Gene Stupnitsky answers ‘Weight Loss’ questions

Q. Is there any significance in the numbers in Jim and Pam’s screen names which we saw in them talking to each other online? Receptionitis15 and JIM9334? | gnyc

Gene: Yes, a ton, but it’s much too complicated to explain here.

How did Pam become a Resident Advisor? | Scott

Gene: Basically, what happened was that Pam was looking for leadership experience and financial aid so she went to the Student Employment Office where she picked up a brochure on Residence Life. The last page of that brochure was an application for a position as a Resident Advisor, which she filled out and sent in. She was chosen for the position within two weeks.

Just kidding.

We thought it’d be funny. Next question!

Q. I noticed that Holly has a nameplate that reads “Hollis ‘Holly’ P. Flax” Whose idea was it to make Holly’s real name Hollis? | iKras.

Gene: Occasionally, the set dressing department also likes to write jokes. These jokes usually take the form of “prop humor.”

If you were to visit the set of The Office, you’d see a lot of framed certificates on the walls and most of them would have the name of staff or crew members on them. I still find new ones when I walk around the set. Good stuff.

Q. Was someone tasked to go catch a bunch of fruit flies and put them in the vending machine? It was such a small background thing but so worthwhile and hilarious. | what’s the dealio?

Gene: Thank you, “what’s the dealio.” Believe it or not, there was an actual “fruit fly wrangler” on set. Yes, these jobs do exist.

Q. How did you come up with the idea for the “girl in the computer” sequence and what that hard to film? | sorano916

Gene: Basically, the idea came because we’re always trying to think of new ways of doing old things. We’ve done a lot of “talking head” interviews, so we tried to spice it up a bit. And since Jim and Pam were already iChatting anyway, it seemed like a logical extension.

Q. I loved Pam’s video talking head! Was Jenna actually on a webcam for that scene (like in phone scenes when the actors are really on the phone), or was the video recorded separately? | Caroline

The real Jenna Fischer was actually on the webcam. It was all on done in real time.

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74 comments

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1. 
   74. littlestitious  Thu. Oct. 9, 2008 | 11:08am

   Nothing at all about the disappearing/reappearing goatee??? I figured that would be one of the questions and would have been interested in his perspective. Was it not on your list, Tanster, or did Gene choose not to answer it?

   [from tanster: it was on the list.]

2. 
   73. ThedutchKelly  Wed. Oct. 8, 2008 | 10:11pm

   Ausiello just mentioned this Q&A in his spoiler column! Beer me five!

3. 
   72. gnyc  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 10:01pm

   thanks for picking my question!! hopefully we’ll get a more in-depth answer one of these days regarding the screen names =P

4. 
   71. Sheila  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 7:03pm

   Thanks so much for answering everyone’s questions, Gene! My favorite scene was the Phyllis/Dwight one, too. Maybe they both could use a little “laugh therapy.” Have you ever heard of that? There are some funny clips of laugh therapy on YouTube (even one with John Cleese).

5. 
   70. jkrasislove  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 3:41pm

   Thanks Gene!

   ….and poor Ausiello. He was only doing his job.

6. 
   69. Obama/Schrute  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 2:22pm

   Maybe the cast and crew should all start talking about how horrible Amy Ryan is and how hard she is to work with. You know, so no one will want to hire her. That way we can have Holly forever. What, that’s not fair to Amy Ryan?

7. 
   68. luvrgrrl  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 2:11pm

   I cannot believe they filmed the proposal at the Los Feliz Best Buy parking lot! That used to be my local Best Buy. Too crazy. They did a phenomenal job. I never would have known- great job everyone!!!

   Thanks Tanster, for the Q&A!

8. 
   67. iKras.  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 2:06pm

   Awesome! I love having insight from writers!
   Thanks for posting my question, Tanster!

9. 
   66. Jen Halpert  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 1:56pm

   I too was annoyed by the rainstorm hint by the EW guy. Was expecting a more racy scene than a proposal so I was still surprised.

10. 
    65. diahern  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 9:21am

    Gene, thanks for the insight into this episode. I love the care in the details that go into this show. That “sigh” is hilarious! You can picture the cameraman’s shoulders drooping as he walks away in disappointment. lol

    (Tanster, thanks for adding my question.)

11. 
    64. Kenna  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 9:06am

    “Even the cameramen improvise”! I love it. :) That sigh cracked me up too!

    Thanks to Gene and tanster for the great Q&A, as usual! LOVED this episode!

12. 
    63. Cornhusk Dolls  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 8:37am

    HA. Nice call out on Ausiello :) I was pretty disappointed in that spoiler as well. We know you’re oh-so-important with your industry contacts, but jeez, show some restraint for the fans!

13. 
    62. Oaky Afterbirth  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 7:42am

    Kudos to Randall Einhorn on the improv sigh! it was definitely one of the funniest moments on the show

14. 
    61. SuperTed  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 6:48am

    Well done! Thanks for posting my question Tanster!

15. 
    60. littlekidlover  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 6:08am

    Thank you Gene! And thanks Tanster (:

16. 
    59. Tiffany  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 5:03am

    Yay! My beat-boxing question got in! Thanks, Gene and Tanster! These are always a delight to read.

17. 
    58. Kelly  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 1:42am

    It makes me really happy that Gene is ALSO upset with Entertainment Weekly guy. I was reading my issue several weeks ago when, with little warning, there was a huge spoiler about Jim and Pam. I try very hard to avoid spoilers! It was still an AWESOME scene though.

    Thanks so much for posting this Tanster! It was a fun read.

18. 
    57. Jill  Tue. Oct. 7, 2008 | 12:56am

    Wow. I am as jaded L.A. as you can get and the only thing I thought was staged were the cars (obviously stunt drivers) and the rain (for scheduling reasons). What kills me is you know there are tons of Office fans in LF that had NO idea such a scene was being filmed there at the ‘ol Best Buy. I could’ve driven right by it! Crazy and job well done!!

    Thanks Gene!

19. 
    56. Matthew  Mon. Oct. 6, 2008 | 11:33pm

    Before I start reading, I just want to say thank you to both of you for this. Oh, how I love this website :)

20. 
    55. Stacey  Mon. Oct. 6, 2008 | 10:16pm

    Sweet, thanks for answering those questions.

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