The Office writers at Paley Center

Michael Scott is a character that’s been pushed to the edge of plausibility and likability plenty during the 4+ seasons of the Office. I was wondering where you, as writers, draw the line for Michael, or is there even one? Have there been Michael ideas that were dropped for being too outrageous? | Ryan in Milwaukee

A driving principle behind writing Michael Scott, a card tacked up in the writers’ room that says “Michael is not Homer.”

Michael driving into the lake is a real story Jen C. remembered when her parents first got a GPS the manual said “do not drive into a body of water” despite what the device tells you. She then read of real incidents where it actually happened. As for Michael, they said Steve knows him best and is not afraid to speak up if he doesn’t think Michael would do something too crazy.

They mentioned some of their favorite Michaelisms — like where Michael was the only one to remember Angela’s dead cat’s name, Sprinkles, and then within the same sentence called it Pringles. They like how Michael keeps forgetting that Jim and Pam are still together. It was apparently Paul’s idea in ‘The Deposition’ to have Michael throw the food off the table after Toby said some nice things to him.

Michael always has other people in mind when he does the things he does. He always thinks of other people first.

Greg brought up ‘Chair Model,’ where Dwight said “I will find her and bring her to you and she will bear your children” and Michael just said “Okay.”

There was another dropped line they talked about that involved a play on words or an expression Michael misused. They didn’t use it, but it got a good laugh from the audience. It was in Gay Witch Hunt — Toby had told Michael that Oscar was counting on his discretion. Michael then immediately outs Oscar in the office. When Toby questioned Michael, he said “yes, I discressed it.”

Would you guys ever consider doing a “live” episode of The Office? | Dean in Virginia

No. This would make talking heads describing what just happened impossible. I think someone said that the fact a show is “live” should not be the best thing about the show. It should be able to stand on its own.

“We’ve thought about it but could never do a live episode because it would be hard for the characters to jump into the conference room for a talking head scene.”

We saw Paul branch out into directing with Season 4’s ‘Money.’ Do any of the rest of you hold similar aspirations? | Kenna in Kentucky

Jen Celotta just directed her first episode (this week’s ‘Crime Aid,’ written by Charlie Grandy). Gene and Lee directed the upcoming webisodes. They joked about them doing everything together and they timed saying “action” in synch.

Some fans have expressed the opinion that the show is better when an episode takes place primarily within the confines of the Scranton office. Do you consciously try to limit how often the show takes place outside the office and what are the advantages/disadvantages of taking the characters out of their normal workspace? | Mark in Texas

Yes. They made an effort to have the first few episodes of this season be contained within the office. They have more money now, so its fun to go out of the office.

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109 comments

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1. 
   109. littlekidlover  Fri. Oct. 24, 2008 | 12:15pm

   Thanks for the report tanster! What a great experience that must have been for you (:
   On another note, I saw the link to the movie BJ will be in…it’s so intense, how did Mr.Comedy-Writer/Fire Guy get cast in that one?

2. 
   108. holly  Fri. Oct. 24, 2008 | 11:00am

   Sounds like paley was amazing! and thanks for the fancynewwhatever link! i read their recap and i felt like i was really there!

3. 
   107. Kaylie  Thu. Oct. 23, 2008 | 7:12pm

   Hey tanster,
   thanks so much! you were so great! and looked great too!
   i know bj was filming… but where was lee’s other half, gene?

   thanks!

   [from tanster: awww, thank you so much kaylie! gene got called away at the last minute. :( ]

4. 
   106. Laura  Thu. Oct. 23, 2008 | 12:29pm

   Jennie ~ thanks for the fabulous coverage! I wish I could’ve been there to cheer you on, but I’m so glad the evening went well. I’m sure you will always remember this experience. :) We’re so proud of you!

   [from tanster: thank you, laura! it was awesome. and it was nice looking down on my script every once in awhile and seeing the names of everyone who submitted questions. it was comforting. ;) ]

5. 
   105. Jason  Thu. Oct. 23, 2008 | 10:48am

   I’m tired of Holly. It’s time to send her away.

6. 
   104. Diana  Thu. Oct. 23, 2008 | 8:53am

   Thank you, Tanster! Your expression in the pic is priceless! Elation and nervousness all rolled into one.;) Good for you!

   (Also, I love JAM together, but I agree that they can be together without being the main focus of the show. My favorite moments are always the interaction between groups: Jim and Pam pulling a prank on Dwight and Michael or Michael annoying everyone and Phyllis snapping back, etc. )

7. 
   103. oh i like you  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 8:58pm

   Thanks so much for the recap, Tanster! It was great to read answers to such interesting questions and not have to hear the usual (Yes, the actors improv some. Yes, some of us worked in an office. Gah!)

   I was a little concerned, however, at the Jim/Pam backlash I sensed. I would argue that the writers would best take the focus off Jim/Pam by just letting them be together and NOT drawing things out like they are now.

8. 
   102. Jenn  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 4:09pm

   OHH SOO awesome!

   the gals over at fnw did a SUPER detailed recap of the event as well, from the audience perspective.

   thanks for linking up to them Tanster!

9. 
   101. Anthony  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 3:37pm

   So glad the writers get frustrated that fans care more about the JAM plotline than Michael’s. Michael and the comedy aspect have always appealed more to me than the JAM drama and I don’t like how episodes are deemed “bad” by fans because it doesn’t have JAM moments.

10. 
    100. Sarah  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 2:39pm

    Great Recap! And thanks for the Fancy New Whatever link! It’s got some great information about Paley and the mods. are super cute (:

11. 
    99. Ashley  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 2:16pm

    I personally don’t think that any one character “is the show”. Every single character brings something special and unique :)

12. 
    98. Diapers Schrute  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 2:14pm

    Awesome report, tanster! So worth the wait!

13. 
    97. sun  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 2:03pm

    i sooooooooooooooooooo disagree with 95….. STEVE CARELL IS THE SHOW!

14. 
    96. Cash Basket  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 1:45pm

    Thanks so much for this awesome entry!
    Sounds like it was an amazing evening with some amazing people:)

15. 
    95. Gregster  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 11:52am

    While I enjoy disliking Michael aka Steve Carell. I had gone with that it was a full cast effort. I don’t see Steve as “the star”.

16. 
    94. Véronique  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 11:19am

    I just finished reading the whole recap. It was so great, thank you so much Tanster! It must have been an amazing (and well deserved) experience for you.
    Charlie is a very good looking man…
    The top you were wearing was so cute, I want one!

    [from tanster: thanks! i love that top, too, and was bummed i had to throw a sweater over it at the last minute, but i was afraid i'd be too cold otherwise ...]

17. 
    93. The Tapeworm Inside Kelly  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 11:05am

    Fantastic job Tanster! I bet that was a real dream come true. Excellent Q&A and pics.

    That first picture, it looks like Paul is touching Mindy in a weird way. :)

18. 
    92. ridit-dit-didoo  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 10:59am

    How awesome that they asked for you specifically!

19. 
    91. Nader  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 9:56am

    Is BJ Novak not a writer anymore? Maybe you mentioned this but I didn’t see it. I’d be sad.

    [from tanster: B.J. was in Berlin filming Inglourious Basterds.]

20. 
    90. Beth  Wed. Oct. 22, 2008 | 9:49am

    Thanks for the links Tanster! They’re all really great. I’ve never been to the fancy new whatever site, and it’s really cool! :)

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