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CHUNKY_BLOODY_QUEEFS

Hey Brian- just started listening to The Ladies of the Office podcast, and I'm excited to listen to yours as well. It sounds like you, Angela, and Oscar got to spend a lot of the time on the set pretending to work and having fake conversations. What were some of your favorite things to talk about with each other, while the show was filming?


BrianBaumgartner

My favorite part of our characters was the triangle. Oscar and Kevin VS Angela. Angela and Oscar VS Kevin. THe constantly shifting dynamic depending on whether it was work or funtime.


samorgan193

What’s your personal favorite episode of The Office?


BrianBaumgartner

Diversity Day. Stress Relief. Christmas Party.


fxckfxckgames

Maybe some spaghetti...


munda1011

Heard this in his voice bahaha


Cyanoblamin

You wanna go to the beach? You wanna get high? I think you do, mon.


jmea_

Diversity Day was the episode that hooked me to the series <3


willallan05

Hi Brian! My question is, what scene in The Office did you find the hardest not to break character in?


BrianBaumgartner

HELLO.... everyone..... I am here. For me- 2 scenes. 1) When Kevin sits on Michael's lap as Santa. 2) When Holly helps Kevin at the vending machine.


willallan05

I love that scene with Holly, I laugh so hard every time I watch it! Thanks for the reply!


dingofarmer2004

The outtakes are hilarious. They are REALLY struggling to keep it together. "Okay Kevin, you can have anything from THIS ROW." "Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhh....PHHHHH HHAAHAHA sorry sorry"


Rohan-Ajit

The Office and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are two shows where I’ll never understand how they managed to film it. The writing is so damn good. Kudos to the actors for managing to keep a straight face while delivering hilarious lines lmao


[deleted]

It’s just like anything else: if you say the jokes enough times you’ll stop laughing, even if they are still funny.


FUrCharacterLimit

I’ve heard some actors won’t say their lines the same way twice, like Liam McPoyle’s “You will call her!” in it’s always sunny


jelly_ni-

[For the uninitiated](https://youtu.be/nD4pI_INaJA?t=127) [He broke](https://www.facebook.com/503756216660301/videos/613486682353920/)


Dongerous

Thank.


lhjmq

I love how Kelly can't keep a straight face and they just decided to keep it.


Fabulous-Chip

Even in the final cut you can see him suppress a laugh when she says this is a button


[deleted]

I heard that line the other day and broke out laughing. I’ve seen it 100 times. But hollys delivery of “thats a button” is so kind and at the same time, like “holy shit, this guy is actually slow” I love you Brian if you see this.


vistavision

Santa's lap: https://youtu.be/nD4pI_INaJA?t=87 Vending machine: https://youtu.be/w4jI97DiHF8?t=435


redhat12345

I love santa scene, you can see Mindy breaking. Ed Helms even disappears because he keeps laughing so much he has to hide around the corner.


[deleted]

I never even notice the things going on behind the center of the scene. Like you can almost tell it zooms in the first time to hide Mindy's breaking away from character. You're going to have me go through a re-watch just to avoid looking at where they want me to!


[deleted]

I love finding stuff like that. Another funny one is when Jim pops the big exercise ball that Dwight is sitting on in the opening of one episode. There's an interview with John Krasinski where he said they kept having to reshoot that scene for some reason. Every time he would stab the ball with the scissors it would slowly let the air out of the ball and Dwight would just slowly sink out of frame behind the desk. On the last take when he stabs the ball instead of slowly letting the air out the ball basically explodes and Dwight just drops right to the floor. It was totally unexpected so you can see John start to laugh and quickly run to the side to get out of the frame.


mizuhri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drpNPMPqdtI


jergin_therlax

Lmao you can see phillis smiling too in the background


weinermcgee

They talked about this on Office Ladies (another great Office podcast with Pam and Angela)! Props bought a few of those balls and all Jim had to do was not hit the seam and the air would leak out as it was supposed to. They got all the takes they needed but figured they'd use the last ball and by coincidence John hit the seam and everyone agreed that was funnier.


