Digest

Lindsey calls into Headgum with a wild story: she believes her parents made a porno at her great-grandmother's 84th birthday party. She has a box of 8mm films that she's been developing over the years, and recently found a note from her mom that says "X-rated" next to the date of the party. The Headgum crew is immediately invested, offering to help Lindsey figure out how to tell her sister. They also offer to watch the film and give her a heads-up about what's on it. Lindsey agrees to send the film to Headgum, and they promise to digitize it and send it to her dad. However, when they finally get around to watching the film, they discover it's just footage of animals at the zoo. The Headgum crew is disappointed, but Lindsey is relieved. They all agree that it was a fun and memorable call, and they encourage anyone else with similar predicaments to reach out. Brian Baumgartner, known for his role as Kevin Malone in "The Office," joins the show to discuss his experience on the show. He talks about how he didn't initially seek fame, but rather enjoyed the creative process of character development in live theater. He shares how he moved to Los Angeles and landed the role of Kevin after only three months. He describes his approach to the role, emphasizing the importance of understanding the show's tone and aesthetic. He also discusses the unique dynamic of the cast, which included both stand-up comedians and improv actors, and how this contributed to the show's success. He highlights the importance of unlikely duos in the show's writing, which allowed for unexpected and enriching storylines. He also shares a personal memory of a scene that he feels was particularly impactful and memorable. The hosts and Brian discuss the show's development and how it became a cultural phenomenon. They reflect on the show's early days and how it gradually gained popularity, eventually becoming a critical and commercial success. They also discuss the show's impact on television comedy and its willingness to address serious issues in a humorous and insightful way.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the Headgum podcast and its hosts, Jake, Gareth, and a special guest, Brian Baumgartner, known for his role in "The Office." They welcome a caller named Lindsey from California.

00:01:56

Lindsey's Dilemma

This Chapter dives into Lindsey's unusual problem: she believes her parents made a porno at her great-grandmother's 84th birthday party. She has a box of 8mm films that she's been developing over the years, and recently found a note from her mom that says "X-rated" next to the date of the party.

00:40:38

The Follow-Up

This Chapter is a follow-up to Lindsey's initial call. Lindsey has sent the 8mm film to Headgum, and they have digitized it. The hosts are ready to watch the film and describe what's on it to Lindsey.

00:49:09

Brian Baumgartner's Cookbook

This Chapter features a conversation with Brian Baumgartner about his cookbook. He discusses how his love for cooking started, and how his character's chili-making scene in "The Office" led to his first cookbook.

00:53:44

Brian Baumgartner's Journey to "The Office"

This Chapter delves into Brian Baumgartner's journey to landing the role of Kevin Malone in "The Office." He discusses his passion for character creation in live theater and how he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. He shares how he landed the role of Kevin after only three months in Los Angeles and how he prepared for the audition by watching the British version of "The Office" to understand the show's tone and aesthetic.

01:04:27

The Impact of "The Office"

This Chapter explores the impact of "The Office" on Brian Baumgartner's career and the television landscape. He discusses the show's unique dynamic, which included both stand-up comedians and improv actors, and how this contributed to the show's success. He highlights the importance of unlikely duos in the show's writing, which allowed for unexpected and enriching storylines. He also shares a personal memory of a scene that he feels was particularly impactful and memorable.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is Lindsey's unusual problem?

  Lindsey believes her parents made a porno at her great-grandmother's 84th birthday party. She has a box of 8mm films that she's been developing over the years, and recently found a note from her mom that says "X-rated" next to the date of the party.

• How does the Headgum crew help Lindsey?

  The Headgum crew offers to help Lindsey figure out how to tell her sister about the potential porno. They also offer to watch the film and give her a heads-up about what's on it. Lindsey agrees to send the film to Headgum, and they promise to digitize it and send it to her dad.

• What is the surprising discovery about the 8mm film?

  When the Headgum crew finally gets around to watching the film, they discover it's just footage of animals at the zoo. The Headgum crew is disappointed, but Lindsey is relieved.

• What advice does the Headgum crew give to Busy about her boyfriend's aversion to mint?

  The Headgum crew suggests that Busy try to overexpose her boyfriend to mint by making him use strong minty mouthwash for a few days. They also suggest that she tell him straight up that he has bad breath and that the children's toothpaste isn't working.

• What is Brian Baumgartner's connection to cooking?

  Brian Baumgartner's character in "The Office" made chili, and the scene became popular. This led to Brian writing his first cookbook, and he now has a passion for barbecue and grilling.

• What was Brian Baumgartner's initial motivation for pursuing acting?

  Brian Baumgartner's initial motivation for pursuing acting was not fame, but rather a passion for character creation in live theater. He enjoyed the energy and creativity of live performance.

• How did Brian Baumgartner prepare for his audition for "The Office"?

  Brian Baumgartner prepared for his audition for "The Office" by watching the British version of the show to understand the tone and aesthetic. He wanted to ensure that he understood the show's unique style of comedy.

• What was the dynamic of the cast of "The Office" like?

  The cast of "The Office" included both stand-up comedians and improv actors, which created a unique dynamic. This mix of comedic styles contributed to the show's success.

• What is the significance of unlikely duos in the writing of "The Office"?

  The writers of "The Office" used unlikely duos to explore the dynamics of the office and to create opportunities for character development. These pairings often led to unexpected and humorous storylines.

• What is one of Brian Baumgartner's most memorable moments from "The Office"?

  Brian Baumgartner remembers the second episode of "The Office," called "Diversity Day," as a particularly impactful and memorable moment. He felt that the episode was special because it addressed serious issues in a humorous and insightful way.

Show Notes