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

stillherehollywood.com
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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