Part 2: Dissecting an Episode

Now you are going to dissect an episode of the podcast. This is the background
research you will need to do so you are ready to create your own podcast.  This is to
continue to help you start thinking as podcasters in the same way that a writer thinks
about short stories or a guitarist thinks about a song. 
Your Task:  Answer the following questions to give background on the podcast you like.
Create a document and embed it to Podcast Episode Page (Sub-Page of the
Communication Unit Page)

1. What is the structure of the podcast? 

1. How does the host start the episode, introduce themselves and the
topic, the interviewee, etc.?

Each episode follows the same structure. The episode begins with their jingle
and introduction. They will usually chat for a few minutes about what is going on
in their personal lives. Then Jenna reads a short synopsis of the ‘Office’ episode
being reviewed. Next, Jenna reads her ‘fast facts’ where she throws out quick
unknown facts, like special notes from the writers or producers. Angela has
notecards that she writes timestamps on throughout her rewatch, often pointing
out bloopers or things in the background that no one noticed. They take a break
for an ad in the middle of the episode and then they come back with a guest
interview from someone involved in the show whether that be a costar or
someone from hair and makeup. Last, they hold a Q & A from listeners who
turned in questions via social media. They then close out each episode with the
outro jingle.

2. What is the meat or content of the episode?

The content of the episode is really Jenna’s fast facts and Angela’s notecards.
These behind the scenes tidbits make rewatching The Office fun for even the
most diehard fans. You will always learn something new about the show.

3. How does the host conclude the episode?

By the end of the podcast episode, they have analyzed the final scenes of the tv
episode. They then conclude by thanking the audience, guest and the producers
and engineers at Earwolf.

2. What is the relationship between the host and guest?

The relationship between host and guest is that they were both involved in the tv
show in some way. This could be costars, producers, writers, hair and makeup,
casting directors, or anyone relevant to that episode.
3. What asides, digressions, personal information does the host share?

Jenna and Angela will usually catch viewers up with what they are doing
during the COVID pandemic, like Jenna’s baking and Angela’s husband and
kids. They will also usually mention their previous jobs before being cast in
The Office, because they both worked in a real office as admins.

4. How does the host invite the audience to participate?

Jenna and Angela will ask the audience to send in questions for a Q&A either
via Twitter or Instagram. They then answer them on air.

5. What is the host hoping to accomplish through the interview?

When they have a guest star, they are hoping to add another perspective of
that week’s episode by someone with an outside view, like a producer who
had to go to extra lengths to secure a set or make a certain prop.

6. What is the tone of the podcast? How about the audio (sound, special effects)
aspects?

The tone of the podcast is friendly and very upbeat. The intro and outro
jingles are written by Creed Bratton, another castmate of The Office. They
also have mini-jingles for Jenna’s fast facts and Angela’s notecards, which
fans created for them and they used.

7. What could be educational about this podcast?

If someone were interested in television production or aspired to be an actor,

they would learn a lot from this podcast because the hosts go in-depth with
how the show is shot, how many cameras, how many takes to get the perfect
shot, early call times and how much things cost on the show. Plus, it explains
how much of the show is shot versus how much makes it to the final cut.
Even someone studying comedy to be a comedian could learn about comedic
timing and delivery as the hosts explain what made such a famous show work
so well.