In the final episode of “The Office,” Andy Bernard leaves fans to ponder his iconic quote, “I wish there was a way to know you were in the good ole days, before you’ve actually left them.”
“The Office” highlights the inappropriate office humor of Michael Scott and his colleagues that make us cringe, laugh and cry; the Jim/Pam relationship we can’t get enough of; the endless pranks Jim pulls on Dwight; and the indescribable sense of family you feel from watching these characters interact with one another. These are just a few of the components that make this show so unique.
For me, “The Office” is my break from reality – my guilty pleasure – and I know, I’m not the only one. The last episode of the NBC TV show aired in 2013. After re-watching the show too many times to count, and no series reboot in sight, all I could do to get my daily fix of “The Office” was re-watch and re-watch again and again.
Luckily for fans of “The Office,” on Oct. 15, 2019, Jenna Fischer, who played the role of Pam Beesly, and her real-life best friend, Angela Kinsey, who played the role of Angela Martin, started “Office Ladies,” “the ultimate The Office re-watch podcast.”
Each week, on Tuesday, the “Office Ladies” podcast is posted on Apple’s podcast app, or Stitcher’s podcast network, Earwolf. The podcast consists of Fischer and Kinsey reflecting on each episode that aired, starting with the Pilot and consecutively following the episodes that aired after. In order to be refreshed on the elements of the episode they will be discussing, Fischer and Kinsey urge listeners to watch the episode they’ll be discussing prior to listening to their review of it.
Fischer starts with a summary of the episode and then quickly dives into her “fast facts.” Together, the two discuss things they noticed while re-watching the episode, things they remember while filming, and typically, they bring on a guest. When it first started, I assumed the guests would be the “series regulars” of the show, but to my surprise, rather than bringing on only the actors, they’ve brought on set directors, staff writers, creators and supporting cast members which really allow them to explore different avenues of the show. By talking to these other people who had different roles within the show, not only do the fans learn more about what was happening behind the scenes, but so do Fischer and Kinsey.
Each week there is something new to be shared, and something new to be learned. The two “office ladies” encourage fans to send in questions that can help guide their discussions. All fans have to do is email [email protected] with the episode title in the subject line for the chance to be featured on the episode and to get their question(s) answered.
“Office Ladies” has exceeded my expectations and allows a new way for me to engage with my favorite show. Like Andy Bernard said, I wish there was a way to know you were in the good ole days, but for “The Office,” “Office Ladies” is the future of the show. Nine seasons, 201 episodes and now, a podcast reviewing all that went on to create this show that so many of us adore.
