Get ready for a hilarious and insightful rewatch as Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, the iconic duo from “The Office,” delve into Season 5 Episode 13, “Prince Family Paper.” In this episode of their hit podcast, Office Ladies, they dissect every awkward and heartwarming moment, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes stories that only they can tell. This week, they’re tackling the cringe-worthy mission to take down a small family business – Prince Family Paper.
Episode Summary: Wallace’s Assignment and the “Hot or Not” Debate
Jenna kicks off the episode with a summary: David Wallace enlists Michael Scott to gather intel on a rival paper company, Prince Family Paper. Michael, ever eager to please, brings Dwight along for backup. Meanwhile, back at Dunder Mifflin, a heated debate ignites: is Hilary Swank hot? This seemingly frivolous argument takes center stage among the Scranton crew, providing a comedic counterpoint to Michael’s corporate espionage.
Angela hilariously interrupts Jenna’s summary, showcasing their playful dynamic. The lighthearted banter quickly shifts to the episode’s main plot points, setting the stage for a classic Office cringe-comedy experience centered around the unfortunate Prince family.
Fast Facts: Diving Deeper into “Prince Family Paper”
The Office Ladies podcast is known for its “Fast Facts,” and this episode delivers. Angela and Jenna share fascinating tidbits that enhance our appreciation for “Prince Family Paper.”
New Director Alert: Asaad Kelada
Fast Fact number one highlights a new director, Asaad Kelada, a television legend with an impressive resume including “The Facts of Life” and “Who’s the Boss?”. His experience and comedic timing were a welcome addition to The Office, proving Randy Cordray’s initial recommendation spot-on. Kelada’s directing philosophy, emphasizing casting for comedy, resonates with the show’s success, highlighting the importance of comedic rhythm and energy.
The “Hot or Not” Debate: Inspired by In-Flight Movies?
Fast Fact number two addresses the burning question: where did the Hilary Swank “hot or not” subplot come from? B.J. Novak, the episode’s writer, revealed the inspiration struck him on a flight while watching Hilary Swank movies. This seemingly random scenario sparked the B-plot, leading to the office-wide debate that perfectly captures the show’s quirky humor. Hilary Swank herself even responded to the episode, taking the debate in stride and emphasizing that there’s “so much more to life than looking a certain way.”
Hilary Swank: More Than Just “Hot”
Fast Fact number three celebrates Hilary Swank’s impressive achievements beyond Hollywood’s beauty standards. From Junior Olympics swimming to two-time Oscar winner for roles in “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Million Dollar Baby,” Swank’s talent and resilience shine. Jenna and Angela highlight her journey from living out of a car to becoming a celebrated actress, underscoring her badassery and inspiring story, a stark contrast to the shallow “hot or not” debate.
Behind the Scenes of “Prince Family Paper”: Hilarious Pranks and Movie Magic
Beyond the fast facts, the Office Ladies podcast truly shines in its detailed breakdown of each scene, revealing production secrets and on-set anecdotes.
Jim’s Elaborate Red Wire Prank
The episode opens with Jim’s elaborate prank on Dwight involving 500 feet of red wire and a telephone pole. Angela and Jenna marvel at the dedication to this gag, revealing the movie magic behind it. The “real” telephone pole outside the studio was deemed too dangerous, leading to the construction team renting a matching pole, complete with a green screen and padded platform, all for a brief comedic moment. This deep dive reveals the incredible effort behind seemingly simple Office pranks.
Michael’s Desk Toys and David Wallace’s Manipulation
The podcast moves into Michael’s office scene with David Wallace, noting the ever-changing toys on Michael’s desk, including a Rubik’s Cube and a miniature pool table. Angela points out David Wallace’s subtle manipulation, dangling the regional supervisor position to motivate Michael. This scene sets up Michael’s mission to infiltrate Prince Family Paper, highlighting his eagerness for validation and Wallace’s strategic maneuvering.
