‘Initiation’ tidbits

There’s lots of good stuff in the Tidbits section of this week’s episode, Initiation — two deleted scenes, episode reviews from TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly, John’s prop blog, James’ fabulous recap, a link to the iTunes Store, and links to two videos:

  • Lazy Sunday, which explains what Kelly was jabbering about to Michael in the pretzel line, and
  • Lovefool, the video of the song Jim/Andy sing, to Karen’s chagrin.

Go to the Initiation Tidbits section.

Scranton meets ‘The Office’

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette has a great article about Scranton’s connection and reaction to ‘The Office.’

An excerpt:

Paper Magic Group, which makes greeting cards, Valentines and other seasonal products, is often confused for Dunder Mifflin. The office building is shown briefly in the show’s opening credits, along with a Mulberry Street sign.

And actor John Krasinksi, who plays Jim, visited Paper Magic when he was scouting possible locations and filmed the opening montage of the city from his car. He is the only cast member actually sighted in Scranton.

But the cast plans to come to Scranton to film an episode about the huge St. Patrick’s Day parade. And the mayor wants to fly the cast in through corporate sponsors for “The Office” day, a big lovefest of the show.

Continue reading Scranton meets ‘The Office.’

The Office’s spotlight on Stamford

Lisa Chamoff of The Stamford Advocate writes about how The Office created an authentic Stamford branch for this season.

An excerpt:

Most of the show is shot on a sound stage in California, but the Stamford branch will not lack local identity.

To create the fictional Stamford branch of the fictional paper company, the production staff contacted the city’s real-life Chamber of Commerce. They asked about where Stamford workers might eat, and had the chamber send items that might make it onto the desks of a Stamford office — things such as coffee mugs and other items emblazoned with the logos of local companies.

Read TV’s ‘The Office’ promotes character to ‘city that works’.

At the convention with Hammermill

Hammermill is indeed a real paper company, and several lucky Hammermill employees got to be part of the action as extras during last week’s episode, The Convention.

One of them, coffeekly at Xanga, even blogged about the experience. An excerpt:

We got to chat with the actors during the shoot between the takes! Steve Carell was a bit quiet … didn’t really talk to anyone (but he was HILARIOUS during the taping and it was hard to not break down laughing). Jim and Josh were really fun … dancing around the aisles and talking to everyone.

Read the rest of her post here. Photos of Steve, Rainn, and John too!

Win Bob Vance Office stuff

It may already be too late, as offers for free Office stuff usually get taken in mere seconds, but just in case …

Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration posted this MySpace bulletin around noon today PT:

“Sometimes when you take a good stiff shot to the heart you stand there like some old punch drunk fighter taking punishment you don’t even know you’re taking…”

BOB VANCE, VANCE REFRIGERATION

P.S. Name the songwriter for the above quote and I’ll send you some autographed Bob Vance Office Stuff.

THE SIGNED STUFF IS FOR THE FIRST TEN CORRECT RESPONSES.

Casting side for ‘Nikki’

They’ve just come in. Michael shows Nikki the toy drive box.
Michael: The least I could do was give some poor, sick kid a bike.
Nikki: That rocks.
Michael: Yeah, tell you what, if you want it, it’s yours.
Nikki: Thanks. I want to give you something.
Nikki whispers something in Michael’s ear, Michael blushes.
Michael (excited to camera): That’s what she said!
They head into the office.

Angela (suddenly worried): Where’s Dwight?
Nikki: He had to pee real bad.
Nikki and Amy laugh as if they’re in on some joke. Angela rolls her eyes. Michael looks around, then turns to Nikki.
Michael: Wow. I’m sorry about this. I had no idea this party would be so lame.

Michael sees Andy talking closely and intimately with Nikki. Michael checks her marked arm. He crosses over to them.
Michael: Hey, what are you doing? She’s mine.
Andy: No, she’s not.
Michael (confident): Well, you are about the feel like an idiot because I know she is mine because I marked her.
Nikki: You did what?
Nikki looks for a mark.
Andy: Well, you must’ve marked the wrong one.
Michael: You don’t think I know which one I marked?
Nikki (finding mark): You did. What the hell?! You marked me.
Michael: I wanted to make sure I was giving you 100 percent of my attention. Because I like you. I really like you. In fact, I would love it if you would accompany me on a trip to Sandals: Jamaica.
Nikki: Are you kidding? Do you even know which one of us you’re asking?
Michael looks down at her arm, then —
Michael: Yes.
Nikki: Okay, we’re leaving.
Nikki grabs Amy and heads out, taking the bike on her way. Michael looks crushed.

Casting side for ‘Cindy’

A very attractive waitress comes over.
Andy (reading name tag): Hello, Cindy, we are in dire need of some help here.
Cindy: What can I get for you?
Andy: We will start with a round of Nog-A-Sakes.
Cindy looks at him, confused.

Andy: He just had his heart broken, Cindy. You wouldn’t have done that to him, would you?
Cindy: I don’t know.
Michael: Yes, you would have. Look at you, I bet you break up with guys every hour.
Cindy laughs a little as she crosses away.

Michael dangles a fork full of chicken in front of Jim. Jim doesn’t take it. Cindy is approaching.
Andy: You guys heard of The Game? Check this out. Okay, Cindy, I want you to close your eyes and imagine your dream house.
Cindy is hesitant.
Andy: Come on, do it for your buddy, Michael here, he’s had such a hard day.
Cindy decides to play along. She closes her eyes. We see Dwight trying to get Jim’s attention.

Andy (to Cindy): Now, open your eyes and describe it to me.
Cindy: I don’t know, it has four bedrooms and a loft …
Jim turns back to Dwight to “explain” what’s happening.
Jim: Now she’s up and she’s trying to describe how to properly butcher a goose, but she can’t remember.
Dwight (shouts to her): Cindy! Cindy! You make the slice just below the jaw. Right here. (Makes throat slashing move) And don’t forget the bucket for the parts and feathers.
Cindy looks disturbed. Michael and Andy are annoyed at Dwight for ruining the moment. Cindy goes to leave, then turns to Jim.
Cindy: You sure you don’t need a drink?
Jim shakes his head no.