Hey, it's Brian Baumgartner! I portrayed Kevin Malone (accounting guru and chili master) on NBC's The Office and I'm here today to discuss my new podcast, “An Oral History of The Office", Ask Me Anything!

How often do you get mistaken for Ashton Kutcher?

serious note: which office character do you relate with the most in your real life

All the time.

Hmmmmm.... Meredith?

Did you have to nail the "Kevin's famous chili" scene in one take? or were there multiple spills that had to occur to get it right?

They call me Mr One Take.

Did you have fun? I did. Thanks a lot guys. I would like to do this again soon as I missed a lot of questions. Thanks to so many of you for your support for An Oral History of The Office. It premieres next Tuesday!!!!! July 14.

Hi Brian! My question is, what scene in The Office did you find the hardest not to break character in?

HELLO.... everyone..... I am here.

For me- 2 scenes.

1) When Kevin sits on Michael's lap as Santa. 2) When Holly helps Kevin at the vending machine.

What’s your personal favorite episode of The Office?

Diversity Day. Stress Relief. Christmas Party.

Why say lot word when few word do trick?

agree.

Hey ! Lets be honest how many takes did it take to make those 4-5 hoops in a row at the end of the episode where the office plays a basketball game against the warehouse?

1 FUCKING TAKE. And it was 13 in a row. Check the DVD...

BTW- what's a DVD...

So excited for the podcast. How will your podcast differ from the Office Ladies podcast? Thanks!

It is TOTALLY different. Jenna and Angela participated in mine. Both sat down with me for extensive interviews. An Oral History of The Office - you will hear all voices in episodes. So the interviews have been edited and combined to tell one full story- from beginning through to today.

Have you gotten the patent for tissue box shoes yet?

Woerking on it. Kleenex is a bitch.

How did the Kevin voice come about? In the first season, your character talks normally but later on your character takes on his classic voice. Did you start doing it, or did the writers/producers suggest it, and if so, who suggested it?

It was a progression. Based on HOW the writers started writing Kevin. It came from me... and my nerdy/ actory justification has always been... Kevin was shy with the cameras around in the beginning, and as he became more comfortable- more of his true self came out.

Hey Brian! Was it difficult to work with Angela Kinsey because she is the exact opposite of her character in real life? Was it hard to take her seriously?

She is EXACTLY like her character. What you see from her now (pretending to be chipper and positive) is the best acting ever.

Do people who starred on The Office binge The Office too?

About a year ago I sat down and watched it for the first time start to finish since I had watched them all when they aired. And for the podcast- I watched most episodes again. So I guess so!

How do you feel about Kevin Office tattoos? Because I have one. Kleenex shoes

I'm literally on you. That is awesome.

Who was the funniest person on set? And why was it creed?

Me. And damn you.

What numerical value would you equate to a Klevin?

It's Kelevin!

And I'm not sure but it will get you home by 7.

Are you still friends with anyone from the office cast? If so who are you closest with?

I hate them all.

Joke. Yes we are all still tight, and the ones I hadn't seen in a while because they now live elsewhere, like John- it was great to see everyone while I was putting together this podcast.

Was the chili in the office actual chili? And was there extra that people could eat? (Because, u know, it’s great)

It was actual chili. And of course it was delicious. But no. no extra.

What was your favorite episode/scene you did?

I'll give u one guess...

We all know what Kevin Malone does best. What does Brian Baumgartner do best?

Host Podcasts. Obviously. Especially easy when I have a bunch of nice old friends who decided to come on and help out.

What was your favourite moment while working in The Office?

Hmmmmm.... care to guess?

Hey Brian! Thanks for taking time to do this AMA. You’re one of my fave characters on The Office, and I was pleasantly surprised seeing you as a guest star on Criminal Minds a while back.

My question is: I’ve seen headlines that Leslie David Baker just reached crowdfunding for an Office spin-off titled “Uncle Stan”. Will you be making an appearance, and are there any other spin-offs/prequels you’d like to explore? I feel like picking up where Ryan + Kelly left off for the series finale has potential

Thanks for the question. I don't know what is going on with Leslie's project right now.

