Key Takeaways
- The episode
- The Deposition
- detailed Michael Scott's disastrous testimony in Jan's lawsuit against Dunder Mifflin.
- Behind-the-scenes insights were provided on the ping pong subplot featuring Jim, Darryl, and Kelly's
Deep Dive
- Kelly Kapoor's taunts to Pam Beesly during the ping pong game were inspired by Avril Lavigne's song
- A previously unused storyline for the episode involved
- Michael Scott dramatically used a post-it note from Pam as an excuse to end a phone call.
- Pam initiated this practice because Michael enjoyed receiving any calls, using it as an exit strategy.
- The sticky notes, including a hot dog drawing, were created by showrunner Greg Daniels and the props department.
- Dunder Mifflin's corporate reception area, featuring plants and orchids, was reused as the deposition room set.
- The ping pong match between Jim and Darryl in the warehouse was filmed with an actual game rather than CGI.
- Filming the ping pong scene presented continuity challenges and sound interference with dialogue.
- Michael Scott's
- Actress Valerie Ross, playing the stenographer, was praised for her comedic and realistic performance.
- Ross has an extensive dramatic acting background and improv training from Second City.
- The hosts noted her portrayal enhanced the comedy of
- Michael Scott's personal journal was introduced as evidence in Jan's lawsuit.
- Entries detailed his relationship with Jan in Jamaica, written in an immature style, causing him embarrassment.
- The journal described having sex with Jan multiple times, contrasting with her claim of a one-time mistake.
- Jan's premeditated use of the journal was noted, with Toby instructed to make 11 copies.
- Corporate cafeteria scenes were filmed at the Universal Studios Commissary, requiring the entire space to be rented for a day.
- Michael Scott, feeling pressured by Jan's lawsuit, pushed Toby's lunch tray onto the floor.
- This moment was improvised by Steve Carell and ultimately kept in the episode.
- Later, Jan's post-relationship performance review harshly recommended Michael's termination.
- Hosts Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, along with Mindy Kaling, pretended to be poor at ping pong for the show.
- John Krasinski, a skilled player, downplayed his abilities on screen.
- The validity of the term