Phyllis Smith Movies
Fans of the comedy series The Office know Phyllis Smith as soft-spoken employee Phyllis Lapin, who's infamously mentioned a colored past in which she was once a cheerleader and a burlesque dancer. Few fans know, however, that Smith did actually do both of those jobs before she was a cast member on a hit TV show. In fact, Smith was never just a career actress; the Missouri native was always a dancer as well, receiving a full scholarship in dance to Kansas University and studying with the San Carlo Opera Company for ballet and tap. She danced ballet with the St. Louis Civic Ballet and the St. Louis Dance Theater, and cheered for the St. Louis Cardinals. She also toured with the vaudeville burlesque show Able's Baggy Pants Burlesque and the Mercer Brothers' show Giggles Galore as a dancer as well as a comedy-skit performer.Smith also received a degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri and has worked extensively in the casting industry. That was how she found herself at the auditions for The Office, where even though she wasn't auditioning, producers were so impressed with her line readings that they created a part for her. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
Love and reinvention -- sometimes touching, other times cringe-worthy -- are major themes in Season 5 of the acclaimed mockumentary that perfectly captures the petty agonies and daily lunacies of corporate America. The first episode sets up story arcs that resonate throughout the season. Repressed party-committee peon Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) reveals her scheming side by blackmailing Angela (Angela Kinsey), whom Phyllis witnessed having an interpersonal encounter of the illicit kind with Dwight (Rainn Wilson) at Season 4's end. But it's the coveted party-planning power Phyllis desires, not money. She later uses her newfound authority to plan a Moroccan-themed holiday fete that she promises will not be "your grandmother's Christmas party...unless of course she's from Morocco." A not-so-humbled Ryan (B.J. Novak) returns to Dunder Mifflin as a temporary replacement for new art-school student Pam (Jenna Fischer), and later participates in an ill-conceived business venture by dunderhead boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell). A relationship develops between Michael and new human-resources associate Holly (Amy Ryan), possibly the only person in the world who doesn't think he's an idiot. Interfering with the budding romance, however, is the cold corporate machine that is Dunder Mifflin -- not to mention Michael's very pregnant (and, according to Oscar, "certifiably insane") ex-girlfriend Jan (Melora Hardin). There's also a few surprises concerning the relationship between Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam, and Idris Elba has a deliciously deadpan seven-episode arc as Michael's new boss, a no-nonsense manager who makes Jan look like a softy. ~ All Movie Guide
Season 4 of the acclaimed mockumentary opens with the discovery that Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak) has ascended the corporate ladder from fresh-faced intern to stylishly bearded corporate chieftain. The young gun promptly exercises his authority by charging Dunder Mifflin into the digital age, an affront to technologically dull Scranton branch boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Here are the romantic "fax" of life at the office: Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) are hot, Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) and Angela Martin (Angela Kinsey) are not, and Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) and Angela are giving it a shot. A giddy Jam (Jim/Pam) proudly bring their hushed and long-delayed romance to public light, even spending an unsettling night at the Schrute family farm. Dwight confesses to killing Angela's treasured cat Sprinkles, prompting Angela to terminate their romance, which leaves tight Dwight heartbroken and miserable. Angela, in turn, falls into the arms of newest staffer Andy, but only reluctantly. As for Michael, he huffs and puffs through a 5K fun run; hopes to attend a Web-site launch party in the Big Apple; faces a ballooning personal debt; goes on a wilderness survival retreat; butts heads with desk jockey Stanley Hudson (Leslie David Baker); and travels a bumpy-road romance with high-maintenance ex-bigwig Jan Levinson (Melora Hardin), who's mired in a messy wrongful-termination lawsuit with corporate. All this doesn't stop Michael from obsessing over a model in an office-supply catalog or clubbing for "hot hotties" with Ryan in New York. As the year winds down, slumping human-resources drone Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein) decides to quit his post and move to Costa Rica. This development prompts the arrival of a new HR worker named Holly (Amy Ryan), whose sunny presence clearly begins to brighten Michael's downcast world. ~ Dean Maurer, All Movie Guide
- 2006