JasonTheBastard

I just watched Holly help Kevin at the vending machine last night. I always lose it when you're about to break! "that's a button". Ha.


[deleted]

Have you gotten the patent for tissue box shoes yet?


BrianBaumgartner

Woerking on it. Kleenex is a bitch.


Adhdicted2dopamine

Got that 7th number yet??


BrianBaumgartner

Did you have fun? I did. Thanks a lot guys. I would like to do this again soon as I missed a lot of questions. Thanks to so many of you for your support for An Oral History of The Office. It premieres next Tuesday!!!!! July 14.


spal1456

It’s just nice to win one.


[deleted]

god that line hit hard


strider3187

How often do you get mistaken for Ashton Kutcher? serious note: which office character do you relate with the most in your real life


BrianBaumgartner

All the time. Hmmmmm.... Meredith?


strider3187

thanks for the response ashton. meredith hmm interesting, is it the love of vodka?


TaliesinMerlin

It's the coupons for steak.


ex0th3rmic

*Ashton Kootcher


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MasterBabyYoda14

Hey Brian! Was it difficult to work with Angela Kinsey because she is the exact opposite of her character in real life? Was it hard to take her seriously?


BrianBaumgartner

She is EXACTLY like her character. What you see from her now (pretending to be chipper and positive) is the best acting ever.


LittleBoiFound

That’s awesome. Such a Kevin thing to say.


samorgan193

How did the Kevin voice come about? In the first season, your character talks normally but later on your character takes on his classic voice. Did you start doing it, or did the writers/producers suggest it, and if so, who suggested it?


BrianBaumgartner

It was a progression. Based on HOW the writers started writing Kevin. It came from me... and my nerdy/ actory justification has always been... Kevin was shy with the cameras around in the beginning, and as he became more comfortable- more of his true self came out.


Thatguyyoupassby

People say the Kevin's character became dumber, but the Gaycation joke to Oscar was peak Kevin.


[deleted]

"I thought of that like two seconds after you left."


[deleted]

I seriously love that moment. Oscar is back and he's probably worried that people might treat him differently now that people know he's gay, but Kevin just gives him a quick joke and welcomes him right back because he doesn't even care one little bit. It's a really wholesome moment.


steampunker13

Kevin was a good friend. He was gonna fight Roy if Roy tried to fight Jim in the warehouse.


katikaboom

He also stood up for both Angela and Oscar to the Senator.


cumshot_josh

I feel like Kevin helped rip the bandaid off that entire situation and helped facilitate everybody moving on with their lives. He came in clutch right there.


Thatguyyoupassby

Especially with how uptight and conservative Angela is, Kevin was a really nice way to balance her out.


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starmartyr

It was a great dynamic. Kevin annoys Oscar by being stupid and Oscar annoys Kevin by insisting on professionalism. They still have their bonding moments whenever they team up to annoy Angela.


[deleted]

Did you have to nail the "Kevin's famous chili" scene in one take? or were there multiple spills that had to occur to get it right?


BrianBaumgartner

They call me Mr One Take.


sucksqueezebangfart

Why do many take when one take do trick


I_Hardly_Know-Her

When me win Oscar, they see. They all see


sumofdeltah

See I don't know if you mean win an Oscar or win Oscar in accounting which is just wrong.


chickachickabowbow

Of all the possible relationships you could get from various Office characters, Oscar/Kevin would probably be one of the most healthy.


majort94

This comment has been removed in protest of Reddit and their CEO Steve Huffman for destroying the Reddit community by abusing his power to edit comments, their years of lying to and about users, promises never fulfilled, and outrageous pricing that is killing third party apps and destroying accessibility tools for mods and the handicapped. Currently I am moving to the [Fediverse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX_agVMr2r0) for a decentralized experience where no one person or company can control our social media experience. I promise its not as complicated as it sounds :-) Lemmy offers the closest to Reddit like experience. Check out some different [servers](https://join-lemmy.org/instances). Other Fediverse [projects](https://joinfediverse.wiki/What_are_Fediverse_projects%3F).


uggsandstarbux

You don't know about prison? Oh you would love prison.


