Dennis Fletcher Q&A • Page 3 of 3 • OfficeTally
Author: tanster
Description: Thanks to The Office story editor Dennis Fletcher for taking time to answer fan questions! I've done my best to edit Dennis’ responses for clarity and accuracy without affecting his voice or intent. I gotta say
Date: 2012-04-01T00:00:10-07:00

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Posted on April 1, 2012April 7, 2012 by tanster

# Dennis Fletcher Q&A

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pete: Will Carrie Kemper will get to write more stories? I love her writing. Would it also mean that we will have more excellent Erin plots?

Dennis: Thank you for the question Pete, yes indeed Carrie Kemper is a class act of which I have great respect for and her writing abilities. I think in particular next year would be lucky to bring to fans perhaps the first Carrie Kemper-Dennis Fletcher collaboration which would in fact be a classic combination of comedy, drama, feelings, character, laughs and surprises and wit and more which I think would be a very good thing for fans to appreciate. Don’t you think? I don’t quite frankly know if she has been living up to her potential in life because I have no way to know and I have no way to know if the reason is Doogan [?] and if so we all make our own decisions in life but it is sad if we do not live up to our potential but it is up to every individual to be happy, if you had a chance to seize your fate would you take it? That’s the kind of stuff I think about, I don’t know maybe it’s [messed] up but I really do believe in fate and destiny and romantic [stuff] like that. Ha I bet you didn’t expect that, I even surprise myself sometimes. As for Erin time will tell, I am left out of those discussions go figure what a surprise.

Ryan: Why have there been no full-hour episodes this season? I believe it’s the first season with no one hour episode since the second season. Was this planned or did you guys not have a plot that could fill a full-hour?

Dennis: Thank you that is in fact an excellent question and it is related to a question of my own that has in fact been very much on my mind which is how come certain writers such as Steve Hely Own [Ellickson] Warren [Lieberstein] and more have received multiple scripts this year while I have received a grand total of ZERO that’s right ladies and gentlemen zero scripts just because of politics according to none other than Mr. Paul Lieberstein himself who told me the bad news directly to my face like a man which is better than I can say for other people on this staff which is the best staff on television and I am very fortunate to be a part of it. I just think it is hilarious that fans are asking about why there is no hour long episode when meanwhile I have literally millions of ideas that would blow your mind that I am not allowed to write just because of politics even though Kelly [Mindy Kaling] herself told me that I have a quote unquote “really great attitude” and that is a direct quote from Kelly [Mindy Kaling] and you might not think that is a big deal until I tell you that guess what, Kelly [Mindy Kaling] is an executive producer of the show, so now what do you think of that? A little bit of a different situation right? No [kidding]. It is totally [messed] up. Have fun with your two [damn] scripts Steve Hely, I am sure they will be hilarious. I have no regrets and I am grateful for all the amazing blessed opportunities I have had in life and the people I have met.

Herman: Are there plans for DeAngelo Vickers (Will Ferrell) returning to the show to try to regain his manager position?

Dennis: Once again Will Ferrell is a big hit with audiences around the globe and much like Steve Carell audiences love seeing him because of his great talent and fame. However getting him back on the show would most certainly involve calls to his agent etcetera etcetera.

PaperCrazy: What happened to Cathy? Will any future episode mention her again or what happened to her?

Dennis: Jennie it is hard not to get frustrated with some of these questions, specifically about the ignorance of people who do not know the difference between fictional characters and the actors who obviously do not understand how show business works, but on the other hand I understand it can be confusing, as a matter of fact I used to make mistakes like this myself before I was a story editor. Cathy is a fictional character played by an actress whose name I cannot recall at this precise moment in time. Whether or not other episodes mention her would be a simple question of whether the writers and story editors etcetera such as myself, Paul Lieberstein, Kelly [Mindy Kaling] and so forth decide to write that in the scripts and then then the actors would of course obviously say those lines. Thank you for your question.

[ from tanster: hi dennis, fans know the difference between the show’s characters and the actors who play them. i think papercrazy just wanted some insider scoop on whether the character of Cathy will return to the show. :) ]

Cheers!: We’re starting to see less and less of Gabe at the Scranton branch. You guys aren’t trying to slowly phase him out, are you?

Dennis: Gabe isn’t real, he isn’t a real guy doing this stuff for real, he is just a made-up guy that does whatever the writers, story editors, co-producers, executive producers and so forth decide he should do. His name isn’t even Gabe really, in reality he is played by an actor named Mack [Zach Woods]. If you are seeing less of him on your television it isn’t because Gabe isn’t really at the office so much, instead it simply means that Ryan [B.J. Novak], Kelly [Mindy Kaling], Toby [Paul Lieberstein], Carrie Kemper, Brent [Forrester], [Justin Spitzer] and yours truly myself, etcetera, put less lines in the script for [Zach Woods] to say. I hope that helps you understand a little bit about how the behind the scenes stuff works in Hollywood, it has certainly been a process for me to grab ahold of. Thank you very much for your question.

