Jenna Fischer recently shared insights into her audition process for the iconic role of Pam Beesley on the popular television series, The Office. In a recent interview on the ‘Fly on the Wall’ podcast, Dana Carvey and David Spade welcomed a truly scintillating discussion. She shared how a simple bit of improvisation led her to create her indelible character.
Fischer said that her approach to the audition felt very different from previous guidance she’d gotten—which included advice like, “Don’t wear anything crazy. Typically, she was told to present herself as a character who was appealing, often described in terms like “you’re playing a pediatric nurse, but like hot.” This go-around, she received special encouragement from casting director Allison Jones. Allison empowered her much bolder vision though!
Her advice was: ‘We’re going to have you improvise during the audition and my advice is: Dare to bore me,’ Fischer recounted. This oddball idea would prove to be the thing that made Fischer most nervous — and most excited. When she performed her audition alongside showrunner Greg Daniels, he posed an open-ended question: “Do you like being a receptionist here?”
For that one moment, Fischer was living the improvised dream. “I had that note in my head and he said, ‘Do you like being a receptionist here?’ And I just paused and I said, nothing,” she shared. After a brief silence, she added, “And then I said, ‘No.’ And that’s all I said.” This bold choice to lean into the quiet and truthful moments proved compelling to Daniels and eventually won her the part.
Fischer had developed a great working relationship with new Allison Jones. That sort of connection became crucial to her when she was looking for advice while casting The Office. Looking back on this experience, she said that it became a turning point in her career.
As we revealed recently, Greg Daniels subsequently confirmed the effect of her improv. He explained to Fischer how this moment had qualified her for the job. Their collaboration opened an interesting and complex new chapter in her career.
