Can We Do That Again? That's What She Said (Episode #34)

At the risk of ruining the "surprise" that Matt set up for the latest episode of That's What She Said, we're having ourselves a little reunion this week.  For what could be the season finale of The Office, Matt asked me if I'd like to come back and play podcast super-friends with him.  And with my nights and weekends currently baseball-free, that sounded like a fun idea.

Any episode that presumably centers upon the augmented, slightly demented Jan Levenson is something I can get behind (that's what he said), so "The Deposition" looked perfect for me.  Of course, this is Michael Scott's show, so his buffoonish naiveté got the spotlight.  Oh, well.

Episode #34 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes. If you liked or didn't like what you heard, please send Matt an e-mail, post a review at TWSS' iTunes page, or leave a comment at the show's blog page.

Today's Reading - 10/25/07

● Bruckheimer and 'Pirates' Writers Eye 'The Lone Ranger'

To quote Mars Blackmon, "Please, baby, baby, baby.  Please."  A Lone Ranger movie is so damn overdue.  My friends are tired of hearing me say it (along with saying "I should write a Lone Ranger screenplay").  Westerns are trendy again.  Superheroes are hot.  Bring on the Western superhero, Kemo Sabe!  

(via The Movie Blog)

● Indie films could use a little 'Sunshine'

Are independent films suffering because too many of them are being released in theaters?  Even movies with big names like George Clooney (Michael Clayton) and Brad Pitt (The Assassination of Jesse James) are drawing squadoosh (totally an industry term) at the box office.  In Ian's world, no one's going to see independent films because far fewer of them make it out this way these days.  But maybe that's because the market is over-saturated.

● Mario Unclogged: How to Sauce Pasta

According to Mario Batali, we put too much sauce on our pasta.  "It should be noodles, with a little stuff."  Guilty as charged.  (That is, if I were eating pasta nowadays, which I'm not.  I am currently hating life.)

● Farewell to Arms

This article is more than a week old now, and probably has the faint whiff of "Pervy Old Man" to it, but Stephen Hunter's lament for all the (female) flesh that will now be covered due to the chillier fall weather is a beautifully written ode to... flesh.

● Scranton Embraces the ‘Office’ Infamy

Next week is the first annual The Office Convention in Scranton, PA.  And my former podcast partner, Matt Sommer, will be in attendance with press pass in hand (as he should be).  The whole thing seemed to come together pretty late, but sounds like it'll be fun for all involved.

Tonight's Reading - 10/14/07

● How to Calculate Musical Sellouts

This strikes me as an article that's a bit too late.  Really?  You just noticed that a lot of artists are allowing advertisers to use their music?  What's baffling is that the writer completely neglects to mention the role radio has played in giving bands no other option for their music to be heard.  It's not about "selling out."  It's about selling - period.  Let Volkswagen use a song, because it's sure as hell not going to be played on the radio.

● Wrong for Each Other, Right for the Show

When I recently told a friend that Jan Levenson had become my favorite character on The Office, she suggested that the character's recent "enhancements" greatly influenced my opinion.  Well, sort of.  It's that she made such an effort to win back a dolt like Michael Scott.  I'd already enjoyed Melora Hardin's portrayal of Jan in past seasons because she reminded me of people I worked with and for.  Yet she's also become believably unhinged and somewhat endearing because of it, and I find myself enjoying The Office a lot more when she's in an episode.

● Redemption Hunting

If you've seen ads for Gone Baby Gone, have you noticed that the director of the film isn't mentioned?  Maybe that's often the case, or maybe Miramax doesn't want to risk anyone making a face when "Directed by Ben Affleck" is shown on the screen.  But a film should also be judged on its own merits, not on whether or not a guy was overexposed in tabloid culture.  And if this movie is as good as critics say it is, maybe Affleck will have re-invented himself.

● Scientists Explain Chocolate Cravings

So get this: the type of bacteria living in your digestive system might determine whether or not you have cravings for chocolate.  This might hold true for other foods, too.  When those scientists find that pizza-craving bacteria, they will truly have blinded me with science.

Watch Out For the Steve Carell Phone Prank

My friend Eric Harthen entertained morning radio listeners in Detroit for years (you might recognize his work from his time at Mojo In the Morning or as one of Purtan's People), and is now doing his thing in Los Angeles land. He has a blog at Xanga.com that details his new radio gig, complete with pictures of the various celebrity guests he's coerced into posing with him.

