. I love the things like “Stuff Angela introduced to Dwight” and “Music Michael mistakes for Bruce Springsteen.” Did you have any other ideas for these things up your sleeve which didn’t make it to the episode? | ian

Charlie: Nope, that was pretty much it. There was a scene of Dwight explaining his first date with Angela to Phyllis. They went to the Anthracite Coal Museum and corrected the tour guide when he got stuff wrong. He then offers Phyllis a fox meat sandwich.

Q. What’s better for creativity: random 3am outbursts, or systematic work while the sun is out? | carl

Charlie: Systematic work with the occasional late night is best for me. Ideally, I like to roll out of bed and immediately start working before the pressure of trying to make people laugh sets in.

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39 comments

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1. 
   39. JShoe  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 8:31pm

   I don’t know why, but I just could not stop laughing after the mistaken-Springsteen-songs bit. Tracy Chapman, Fast Car. Awesome.

2. 
   38. ian  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 5:33pm

   I actually feel so warm and fuzzy inside cos my question got answered. Made my day- Thank you so much Tanster and Charlie

3. 
   37. hootshot112  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 4:03pm

   thanks Charlie for answering our questions!!!

4. 
   36. Diapers Schrute  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 1:34pm

   Hooray! My question was answered! What a great Q&A. Really helps me understand everything better. :)

5. 
   35. what's the dealio?  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 12:58pm

   Thank you so much Charlie Grandy and Office Tally! This was such a favorite episode, and I love these generous behind the scenes looks at the creative process he gave us. So much talent and devotion goes into each show, and we get to Q&A with the amazing writers about it. Are we lucky or what? Thanks!

6. 
   34. Abbey in PA  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 12:51pm

   Woo my question was answered! Thanks so much Tanster and Charlie!

7. 
   33. Michelle  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 11:53am

   Yay, my question got answered! Thanks Tanster and Charlie!

8. 
   32. Fire-ed Guy  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 11:23am

   He answered my question! Thanks Charlie! And thanks Tanster for this awesome website!

9. 
   31. Dina C  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 11:13am

   An enormous thank you to Charlie and Tanster for gifting us with this special Q&A interview. Being able to read about the creative process and behind-the-scenes working of my favorite show adds an entire new dimension to my enjoyment. Never before have I felt so emotionally invested in a show, and the content and spirit of this website has a direct relationship to that. I may not comment often, but I am reading avidly! :-)

10. 
    30. Diana  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 10:45am

    I would love to see all the Ryan/Kelly stuff we missed! I still want to know what the other phrases were that he came up with for C.R.I.M.E. A.I.D…

11. 
    29. MISSterious  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 10:31am

    Wow, it sounds like this episode could have been an hour long. It’s too bad they had to cut so much out. It sounds like it could have been even funnier. Not that it wasn’t, just, you know, more.

12. 
    28. carl  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 10:24am

    This was a GREAT Q&A. Very funny, very informative, all around just awesome. And thank you for answering my (somewhat random) question! It made my day AND I’m doing my first NaNoWriMo novel (a comedy) this year…so knowing what other writers do will help.

    Thanks Charlie and Tanster!

13. 
    27. astird  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 9:39am

    Thanks Charlie and Tanster!

14. 
    26. OfficeLady  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 9:28am

    Thanks for the great Q & A — and thanks, Powers That Be — for being so loyal and connected with your fans!

15. 
    25. Matt Collins  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 8:54am

    -6- jbklover:
    A simple Wikipedia search of “Fred Grandy” yields the answer that he does, indeed, have a son named Charlie.

16. 
    24. JaneD  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 8:50am

    Thank you so much.

    I can appreciate how tough it is for a new writer to enter an established writing dynamic. And I just have to say: what a great addition Charlie Grandy makes. Without knowing the “behind-the-scenes” of it all, I would never have guessed it was his first episode for the show. It felt “in” that Universe, filled with tiny details that spoke of thorough knowledge of these characters and this world, and just plain hysterical.

    Thank you again for answering the questions and for the episode itself.

17. 
    23. Receptionitis  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 8:48am

    Thank you to the writers (and Tanster) for taking the time to talk to fans in this way. It’s appreciated so much!! We know how busy you are and the fact that you take the time out to do this is awesome.

18. 
    22. phyllis*farm  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 8:47am

    Welcome to our little kingdom, Charlie. Always fun to read insight and get clarification ($5000 deductible! Yes, I can finally sleep tonight!)

19. 
    21. SoonToBeMrsHalpert  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 8:45am

    This episode was awesome! Thank you Tanster!!

20. 
    20. Kenna  Wed. Oct. 29, 2008 | 8:39am

    Fascinating, as always! This episode has got to be one of my all-time favorites. Thank you for the Q&A, Charlie and tanster! I can’t tell you how grateful I am for these behind-the-scenes peeks at my beloved show.

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