Melora Hardin

That's hilarious. Well, I got called last minute. It was sort of a last minute, like, come in and read for this, which I did. And I remember that you know, I went in and like, you know, literally looked at the sides right there before I went in because it was that last minute.

That's hilarious. Well, I got called last minute. It was sort of a last minute, like, come in and read for this, which I did. And I remember that you know, I went in and like, you know, literally looked at the sides right there before I went in because it was that last minute.

You know, it was like Ken Kwapis was in the room and so was Greg Daniels. And, you know, I could feel everybody was kind of excited and Allison Jones, our casting director, you know, you can always feel that as an actor, right? When it goes well and people are responding to what you're doing. Sure. And then the next day I was testing for a pilot and Allison Jones was casting that as well.

You know, it was like Ken Kwapis was in the room and so was Greg Daniels. And, you know, I could feel everybody was kind of excited and Allison Jones, our casting director, you know, you can always feel that as an actor, right? When it goes well and people are responding to what you're doing. Sure. And then the next day I was testing for a pilot and Allison Jones was casting that as well.

She came out into the hallway and And I was about to go in for my test. And I was like, oh, that was really fun yesterday. I really like that, you know, those sides. And she's like, yeah. And I said, maybe I'll get, you know, maybe I'll get them both. Because that was the character of Jan at the time for the pilot was a guest star, possibly recurring character.

She came out into the hallway and And I was about to go in for my test. And I was like, oh, that was really fun yesterday. I really like that, you know, those sides. And she's like, yeah. And I said, maybe I'll get, you know, maybe I'll get them both. Because that was the character of Jan at the time for the pilot was a guest star, possibly recurring character.

But this one that I was testing for was a lead character, regular in a pilot. For an actor, you want to get the pilot because, you know, when you're the regular or one of the stars of the show, because that's better money and, you know, just Seems better. And she's like, well, I really want you to get that one. Meaning the office. She really wanted me to get the office.

But this one that I was testing for was a lead character, regular in a pilot. For an actor, you want to get the pilot because, you know, when you're the regular or one of the stars of the show, because that's better money and, you know, just Seems better. And she's like, well, I really want you to get that one. Meaning the office. She really wanted me to get the office.

Anyway, I went in and I did the pilot test. I didn't get the pilot test, but I did get the office.

Anyway, I went in and I did the pilot test. I didn't get the pilot test, but I did get the office.

Well, when we were filming the pilot, I remember sitting at the tables having lunch with Greg Daniels and Steve Carell and we were all laughing at how kind of weirdly interesting Jan and Michael were together. Like we sort of, and we were like, well, yeah, that's funny.

Well, when we were filming the pilot, I remember sitting at the tables having lunch with Greg Daniels and Steve Carell and we were all laughing at how kind of weirdly interesting Jan and Michael were together. Like we sort of, and we were like, well, yeah, that's funny.

You know, if we get it, if we get it, we get a pickup and we get an opportunity to do this more of the show than just the, you know, the six that we're doing, which was our first season. Then, you know, it'll be fun. We should, we should have them hook up because we kind of felt like there was a little spark between them and, We kind of conjured it on the pilot.

You know, if we get it, if we get it, we get a pickup and we get an opportunity to do this more of the show than just the, you know, the six that we're doing, which was our first season. Then, you know, it'll be fun. We should, we should have them hook up because we kind of felt like there was a little spark between them and, We kind of conjured it on the pilot.

You know what else? Everybody is so perfectly cast in this show. I mean, that's one of the things I think that makes the show, besides the writing, which is unbelievable, but also just every single person is perfectly cast. There's not one person that you look at and go, Well, you know, I mean, everybody's just absolutely spot on. I agree.

You know what else? Everybody is so perfectly cast in this show. I mean, that's one of the things I think that makes the show, besides the writing, which is unbelievable, but also just every single person is perfectly cast. There's not one person that you look at and go, Well, you know, I mean, everybody's just absolutely spot on. I agree.

Oh, it is ridiculous. I will say that the stuff that Steve and... Tim Meadows.

Oh, it is ridiculous. I will say that the stuff that Steve and... Tim Meadows.

He is so freaking funny. And the stuff that they did and the improv that they did, it just flattened me. I mean, and I swear, last night when I was watching it, I watched it with my husband and, you know, I was just like, I kept going, oh my God, it was so hard to keep my straight. Oh my God, it was so hard to keep my straight. I was so...

