Key Insights
Why did the writers create the Diversity Day episode?
The Diversity Day episode was created based on a real-life experience of the writer's assistant, Tom, who had participated in a similar exercise during college where students had note cards on their heads representing different ethnicities and used stereotypes to interact with each other.
How did the writers approach writing the first original episode of The Office?
The original writing staff, including Greg Daniels, Paul Lieberstein, Mindy Kaling, Mike Schur, and BJ Novak, collectively broke down the plots and storylines for the remaining episodes of season one. Each writer was then assigned a different outline to fill in with dialogue and story points, with BJ Novak assigned to write the Diversity Day episode.
What was the atmosphere like on set during the filming of the Diversity Day episode?
The atmosphere on set was exciting and full of energy, as the cast and crew were thrilled to be reunited after a long break. The cast felt a sense of accomplishment and believed they had created something special, with Jenna Fisher recalling a pivotal moment during filming where she felt they had lightning in a bottle.
How did the character of Toby Flenderson come about?
Paul Lieberstein, a member of the writing staff, was asked by Greg Daniels to audition for the role of Toby Flenderson. Initially, Paul thought it was just a one-line part, but after Kevin Reilly, the head of NBC at the time, saw the episode and wanted more of the dynamic between Michael Scott and Toby, Paul officially became a series regular actor on the show.
What was the origin of the line 'I will attack you with the North'?
The line 'I will attack you with the North' was written by Paul Lieberstein. The writer's room initially thought it might be too heady or might not land well, but it became one of the most quoted lines from the show and inspired a fan site called Northern Attack.
How did the cast and crew handle the long hours of wearing note cards on their foreheads during filming?
The cast and crew had to wear the note cards with double-stick tape on their foreheads from early morning until late afternoon, only removing them during lunch breaks. This caused some actors, including Angela Kinsey, to have their baby hairs peeled off by the tape, resulting in a bare strip on their foreheads that affected makeup application the next day.
What was the process behind the slap scene where Mindy Kaling slaps Steve Carell?
The slap scene was mostly filmed with a fake slap to avoid any injury to Steve Carell. Mindy Kaling had difficulty not laughing during each take, which made the scene challenging to film. There was one take where she made contact with Steve, but the version used in the episode was the one where she managed to keep a straight face.
What was the significance of the scene where Pam falls asleep on Jim's shoulder?
The scene where Pam falls asleep on Jim's shoulder was a key Jim-Pam moment in the episode, symbolizing their growing connection. BJ Novak's script notes described Jim's reaction as if a butterfly had landed on his shoulder, emphasizing the delicacy and importance of the moment for Jim.
Chapters
- The cast and crew were thrilled to be reunited after a long break.
- Jenna felt the show had potential to be a hit during the filming of Diversity Day.
- Angela describes the feeling of having too many ideas and not knowing where to start.
Shownotes Transcript