The Office’s “Hot or Not” Debate and Jim’s “Sass”
The infamous “hot or not” debate in the office is dissected, with Angela humorously calling out Jim’s “sass” for dismissing Angela’s lack of interest in voting. Jenna connects Pam’s line about Hilary Swank’s bangs to her own recent haircut and research into bangs, including, hilariously, Hilary Swank with bangs. This tangent leads to a delightful Stevie Nicks impersonation anecdote and photo, showcasing the podcast’s charmingly off-topic yet engaging nature.
Driving to Prince Family Paper: Bickering and Background Details
The driving scene between Michael and Dwight is analyzed for their bickering dynamic, likened to an old married couple arguing about Denny’s vs. IHOP and even the clouds. Angela’s sharp eye spots a background detail – blue recycle bins, sparking a hilarious investigation into Lackawanna County recycling laws and a fascination with recycling coordinator Barbara Giovagnoli. This exemplifies the podcast’s ability to turn seemingly mundane details into engaging tangents.
Prince Family Paper Location: A Rented Mini Mall and Fake Snow
Arriving at Prince Family Paper, Jenna reveals the location was a rented mini mall in North Hollywood, meticulously transformed by the production team. The need for a glass-front office for undercover filming and a large parking lot dictated the location choice. Fake snow residue on the cars and the entirely constructed Prince Family Paper office set showcase the incredible production design and attention to detail.
Smoked Almonds and a Projectile Blooper
The car scene snack of “smoked almonds” becomes a hilarious highlight, leading to a blooper anecdote involving Rainn Wilson projectile-spitting almonds onto Steve Carell. This blooper, shared in audio form, perfectly captures the on-set camaraderie and comedic mishaps. The “lick your lips” signal and the Jaws theme further enhance the comedic tension before Michael enters Prince Family Paper.
Meeting the Prince Family: Guest Stars and Heartbreaking Details
The heart of the episode lies in meeting the Prince family. Jenna provides a guest star breakdown, highlighting Dan Desmond, Dan Bakkedahl, and Sharon Blackwood who played the Prince family members. Angela shares an embarrassing Law and Order audition story inspired by Dan Desmond’s Law & Order appearances, connecting back to the guest actors. The set design details, including Rebecca’s nameplate, ceramic animals, and family photos, are praised for creating a believable and ultimately heartbreaking family business environment.
The Getaway and Duct Tape Bumper Repair: A Fatherly Touch
The escape from Prince Family Paper and Michael running over the parking curb is broken down, revealing the use of two cars and sandbags for the stunt. Mr. Prince’s sweet offer to fix the bumper with duct tape resonates with Jenna and Angela, reminding them of their fathers’ duct tape solutions. This relatable moment adds a layer of warmth to the otherwise cringe-inducing plot.
Lord of the Rings Analogy and Michael’s Moral Conflict
Dwight’s Lord of the Rings analogy to justify their corporate espionage leads to a hilarious and extensive tangent as Jenna, unfamiliar with Lord of the Rings, seeks clarification from Angela and sound engineer Sam. This comedic detour highlights the podcast’s charm and accessibility, even for non-Lord of the Rings fans. Ultimately, Michael’s conscience kicks in, and he grapples with the morality of destroying the Prince family business.
Michael’s Deleted Scene and the Tie-Breaker
Michael’s internal conflict culminates in a deleted scene talking head, showcasing Steve Carell’s comedic genius with absurd lines about “iron fisting” and magnet stores. This hilarious alt talking head exemplifies the wealth of comedic material generated for each episode. In the end, Michael breaks the “hot or not” tie, casually declaring Hilary Swank “hot,” bringing the office debate and the episode to a close.
Conclusion: More Than Just Cringe Comedy
The Office Ladies podcast episode on “Prince Family Paper” goes beyond a simple recap. It’s a celebration of The Office‘s comedic genius, production detail, and heartwarming moments, even within a cringe-inducing plotline. Jenna and Angela’s insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and hilarious tangents make this episode a must-listen for any Office fan, offering a deeper appreciation for the episode and the show as a whole, especially the unfortunate but sweet Prince family.