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## 94 comments

1. What is wrong with this man? This is an April Fool’s joke, right?

2. Well, this guy is a …character.

3. Hmm.. He seems nice!

4. I know whoever is behind this is trying to be funny by being annoying, but it is not funny at all. I did not even smile once. It is not even believable. What a waste of space on this otherwise wonderful website.

5. Wow. Does everyone understand that the office characters aren’t real? Fellow tallyheads simply wanted to know the plans the writers have for the characters, we get that they are played by ACTORS. I’d rather see the office end this season than have Dennis Fletcher as the executive story editor for season 9. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention the office characters aren’t real?

6. BEST. Q&A. EVER.

7. Are you even sure he’s actually a real story editor on the show?

   Everything he types sounds like something we could all easily write. He thinks we don’t know the difference between fictional characters and the real people? Why did we interview him again?

8. Also Steve Hely wrote one of the funnier episodes the whole season so…..I’m definitely fine with him having more scripts.

9. I don’t know if this is indeed an April Fool’s stunt, but I found this very insulting as a long time fan. Like you said we do know the different between Michael and Steve. If this new guy is for real and just trying to be funny I’m afraid he doesn’t know the majority of the fans of this show.

10. Not your average Q&A…no kidding. Wow. I admire your tact with this, Tanster.

11. That was embarrassing to read. I feel like 99% of Office Tally readers know more about the show than this guy. Can’t believe Paul actually hired him. Really not a good look at all for the show…

12. Wow, thanks for this tanster. Sad to see someone so bitter with a show that has probably padded his Resume and career. Have a good one sport!

13. I particularly like the part where he talks about how he “flys coach by choice” to “keep it real”. Nice of him to provide some insight.

14. Soooo…this has GOT to be an April Fools joke, right? RIGHT???

15. While I appreciate the effort that went into this, as a fan of this show from the very beginning – I find this incredibly patronizing. Constantly suggesting that we are unable to separate characters from actors? Really? Unless we have all had a severe break from reality – we’re well aware that they are two separate entities.

    When talk of this Q&A first began I was hoping this was some sort of joke either by this site or the office staff. Finding out it is real is disappointing, and it frankly makes me a little nervous for the future of my favorite show.

16. Anyone notice the posting date for this? Does that ring a bell? Lord, beer me strength.

17. Guys… he is just joking. He is a comedy writer. This was meant to be funny and not taken seriously…

18. Terrible, unfunny “prank”.

19. Is this an April Fool’s Day joke?

20. Got me! You let your guard down the day after April Fool’s.

21. There’s no way this guy is for real, right? I mean, this has to be some (really bad) joke.

22. I think this was an April Fool’s joke, right? I can’t believe a writer for the office would be so…off.

23. I’m…speechless. Not only did we not learn anything new about the show, Dennis appears to HAVE no inside scoop as a story editor. Strange, no?

    [ from tanster: i was hoping for even the tiniest spoiler about upcoming episodes. but then again, it doesn’t look like dennis was heavily involved this year. ]

24. A few months ago, Mindy Kaling tweeted that B.J.’s “staff writer from South Boston who is in love with Carrie” was her favourite character of his ever. This is a joke!!! Dennis Fletcher is not a real person, it’s B.J. playing a prank on us all! You only have to read his tweets to realise that it can’t possibly be serious.

25. Please tell me that SOMEONE realizes that everything he said was freaking hilarious and the fact that people are getting all worked up about this makes it all the more freaking hilarious. Maybe the people who “can’t distinguish between a character an actor” can’t distinguish a joke from an insult. Hahahaha this was so awesome.

26. Tanster: Not to be rude, but do we have concrete proof that this guy is a story editor? His answers are rude and off-putting. I wouldn’t have ever expected someone who represents our beloved show to behave like this.

27. Did anyone pay attention to the date this supposed Q&A was published? ;)

28. I smell an April Fools joke.

29. I keep re-reading his responses and find them funnier and funnier! Best Q&A ever!

    Either I missed the April Fool’s joke, or else this is it…

30. Is it a coincidence that this posted on April Fool’s Day?

    Nice one!

31. A character indeed. Is Dennis Fletcher for real? Why did he get so worked up when people were referring to characters instead of the actors? Lol

32. After the ADD kicked in on sentence 2, of answer 1 (and I don’t even have ADD), I was compelled to look at the date this was posted…April 1st…happy April fools day??

