Charlie Grandy answers ‘Crime Aid’ questions

Q. There were a lot of references to the camera this week — Phyllis talking to Dwight, Michael and Holly making out in the stairway — and there seem to have been a lot of references this season. Was this something you planned in advance? | Michelle

Charlie: It’s actually become a bit of a crutch and we’re trying to cut down on it. But it’s hard when it’s so funny.

Q. I was trying to understand the significance/motivation of Dwight’s bidding on Phyllis’ hug. Was he doing it to impress Angela or was there some other reason I’m just not getting? | Jodie

Charlie: After he’d been slapped, Dwight realized Phyllis had been exceptionally kind to him. It was his way of repaying her. The pissing off Angela was an added bonus.

Q. Phyllis was such a star in this episode, from her spot on assessment of Angela, to her willingness to be a sounding board for Dwight, to her bank-breaking hug. Were you planning on spotlighting her in this episode, or did that gradually come about as you wrote the script? | what’s the dealio?

Charlie: We wanted to spotlight her. We were excited about the energy of a Dwight/Phyllis pairing and it worked out well.

Q. Why “Vitamin World” for Roy? | AronorA

Charlie: Mindy pitched it. We all laughed.

Q. Were you a big fan of The Office before writing for it? | Diapers Schrute

Charlie: Huge. It was the only thing I watched regularly. I have two little kids and it’s the only show worth missing sleep for.

Q. The elevator black and white shot reminded me of many scenes from The Wire. Considering that much of the writing staff are fans of The Wire, what is it like working with Amy Ryan, especially seeing her in a non-serious role? | Steven M

Charlie: She was amazing. Everyone fell completely in love with her. Her comic chops are serious. She’s a fantastic improviser. She and Steve really just had fun playing together on set.

Q. Are the writers going to approach Amy Ryan for any future episodes? | Julie

Charlie: I hope so. She’s fantastic. The very first scene we shot for this episode was the Michael/Holly talking head. It was 6am and I was sitting across from Steve and Amy and just thinking to myself, “In no way do I deserve to be working with these people.”

Q. How was working with Jen the Director on this episode, especially since she, too, is a writer? Does it help to have a director who has been part of the writing process? | sorano916

Charlie: It was incredible luck to have Jen direct my first episode. She knows the show so well and is amazingly talented and funny and the cast and crew loves her AND she goes out of her way to make everyone feel comfortable.

Q. Is there any way to pass the message along to Jen that the directing was FANTASTIC? | Amy

Charlie: Yes … Jen, if you are reading this, “Amy” thinks you did a fantastic job directing. So do I. To quote you, Jen Celotta, “You rock, man!”

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Thanks, as always, to Tallyheads for submitting questions, and a big thank you to Charlie for taking the time to answer them! You are now an official member of the Episode Q&A Club. :)

Check out more Q&As in the Episode Q&A Archive. Essential reading for every Office super fan!

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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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