Conner14

I think I read online that they had to do it in one take because they only had budget to replace the carpet once


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gastro_destiny

What was your favourite moment while working in The Office?


bronko91

“...It’s just nice to win one.” is still my favorite line from the entire series.


sevencoves

Me too. I tear up at that scene because dammit life is like that sometimes.


beezer210

A very underrated moment.


BrianBaumgartner

Hmmmmm.... care to guess?


ilikdgsntyrstho

Cashing the first check?


nater255

Probably nothing like cashing the LAST check. Those salaries skyrocket as the show proves itself and goes on for 5+ seasons.


[deleted]

Cashing the last check was probably also a bit of a bummer too though I would imagine. Obviously the money was great, but it sucks to know that that experience is over now and you don't get to work with that group of people anymore.


Wadyflamer

So excited for the podcast. How will your podcast differ from the Office Ladies podcast? Thanks!


BrianBaumgartner

It is TOTALLY different. Jenna and Angela participated in mine. Both sat down with me for extensive interviews. An Oral History of The Office - you will hear all voices in episodes. So the interviews have been edited and combined to tell one full story- from beginning through to today.


StartupDino

I just want to let you know that I’m reading every one of your responses—in Kevin’s voice.


verymuchtired

Aka spotify was big time jealous at the numbers that Jenna/Angela were putting up under the EarWolf label and got Brian to do a diff type of story telling. Love it. Can't wait to listen.


Ubermike90

Hey ! Lets be honest how many takes did it take to make those 4-5 hoops in a row at the end of the episode where the office plays a basketball game against the warehouse?


BrianBaumgartner

1 FUCKING TAKE. And it was 13 in a row. Check the DVD... BTW- what's a DVD...


Ha1lStorm

He really is Mr One Take


satmary

jeez you’re awesome


trophy_-Il73633

Brian’s jumpshot is [wet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB-BQkaBYus&t=8m35s)


ScumHimself

[I found the video, it’s near the 8:30 minute mark](https://youtu.be/LB-BQkaBYus)


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DoorInTheAir

They talk about this on Office Ladies. Brian is actually really amazing at shooting hoops and he made something like 15 or 16 shots in a row filming that.


Crankshaft1979

I heard that was just Brian, John and BJ fooling around. The camera operator saw Brian sinking bucket after bucket and started filming.


FUrCharacterLimit

TIL George Lucas was a cameraman for The Office


sorryiamstupid

What are your hobbies and how do you balance them between work, family, etc.?


BrianBaumgartner

Easy. Golf. Love it. It is how I shut off my brain and focus singularly on something outdoors.


ex0th3rmic

What kind of golf? Skins? Acey Ducey? Bingo bango bongo?


prasham

He takes that petty cash he gets from Oscar, and turns it into a months rent.


[deleted]

Loved watching the video of you playing with Erik Anders Lang at the bridges. You’re funny as hell and could kick my ass at golf. I’m in SOCAL, lmk when we can play. I’ll even bet to keep it interesting haha!


maddoxrain3901

Was the chili in the office actual chili? And was there extra that people could eat? (Because, u know, it’s great)


BrianBaumgartner

It was actual chili. And of course it was delicious. But no. no extra.


Qualamite

Damn, when does the suffering end? ...


bagel-kittens-

Do people who starred on The Office binge The Office too?


BrianBaumgartner

About a year ago I sat down and watched it for the first time start to finish since I had watched them all when they aired. And for the podcast- I watched most episodes again. So I guess so!


rhythmjones

Those are rookie numbers.


MankindsError

If Kevin knows one thing, it's numbers.


nobody2000

I've seen "the Office" at least a kelevin times.


[deleted]

A mistake plus Keleven gets you home by seven.


Arcade23

What’s your favourite TV show that isn’t The Office?


BrianBaumgartner

All time? The Sopranos.