He is so freaking funny. And the stuff that they did and the improv that they did, it just flattened me. I mean, and I swear, last night when I was watching it, I watched it with my husband and, you know, I was just like, I kept going, oh my God, it was so hard to keep my straight. Oh my God, it was so hard to keep my straight. I was so...

I'm amazed at how incredibly straight-faced I was, because I'm telling you, every time we cut, I would just burst into laughter. And I had to look so irritated and so, you know, so, like, just completely put off by all the stuff they were doing. In reality, it was tough.

I'm amazed at how incredibly straight-faced I was, because I'm telling you, every time we cut, I would just burst into laughter. And I had to look so irritated and so, you know, so, like, just completely put off by all the stuff they were doing. In reality, it was tough.

Yes, I think that was. That whole little section there was really... I think that really was just spur of the moment, the way that they kind of went back and forth.

Yes, I think that was. That whole little section there was really... I think that really was just spur of the moment, the way that they kind of went back and forth.

I don't remember rehearsing it. I'm certain that when we rehearsed it, we certainly didn't kiss during the rehearsal. No. And actually last night when I watched it, I was like, that was a really sweet and like kind of awkwardly just bumpy, bumbly kiss. kiss that I kind of loved. I thought it was a really great first kiss for the two of them.

I don't remember rehearsing it. I'm certain that when we rehearsed it, we certainly didn't kiss during the rehearsal. No. And actually last night when I watched it, I was like, that was a really sweet and like kind of awkwardly just bumpy, bumbly kiss. kiss that I kind of loved. I thought it was a really great first kiss for the two of them.

I really think we did it like one time or two times. I don't even know what he is talking about. I remember it being really quick. And I actually think that the take that you see on there is the first time we did it. So I feel like and it just has all that. It has everything it needs in it. You know, it has the tension. It has the kind of like

I really think we did it like one time or two times. I don't even know what he is talking about. I remember it being really quick. And I actually think that the take that you see on there is the first time we did it. So I feel like and it just has all that. It has everything it needs in it. You know, it has the tension. It has the kind of like

wait, that's so wrong and wait a second, I want more of that.

wait, that's so wrong and wait a second, I want more of that.

Kind of thing that Jan, I think, struggled with the entire relationship with Michael. So I love that.

Kind of thing that Jan, I think, struggled with the entire relationship with Michael. So I love that.

Exactly. You really do feel like you're in the middle of nowhere doing your own thing, having that private moment that we're all trying to strive for at all times as actors.

Exactly. You really do feel like you're in the middle of nowhere doing your own thing, having that private moment that we're all trying to strive for at all times as actors.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It is a great moment. And it's, Jan really rarely smiles in the show. I do so much scowling and kind of, you know, disapproving look. And so it's really, it's really nice to see her kind of have that big full expression of,

It is a great moment. And it's, Jan really rarely smiles in the show. I do so much scowling and kind of, you know, disapproving look. And so it's really, it's really nice to see her kind of have that big full expression of,

you know, kind of enjoyment of, Oh my God, this whole thing that, you know, that he's been doing all night that I thought was just a bunch of BS actually was, you know, there was a method to his madness. And I, I do love that.

you know, kind of enjoyment of, Oh my God, this whole thing that, you know, that he's been doing all night that I thought was just a bunch of BS actually was, you know, there was a method to his madness. And I, I do love that.

And, and I think that is the thing that leads to the kiss is that he feels the, you know, he gets to have the moment of, of, um, victory and, and she has, you know, and she kind of is like, Oh, there's more, There's more to this guy than I thought. You know, he's not just this idiot that I thought he was.

And, and I think that is the thing that leads to the kiss is that he feels the, you know, he gets to have the moment of, of, um, victory and, and she has, you know, and she kind of is like, Oh, there's more, There's more to this guy than I thought. You know, he's not just this idiot that I thought he was.

Oh, sure. Well, when you get to the dinner party, we'll probably. That is why I was going to say.

Oh, sure. Well, when you get to the dinner party, we'll probably. That is why I was going to say.

Well, you guys are sweet. And what an amazing thing we've been part of together. with the office and everything. It's really exciting. And I love that you guys are doing this for the fans and revisiting all this. It was really fun watching the episode last night.

Well, you guys are sweet. And what an amazing thing we've been part of together. with the office and everything. It's really exciting. And I love that you guys are doing this for the fans and revisiting all this. It was really fun watching the episode last night.

