Book Review: "The Office BFFs" by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

 

4/5 stars

*Spoiler alert!*

The Office BFFs was a hilarious and heartfelt memoir by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, who portrayed Pam and Angela, respectively, on the hit show The Office. It is partially an extension of their excellent podcast, Office Ladies, where each episode of the nine-season mockumentary show about a fictional paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania (otherwise known as Dunder Mifflin) is reviewed and analyzed.

While their podcast gives me life, I enjoyed the print medium because of all the funny cast photos Fischer and Kinsey include in their narratives. If you listen to the podcast, some of the stories may sound familiar. But again, there’s photos in The Office BFFs that are pure gold. You can’t get pictures in a podcast.

“Invest in the people in your lives. Find that friend who makes you feel ten feet tall and bulletproof. Build them up and encourage them. Show up for each other no matter how big or small the occasion. Link arms and walk into any crowd, fake laughing like you own the world and you will!”

Let me just say, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey are national treasures. They portrayed characters that were continually at odds throughout the show’s run, but in real life are the best of friends.

It was a bit of a rocky road from the start, with doubt that the American adaptation of the famous British TV show of the same name would have legs. This meant that the cast, Fischer and Kinsey included, took it episode by episode, because the show was on the cancellation bubble through the second season. This period, before the show became more of a household name, meant that the actors we know and love from The Office and have gone on to star in other movies and TV shows, hadn’t gotten their big breaks yet. They weren’t famous yet.

One of my favorite anecdotes is set during this time period before the show received increased visibility. In order to build their public profile, Fischer’s agent booked a table for a few of the cast members at a restaurant known for its star clientele, the Ivy.

“What happened next is perhaps one of my favorite Angela stories ever. Still a little stung by our Ivy experience, Angela was determined to salvage a “star” moment for us. She coyly said to the photographer, “Do you know who she is? She’s Pam from The Office.” He looked at us blankly. Angela then motioned to the group. “We are the ladies of The Office.” Still nothing. Angela pushed harder. “On NBC. The Office. On NBC.” Finally, the guy’s face lit up. “Are you serious?!” But he didn’t raise his camera. Instead, he reached into his pocket and produced a business card. He said, “Here’s my card. If you ever want to tip me off on when celebrities will be out and about, I’ll give you a finder’s fee.” It took us a minute until we all collectively realized that he thought we worked IN AN OFFICE at NBC. OMG. We died.”

 

First of all, rude. (They are national treasures and seem like really nice people.) Second, that must have been so humiliating! However, they took it in stride. (Today, The Office remains a household name, with streaming giving it a second wind.) They kept at it, putting in the work and honing their craft. I wonder if they’ll ever return to that restaurant.

Some of the other major topics tackled in humorous and heartwarming detail are the famous holiday episodes and what it was like for both when their characters paired up romantically. Particularly for Fischer, being involved in the core relationship of the show: Pam and Jim (known as Jam). I enjoyed reading about the friendship that developed between Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski and how that translated into the fabulous chemistry the two show when on screen together. It sounds like Krasinski is a sweet goofball. (Not unlike Angela’s guy, Dwight, portrayed by the eccentric Rainn Wilson.)

Fischer does address the note in the teapot that Jim writes for Pam but doesn’t reproduce it word by word. The showrunners had John Krasinski write a letter basically about how important the friendship he develops with Jenna throughout the show is to him. So, Pam’s reaction on the show is very genuine, and is one of those moments where the lines between Jenna and Pam blur. (I am not upset that the letter isn’t reproduced. I get it. Some things are just too special to share, and clearly the letter means the world to Jenna.)

Overall, The Office BFFs is a good read, especially for those like me who are fans of The Office and may or may not have the series on DVD (guilty). I truly enjoyed Fischer’s and Kinsey’s perspectives on the making of the show and the shaping of their characters. This book is a must-read for Office fans or anyone who enjoys celebrity memoirs or the inner workings of television shows.

Happy reading!

--BookOwl