# Question: Can we have an Office anticipation thread? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 21, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569 "2006-09-21T15:17:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/61 "2006-09-22T17:31:38Z")
[QUOTE=Slacker] Actually, I’ve heard rumors that they will indeed watch the footage at some point. Didn’t they do so on the British series? [/QUOTE] A couple of times, though I want to say it was only in the specials at the end. David Brent was trying to make a living on the Z-list celebrity tour circuit, cashing in on the fame he’d received from the documentary, though of course, nobody knew or cared who he was. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/62 "2006-09-22T17:34:36Z")
The big question is: Does Jim know that Pam didn’t go through with the wedding? He still seems to be in touch with at least Michael & Dwight, though they’re both too self-absorbed to probably bring up anyone else in the Office. Are we going to see Jim discover this for himself? Are we going to watch Pam answer the phones and unexpectedly hear Jim’s voice? Regardless, a terrific opening episode. Very funny, but touching in all the little details. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/63 "2006-09-22T17:35:37Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] Nobody gets to actually “see” the documentary. It’s just stylistic device. [/QUOTE] Incorrect. The entire premise of the show is that there is a documentary being shot at their office. In the UK version the third installment is a catch up a few years after the documentary was shot. They refer to the fleeting fame after people have seen them on TV. Also, in the last episode, that one of the best bits is about that one gal mocks Jim on how he makes that one face at the camera. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/64 "2006-09-22T17:45:35Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] The big question is: Does Jim know that Pam didn’t go through with the wedding? He still seems to be in touch with at least Michael & Dwight, though they’re both too self-absorbed to probably bring up anyone else in the Office. [/QUOTE] I bet he does. Michael, though absorbed with himself most of the time, really likes Jim, and of course knows all about their situation. And assuming he didn’t rush to be the first person to tell him (over a chicken breast, hold the chicken at Hooters), certainly Kelly, Phyllis, or Ryan would. Disclaimer again: Yes, I know they’re not real. Man, I really need a hobby or something. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/65 "2006-09-22T18:02:34Z")
[QUOTE=Plynck] Aw darn, I did change the station after Oscar’s last lines. What did I miss? [/QUOTE] Dwight received a package from Jim, containing “Gaydar” – obviously a wand-style metal detector, revamped with “HOMO—BI—STRAIGHT” labels. Dwight walks over to Oscar and starts waving it around him. When it gets near Oscar’s belt buckle/zipper – “Beeeeeep!”. Dwight gleefully whispers _“It works!”_, but as he walks away, he accidentally passes it in front of his own belt buckle/zipper – “Beeeeeep!”. His look of sheer terror was priceless. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/66 "2006-09-22T18:24:22Z")
I think I was most disappointed by the Ryan character. First that he would accept a permanent job there working for Michael, and second that he didn’t have any sense of humor when Pam looked his way. True he’s no Jim with a connection to her, but I thought he was cooler than that. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/67 "2006-09-22T18:28:58Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] I think I was most disappointed by the Ryan character. First that he would accept a permanent job there working for Michael, and second that he didn’t have any sense of humor when Pam looked his way. True he’s no Jim with a connection to her, but I thought he was cooler than that. [/QUOTE] Ryan has never been secretive of his contempt for the office and everyone working in it (even Jim). He truly considers himself to be above them, or at least doesn’t want to become like them. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/68 "2006-09-22T18:36:24Z")
Plus if they showed any hint of chemsitry between Pam and Ryan the internets would have exploded with rage. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/69 "2006-09-22T18:52:52Z")
> [@](#): > > My daughter sent me a text msg from college, so excited that Ed Helms was on the show. It took me a minute or so before I recognized him without the glasses, but I loved his reaction to the jello. I’m guessing that other area offices are managed by Rob Corddry and Stephen Colbert. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/70 "2006-09-22T19:08:07Z")