    We can only hope…

33. Everyone, I think he knows we know the difference between the actors and the characters. He was just trying to be funny (emphasis on “trying”) and was highlighting whatever “politics” issues he’s dealing with that maybe involve the actors (????). As someone who teaches English, I just gotta say, for a writer, he sure has a lot of comma splices and wordy sentences. Kind of reminds me of my students’ papers that go on and on but say nothing. Thanks for answering my question though, Dennis, seriously.

34. Who is this guy? I don’t get it! I’m a fan who loves The Office characters. This guy seems to disrespect fans who’ve watched the show from Day 1. I don’t get it — what’s he doing on your webpage? Not at all funny! And who cares about his lovefest with the Kempers!

35. Hmmm…I think this might be your best April Fools joke yet, Tanster :)

36. If this is an April Fool’s joke, it isn’t funny. If it’s real… this show is in more serious trouble than I thought.

37. People are all over the place with their thoughts on this Q&A. My take, I laughed so hard at his ramblings my stomach hurt! He just messed around every question, and although he shoulda probably answered a few, had me laughing so hard at how weird and off topic his answers were.

38. complete waste of time…..this “joke” simply isn’t funny

39. I find Mr. Fletcher’s responses incredibly patronizing and unhelpful.

40. Wow! He really pulled out the big guns! Real whining? I didn’t expect that!

    So you’re telling me The Office isn’t an actual documentary?

41. Just to add to my original comment, if Mr. Fletcher was trying to be funny, he wasn’t. This display of his talents does not bode well at all for season #9.

42. WHOOSH…

43. There’s no way this can be real. None. I cannot see any of the people associated with The Office ACTUALLY hiring a guy this jerky (I’d LOVE to use stronger language) to be involved in any way with this show. Somewhere, someone is laughing hysterically while us Office fans get worked up over these fake answers.

    By the way, the joke was not funny. At all.

44. *cough*postedaprilfirst*cough*

45. Is this like a late April Fool’s joke or something? For him to think that the fans don’t know the difference between the characters and the actors…really? Yikes.

46. To quote the great Erin Hannon: “I learned nothing.”

47. I have little faith in his ideas or mental stability. We as fans are not idiots…we know the office is a show, we know everyone is an actor. I am completely unimpressed, based on his comments, I feel like I would be better suited for his job than he is lol. Also, his entourage episode does not sound good. Disappointed. Demote this man.

48. wow…
    so that was posted on April 1st. (april fools)
    Definitely an awesome april fools joke!

    However… in the case that this was not an april fools joke (very most likely possible)…

    This Dennis guy is a jerk. I don’t think he answered our questions. We learned nothing. I am embarassed for this guy. I hope that the office staff can read this Q/A and these comments…
    and then deal with this guy.
    tell this guy to write an apology note. ha…

49. Fool’s Day anyone?

50. After reading this guy’s Twitter posts, I have to say I 100% do not believe he is associated with the Office. There’s no way he can be. Tanster, have you gotten any confirmation that this guy is seriously from our beloved show? Not only are his answers insulting our intelligence as fans, they’re borderline unreadable, as are his Twitter posts, which are misspelled constantly.

51. Could this be an April Fool’s joke? I just can’t see this being legit.

52. Dennis Fletcher: You are a jerk. Please step away from my favorite show. That is all.

53. Guys? This was posted on April 1st. Pretty darn sure it’s an April Fools joke.

54. Was this just an elaborate April Fool’s prank, posted a little tardy? If so, I’m not really that amused.

55. If he really works as a story editor, no wonder he thinks half the staff are snobs. They probably hate Dennis Fletcher due to him being a jerk/whacko.

56. APRIL FOOLS

57. Maybe he’s playing a character, too? Like, some really terrible and angry person…?

58. I never post, and usually stick to lurking. But this is an extremely disturbing interview. Unless it’s some sort of an April Fool’s Day prank, I’m genuinely concerned about this individual’s mental health. If he does indeed work on “The Office,” I hope that the people there are aware of this and can get him help. But I’d love to just find out that it’s a very well-executed prank!

59. I see this post was entered on April 1st, which leads me to believe that this is a really grand April Fools’ joke, which I know this website has been noted to do before (and effectively!) If this is indeed a prank, I have to say it’s not a very good one. It’s disturbing to read these comments and though I can find the humor in this that doesn’t make it funny. Perhaps a more well-known writer could have pulled off a stunt like this and it would have read well, but because we only know Mr. Fletcher through his tweets (which are also…weird to say the least) the joke is not very effective.
    If this is not a joke, then God help us all.

60. I’m another one who never posts and always just lurks, but this is too bizarre and I have to ask: This can’t be real, right?

