The Office Season 4 DVD Buying Guide
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 | 701 commentsThis isn’t a full review of the DVD, only what I’ve had the time to watch …
Commentaries
Of the four episode commentaries offered this year, my favorite one by far was for ‘Money’ — with commentary from Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, Brian Baumgartner, Melora Hardin, Paul Lieberstein, Mike Schur, and Jen Celotta.
The commentaries I love the most focus on “behind the scenes” stories, and the one for ‘Money’ has plenty of that: a prank that John played on Jenna, the origin of turning Dwight’s beet farm into a bed and breakfast, Mose’s giant Amish neck beard, Pam’s evolving hairstyles, Mose running alongside Jim and Pam’s car (one of the finest moments of comedic television ever), what made Greg Daniel laugh harder than he’s ever laughed before during a table read, and of course, the poignant Jim/Dwight stairwell scene.
It’s fun just to listen to Jen, Paul, and Mike josh each other and laugh at each other’s jokes, the way only writers do. It was also interesting to hear Paul talk about what it was like to direct his first episode. Here’s to many more!
Blooper reel
The blooper reel gets longer every year (this time it’s more than 22 minutes long), and it’s a joy.
It includes: appearances by writers/co-executive producers Jen Celotta and Mike Schur and director of photography Randall Einhorn, an office gone insane over the thought of “Pizza by Alfredo,” a shirtless John, Melora sneaking up on Jenna and John, Phyllis giving Angela some ‘tude, Steve eating something disgusting, a TWSS that catches Angela off guard, the ‘Branch Wars’ boys in the car, the indignity of Toby’s bowtie, and Dwight touching Michael with his pointer. (That’s what she said.)
The man-squeal is very prevalent in the Season 4 blooper reel, and delivered most by John Krasinski and Steve Carell. The man-squeal occurs when one of them finds something so funny, they utter a high-pitched squeal because there is no longer any other means to communicate. When you’re laughing so hard and gasping for air, really, there is nothing else you can do but man-squeal.
John’s most notable man-squeal moment comes near the end of the blooper reel, when he instigates it himself. That’s right, no one is trying to get him to break, people are saying their lines straight, and John completely loses it anyway. All by himself. It is awesome.
Deleted scenes
I’ve only had time to watch a smattering of the deleted scenes, but I do have one thing to say: Jim pranks Dwight in Second Life!
One lovely surprise
OfficeTally gets a mention on the “Did I Stutter?” commentary, around 8:45. Thanks, Rainn!
This Week
Watch 'Frame Toby' promos here.
Angela Kinsey appears today on the Roe Conn show WLS-AM 890, sometime from 2-7pm Central time. Tipster: Janice
NBC Store
The Office Seasons 1-4 DVD
It's the ultimate package!
(That's what she said.)
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I got a free copy of the Season 4 DVD in the mail just last week. Why? Because I won second place in the Sierra Mist contest earlier this year to be an extra on the show! Thank you very much Office Tally, I never would have entered as many times as I did (virtually every weekday of the contest) and thus never would have won a free copy of Season 4. I have probably watched everything included more than once already. Thanks again!
[from tanster: that's awesome! :) ]
Wow, these are so cheap! At the NBC Store, JUST the DVD is $50!
Like everyone who pre-ordered from BestBuy.com, I had my Gift Set backordered on me and had lost just about all hope of it not being canceled. But miraculously I got my “Your shipment is on the way!” email today. I hope everyone else did too…
I am very disappointed in the special features. Especially since I missed the memo that there is no longer a table read.
I am however enjoying the script that is included.
But still :(
Was on holiday in NYC from the UK and was lucky to buy the last copy of the box set from Best Buy, man did I run to the checkout =) I wish there was a table read on it though, let’s bug them for season 5 :)
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!
Yeah so you guys probably remember the Sierra Mist contest during the summer with the office? right? I know you guys would! Well so thanks to my sister I was randomly chosen to win season four of the office on DVD. So…
I would like to thank NBC for randomly picking my name and my sister for putting my name in the contest!!!!!!!!!! =)
My son picked up mine yesterday at BB! Script of Dinner Party included. The Bloopers are on the 4th disc…why?? Wish there were more Bloopers!! Would love to see a table read as well.
Julia,
I ordered mine from bestbuy as well and my order still has not shipped yet. Hopefully something will change soon.
Wasn’t there supposed to be a table read bonus extra? Anyone know what happened to that?
I don’t know if anyone mentioned this, but I saw the The Office Ultimate Package at Target today for $99.99 if anyone wanted to save a couple bucks instead of buying from Amazon. It did not have the Dinner Party script, though.
I was just wondering if anybody could tell me which disc the bloopers were on? I don’t own the set, I’m just renting it from netflix. I want to watch my favorite part first!
The bloopers were so hilarious. I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard.
To 685, I’m glad to hear that someone besides me actually saw The Promotion (though I saw it in theaters). I hope you enjoyed it! And to 686, I also loved the Job Fair deleted scenes, but the one that really stood out for me was Pam passing by the case with Roy’s trophies. I really think that should have been left in.
For those who pre-ordered from Best Buy, did your order ship yet? I got an email saying it sold out, then two days later I get an email saying it shipped offering me a 5 dollar coupon. However, when I check on the status, it still says processing..?
Did anyone notice on the disc 3 bonus materials menu(Meredith’s desk), that there’s a Lampshades flyer? I love it!
Has anyone watched the deleted scenes for “Job Fair”? I really enjoyed the ones with Oscar and the high school girl. He tries to get her to intern, but soon he realizes that he is only leading her down the path he wishes he hadn’t taken so he makes the decision to not let her come aboard. Good good stuff!
I was happy to buy my set last night. It was the very last one at my local Wal*mart. I also picked up a copy of “The Promotion.” My husband and I have some fabulous viewing ahead of us for the weekend!
I just received a package from NBC, and I was selected as one of the prize winners from that Sierra Mist Walk-On Role contest!Unfortunately I wasn’t the grand prize winner, but I did receive the season 4 DVD! and now I have 2 of them! Thank you so much Tanster for informing us about the contest!
[from tanster: you're welcome! :) ]
Got my Season 4 DVD from Amazon today, and was surprised and delighted to find the Dinner Party script included. I turned to my roommate and said, “Why is this DVD box so thick?”
And then…
“Holy crap! Dinner Party!”
Has anyone bought the “Ultimate Package” (seasons 1-4) from Amazon?? If so, was there a Dinner Party script tucked in there like the others??