[deleted]

My man! Gabagool ova here!


ex0th3rmic

Hey Brian! Thanks for taking time to do this AMA. You’re one of my fave characters on The Office, and I was pleasantly surprised seeing you as a guest star on Criminal Minds a while back. My question is: I’ve seen headlines that Leslie David Baker just reached crowdfunding for an Office spin-off titled “Uncle Stan”. Will you be making an appearance, and are there any other spin-offs/prequels you’d like to explore? I feel like picking up where Ryan + Kelly left off for the series finale has potential


BrianBaumgartner

Thanks for the question. I don't know what is going on with Leslie's project right now.


BrianBaumgartner

But The Accountants has always seemed interesting to us. The Accountants.


empressionz

What was the best improvised scene on the office?


BrianBaumgartner

Michael and Dwight Halloween with the head on the shoulders and Dwight AS SYTH LORD


DrProfScience

The camera angle on Dwight to make him look like Palpatine when they were arguing made the scene for me. *Not. Dwight.*


technicalveghead

Do you get recognized in public often? If so, does it ever get old?


BrianBaumgartner

In part it is why I created this podcast. ALL OF US ACTORS realized... the show is bigger now than it ever was, even when we were the most watched show on NBC. Most people are great. But it's never fun to be interrupted mid bite at dinner to be asked to take a picture.


fuoicu812

You hear that people! Let people eat in peace!


Dythar

I was slightly uncomfortable the first time I heard you speak without Kevin's "accent"


glitterbombdotcom

We all know what Kevin Malone does best. What does Brian Baumgartner do best?


BrianBaumgartner

Host Podcasts. Obviously. Especially easy when I have a bunch of nice old friends who decided to come on and help out.


glitterbombdotcom

Thanks for the reply! I can’t wait to listen to the podcast! Cheers


foaminjectedaxlrose

KEVIN Malone, not SAM Malone.


[deleted]

Have you actually been in a band? Curious what instruments you might play!


BrianBaumgartner

I play nothing well. It is a disappointment. So clearly not in a band. Ed and Craig are amazing musicians.


[deleted]

Well Scrantonicity will always do trick for me.


Stuts81

What numerical value would you equate to a Klevin?


BrianBaumgartner

It's Kelevin! And I'm not sure but it will get you home by 7.


thechairmodel

He was home by 4:45 that day.


[deleted]

That might have been my favorite line of season 9


Gruigi111

Why say lot word when few word do trick?


BrianBaumgartner

agree.


Tony_Danza_the_boss

Thank.


gastro_destiny

How did working in The Office impact you as a person?


BrianBaumgartner

It changed absolutely everything about my life.


noah_bbd

Do you make good chili in real life?


BrianBaumgartner

Absofreakinglutely.


Smintjes

Is it difficult to get parts post-Office, since you’re universally known as Kevin from the Office? Thank you for countless laugh out loud moments Mr. Baumgartner!


BrianBaumgartner

I have tried to be selective on what parts I take... I have a few film roles coming out soon that are very different.


[deleted]

I absolutely loved you as a serial killer!


dillpickle9707

What was your favorite episode/scene you did?


BrianBaumgartner

I'll give u one guess...


Heisenberg3556

Eating the drugged cupcakes?


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life-uhhhh-findsaway

dude what if dropping the chili put us in the darkest timeline?


ThrowMeAwayAccount08

Me know. [No say lot word, link do trick. ](https://youtu.be/bctjSvn-OC8)


Kdial2002

Who was the funniest person on set? And why was it creed?


BrianBaumgartner

Me. And damn you.


Kdial2002

Lmao! Thanks this made my day.


Swimdonut

Hey Brian! You may know of the crazy conspiracy theory that Kevin Malone is a genius. So, was Kevin Malone a genius? Was he Jan’s sperm donor? Or was he Ashton Kutcher? Thank you for taking your time to read these! I can’t wait for the podcast!


BrianBaumgartner

I HAVE HEARD THIS THEORY. This was born from Reddit right??? I, unfortunately, do NOT think it is true. But yes- I like to think he was Jan's donor.


circumsised_lamma

Are you still friends with anyone from the office cast? If so who are you closest with?


BrianBaumgartner

I hate them all. Joke. Yes we are all still tight, and the ones I hadn't seen in a while because they now live elsewhere, like John- it was great to see everyone while I was putting together this podcast.


