The Paper Ep 5: Scam Alert! - Office Ladies Recap

Podcast: Office Ladies

Published: 2026-01-28

Duration: 1 hr 6 min

Guests: Kathleen Felix Hager, Mo Welch

Summary

In 'Scam Alert!', the characters of 'The Paper' face a catfishing scam. Esmeralda becomes deeply entangled, believing in her online love, Jarson, while the team works to reveal the truth.

What Happened

Esmeralda becomes the target of a catfishing scheme on a dating app in the fifth episode of 'The Paper.' Despite the mounting evidence, including a revealing video cameo from Josh Holloway, Esmeralda remains steadfast in her belief that her online love, Jarson, is genuine. Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey discuss the episode's intricate details, from the unique fashion choices by costume designer Kathleen Felix Hager to the nuanced character dynamics, such as the evolving relationship between Detrick and Nicole.

The hosts highlight how the episode cleverly incorporates a cameo by Josh Holloway, who plays a pivotal role in unveiling the truth to Esmeralda. Jenna and Angela also share real-life catfishing stories, adding depth to the discussion and connecting the fictional storyline to actual events. These stories include the infamous case of a French woman who was scammed out of $850,000 by someone impersonating Brad Pitt.

Jenna and Angela introduce their new 'Around the Town' segment, inspired by Angela's grandmother's newspaper column. This segment features unique listener stories, such as the church bells ringing again in Alberta, Canada, and a whimsical giant sloth in a tree in Bellingham, Washington.

Jenna Fisher talks about her passion for weightlifting, which she finds empowering and beneficial for managing medication side effects. She uses Body Fit by Amy to guide her workouts, and she shares how this routine has positively impacted her life.

Angela Kinsey discusses her fitness routine, which includes regular tennis matches and squats. The hosts also mention Sam, who participates in CrossFit, combining cardio and weightlifting for a dynamic workout.

The podcast episode also touches on the importance of privacy and protection of personal information, as emphasized through Ned's decision to shield Esmeralda's identity in the story to prioritize her privacy.

The Office Ladies highlight the cultural phenomenon of catfishing, referencing the 2010 documentary 'Catfish,' which introduced the term to a wider audience. This documentary's concept of keeping cod active in tanks by introducing a catfish serves as a metaphor for the deceptive practices seen in online scams.

Key Insights

• The term 'catfishing' became widely recognized after the 2010 documentary 'Catfish,' which used the metaphor of a catfish keeping cod active in tanks to describe deceptive online practices.
• A French woman was defrauded of $850,000 by a scammer impersonating actor Brad Pitt, highlighting the severe financial impact of catfishing schemes.
• Jenna Fisher uses the fitness program Body Fit by Amy to manage medication side effects, finding weightlifting both empowering and beneficial for her health.
• The 'Around the Town' segment features unique listener stories, such as the return of church bell ringing in Alberta, Canada, and a whimsical giant sloth sighting in Bellingham, Washington.