61. Can I assume…April Fool’s?

62. Tanster, are you going to let us know if this was a joke? Either way not funny and really not The Office I love style.

63. Everyone, this is a joke! Dennis Fletcher isn’t a real person, he’s a character, and I suspect the person behind him is B.J. Novak. It’s a prank on the fans, and all the other writers are in on it! Personally, I think it’s hilarious – I laughed out loud at some of his answers.

64. #63 I’m afraid you are in the minority on that. I have had discussion with other fans and not one is finding this funny in the least.

65. Yeah… This wasn’t funny.

66. Epic fail! As an April Fools joke. Fail. If this dude is real. Fail. Fail on all fronts. Not funny in the slightest.

67. If this is not an April Fool’s joke, the office is in more trouble than I imagined.

68. I cannot stop laughing – this is so weird.

69. the monkey is out of the bagel, this is a joke. We got got..funny actually

70. Oh — so it’s an April Fool’s joke. Making fun of your fans is now funny, is it? It’s pretty freakin’ unfunny! /hits fist through wall…..that may have been an overreaction…..

71. I’m really hoping this was an April Fools’ joke…

72. I’m sorry to post again but I am still laughing!! This has got to be a joke, and it is hilarious. The whole Mark Wahlberg thing – ha ha ha! Whoever did this, it’s so messed up, and you can write from the POV of the biggest dbag ever. I love it.

73. Not funny? This is probably the most hilarious thing to ever happen. And all of your reactions make it more so.

74. Tanster, could you please tell us whether or not this was a joke? A lot of people in this fandom are incredibly angry and insulted right now, and it would be nice to know whether or not this is legit.

75. 64, Right from the moment Dennis Fletcher appeared on Twitter, I knew he was a hoax, so when this Q&A was announced, I was expecting it to be funny. Maybe if I had believed it to be real, I wouldn’t have found it so funny, I don’t know. I don’t mean to offend other fans by laughing about this – it’s just that I never took it seriously.

76. Not funny at all.

77. Anyone who says “how come” cannot possibly be a writer for a living. If this is actually for real I have no hope for season 9.

78. The reactions to this are hilarious.

79. The Q&A was funny, but the reactions are funnier.

80. Yes #79, the reactions are funnier! That is because the original was not funny. I don’t mean I thought it was not funny because it was mean or felt tricked. I just fail to see the humor in it in the first place; I knew it was an attempt at a joke from the start – see my other comments.

    I suppose humor is subjective. Some will find it funny and some won’t. I am in camp #2 of those.

    But to be clear for those of you that are still confused: This was not real. It was an April Fools’ day thing.

81. Hmmm… I can’t find Dennis Fletcher on the IMDB, and his Internet presence is mostly limited to this interview and Twitter…

82. So we’ve established it was an April Fool’s joke. It however did not play out well. It’s a shame whoever attempted this didn’t understand it came off condescending to many fans. Makes me sad that there is a disconnect with us.

83. @63 Jessie, I also think the answers are quite funny too! I still cannot ascertain if Dennis is “real” or not. But I do not get the strong negative reactions.

84. The funniest thing is how many people still don’t seem to understand that they’ve been “pranked”…but good…really good! Well, I guess that’s how Dwight must have felt a lot of the time!

85. So when do we get to find out if this was BJ or Paul? :)

86. LOL, how can anyone think this was real? Lighten up people, it’s just a joke. Maybe Dennis Fletcher will be manager one day ;)

87. This is the darkest comedy associated with the Office in quite some time! Looks like some of these fans forgot that we were originally laughing at people’s awkward recognition of their social deficiencies. Thanks to whoever wrote this!

88. The fact that this is was April Fools joke and that most fans were offended by the whole thing is not really the main point here. I would venture to guess that most fans were really shocked into reality because the prank was very unfunny and we see it as being indicative of things to come in this series.

89. #Sprinkles, #pete, I’m fairly certain that it’s B.J. Mindy tweeted a while ago that she loved B.J’s character who was a staff writer from Southie who was in love with Carrie Kemper. This was ages before Dennis appeared on Twitter. So it rang a bell with me when I started reading his tweets.

90. I can’t believe people are getting so buttmad about this. Don’t Office fans have a sense of humor anymore?

91. @#88 That was my problem with this prank. “Dennis Fletcher” as a parody just wasn’t funny or realistic. Both things we used to expect from the show.

92. @90

    We like jokes that are funny. And that are clearly jokes (do not assume that everyone uses twitter).

93. Just got around to reading this…happy belated April Fool’s Day, everyone! :P

94. that was just bizarre, even for an april fools day joke. my mind still can’t process how silly that Q&A was.

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