Gene Stupnitsky answers ‘Weight Loss’ questions

Q. I felt like the pacing of the show has gotten faster – shorter scenes between people and more cutting back and forth between several stories. Is this really the case? If so, could you talk about how you decided to do it this way? | Thor

You’re right, Thor. If you go back and watch season one of The Office, it’s a pretty different show. It has a lot more in common with its British predecessor than what you see now.

I think what happened was eventually we realized that if we took out that third shot of the copier making copies or people yawning, we could fit another joke in there.

We have so many characters to service, that it’s hard to justify that slower pace. I mean, we’re still like the slowest paced show on television, but it’s slightly less glacial these days.

Q. Someone pointed out that Jim’s line about going to put up some shelves may have been a reference to the fabulous Mr. Roper of Three’s Company. Any truth to this? | nemme

Gene: No, that’s insane.

Q. Did Mindy do her own stunt work when Kelly fell off the scale? I loved that part. | jmj

Gene: Not only does Mindy do all her own stuntwork, she also does all the stuntwork for the other characters, as well as some of the stunts on Knight Rider.

One time, there was a dangerous stunt and when Mindy was told she couldn’t do it (for insurance reasons), she flew into a rage, and threw Justin Spitzer down the stairs. True story.

Q. Was there a cold open for this episode? I didn’t catch it on tv and the online version on NBC.com doesn’t have a cold open. It goes directly to the theme song. | Melissa

Gene: Originally, there was a cold open, but, through the editing process, the cold open got absorbed into the first act. But, yes, now that I think about it, it has been a long time since the show started right with the opening credits.

What was your favorite scene from the episode and why? Did you do any “research” into office weight loss initiatives to prepare for writing this episode? | Angela Bernard Schrute

Gene: My favorite scene was probably Phyllis storming back after Dwight kicked her out of his car. I just thought both Phyllis and Rainn were so funny. I remember trying to control my laughter so I wouldn’t ruin the take.

As for research, we didn’t do any “official” research. But in our writers’ room, there are usually two or three different diets going on at any one time.

One of the best things about working in the entertainment industry is that there is always so much food around. They really push this stuff on you. But the dark side to all of this is that we gain weight throughout the season. I know, boo-hoo, right?

Thanks for all your questions, Tallyheads!

–

Thanks, as always, to Tally Nation for submitting questions, and a big thanks to Gene Stupnitsky for answering them! It was a great premiere!

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

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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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