Talk about 'The Office': Feb. 5 episode

Inflating brown balloons. Romancing Squeaky Frome. Calling someone "Shirty."

These things could only happen on The Office, and we saw them all on last night's episode. An old character provided some closure for Pam, and maybe next week another familiar face will do the same for Michael.

What did you think of the ep? Did you like the way Andy's Feist-y subplot played out? What about Kelly and her forgotten birthday? What do you hope happens during next week's road trip?

Feel free to share your comments, though warn us if you post any spoilers about upcoming episodes. If you missed it, you can catch up on Hulu.

Talk about 'The Office': Post-Super Bowl episode

Guest stars galore! Jim-Pam drama! Creed being Creed!

Last night The Office pulled out all the stops for its post-Super Bowl special, and I think it was my favorite episode of the season. How can you deny the power of Cloris Leachman's bare skin and an angry Stanley montage?

What do you think: Did it live up to the hype? What was your favorite moment/line? (Though I loved watching Angela tossing her cat, Dwight's dummy mask takes the cake.)

Share your thoughts in the comments. If you missed the hourlong episode, watch it online.

Talk about 'The Office': Jan. 22 episode

Last night's episode of The Office teamed Michael and Dwight on a sinister mission to infiltrate Prince Family Paper. It also featured a secondary storyline involving Hilary Swank, which, according to one recap, "felt more like an extended Saturday Night Live sketch than a truly organic storyline."

Vulture also says it was a "'blah' 30 minutes" and hopes the post-Super Bowl ep will be better. Critic Alan Sepinwall says "that's two episodes in a row where the Michael plot wasn't nearly as much fun as what was happening back at the office."

What did you think of the episode? Were you disappointed with this week's storylines, or could you identify with a daylong "Hot or not?" office debate? Feel free to share your thoughts, and don't forget about that post-Super Bowl ep on Sunday. (Here's a clip -- guests include Jack Black, Jessica Alba and Cloris Leachman.)

As for last night's Office episode, you can catch it online.

Make your own 'Office' attire

When I attended the Office Convention last year in Scranton, Pa., I spotted quite a few homemade T-shirts. Those folks might do well in a new contest on NBC.com, which is calling for fans' original T-shirt designs.

Go there now to read the rules and upload a creation. The grand-prize winner will have his/her shirt sold in the NBC Store and receive 10 free shirts. (They'll also get some swag like Dunder Mifflin shot glasses, Dwight Bobblehead golf balls, a star mug set and more.)

The deadline for submissions is Jan. 29. Good luck, and let us know if your design makes the finals.

Talk about 'The Office': Dec. 11 episode

Last night offered a chance for several minor characters to shine on The Office: First there was Meredith, who became the unfortunate object of a Michael Scott intervention. Then there was Phyllis, who shocked everyone with her revelation.

As for poor Toby, he just can't catch a break. And what lies ahead for Angela and Andy?

Feel free to discuss the ep in the comments. As always, you can watch online, and NBC.com has posted a deleted scene.

Finally, a website has popped up for the Princess Unicorn doll. Her horn can pierce the sky, you know ... and your skin.

Talk about 'The Office': Dec. 4 episode

Chairs or a copier? Dwight or Andy? This week's episode of The Office was all about choices, even if they weren't very new or exciting ones.

What was your favorite moment? (I vote for the manure in the kitchen, though I'm a sucker for physical humor.) What do you think of the Jim-Pam relationship this season, and where is the Angela-Andy-Dwight situation headed?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, though warn us if you post a spoiler for an upcoming episode. If you missed it, catch up on Hulu. Over on Andy and Angela's wedding website, you can watch Andy's video tour of Schrute Farms.

Talk about 'The Office': Nov. 20 episode

Pricey basil. Scary clowns. Dirty microwaves.

This doesn't sound like your typical episode of The Office -- nor does it sound like a particularly enticing one. Most of the action focused on a character we thought had left the show, while a subplot involved the increasingly boring Jim and Pam.

Share your thoughts about the episode in the comments. Did the resolution to the Jim/Pam story surprise you? Are you happy to have Toby back in the mix? What did you think of the scenes with Ryan?

You can also watch episodes on Hulu and new webisodes on NBC.com.

Talk about 'The Office': Nov. 13 episode

Last night's episode of The Office posed so many questions. For example, where can one find good times in Winnipeg? Do two suns shine over Dunder Mifflin's Scranton office? And what is Angela's problem?

If you saw the episode, feel free to discuss it in the comments. Once again, we saw a major development in the Jim/Pam saga (are we still interested in this?), and Ryan and Kelly even got a few scenes of their own. Meanwhile, up in Winnipeg, Oscar -- one of my favorite minor characters -- bonded with Andy, who is far more tolerable when he keeps his distance from Angela.

If you want to watch online, head to Hulu. In related news, Melora Hardin has snagged a role in Broadway's Chicago. Also, the NBC Store is now selling the hilarious star mugs from last week's episode.

Talk about 'The Office': Nov. 6 episode

A Bluetooth. A beet farm. A boss with ... leftover guacamole.

Last night's episode of The Office focused a lot on the Pam/Jim scene, which has changed pretty drastically since last season. We also saw a few good scenes with Dwight and Jim, and Angela and Andy may have finally found a suitable wedding scenario.

What did you think of the episode? Are you still pulling for Pam and Jim? (Frankly, I may be more interested in Rich Sommer's character right now. Who can resist Harry Crane?) Do you like single Michael? Are good things ahead for Dwight?

Feel free to leave your comments, criticisms and predictions in the comments, though warn us if you post a spoiler about an upcoming episode. Go to Hulu to watch the episode online.

Update: NBC.com has added a deleted scene from last night's episode, and they've also posted a preview from an upcoming batch of webisodes, which launch Nov. 20.

Novak breaks from 'Basterds' for laughs

Pop reader Duane J. e-mailed me this morning to say he and his wife met Office star B.J. Novak last night in Indianapolis.

Novak did a stand-up gig in the city, and Duane says the actor/writer "was really cool, definitely polite and seemed very appreciative of fan support."

He adds, "His stand-up act was pretty funny, but his performance lasted less than an hour. He said he had been shooting a movie in Germany and that it was the first night of his tour, so maybe that was a factor in his brevity."

That movie Novak is referring to is Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. It also stars Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Samm Levine and Cloris Leachman. (Wouldn't you just love to be a fly on the wall between takes?)

Novak performs at the New York Comedy Festival Nov. 9 with some of his friends, including The Office's Mindy Kaling.