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« Kate's Office Blog
Emerging from the Strike FOG....
Welcome back, everyone! I know, I know. Long time no see. I guess you are aware that there was a strike. A very strange and frantic strike. But now it’s over. It is behind us and it is now time for the drunken redhead to move forward and face the world again. To say that I have missed you all terribly is an understatement. The strike was an altered state. A constant off-balance feeling. A "FOG," which stands for “Freakin’ Opportunity for Growth”.
I had my doubts and fears like anybody on TV who used to wait tables for 20 years. I have been busy performing, picketing, auditioning, working with a singing coach, getting political, doing some charity events, waving in a parade and just plain worrying.
I’ve just returned from Minneapolis with the very funny and talented Mr. Brian Baumgartner. We were the judges for Last Comic Standing there. We had a ball. Angela [Kinsey] and Oscar [Nunez] did the same thing in L.A. It was interesting sitting through all that stand-up. I think I was a bit of a Paula Abdul to Brian’s Simon Cowell. He was tougher than I was. I just hate telling people "No," especially on TV. I was pleasantly surprised by the talent. There were some truly funny folks (and a few scary ones, too).The town really rolled out the blue carpet, like one big sheet of ice. It was darn cold. A balmy 11 degrees below zero! We went to some crazy outdoor ice bar that had a fire pit a few feet away, just to really confuse your body. The people in that town couldn’t be nicer. Brian and I had fun partying and coat shopping. (Don’t ask.) I bought a copy of Steve Martin’s new book, Born Standing Up,to keep me in the right mood. (It’s a great read!)
I need you all to forgive me for not writing more during the strike. In the beginning I was picketing and doing my part. I got to sing with Creed [Bratton] and the Scrantones. We sang some Pete Seeger union songs and some other famous faces stopped by to join us, including Lily Tomlin. Someone made a short that included clips from that day called "Which Side Are You On?" It’s on YouTube. I was in the Laguna Beach Holiday Parade, and Christmas came and went with no solution, and then January felt like the longest yard. I went to Mazatlan to Estella del Mar for their charity golf event. It was great! I don’t really golf so I felt like a rodeo clown. Just puttin’! The club raises money to further educate the local children of Mazatlan who don’t normally get past a sixth grade education. College es mui bien. (Did I say that right?) Golfers know how to party. I think golfers are just alcoholics with money and sticks. And what is wrong with that?
Estrella Del Mar is famous for the Coco Loco, a drink that will knock you into next week, in a good way. They put it in a coconut right off the tree! Unreal.
It wasn’t until the SAG Awards that I had a reality check. The reality that The Office would one day return! How bizarre that a surreal glam, star studded award show is my reality check. I borrowed a beautiful gold dress from designer Dina Barrell and jewelry from Erica Courtney. The L.A. Times picked me as "HAPPIEST NOT TO BE WEARING A MUMU." What ever that means. Winning was amazing but it was mostly great to just to see everyone in our cast again, all together. Steve [Carell] was in the middle of jury duty that week. The hardest working man in show business finally had a little down time, but I think the government decided he wasn’t busy enough so they put him to work. I am sure he would make a good juror. He’s a good listener. You have to listen well to be a good actor. Steve’s new movie, Horton Hears a Who, is coming out soon. Go see it!
Angela, Ed Helms, Oscar and I did a special IO West benefit for the people hurt by the WGA Strike, with Kate Walsh. It was a really fun improv show. Angela was out there, all pregnant and what not. They were all very funny! We may do another show next month like that. Kate Walsh has been campaigning for Barack Obama and she invited me to the rally after the debate before super Tuesday. He was amazing. I don’t want to talk you into anything, but consider this man for president. He is quite a presence. I was very impressed and I felt a real sense of hope.
The Lampshades, my comedy act had shows coming up next month and hopefully a new video in the works. The Lampshades have a show March 1st and 15th at the Improv Olympic West in Hollywood, and March 6th at the Steve Allen Theater with Rudy Casoni. Go to TheLampshades.com.
OK — I will see the Office family very soon and we will make some new magic. Thanks for hanging in there. Thanks for all the support. Thanks for good thoughts. Hope you are not sick of reruns by now.
The Office will return! Life will go on.
The drunken redhead in the corner will return.
Cheers!
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Feb 26, 2008 5:16 PM
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Glad you had a good time in Minnesota. Sorry it was so cold when you were here! Nice to read your blog again. I can't wait for the show to return!
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Feb 27, 2008 8:46 AM
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I think you're really funny, but do you have to stump for Obama here? I mean, it's no big surprise that you support him - 99% of Hollywood seems to. It's just that sometimes it's nice to read somethng just for entertainment and we are so deluged with politics, that this is the last place I want to read about it!
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Feb 27, 2008 12:48 PM
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So glad to have you back. I really enjoy your columns (blogs)! I'll really be happy to see The Office when it returns.
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Feb 27, 2008 3:33 PM
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So happy to have your blog back, Kate. It's going to be fantastic to hear the dish when the lights are back on at DM-Scranton.
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Feb 28, 2008 6:30 AM
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Six weeks from today will be the new Office episode and I couldn't be any happier. Good to have you back, Kate AND Meredith. I've missed you both. 
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Feb 28, 2008 7:09 AM
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Yay! The drunken redhead is back! Please keep your shirt on though, don't get too excited =) I'm glad you guys are back and I can't wait for the new episodes of The Office.
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Feb 28, 2008 8:47 AM
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While I'll never get sick of The Office reruns, I can't wait to have new episodes to watch! They will actually be the first new episodes that I've gotten to watch air for the first time!!! I never knew of the show until the strike was already going on. Now it is safe to say I'm obsessed. I have all the DVDs and watch every Office related ANYTHING I can get my hands on! I think I'm going to take my 2 year old for her first trip to the movie theater to see Horton Hears a Who!
Oh, and I loved this line, " I think golfers are just alcoholics with money and sticks." I'll have to tell that to my dad.
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Feb 28, 2008 9:12 AM
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Hopefully you'll be performing a show or two after the 15th (i'll be in LA).
And more importantly did Buck Star of the Buck Star show appear at the auditions? They never let that guy through.
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Feb 28, 2008 9:32 AM
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Hi Kate..sure missed you guys..so glad the show is back and the strike is OVER!!
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Feb 28, 2008 12:41 PM
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Hey Kate! I'm glad you were able to enjoy the legendary "Minnesota Nice" and our lovely weather. You all should come back in the summer when it's warm and you can go out and enjoy one of our 10,000+ lakes.
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Feb 28, 2008 1:43 PM
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Kate, so very wonderful to read your latest update! I can't tell you how much I've missed the Office crew--words cannot express. I feel like a junkie in need of a fix. Can't wait for April 10th! xo
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Feb 28, 2008 3:43 PM
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I could NEVER get sick of rerun of The Office...but I can't wait for all of you to return! Have fun!
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Feb 28, 2008 3:54 PM
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Welcome back, you drunken redhead! I can't wait for a new episode of the Office.
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Feb 29, 2008 12:18 PM
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Yea, you're back!!! Sounds like you had some neat experiences over the strike, I'm glad. One of these days I'm going to make it out to LA for your improv show and I can't wait for the new episodes...woo hoo!!!
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Feb 29, 2008 6:43 PM
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