Wearing multiple hats on The Office

Variety has a really interesting article about the challenges of being both an actor and writer — true of several staff members on The Office:

[Paul] Lieberstein, who was strictly a writer before coming to “The Office,” finds his actor mind and producer mind in conflict in another way. [Steve] Carell, he explains, will pounce (in character) on any actor who fumbles an improv.

“He just devours you. If you take too long, he makes fun of you. If you say something that didn’t follow, he makes fun of you. It’s kind of amazing. While I’m watching it as a producer, when I’m not in the scene, it’s definitely something I’m hoping for.”

Link: Writer-performers stage balancing acts

The Devil’s Butthole

The Office Toby Flenderson Michael Scott Devil's ButtholeSent to me by the amazing Ken.

Click the graphic to display the full-sized version.

And be sure to read the fine print at the bottom of the poster!

(Don’t understand the reference? — check out clip 1 from the Toby marathon.)


Office receives PRISM Award noms

The Office has received two PRISM Award nominations:

  • TV Comedy Series Episode: The Office — “Drug Testing”
  • Performance in a Comedy Series: Steve Carell, The Office

From the press release:

The PRISM Awards are for productions and performances featuring the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction, as well as mental health … Recipients will be announced at a ceremony to be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on April 24th and which will air in November on the FX Network.

Link: Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Laurie, Mariska Hargitay Among Nominees for 11th Annual PRISM Awards

Office wins Writers Guild awards

The Office writing staff has won TWO 2007 Writers Guild awards!

  • COMEDY SERIES: The Office, Written by Steve Carell, Jennifer Celotta, Greg Daniels, Lee Eisenberg, Brent Forrester, Ricky Gervais, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, Stephen Merchant, B.J. Novak, Michael Schur, Justin Spitzer, Gene Stupnitsky
  • EPISODIC COMEDY – any length – one airing time: Casino Night (The Office), Written by Steve Carell

Woo-hoo! Congratulations to everybody!

Read a complete list of winners here.

From Variety:

Steve Carell won a second trophy for “The Office” in top comedy episode for writing the “Casino Night” segment … Upon accepting his award, Carell evoked a big laugh by saying tongue-in-cheek, “The other writers did not help me, so I celebrate me.”

Tipster: _bales

ET on the Office set

Entertainment Tonight was on the Office set last week when the Screen Actors Guild’s JoBeth Williams presented Steve Carell with three SAG Award nomination certificates — two for “The Office” and one for “Little Miss Sunshine.”

Here are two videos: 1 | 2

(Warning: The first video has some audio problems for the first 15 seconds or so.)

Yeah, ensemble, baby!

The Screen Actors Guild awards show airs on TNT and TBS January 28th.

Tipster: Jennifer