Poker Face’s Surprise The Office Connection – and B.J. Novak’s Trippy Cameo – Explained

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In simple terms, since Rian Johnson’s “Poker Face” is currently streaming on Peacock, which is also home to the popular sitcom “The Office”, it’s not surprising that the second season of this hit murder mystery series might create a funny and intelligent link to this classic comedy.

We even get a wildly unexpected cameo from a beloved The Office star before it’s all over!

Poker Face’s The Office connection explained

In the fifth episode of the second season of Poker Face, titled “Hometown Hero,” we find Charlie (played by Natasha Lyonne) slipping into a monotonous office job, and developing a conflict with a pesky printer. The storyline reveals what sparked her unexpected fascination with a deskbound lifestyle.

Charlie shares with her CB radio companion “Good Buddy” that she recently found herself immersed in a marathon viewing of The Office, which prompted her to consider working in an office environment – something she hadn’t seriously considered during her travels. Unfortunately, her job doesn’t provide much social interaction, as she is the sole employee in the office.

In my gaming journey, just like in real life, destiny seems to have a knack for guiding me. This time, it was a stray home run from a neighboring minor league ballpark that hit me square on the head, leaving me momentarily unconscious. After regaining consciousness and having a chat with the team’s owner, I found myself drawn into the heartwarming atmosphere of a small-town baseball team, signing up as their new ball girl. The job isn’t too demanding; it’s all about relaxing beyond the foul line, munching on hot dogs, and occasionally snagging a wayward ball when it comes my way.

Similar to many of Charlie’s escapades, tranquility is often disrupted by an enigmatic demise. In this instance, several team members, spearheaded by Simon Rex (known for Red Rocket and Blink Twice) as the once-great pitcher who has lost his speed, conspire to wager against themselves for a substantial reward. To guarantee their loss, they intentionally throw five consecutive games for a payout worth millions.

As a gamer, It turns out our new rookie pitcher is quite skilled, even after pranks involving acid-laced Big League Chew bubble gum. However, when they hatched their plan to take him out, they decided to throw a fastball straight at his head during practice. They staged the incident to look like an accident with a pitching machine, but Charlie, our resident detective among us players, quickly picked up on the fishy details.

B.J. Novak’s Poker Face cameo explained

However, prior to solving the case, Charlie chews a piece of gum and unintentionally embarks on a partially-animated hallucinatory journey. During this trip, she envisions herself encountering the former proprietor of the minor league team, the Montgomery Cheesemongers. At first, the team owner appears animated, yet the voice is instantly recognizable to any fan of “The Office”.

Switching perspectives now, I find myself in a live-action scene with none other than B.J. Novak from “The Office” stepping into the frame. Known for his role as Ryan Howard, he offers me some wise counsel, urging me to rally the team and cherish the found family I’ve come across during this journey.

Despite Charlie having just finished watching “The Office,” the appearance of Novak isn’t specifically mentioned, but it subtly references Charlie’s recent TV-watching spree, as her character experiences an ‘acid trip’ and falls unconscious in the press box for the evening, playfully hinting at Charlie’s current viewing habits.

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2025-05-22 17:46