What has two thumbs and hates watching the "Sexual Harassment" episode of The Office? This girl.
In addition to "Diversity Day" and "Scott's Tots," of course, the second episode of Season 2, which is literally titled, "Sexual Harassment," is one of the most uncomfortable episodes of the series.
On the latest episode of the Office Ladiespodcast, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey revisited the episode through a 2019 lens, and boy did it age poorly.
The episode shows the Scranton office receiving a refresher on the company's sexual harassment policy after an upper-level manager was let go for sexual harassment. Michael tries to make light of the situation with inappropriate jokes, and things get even more out of hand when his crude pal, Todd Packer (David Koechner) stops by for a visit.
Though viewers witness a phone call between Michael and Todd Packer in Season 1, "Sexual Harassment" marks the first time we see the character on-screen. I'm sure fans will recall that he makes quite the horrific impression.
SEE ALSO:'The Office' cast sets the record straight about Jim and Pam's first kissThe episode, which is chock full of jokes about sexual harassment, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and more, isn't just an awkward rewatch for fans. Even Fischer and Kinsey felt this was one of those times when the show crossed a line.
"In rewatching this episode, Angela, I was very uncomfortable. I was more squirmy during this than 'Diversity Day,'" Fischer explained. "I think that I had forgotten how really cringey and uncomfortable the show can get sometimes. How did this show get on air?"
Fischer went on to say that the episode was soconcerning that it originally aired with a warning about adult content and subject matter. "It all came down to the word 'boner,'" she said. Writer BJ Novak fought to keep the word in the episode, so the warning ended up being the network's compromise. Even with the warning, however, one station in Kentucky still refused to air "Sexual Harassment," and clips from the episode were later used in NBC's own HR training videos to highlight how notto behave in the workplace.
Parts of the episode are genuinely painful to watch, but the two former co-stars noted that one of the reasons the cringe-factor was so high was because Koechner was such a phenomenal actor for the part.
Todd Packer and his BFF Michael Scott.Credit: screenshot / nbc / netflix"Todd Packer comes in the office and boy does Dave Koechner own a room," Fischer said. Kinsey, who spoke with Koechner about playing Todd Packer but failed to successfully record their conversation (classic Angela,) added that Koechner had originally auditioned for the part of Michael Scott.
"He knew Greg [Daniels] for years," Kinsey said. When they brought him in to read for Michael, however, Koechner said he was so obsessed with the BBC version of the show that he couldn't stop impersonating Ricky Gervais as Michael Scott.
Shortly after Koechner and Steve Carell starred in Anchormantogether, The Officeshow-runners brought him back to audition for Todd Packer and he nailed it. Koechner embodied a gross, sexist, aging frat boy frighteningly well, but he's very aware that Todd Packer's behavior sucked, and has a theory as to why Michael idolized him so much.
"[Dave] said something I thought was so sweet and just insightful into Michael," Kinsey explained. "He said, 'Oh Angela, Michael is just so innocent and naive, he's almost childlike. He doesn't get a lot of what Todd Packer is and he's like a little brother looking up to someone. Maybe somewhere down the road he'll see how inappropriate he is."
Just to be clear, innocence and childlike naivety does notexcuse a person from sexually harassing anyone or standing idly by while someone else does, but we get what Koechner is saying.
This guy.Credit: screenshot / nbc / netflixUltimately, Koechner had one important message he wanted the ladies of The Officeto share with fans. "Ange, please let everyone know I'm nothing like Todd Packer in real life," he told Kinsey.
"It's true, everyone. Dave is such a sweet, sweet, sweetheart. He's a father of five. It's gotta be hard to believe that he is not like Todd Packer for some people, but if you met him he is just the warmest, kindest gentleman," Fischer added.
You can stream episodes of The Officeon Netflixand follow along with the podcast every week on Earwolf, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher.
TopicsThe Office
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