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Jeff Garlin, best known for his role as Larry David's manager on Curb Your Enthusiasm, has directed standup comedy specials for Jon Stewart and Denis Leary, and makes his feature-film debut with his own adaptation of his one-man stage show, I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With. Garlin stars as James, an overweight, depressed actor who does improv at Second City. James lives with his mother (Mina Kolb) and constantly cheats on his diet. His life seems to be in a downward spiral. He quits his acting job on a sleazy prank show, his girlfriend (Rebecca Sage Allen) breaks up with him, and his agent (Richard Kind) dumps him. When he visits his friend's daughter's elementary school for Career Day, he embarrasses himself in front of the attractive teacher (Bonnie Hunt) by rambling inappropriately about his personal problems in front of the kids. He hears about a Chicago-based remake of Paddy Chayefsky's Marty, one of his favorite movies, and the role he seemingly was born to play, but he can't even get an audition. One day, after giving up on Compulsive Eaters Anonymous, he seeks solace in an ice cream parlor, where he meets Beth (Sarah Silverman), who quickly wins his heart by offering him free ice cream, and asking him a sexually provocative question. But his attraction to the sexually aggressive and somewhat demented Beth may bring James more problems than it solves. The film, which features appearances by Amy Sedaris, Dan Castellaneta, Wallace Langham, Roger Bart, Paul Mazursky, David Pasquesi, and Joey Slotnick, had its world premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Garlin, Sarah Silverman, (more)
As Season 3 of The Office gets underway, Pam (Jenna Fischer) remains unable to express her feelings for Jim (John Krasinski) after the pair recently shared a kiss and now Jim has taken a promotion that means transferring to Connecticut. Michael (Steve Carell) has discovered that Oscar (Oscar Nunez) is gay, and has enlisted the aid of Dwight (Rainn Wilson) in determining who else in the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin might be homosexual. Despite the fact that Pam called off her wedding to Roy (David Denman), her ex-fiancé is determined to win her back. Later, Michael holds a special meeting to encourage others who may be gay to openly express their sexuality. In a misguided effort to sincerely express that he believes there is nothing wrong with homosexuality, Michael attempts to kiss Oscar, who is clearly uncomfortable, on the lips. After that incident, Jan (Melora Hardin) attempts to get Oscar to sign a document saying he will not sue Dunder Mifflin. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
The American TV version of the award-winning British sitcom The Office opens by establishing its faux documentary format, as Michael Scott (Steve Carell), regional manager of a branch office of Dunder-Mifflin Paper, jumps through hoops to convince the filmmakers that he presides over a happy, well-running ship. This is but one of Michael's many pathetic self-delusions: he also thinks he's the epitome of "cool," he's convinced that everything he says is a laugh riot, and even worse, he actually labors under the misapprehension that he is qualified for his job. Meanwhile, Dunder Mifflin's employees inadvertently but efficiently put the lie to Michael's self-serving prevarications: sales rep Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) continually cooks up methods to undermine his hated cube-mate, the obnoxious know-it-all Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson); receptionist Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) continually deals with Michael's insensitivities and flubs; and office temp Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak) acts mostly as an observer of the insanity around him. Some of the episodes in The Office's six-episode trial run carried over general plot ideas from the earlier British series, particularly the threat of wholesale downsizing that weaves through the various plots and subplots; however, only the pilot was a direct adaptation of one of the U.K. version's episodes. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Carell, John Krasinski, (more)
It's time to clock in for Season Two of The Office, the hilarious and witty TV-mockumentary starring Steve Carell (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) in his Golden Globe Award-winning role. From sexual politics to performance reviews to email espionage, the employees at Dunder-Mifflin are there to get the job doneâ¦or not. Join earnest but clueless boss Michael Scott (Carell), Assistant to the Regional Manager Dwight (Rainn Wilson), receptionist Pam (Jenna Fischer), sales rep Jim (John Krasinski), and the office temp, Ryan (B.J. Novak), as they make the daily grind a lot more laughable. Fully staffed with 22 outrageous episodes and hours of side-splitting bonus features, itâs the must-own collection that caused Time magazine to declare "Never has a lousy job been so much fun."
- Starring:
- Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, (more)
- 2005
Tobias gets a new home; Gob makes a video on office magic and helps George-Michael run for school office; Buster finds a new comforter, or two. ~ TV Guide, All Movie Guide
