Meghan W.: Tell us about the accoutrements of Dwight’s office that we may have missed. Fake fireplace? Desk cupholders? What else?
Rainn: I don’t remember. Justin probably does, he was involved in the design of the office.
One thing you couldn’t really tell was that the chair and the Uday Hussein desk were really really tall and the visitors chair was really low to the ground so I towered above people. Very funny.
Justin: Yes, there was a fake fireplace. The fish tank with the piranha. There was a giant samurai armor. Velvet wolf painting. Lots of different samurai swords. A kind of a Spartan mask. A scorpion knife. Nunchucks. Dagger letter opener. And, most importantly, the handgun. (There might have been a few other things too I’m not remembering.)
In addition to it being funny and in Dwight’s character, I specifically wanted that kind of stuff in his office in order to hide the gun and make its firing later a surprise.
Audiences are smart enough to predict that a gun introduced early in a show will be fired later (“Chekhov’s gun”), so I did everything I could to make the gun seem just a minor part of the set dressing. I just specified a few of those things in the script –- our set dressers took it to the next, amazing level.
CP: I have noticed that Ed Helms (Andy) has been wearing some brightly colored red pants in recent episodes of The Office, including last night’s episode. Why? Why the red pants? They don’t match or look cool.
Rainn: It’s a constant back-and-forth between Ed and the wardrobe department to find funny fresh new clothes for Andy, clothes that reflect his preppy, Cornell, Yachtsman background but don’t get too silly and out-of-hand.
His outfit at the beginning of every episode is an adventure, that’s for sure.
Rob M.: Gabe’s “I wasn’t crying” face when leaving the break room was both hilarious and mortifying. How many takes?
Justin: I don’t remember, but yes, that face was AMAZING!
kreidy: Who came up with the idea that Oscar would refuse to say “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance? It was so perfect for the character.
Justin: I put that in my script. Some people have suggested it implies that Oscar is an atheist, but that wasn’t my intent.
I just figured he’s the type of guy who would resent being made to talk about God in the workplace, and he would very proudly, smugly, and publicly abstain.
Awesome! Thanks tanster for doing this for us. Michael Schur is ridiculously funny! What a great Q&A cameo!
I love these! What a great start to an other wise monotonous day of work. PS-PRec does get funnier and funnier every week. I’ll definitely be watching 2 full hours of NBC comedy tonight!
Always amazing to get these Q&A’s right from the writers’ and actors’ mouths! Much appreciated!
Wow. Just, wow.
Thank you Rainn and Justin!
This is the best show on Earth, interacting with fans like this.
You guys just made my freaking day answering my question!
Thank you Rainn, Justin, and Mike!
Another terrific Q & A.
Thanks guys for answering my question as well as all the others. Great detailed answers. Can’t wait to see all the surprises tonight.
Who knew that you couldn’t film piranha in California?
I live for these behind the scenes factoids.
Thank you for answering questions!
I still miss Mike Schur.
Thanks for answering my question! Jo having accessory dogs is pretty funny.
These behind-the-scenes Q&As are my favorite feature here at OfficeTally, and this one was super. Thanks Justin, Rainn, Mike and tanster for providing all the great insights into our favorite show.
I concur with everyone else, thanks for answering my question, this is an awesome way for you guys to interact with us fans. I started telling everyone in my office that my question was answered, and everyone else ( who are The Office fans too), thought it was the coolest thing ever! Thanks again!!!
The first time I’ve ever asked a question on one of these interviews, and it actually got in! On the first page, too! That made my crappy day better. Great interview too, I just love this episode.
Wow – great Q&A! Thanks so much for this really generous interaction with us fans! This was a terrific episode and to get the behind-the-scenes details from a writer and actor is so much fun for an Office geek like me (and Mike Schur’s answer was hilarious). I love Rainn’s comments about the characters evolving year after year yet keep true to their original essence. I think that’s why I never get sick of the Office and for 7 seasons it has been my favorite TV show. (Parks and Rec a close second!)
I second that. I still miss Mike Schur :(