Melora Hardin "The Office" Encore

Melora Hardin, best known to millions as Jan Levinson on The Office, joins Steve Kmetko for a funny, revealing, and surprisingly wide-ranging conversation about her life and career in Hollywood.

Melora looks back on working with Steve Carell, the improvisational magic behind The Office, and why the legendary “Dinner Party” episode still makes her laugh. She also opens up about her early years as a child actor on Little House on the Prairie, working with Michael Landon and Clint Eastwood, her thoughts on AI and creativity, and what it was like seeing Miley Cyrus at 15 during the Hannah Montana movie.

Beyond acting, Melora talks about dance, directing, cabaret, parenting in Hollywood, Transparent, Dancing with the Stars, and the creative energy that still drives her after more than 50 years in the business.

This is a smart, funny, and honest conversation with one of television’s most memorable performers.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Cold open, Steve Carell and AI tease
00:49 Intro, Melora Hardin joins the show
02:05 Melora’s colorful outfit and new scarf collection
02:43 More than 50 years in show business
03:23 Little House on the Prairie and first screen kiss
05:48 Working with Michael Landon
06:50 Clint Eastwood stories and singing for him
09:24 Did the cast of The Office get along?
10:01 Greg Daniels, improv, and the collaborative set
12:08 Does Melora watch old episodes of The Office?
13:29 The “Dinner Party” episode and breaking on set
15:37 Melora’s lifestyle brand, wallpaper, and scarves
16:16 What kind of a kisser was Steve Carell?
16:38 How much improv happened on The Office
19:05 Miley Cyrus at 15 and the making of Hannah Montana
19:35 Melora’s thoughts on AI and creativity
23:58 Acting, dancing, singing, directing, and creative energy
25:04 Why ballet didn’t become her career
27:34 Playing Baby in Dirty Dancing
29:41 Biggest influences, her parents, and growing up in Hollywood
32:04 What she still wants to do next
34:17 More on Miley Cyrus and child stardom
36:32 Cabaret, singing, and getting through Covid
38:37 Social media, parenting, and raising kids without phones
42:18 Raising grounded children in Hollywood
44:54 Emmy nomination for Transparent
48:14 Why film and TV is the ultimate team sport
50:07 Directing, editing, and her documentary Hunter’s Thunder
54:11 Melora on going to the movies
55:30 Dancing with the Stars and loving dance
55:50 From Jan on The Office to Tammy on Transparent
57:03 What she wants next in her career
57:50 Where the name Melora comes from
58:31 Jan’s breakup on The Office
59:32 What still “flaps” Melora
1:00:46 Gratitude, family, and staying grounded
1:02:30 Final moments and ruby slippers story

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

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