Read an oral history of The Office's Kevin dropping the chili

[TMC]

https://tv.avclub.com/it-s-a-fine-li...d-t-1846768015

"The under-a-minute cold open became instantly iconic in a way that no one, especially not those who worked on the show, ever imagined," says Saloni Gajjar of the April 30, 2009 "Casual Friday" episode. "It is the simplest of gags, really. A man excitedly brings the dish he cooks best to his workplace but ends up making a huge mess. It’s an ultimate act of physical comedy that (Brian) Baumgartner pulled off like a pro. The short scene is such a fan favorite that it’s no wonder his face is now synonymous with chili." Baumgartner says of the scene: "It’s an interesting show because the relationship with the camera is always mapped out. It’s a weird dichotomy because unlike most TV shows, we didn’t have marks on the floor on The Office, so it doesn’t look too perfect. This was a stylistic choice. But for this scene, there was a lot of detail on exactly how I would go in. Six steps in, I turn the corner and two steps in, I take a left, or something like that. If I’m close to Dwight and Jim’s area, then the camera cannot see it well and you also don’t want it too far back by the door."