But The Accountants has always seemed interesting to us. The Accountants.

What are your hobbies and how do you balance them between work, family, etc.?

Easy. Golf. Love it. It is how I shut off my brain and focus singularly on something outdoors.

Was it ever bothersome to let your own physicality become Kevin’s physicality, occasionally as a bit of a laughingstock?

Not at all. I am Kevin. Kevin is me. But also- not at all.

Hey Brian- just started listening to The Ladies of the Office podcast, and I'm excited to listen to yours as well.

It sounds like you, Angela, and Oscar got to spend a lot of the time on the set pretending to work and having fake conversations. What were some of your favorite things to talk about with each other, while the show was filming?

My favorite part of our characters was the triangle. Oscar and Kevin VS Angela. Angela and Oscar VS Kevin. THe constantly shifting dynamic depending on whether it was work or funtime.

What was the best improvised scene on the office?

Michael and Dwight Halloween with the head on the shoulders and Dwight AS SYTH LORD

Is it difficult to get parts post-Office, since you’re universally known as Kevin from the Office?

Thank you for countless laugh out loud moments Mr. Baumgartner!

I have tried to be selective on what parts I take... I have a few film roles coming out soon that are very different.

Hey Brian! You may know of the crazy conspiracy theory that Kevin Malone is a genius. So, was Kevin Malone a genius? Was he Jan’s sperm donor? Or was he Ashton Kutcher? Thank you for taking your time to read these! I can’t wait for the podcast!

I HAVE HEARD THIS THEORY. This was born from Reddit right??? I, unfortunately, do NOT think it is true.

But yes- I like to think he was Jan's donor.

Do you make good chili in real life?

Absofreakinglutely.

My daughters ask, do you really love M&M’s?

Due to a pending legal issue I decline to answer.

(But tell her yes. The peanut ones.)

What did you think about the flanderization of Kevin, slowly transferring from a lazy slightly perverted worker to someone completely incompetent and rather, stupid I guess you could say?

It was tricky. Because Kevin wasn't Keith from the British Office. But he was born out of Keith. As the writers kept writing for Kevin over 200 episodes... he developed.

Do you get recognized in public often? If so, does it ever get old?

In part it is why I created this podcast. ALL OF US ACTORS realized... the show is bigger now than it ever was, even when we were the most watched show on NBC.

Most people are great. But it's never fun to be interrupted mid bite at dinner to be asked to take a picture.

How did working in The Office impact you as a person?

It changed absolutely everything about my life.

Obviously The Office is a classic, but what other TV shows would you say are your personal favorites/I should check out if I love the Office?

P.S. I have you adorable Kevin spilling chili tshirt you advertised on Insta last fall and am so in love with it so thank you!

P.S.S. Can't wait to check your new thing out!!!

Thanks for the comment!

For comedy- I am personally into Shitt's Creek right now. But I'm still early in the series. Catching up.

Hey Brian! What was it really like working with James Spader? From the book “The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s” it gave off the impression that he was extremely difficult to work with. Did you have any negative experiences working with him/stories you could share of your time with him?

I love James. It was an honor to work with him. He was put in a difficult spot having to come in and in some people's minds... "replace Steve". I have not read the book. It was written- you understand- by someone who was NOT on the inside. And he did not interview the majority of people who were on or worked on the show. He found old interviews and simply interpreted quotes. For example- it appears as though I was interviewed for the book. I was not. Every quote he attributed to me was something I said at some point- but not to him. And potentially taken out of context. An Oral History of The Office was created in part in response to the book you refer to. We wanted to tell our own story.

Which cast member from the office do you keep in touch with most?

Angela. And Oscar. And Rainn. And Jenna Kate John Steve Creed etc etc etc... I saw them all for the podcast and it was awesome.

What’s your favourite TV show that isn’t The Office?

All time? The Sopranos.

Have you actually been in a band? Curious what instruments you might play!

I play nothing well. It is a disappointment. So clearly not in a band. Ed and Craig are amazing musicians.