Eric just posted a gag that might appeal to any fans of Steve Carell and The Office, and since I spent much of the past year following the show for the "That's What She Said" podcast, I thought a link to it would fit. It's a series of phone pranks in which Eric only responds with assorted Steve Carell audio clips. Maybe not quite as funny as the classic Arnold Schwarzenegger prank calls, but it's good for a few laughs, especially when it gets someone to swear.

I'm still not going to see Evan Almighty, though. Just so you know.

▪▪ Since this post is vaguely Steve Carell-related, and I mentioned the "TWSS" podcast, I feel like I should leave a note (not an "announcement," because I'm just not that important) that I won't be co-hosting the show with Matt anymore. Matt posted something about it on the "TWSS" blog page earlier this week, so I'll link to that.

I really enjoyed recording the podcast and corresponding with those who listened to it. I don't know if anyone actually followed my posts from here to the podcast, but if you did, I appreciate you doing so. A handful of listeners have stopped over here on occasion, and I hope you continue to do so, because I'd love to keep in touch.

That's What She Said! (Episode #24)

A good finale can often save the season of a television show. I'm not saying Season 3 of The Office needed saving, because I thought it was pretty damn fun. But after seeing how certain characters and storylines developed, the overall themes became very clear of the season became quite clear, and I'll enjoy going back to look at these episodes someday.

Of course, participating in the That's What She Said podcast gave this season of The Office a bit more significance than it may have otherwise had for me. I watch every TV show I enjoy very closely. My phone bill to Mis Hooz through seasons of Deadwood, The Sopranos, and Nip/Tuck (among others) could tell you that. But consciously looking for talking points was a different experience.

Fortunately, this season's final episode - "The Job"- gave Matt and I plenty of stuff to talk about. Not just the ending that sent many fans hooting, hollering, and swooning, either. Many things seemed to "click." We found out why certain characters had behaved as they had all season. Others showed their true natures. And perhaps best of all, I think it left fans of the show eagerly anticipating next season already.

Episode #24 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes. If you liked or didn't like what you heard, please send over an e-mail, post a review at our iTunes page, or leave a comment at our blog page. I'm not sure what will happen with the community that developed over the summer hiatus, but I hope the site stays going and people continue to chime in. I know I've enjoyed getting to know several of the "regulars" that stop by.

When Matt originally asked me to co-host an "Office" podcast with him, I didn't quite imagine that I'd be co-hosting virtually every episode. But it was apparent when he played the "tests" for me that he was really onto something, and I hoped Matt would follow through on his ambitions. I think the work he puts into the show is reflected in every episode, and recording the show each week (and learning about podcasting, in general) has been a lot of fun. 25+ episodes is something to be proud of. It's a finished body of work. We've already talked a bit about next season, but honestly, I think both of us need a break before deciding what happens with the podcast.


And now, I'll have to get back to putting some "real" posts up here at The Rice, instead of posting a blurb for the TWSS podcast, linking to the MP3, and calling it a day. (This week, especially, has been something of a vacation.) I don't know how many people follow the podcast and blog page over here, but I'm grateful to anyone that does. And to those who check in over here and don't listen to the podcast, I appreciate you indulging my double-dipping. I know I haven't posted very much new material here lately. Thanks for sticking with me.

That's What She Said! (Episode #23)

If given the choice between listening to an upturned broom with a bucket for a head or our podcast, we hope you choose That's What She Said. Consider it a mandatory fun activity - or "funtivity," if that better suits you.

It might not the best podcasting you can listen to, when neither Matt or I much cared for the latest episode of The Office, but as usual (and much like a writing workshop), we try to find the things we liked before getting into what we didn't like about "Beach Games."

Me, I'm pretty simple. Two guys in rubber sumo suits will always be funny to me. Especially when they belly flop upon one another. But a guy falling face down in hot coals? Not so much. Then again, I really just want to lie on the beach and eat hot dogs. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.

It's the last episode before the season finale, and viewers finally got the speech they've been waiting to hear from one of our favorite unrequited lovers. Hopefully, that raises the stakes for next week's one-hour, season-ending telecast.

Episode #23 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes. If you like or don't like what you hear, please send over an e-mail, post a review at our iTunes page, or leave a comment at our blog page, where the community continues to grow and new voices are always welcomed. Who among you has the guts to listen?

That's What She Said! (Episode #22)

How can we be so illogical and flighty and unpredictable and emotional? Hey, all we do is record podcasts about The Office, and we're now up to 22 of them. As the season moves toward its finale, That's What She Said tries to figure out the mystery behind the latest episode, titled "Women's Appreciation."