[QUOTE=Slacker] I’ll give them some leeway on that. No documentarian would capture the entire Jim/Pam buildup through last season and not do everything possible to get what happens next. Now whether uptight Stamford would allow the cameras in is another question. 😉 [/QUOTE] I decided that they’ve been filming at multiple offices - to get a full picture of what the company is like. We’re only getting the feeds from the “fun” office. Nothing worth seeing happens at Jim’s new branch. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/71 "2006-09-22T19:26:07Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] Incorrect. The entire premise of the show is that there is a documentary being shot at their office. In the UK version the third installment is a catch up a few years after the documentary was shot. They refer to the fleeting fame after people have seen them on TV. Also, in the last episode, that one of the best bits is about that one gal mocks Jim on how he makes that one face at the camera. [/QUOTE] I didn’t say they didn’t know they were being filmed. I think you are just overthinking the premise if you are wondering why they don’t know all about Jim & Pam from watching the documentary. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/72 "2006-09-22T19:33:57Z")
[QUOTE=h.sapiens] I hope we can trust the writers not to turn Roy into a stalker, although the “I’m going to win her back” line is a little worrying. [/QUOTE] Actually Roy is being groomed for character redemption. It was easy to dismiss Roy as being wrong for Pam because he was essentially an incosiderate oafish average guy. Now Roy is going to actually be trying with Pam. I predict this season will end on a cliffhanger of Roy or Jim with it actually up in the air which one Pam should be with. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2006, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/73 "2006-09-22T19:56:04Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] I didn’t say they didn’t know they were being filmed. I think you are just overthinking the premise if you are wondering why they don’t know all about Jim & Pam from watching the documentary. [/QUOTE] Yeah, the show has never hesitated to play pretty loose with the documentary format. The camera seems awfully omnipresent for one or two camera crews, and ducking behind a potted plant apparently renders the camerman completely invisible. I don’t really blame the show, though – a strict implementation of the documentary format would be too limiting. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2006, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/74 "2006-09-23T04:48:50Z")
[QUOTE=Slacker] I think all you missed was Pam going about her business and the camera zooming in for a close-up of her naked ring finger. Then we cut to a Pam talking head explaining that she called off the wedding. Jim wasn’t mentioned. [/QUOTE] Right, Pam says that she “got cold feet a few days before the wedding.” It’s clear what’s going on. > [@Unathorized Cinnamon](#): > > One thing I didn’t like completely - they had already shown Pam turning to Ryan, and later Jim was in the HERO presentation, and the shot had him and an empty chair next to him. I think they underestimated the audience a little by having him look wistfully at the chair. I agree completely. We were watching it (just tonight; we somehow forgot about it last night, so thank heaven the DVR was still set to record “all new episodes”), and I saw the shot of Jim sitting there by the empty chair, and I said aloud, “What a beautiful shot.” Then he turned and looked at the chair with that godawful Zach-Braff-mope, and the magic was blown. One thing I’ve always loved about the show is that they _don’t_ beat us over the head that way; there’s never that imaginary guy sitting next to you and saying, “Get it? He misses her! Get it?” ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2006, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/75 "2006-09-23T16:57:49Z")
Well honestly up until THAT point we had not seen Jim missing Pam. We had seen Jim missing Scranton. There were a lot of shots of Pam missing Jim. A lot. One shot of Jim missing Pam and you guys call emotional clubbing? Nah. ---
**Author:** ![Stainz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Stainz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stainz)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2006, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/76 "2006-09-23T19:50:20Z")
Loved the episode, but one part made me cringe (and not in a good way) - when Angela was overzealously using the hand sanitizer after Oscar was outed. Plus, like someone already said - I didn’t like that Oscar hugged Michael after blasting him for being such a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/77 "2006-09-24T11:04:05Z")
If it hasn’t been mentioned yet, according to the Pam/Jenna [blog](http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=27753303&blogID=171880351) over at [myspace.com](http://myspace.com), the Michael/Oscar kiss was adlibbed and several of the reaction shots of surprise, etc., were genuinish, if I can make up a word. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/78 "2006-09-24T19:02:38Z")
Documentaries that take _years_ to film (depending on how much money the filmmakers have) do exist. Take _Hoop Dreams_ for an example, which followed the kids for 5 years (at least) before the movie was completed and shown. I prefer to think of the Office documentary as a project like this, and not something like “Airline” on A&E. It’d ruin (or at least certainly change) the dynamic of the show if it was. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569/79 "2006-09-25T21:45:10Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] Incorrect. The entire premise of the show is that there is a documentary being shot at their office. [/QUOTE] Is it bad that I heard these lines in a Dwight Shrute voice?? 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-can-we-have-an-office-anticipation-thread/373569.md?page=3)