How will your podcast compare to Office Ladies? Any plans on a podcast crossover with them?

First part answered above. But YES... Jenna and Angela were interviewed for Oral History. I will be appearing on an Office Ladies soon. We waited for me to be on there until this was announced and premiered so we could talk about both together. I have been working on this podcast since last year. We had over 100 hours of interviews we had to cut down to craft the story.

Hey Brian!

I adore your work in The Office and you inspire me every single day. I cannot wait for the podcast. My question is.. Even 15 years after the release of the show, we are still getting a lot of new information. Office Ladies, The book, Etc. With all that, are there any new secrets left for us in your podcast? 😅

Lots. This is the first time we ALL sat down together to tell our story. It was partly in RESPONSE to the book... we wanted someone from the inside to tell our story.

Hey Brian! Thanks for doing this!

Are there any props from the set/your desk that you were able to keep? Or is there you wish you could have kept?

Also, I live in Myrtle Beach, SC where Hootie and the blowfish host the “Monday after the Masters” charity golf tournament, I’ve made it my mission to get you invited to the next one, would you go?

I have my nameplate. A football from my desk we used to throw around between takes (and get yelled at by the First AD). And the jar of M&Ms.

I wish I had taken a Dundie.

Oh my god yes, thank you so much for doing this. So I have always wondered, during the basketball scrimmage episode there is a short clip of you shooting the basketball and it is such a smooth jumper. Have you played basketball a lot growing up? And what is your favorite team if you have one? Also, thoughts on who will win the NBA Finals this year if it is happening?

Much love stay safe Kevin/Brian, you sweet sweet soul

I played basketball when i was younger yes. Lakers are my team and I think they have a real shot this year.

Is there any part of Kevin's character which you improvised?

quite a bit. Go to most moments in which a scene ends w Kevin.

Hey Brian, I'm looking forward with great excitement to your new podcast!

What was (one of) your favorite moment(s) playing Kevin? And did you ever co-write/write a episode, like we Mindy or B.J.?

Have an awesome day! Cheers, Simon from Denmark

Thanks!

Well, ok, I have to now answer... The Chili Spill.

I didn't write, but I Directed.

What is the very best cheese?

Chedder

Are you as good at poker as kevin?

Yes. But I gave it up for golf. Those are 2 hobbies that both take a lot of time.

Hello Brian! I have two questions, one office related and one not office related.

1. Who did you base the character of Kevin off of?

2. I am just starting out learning how to play golf, any tips or tricks I should know?

Thank you for your time!

1) Kevin was a creation based on nobody.

2) Love this for you. Enjoy it. It is my favorite thing to do to clear my mind. Beat tip I ever got was- avoid added shots. Water. Multiple shots out of the bunkers. Extra chips. If you focus on not giving away those things- score will improve. Good luck

Hello Brian! My question, we all have heard of the picture that was taken after the show's shooting ended where you all just cried out. Could you tell us more about that please?

It was the end for some of us of a decade working together. They are my family. It's hard in the end. (That's what she said.)

What is your favorite way to spend your free time?

Golf.

Hey Brian! Rewatching the show right now so this is great timing. How did the character and voice of Kevin evolve over the years, and did anyone or anything in particular inspire it?

thanks. Answered above.

Packers fan and wisconsinite here! What made you become a Packers fan and knowing Aaron Rodgers, did you get to interact with him when he was on the office in season 9?

We have played a lot of golf together over the years. Fun fact- we were friends before and I got him to do the show.

Hi Brian, just wanted to say that Kevin has always been and will always be my favorite character in The Office. You also did a cameo for my friend's birthday a few days back and it was glorious so thank you for that.

Couple of random questions:

What is your current favorite gadget in your house?

Watermelons or cantelopes and why?

How spicy should chili be?

Favorite cocktail?

Golf clubs. I DON"T EAT MELON. As spicy as you like it. CROWN.

Hi Brian! What is your favorite episode? Also did you know how to play the drums before playing in the show or did you learn for the show?? Thank you :))

I had never played the drums in my life before. I'm not sure if I even do now...