This week, Matt and I played a bit of role reversal, with him enjoying the show upon first viewing, while I had to warm up to it. How does such a thing happen? Well, some podcasts have their rough patches, but we just push through them. Is it a little bit weird that we record during these conversations? Look, anything that scares us is not worth doing. It's perfectly healthy behavior.

And make you sure you listen until the very end, because Matt took a cherished piece of 80's geek nostalgia and created what might be the best "outro" ever recorded. It'll save every one of us.

Episode #22 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes. If you like or don't like what you hear, please send over an e-mail, post a review at our iTunes page, or leave a comment at our blog page, where the community continues to grow and new voices are always welcomed. You can run, but you cannot hide.

That's What She Said! (Episode #21)

May the Lord beer you strength as you listen to Episode #21 of the That's What She Said podcast. I've seen and heard mixed reactions to last week's episode of The Office (a not-so-funny middle, bookended by absolute hilarity) but I think it just may have been the most unwittingly brilliant half-hour of television I've watched this season.

I'm sure the writers of the show intended to create a piece of satire that mocked the public relations hopscotch that celebrities and companies have to perform these days to win back favor from the people. But given when this episode must have been produced, I doubt they realized just how pertinent Michael Scott's attempt to control the news and deal with demands for his resignation, in lieu of what happened with Don Imus a few weeks ago.

Episode #21 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes. If you like or don't like what you hear, please send over an e-mail or leave a comment at our blog page, where the community continues to grow and new voices are always welcomed.

Brilliant satire or not, however, The Office also creates some flat-out hilarious moments, based on the rich characters that make up the cast. And just because I need to see it again, here's an example of that:

That's What She Said! (Episode #20)

Safety first, people! This week's episode of The Office was very concerned with personal safety in the workplace, so I'll try to keep this post short, lest I increase the possibility of carpal tunnel syndrome. Keeping in that spirit, we were worried about Michael Scott's mental health on the latest edition of the That's What She Said podcast.

How far will a man go to demonstrate the signs and dangers of depression in an office environment? And if that demonstration includes considering jumping off a five-story building, does that indicate problems of a different nature? But if it all turns out to be more dangerous than sticking your hand in a machine that crushes recyclables, that could be worth proving a point, right?

You know what? I bet that you will love this episode. In fact, I'll lay down 10,000-to-1 odds. You have to take that bet every time, I hear. Or you could bet that I'll make another crack at Nickelback Chad Kroeger, but you wouldn't get very good odds on that.

Episode #20 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

If you enjoy what you hear (or have some issues with it), please send over an e-mail or leave a comment at our blog page, where the community continues to grow. Or leave a review at that very same iTunes page. (Just don't get personal, unless you're also going to be really funny.)

As always, thank you for downloading and listening. Are you our heroes? Yes, you are.

That's What She Said! (Episode #19)

Our long national nightmare is over. The six-week hiatus for The Office has passed, which means we finally got a fresh new episode last week (and we'll have one more, before the reruns kick for two weeks so the season can be extended through the May sweeps). That also means, of course, that That's What She Said is back with an all-new podcast.

I joked with Matt that I kept thinking about Eddie Murphy's routine about women withholding sex, how if you're starving and someone throws you a cracker, you'll think it was the best damn cracker you've ever eaten in your life. So how I was going to feel about a new episode of The Office after being left hungry for six weeks?

(Actually, I got my Eddie Murphy stand-up movies mixed up on the podcast. I said "Delirious," but the joke I'm thinking of was in "Raw.")

There was some violence, along with steamy romance. And awkward tension! There was a man fighting for what is rightfully his. And the struggle of the working man taking on the corporate culture. But perhaps best of all, there was some sweet superheroic action. In other words, "The Negotiation" had something for everyone.

Episode #19 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

If you enjoy what you hear (or have some issues with it), please send over an e-mail or leave a comment at our blog page, where the community continues to grow. Or leave a review at that very same iTunes page. (This week, we broke the 100 mark on reviews. Whoo-hoo!)

As always, thank you for downloading and listening. And thank you once again for sticking with the podcast during the sitcom dry spell.

That's What She Said! (Episode #18.5 -- Retro!)

With The Office on a six-week hiatus (allowing Steve Carell to film Get Smart), NBC hasn't been very kind to anyone looking for fresh material to fill a podcast about the show. So once again, That's What She Said has decided to mine the past for nutritional, intellectual value.

This retro podcast takes a look at "The Injury" from the show's second season. How can a man who burned his foot on a George Foreman grill possibly be expected to act rationally - especially when his staff refuses to show him the care and sympathy an debilitated man deserves? Can't a brother get some butter rubbed on his scorched extremity?