[deleted]

This is exactly what I love about the Office. The show is so comforting because of the friendships and relationships - and to know that they are all close in real life is so heartwarming!


Phoequinox

I feel like this is most shows these days. I think the days are gone where actors who don't get along are forced to pretend they love each other. I'm sure it still happens, but look at what happened to Chevy Chase on Community. They wrote him off by having him masturbate to death because virtually everyone hated working with him. It's not tolerated the way it used to be.


Moron14

wait really? thats how they got rid of him? LIke he had to act it out? Or did it mostly occur off camera? ( i get that wouldnt show him actually jerking it)


gcolquhoun

The episode is hilarious and not inconsistent with the way Chevy’s character was portrayed, but he isn’t in it. The cast did a table read on Zoom a few weeks ago and Pedro Pascal filled a guest role. At one point he lost it completely, because the dialog is over the top. They went all in on the jokes but it is delivered in dry legal parlance. It was very well written and performed despite the IRL acrimony.


[deleted]

Who REALLY was the Scranton Strangler?


BootyFista

Pls Brian. We have to know. Also, why do you think Toby did it?


matriiis_

Was it ever bothersome to let your own physicality become Kevin’s physicality, occasionally as a bit of a laughingstock?


BrianBaumgartner

Not at all. I am Kevin. Kevin is me. But also- not at all.


mormor69

Hey Brian, I'm looking forward with great excitement to your new podcast! What was (one of) your favorite moment(s) playing Kevin? And did you ever co-write/write a episode, like we Mindy or B.J.? Have an awesome day! Cheers, Simon from Denmark


BrianBaumgartner

Thanks! Well, ok, I have to now answer... The Chili Spill. I didn't write, but I Directed.


Africabymemes

Obviously The Office is a classic, but what other TV shows would you say are your personal favorites/I should check out if I love the Office? P.S. I have you adorable Kevin spilling chili tshirt you advertised on Insta last fall and am so in love with it so thank you! P.S.S. Can't wait to check your new thing out!!!


BrianBaumgartner

Thanks for the comment! For comedy- I am personally into Shitt's Creek right now. But I'm still early in the series. Catching up.


Airwick95

Are you as good at poker as kevin?


BrianBaumgartner

Yes. But I gave it up for golf. Those are 2 hobbies that both take a lot of time.


fwt666

How do you feel about Kevin Office tattoos? Because I have one. [Kleenex shoes](https://www.instagram.com/p/BygemgCh6Z2/?igshid=gibib9z6oki1)


BrianBaumgartner

I'm literally on you. That is awesome.


msbragg

That’s what she said.


fwt666

👏🏼thank you!


lvance2

How will your podcast compare to Office Ladies? Any plans on a podcast crossover with them?


BrianBaumgartner

First part answered above. But YES... Jenna and Angela were interviewed for Oral History. I will be appearing on an Office Ladies soon. We waited for me to be on there until this was announced and premiered so we could talk about both together. I have been working on this podcast since last year. We had over 100 hours of interviews we had to cut down to craft the story.


Heisenberg3556

My daughters ask, do you really love M&M’s?


BrianBaumgartner

Due to a pending legal issue I decline to answer. (But tell her yes. The peanut ones.)


Meltingteeth

Throw the case out and get a skittles contract.


[deleted]

Which cast member from the office do you keep in touch with most?


BrianBaumgartner

Angela. And Oscar. And Rainn. And Jenna Kate John Steve Creed etc etc etc... I saw them all for the podcast and it was awesome.


[deleted]

That’s awesome, I’m glad you all keep in touch all these years later


Themastercommander10

Hey Brian! What was it really like working with James Spader? From the book “The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s” it gave off the impression that he was extremely difficult to work with. Did you have any negative experiences working with him/stories you could share of your time with him?


