Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager Q&A

In this final Q&A of the season, Rainn Wilson and Justin Spitzer, lead actor and writer of the episode ‘Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager’ answer your questions about piranha casting, Megadesk 2.0, the Dwight/Kevin massage scene, and much more.

A big thank you to Justin and Rainn!

(Also, there might be a surprise cameo in there. You just never know.)

And now, without further ado, here is the Q&A…

grape: Rainn, where has Dwight’s maintenance worker Nate been? It’s been awhile since we’ve seen him. Also, was it fun leading a conference room meeting? And what kind of a doll was the one you adjusted on the desk in the opening credits, which was hilarious by the way?

Rainn: We’ve moved away from the whole Dwight owning the building subplot but I imagine we’ll come back to it next season.

And when we do, Nate (played by the hysterical Mark Proksch, aka Kenny Strasser the Yo-yo master) will make more appearances. I love how sweetly stupid he is. Nate, not Mark.

The doll I adjusted was a samurai doll to fit with the vaguely Japanese Bond-villain theme of the office. I think that was Greg’s (Daniels) idea. He seems obsessed about matching those opening credits.

Notice the nod to that in “Goodbye, Michael?” When Michael adjusted the Dundie just like in the title sequence?

Sarakaya Komzin: Where did that bullet go?

Rainn: Into the wood of the hardwood floor underneath the carpet. Dwight probably snuck in in the middle of the night and dug it out so the evidence couldn’t be used against him.

Justin: Yes, that’s exactly what happened.

Matt Mentecky: Andy was shown in a very Dwight-esque short sleeve shirt and tie. Was there a subplot that got cut involving Andy wanting to mold his appearance to Dwight’s since Dwight was now (acting) manager? Andy has always been a suck up.

Rainn: Very perceptive. That was a tiny detail in the episode as Andy was currying favor with Dwight but it was (almost) completely cut out.

Justin: I loved that moment. As people file into the office at the start, Andy takes off his jacket very purposefully in front of Dwight, who gives him a really funny, kind of suspicious glance.

It got huge laughs when we screened it in the writers’ room, but ultimately if felt off pace for where it was in the episode.

Anthony Emm: Justin, what was it like writing the first Carell-less episode of the series to rely only on the main ensemble of the show (and not including a guest like Will Ferrell taking a large focus of the episode)? Was there any pressure?

Justin: I was a little nervous when I learned I’d be writing the one episode that was going to fall into the slot between Will Ferrell leaving and the season finale. But as we talked about Dwight being in charge, something a lot of us have been waiting to see for seven years, I started feeling that I’d gotten the perfect episode assignment.

I was also psyched to get to film an episode without Carell around sexually harassing everyone.

14 comments

  1. Awesome! Thanks tanster for doing this for us. Michael Schur is ridiculously funny! What a great Q&A cameo!

  2. I love these! What a great start to an other wise monotonous day of work. PS-PRec does get funnier and funnier every week. I’ll definitely be watching 2 full hours of NBC comedy tonight!

  3. Always amazing to get these Q&A’s right from the writers’ and actors’ mouths! Much appreciated!

  4. Wow. Just, wow.

    Thank you Rainn and Justin!

    This is the best show on Earth, interacting with fans like this.

  5. You guys just made my freaking day answering my question!

    Thank you Rainn, Justin, and Mike!

    Another terrific Q & A.

  6. Thanks guys for answering my question as well as all the others. Great detailed answers. Can’t wait to see all the surprises tonight.

  7. Who knew that you couldn’t film piranha in California?

    I live for these behind the scenes factoids.

    Thank you for answering questions!

  8. Thanks for answering my question! Jo having accessory dogs is pretty funny.

  9. These behind-the-scenes Q&As are my favorite feature here at OfficeTally, and this one was super. Thanks Justin, Rainn, Mike and tanster for providing all the great insights into our favorite show.

  10. I concur with everyone else, thanks for answering my question, this is an awesome way for you guys to interact with us fans. I started telling everyone in my office that my question was answered, and everyone else ( who are The Office fans too), thought it was the coolest thing ever! Thanks again!!!

  11. The first time I’ve ever asked a question on one of these interviews, and it actually got in! On the first page, too! That made my crappy day better. Great interview too, I just love this episode.

  12. Wow – great Q&A! Thanks so much for this really generous interaction with us fans! This was a terrific episode and to get the behind-the-scenes details from a writer and actor is so much fun for an Office geek like me (and Mike Schur’s answer was hilarious). I love Rainn’s comments about the characters evolving year after year yet keep true to their original essence. I think that’s why I never get sick of the Office and for 7 seasons it has been my favorite TV show. (Parks and Rec a close second!)

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