Also, if a co-worker crashed his or her car into a telephone pole driving out of the parking lot, how would you react? And what if the driver got out of that car and then vomited all over the rear windshield? Would you be a little bit concerned? Just checking.

Episode #18.5 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

If you enjoy what you hear (or hate it, for that matter), please send over an e-mail or leave a comment at our blog page, where the community continues to grow. Or leave a review at the aforementioned iTunes page. (We're at 95 and counting! Push us over 100!) Thank you for downloading and listening! And thank you once again for your patience during this hiatus.

That's What She Said! (Episode #18)

Well, it's been a few weeks since we were able to do a podcast, due to circumstances beyond our control. But it's like the vow Matt and I made when we started this thing - in sickness and in health. Right, buddy? Anyway, for the long-awaited return of the That's What She Said podcast, we take a look at the "Cocktails" episode of The Office and the assorted declarations of love and rage that took place.

Is there a freaky-deaky side behind the uptight exterior of our favorite executive? And what's hotter for a couple: being on the run or out in the open? Should you be concerned if your girlfriend appears to have hooked up with most every guy she's worked with? How thoroughly should you inspect your house before moving in? And is honesty really the best policy? You might want to make sure there's nothing to throw immediately within reach.

Episode #18 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

If you enjoy what you hear (or hate it, for that matter), please send over an e-mail or leave a comment at our blog page, where the community continues to grow. Or leave a review at our iTunes page, as well. Thank you for downloading and listening! And thank you for your patience.

That's What She Said! (Episode #17)

This week, Matt and I play the role of visiting lecturers as the That's What She Said podcast follows The Office to campus for an episode titled "Business School." In our classroom, we actually encourage you to diddle around on the internet - otherwise, you'd have kind of a problem listening to our show.

Can Michael Scott defend the honor of a dying industry to a bunch of grad students? Is business always personal? Can drawings of tape dispensers and office buildings actually inspire people? How hot is garlic bread to a burgeoning vampire? And can two former Buffy the Vampire Slayer nerds be expected to maintain objectivity toward an episode directed by his royal majesty, Joss Whedon?

Episode #17 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

If you enjoy what you hear (or hate it, for that matter), please send over an e-mail or leave a comment at our blog page, where the community continues to grow. Or leave a review at our iTunes page, as well. Thank you for downloading and listening!

That's What She Said! (Episode #16)

Everyone loves a wedding, right? Fun and frivolity for all! Well, not quite - especially when those starved for attention have to upstage the bride and groom. I suppose Matt and I could be included in that category, with another edition of the That's What She Said podcast. As usual, we take a look at the latest episode of NBC's The Office, titled "Phyllis' Wedding."

Do most guests at a wedding assume the boss of the bride paid for everything? (For that matter, can The Office have too much Michael Scott?) Is anything cooler than a Police cover band? Is it a breach of sisterhood etiquette to steal wedding plans to use for your own big day? And how do you weed out those pesky wedding crashers?

Episode #16 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

If you enjoy what you hear (or hate it, too), please send over an e-mail or leave a comment at our blog page, where the community continues to grow. Or leave a review at our iTunes page, as well. Thank you for downloading and listening!

That's What She Said! (Episode #15)

These two-week breaks aren't conducive to staying sharp on podcasts. I'm sure NBC will take that under consideration next year as they plan out their television seasons. Anyway, Matt and I are back at it this week, as That's What She Said takes an in-depth and spoiler filled look at the latest episode of The Office, titled "Ben Franklin."

How hot is a Founding Father? What talents or knowledge might such a historical figure be able to drop on a bridal shower? Surely, the women of Dunder-Mifflin had it much better than the men, who had to contend with man meat, unintelligible card games, and strippers for their Guys Afternoon In (or "GAI").

Has this Pam-Jim thing been taken as far as it can really go? Are fans of the show beginning to get over this "will they or won't they" shell game? And really, just how many of us guys have really seen a stripper in live action?

Episode #15 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

We love it when listeners chime in, so please send along an e-mail or leave a comment on the show's growing, thriving blog page community where all the cool kids are having fun. And join the many and proud who have left positive reviews at our iTunes page, as well. As always, thank you for downloading and listening!

That's What She Said! (Episode #14)

Matt and I have been doing this That's What She Said podcast for a few months now, but if I may say so, I think our latest episode might be one of our best. A little bit of healthy arguing never hurt anyone - especially when you're trying to create some interesting discussion about The Office.

