Brian Baumgartner (Kevin Malone) Tells Us What It Was Really Like To Spill That Chili on “The Office”

On today's Pardon My Take... Brian Baumgartner! The man you know as Kevin from "The Office" joined Mr. Cat and Mr. Commenter to discuss everything from this popular show, a bunch of sports topics, and more. If you know one thing about Kevin, it's that he spilled that chili in that iconic scene. What were the behind the scenes of that like? Baumgartner explains:

Mr. Commenter: One of the all-time, most incredible GIFs is Kevin spilling the chili. You spilled the chili, I've always wondered how long it actually took to clean up that mess, and if they just redid the carpet after that. Because you can't get chili out of a carpet. 

Brian Baumgartner: First time anyone has ever thought or considered that, so very well done. You know, we did a lot of prep for this scene. Obviously, it was it was going to be messy. And I got kind of pulled aside. Again, I remember really specifically from the set decorator and the props department. You know, sometimes during a sporting event, there will be a little huddle where the head coach may not be listening or whatever. 

Brian Baumgartner: And they came to me and they're like, "Hey, so we have three gigantic pieces of carpet." And when I say gigantic piece of carpet, I mean from the front entryway around the reception desk, all the way, like a humongous piece of carpet. They're like, "We could only get three. You got to help us out, we have to do this in three takes or we're dead, there's nothing to be done." I got in one, thankfully, one take. What they didn't really consider is cleaning me, there wasn't three of me. I really don't think I could have gone again, that's what she said. I mean, it was a huge mess. 

Mr. Cat: I mean, it is an iconic scene. If you show it to anyone, they will laugh. That's got to feel pretty good that, you know, you're not the main character, but you have one of the best scenes of all-time in "The Office."

Brian Baumgartner: I never imagined, obviously. You're in the middle of shooting 10 years and it was one moment. And it was such a different kind of a thing. Just me, played mostly in voiceover style. The style was ever a little funky and different. Certainly, I knew it was fun and it was kind of a fun challenge. I never imagined that it would be what it has become now.

So, there you have it. It's always fun to see a different perspective when it comes to iconic moments like this. Thanks to the insight from Kevin from "The Office," that's exactly what we got on today's show.