That's hilarious. Well, I got called last minute. It was sort of a last minute, like, come in and read for this, which I did. And I remember that you know, I went in and like, you know, literally looked at the sides right there before I went in because it was that last minute.

You know, it was like Ken Kwapis was in the room and so was Greg Daniels. And, you know, I could feel everybody was kind of excited and Allison Jones, our casting director, you know, you can always feel that as an actor, right? When it goes well and people are responding to what you're doing. Sure. And then the next day I was testing for a pilot and Allison Jones was casting that as well.

She came out into the hallway and And I was about to go in for my test. And I was like, oh, that was really fun yesterday. I really like that, you know, those sides. And she's like, yeah. And I said, maybe I'll get, you know, maybe I'll get them both. Because that was the character of Jan at the time for the pilot was a guest star, possibly recurring character.

But this one that I was testing for was a lead character, regular in a pilot. For an actor, you want to get the pilot because, you know, when you're the regular or one of the stars of the show, because that's better money and, you know, just Seems better. And she's like, well, I really want you to get that one. Meaning the office. She really wanted me to get the office.

Anyway, I went in and I did the pilot test. I didn't get the pilot test, but I did get the office.

Well, when we were filming the pilot, I remember sitting at the tables having lunch with Greg Daniels and Steve Carell and we were all laughing at how kind of weirdly interesting Jan and Michael were together. Like we sort of, and we were like, well, yeah, that's funny.

You know, if we get it, if we get it, we get a pickup and we get an opportunity to do this more of the show than just the, you know, the six that we're doing, which was our first season. Then, you know, it'll be fun. We should, we should have them hook up because we kind of felt like there was a little spark between them and, We kind of conjured it on the pilot.

You know what else? Everybody is so perfectly cast in this show. I mean, that's one of the things I think that makes the show, besides the writing, which is unbelievable, but also just every single person is perfectly cast. There's not one person that you look at and go, Well, you know, I mean, everybody's just absolutely spot on. I agree.

Oh, it is ridiculous. I will say that the stuff that Steve and... Tim Meadows.

He is so freaking funny. And the stuff that they did and the improv that they did, it just flattened me. I mean, and I swear, last night when I was watching it, I watched it with my husband and, you know, I was just like, I kept going, oh my God, it was so hard to keep my straight. Oh my God, it was so hard to keep my straight. I was so...

I'm amazed at how incredibly straight-faced I was, because I'm telling you, every time we cut, I would just burst into laughter. And I had to look so irritated and so, you know, so, like, just completely put off by all the stuff they were doing. In reality, it was tough.

Yes, I think that was. That whole little section there was really... I think that really was just spur of the moment, the way that they kind of went back and forth.

I don't remember rehearsing it. I'm certain that when we rehearsed it, we certainly didn't kiss during the rehearsal. No. And actually last night when I watched it, I was like, that was a really sweet and like kind of awkwardly just bumpy, bumbly kiss. kiss that I kind of loved. I thought it was a really great first kiss for the two of them.

I really think we did it like one time or two times. I don't even know what he is talking about. I remember it being really quick. And I actually think that the take that you see on there is the first time we did it. So I feel like and it just has all that. It has everything it needs in it. You know, it has the tension. It has the kind of like

wait, that's so wrong and wait a second, I want more of that.

Kind of thing that Jan, I think, struggled with the entire relationship with Michael. So I love that.

Exactly. You really do feel like you're in the middle of nowhere doing your own thing, having that private moment that we're all trying to strive for at all times as actors.

Yeah.

It is a great moment. And it's, Jan really rarely smiles in the show. I do so much scowling and kind of, you know, disapproving look. And so it's really, it's really nice to see her kind of have that big full expression of,

you know, kind of enjoyment of, Oh my God, this whole thing that, you know, that he's been doing all night that I thought was just a bunch of BS actually was, you know, there was a method to his madness. And I, I do love that.

And, and I think that is the thing that leads to the kiss is that he feels the, you know, he gets to have the moment of, of, um, victory and, and she has, you know, and she kind of is like, Oh, there's more, There's more to this guy than I thought. You know, he's not just this idiot that I thought he was.

Oh, sure. Well, when you get to the dinner party, we'll probably. That is why I was going to say.

Well, you guys are sweet. And what an amazing thing we've been part of together. with the office and everything. It's really exciting. And I love that you guys are doing this for the fans and revisiting all this. It was really fun watching the episode last night.