Jenna Fischer Says a One-Phrase Improv ‘Received Me’ on ‘The Workplace’

Jenna Fischer landed her career-defining position with only a single phrase.

In a latest sit-down with Dana Carvey and David Spade on their “Fly on the Wall Podcast,” Fischer broke down how she acquired the a part of Pam Beesly, who all through 9 seasons of “The Workplace,” grew to become one of the iconic characters in tv historical past.

“I had been auditioning for [casting director] Allison [Jones] for about 5 years earlier than ‘The Workplace,’” Fischer mentioned. “When it was time for her to forged ‘The Workplace,’ I had a ok relationship along with her that I may say, ‘Hey Allison, do you will have any recommendation? I really need this one.’ And she or he mentioned, ‘My recommendation is don’t are available trying sizzling. Don’t are available all completed up.’”

Fischer continued, “After which she mentioned, ‘We’re going to have you ever improvise throughout the audition and my recommendation is: Dare to bore me.’”

Though she thought it unusual on the time, Fischer held this piece of recommendation shut as she went into her audition. And fortunately she did, as a result of the observe grew to become the crux of her successful efficiency.

As a part of the tryout, showrunner Greg Daniels requested Fischer questions as if she have been in considered one of “The Workplace” confessionals.

“I had that observe in my head, and he mentioned, ‘Do you want being a receptionist right here?’ And I simply paused and I mentioned nothing,” Fischer recalled. “After which I mentioned, ‘No.’ And that’s all I mentioned.”

“I believed it might be funnier to observe me consider all of the issues I wasn’t going to say than to say any of them,” she added. “She’s like a deeply trustworthy individual, so she will’t lie and say she does prefer it, however she’s additionally not going to say anymore.”

Though it was “so scary” going with such an abrupt response, Fischer mentioned Daniels later advised her it was the second that “acquired me the job.”