Office Ladies Second Drink: Business Trip with Rich Sommer
May 4, 2026
Rich Sommer, actor known for Alex on The Office and Harry Crane on Mad Men, shares audition stories and on-set memories. Conversation covers filming the customer survey and plane scenes, contrasts between Mad Men and The Office production styles, and fans recognizing his role. They also unpack the Winnipeg business trip setup, deleted scenes, and Wendy McLendon-Covey’s concierge moments.
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Alex Was Trimmed After Fans Reacted
- Rich knew early on Alex might be positioned as a roadblock to Jim and Pam, and audience reaction to his art-school chemistry with Pam arrived before later scenes were filmed.
- Deleted scenes (like Tiki Bar) and rewrites removed much of Alex's arc once the creators saw fans' resistance to Pam dating anyone but Jim.
Customer Survey Day Left Rich Feeling Mortified
- On the Customer Survey shoot Rich wrestled with scaled-back direction from Stephen Merchant who wanted Alex very restrained, while Rich had been playing a more demonstrative crush.
- John Krasinski reportedly hid under a table between takes and Merchant told Rich, I don't know why you're not getting this, leaving Rich mortified that day.
Wendy's Unexpected Casting And Side Career
- Wendy McClendon-Covey auditioned without a formal callback after being fired from a movie; she landed Concierge Marie the next day and kept a side job editing an academic social work journal until 2012.
- Wendy later performed for troops in Iraq and Kuwait and remains recognized for the Office role despite limited screen time.