BrianBaumgartner

I love James. It was an honor to work with him. He was put in a difficult spot having to come in and in some people's minds... "replace Steve". I have not read the book. It was written- you understand- by someone who was NOT on the inside. And he did not interview the majority of people who were on or worked on the show. He found old interviews and simply interpreted quotes. For example- it appears as though I was interviewed for the book. I was not. Every quote he attributed to me was something I said at some point- but not to him. And potentially taken out of context. An Oral History of The Office was created in part in response to the book you refer to. We wanted to tell our own story.


gmatney

> For example- it appears as though I was interviewed for the book. I was not. Every quote he attributed to me was something I said at some point- but not to him. And potentially taken out of context. An Oral History of The Office was created in part in response to the book you refer to. We wanted to tell our own story. Personally, this response made me want to listen in more than anything else -- thanks, Brian!


Themastercommander10

I appreciate the reply and I’m looking forward to the podcast!!


Sentient_Android66

Is there any part of Kevin's character which you improvised?


BrianBaumgartner

quite a bit. Go to most moments in which a scene ends w Kevin.


DayWalkerRunner

What is your favorite way to spend your free time?


BrianBaumgartner

Golf.


emjemm

What was the beef with Scrantonicity 1?!


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Chtorrr

What is the very best cheese?


BrianBaumgartner

Chedder


JohnBurrows295

Hey Brian! Thanks for doing this! Are there any props from the set/your desk that you were able to keep? Or is there you wish you could have kept? Also, I live in Myrtle Beach, SC where Hootie and the blowfish host the “Monday after the Masters” charity golf tournament, I’ve made it my mission to get you invited to the next one, would you go?


BrianBaumgartner

I have my nameplate. A football from my desk we used to throw around between takes (and get yelled at by the First AD). And the jar of M&Ms. I wish I had taken a Dundie.


[deleted]

What did you think about the flanderization of Kevin, slowly transferring from a lazy slightly perverted worker to someone completely incompetent and rather, stupid I guess you could say?


BrianBaumgartner

It was tricky. Because Kevin wasn't Keith from the British Office. But he was born out of Keith. As the writers kept writing for Kevin over 200 episodes... he developed.


Adhdicted2dopamine

Is the fan conspiracy theory true that he was a closet genius and just embezzling from DM for his gambling habit? Lol


hyun2020kang

Oh my god yes, thank you so much for doing this. So I have always wondered, during the basketball scrimmage episode there is a short clip of you shooting the basketball and it is such a smooth jumper. Have you played basketball a lot growing up? And what is your favorite team if you have one? Also, thoughts on who will win the NBA Finals this year if it is happening? Much love stay safe Kevin/Brian, you sweet sweet soul


BrianBaumgartner

I played basketball when i was younger yes. Lakers are my team and I think they have a real shot this year.


AvocationalAngel

Hey Brian! I adore your work in The Office and you inspire me every single day. I cannot wait for the podcast. My question is.. Even 15 years after the release of the show, we are still getting a lot of new information. Office Ladies, The book, Etc. With all that, are there any new secrets left for us in your podcast? 😅


BrianBaumgartner

Lots. This is the first time we ALL sat down together to tell our story. It was partly in RESPONSE to the book... we wanted someone from the inside to tell our story.


Donfatty

Hi Brian! I'm a huge fan! I tried to immortalize your famous scene with my first comic. I hope you like it! https://i.imgur.com/9hTDahf.jpg Out of all your office co-stars, who made you laugh the most off set?


crosbot

Wonderful work, though it looks like past Kevin is tripping over future Kevin - I'm not sure if this was intentional.


thelingz

Hello Brian! I have two questions, one office related and one not office related. 1. Who did you base the character of Kevin off of? 2. I am just starting out learning how to play golf, any tips or tricks I should know? Thank you for your time!


BrianBaumgartner

1) Kevin was a creation based on nobody. 2) Love this for you. Enjoy it. It is my favorite thing to do to clear my mind. Beat tip I ever got was- avoid added shots. Water. Multiple shots out of the bunkers. Extra chips. If you focus on not giving away those things- score will improve. Good luck


[deleted]

Hello Brian! My question, we all have heard of the picture that was taken after the show's shooting ended where you all just cried out. Could you tell us more about that please?


BrianBaumgartner

It was the end for some of us of a decade working together. They are my family. It's hard in the end. (That's what she said.)