So how does Matt feel about the show's producers cutting material, and then posting it online? Is the Jim-Pam-Karen triangle giving him what he wants, whether he realizes it or not? And why do I have to be so disagreeable with the young man this week? I blame shotgunning a Diet Coke right before we began recording.

Anyway, the answers to these questions - and exploring topics such as what pushed Andy into bat$#!+ craziness - await you. If you enjoy The Office, I think you'll enjoy our podcast.

Episode #14 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

Feedback and constructive criticism are deeply appreciated, so please send along an e-mail or leave a comment on the show's growing blog page community. We're having a lot of fun over there these days, and it only gets better as more people join in, so stop by if you have a chance!

And as always, of course, thank you for listening!

That's What She Said! (Episodes #12 and 13)

Due to geographical difficulties last week, That's What She Said wasn't able to post a new podcast. Yet The Office goes on. So we're making up for that this week with a super-sized episode that looks at both "Back From Vacation" and "Traveling Salesmen."

First, it's the return of Michael from Jamaica. How does trying to bring the island lifestyle back to an office work out? Maybe not so well when you accidentally send a topless photo of your boss to everyone. And just what the hell is "poi" anyway?

Then, our heroes hit the road for some sales calls. How effective is big hair and bad make-up? How about accessing a voice mail during a sales pitch? Also, is a group of black people really that intimidating to a young salesman? And finally, who likes a tattle-tale? Will he break up the team?

Oh, and there's lots of juicy Jim-Pam-Karen stuff to chew on, as well. What kind of podcast would we have without that?

Episodes #12 and #13 are available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

Feedback and constructive criticism are always much appreciated, so please join the fun and send along some e-mail or leave a comment on the show's growing blog page community. As always, thanks for listening!

That's What She Said! (Holiday Editions)

With a three-week hiatus in new episodes, what is a podcast about The Office to do? Step into the wayback machine and look at an oldie but goodie.

This week's That's What She Said heads back to 2005 for a look at "The Christmas Party."

Not only did we receive a crash course in the holiday tradition of "Yankee Swap," but if you're like me, you were reminded why you hate "Secret Santa." (Another important lesson: Vodka can make anything better.)

Episode #11.5 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes.

And just before my own holiday hiatus, I neglected to post a note for Episodes #10 and 11, which covered The Office's 2006 holiday episode, "Benihana Christmas." So if you missed that, there you go. I'm biased, of course, but I think these have been two of our better podcasts.

Feedback and constructive criticism are always much appreciated, so please join the fun and send along some e-mail or leave a comment to the show notes. As always, thanks for listening!

That's what she said! (Episode #9.0)

After a holiday break, The Office was back with a new episode. (Had one been shown on Thanksgiving evening, I might have forgotten about the awful experience I endured with my family earlier that evening. Oops - I'm trying to be nice.) So with new stuff to dissect, That's What She Said is back with a new podcast, as well.

Which transfer from the Stamford office of Dunder-Mifflin is an ex-convict? Will the employees in Scranton be safe?

And once that news trickles out to the rest of the staff, can Michael Scott be trusted to handle it discreetly and sensitively? What, are you kidding?

Did we like the episode or, since original "Office" creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant wrote it, will we just chalk it up to "British humour"?

Episode #9.0 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes. Feedback and constructive criticism are always much appreciated, so please join the fun and send along some e-mail or leave a comment to the show notes. And as always, thanks for listening!

That's what she said! (Episode #8.0)

It was the moment fans of The Office have been waiting for all season, so big that NBC "super-sized" the episode, and promoted the hell out it of all week: the reunion of Jim and Pam, following the merger of the Scranton and Stamford branches of Dunder-Mifflin.

Was it the best episode of the season or "worst. episode. ever"? Are you on "Team Pam" or "Team Karen"? Did you think Jim behaved like a jerk? And even if he was, did Pam deserve that kind of treatment for breaking the poor guy's heart? Or should she be left off the hook after serving her emotional penance?

Okay, that sounds kind of heavy. That's not what we said on That's What She Said this week. But as usual, we looked at it from virtually every angle, along with the other storylines from the episode, such as the beginnings of a feud between suck-ups, and debating whether or not a woman should use a breast pump at her desk for the whole office to see. (And man, did I work hard not to say something stupid there.)

Episode #8.0 is available for your downloading and listening pleasure, either from the That's What She Said home page or via iTunes. Feedback and constructive criticism are always much appreciated, so if you feel the need to chime in, please send along some e-mail. And as always, thanks for listening!