Director's Notes – Episode 81

(NOTE: As always, Director's Notes contain spoilers)

Joseph and Jeffrey asked me to say a few quick words on the making of Episode 81, “After 3327.” This was a really fun episode to record for a number of reasons, the topmost being the chance to act with Maureen Johnson*. Intern Maureen is still trying to get those college credits from her old boss, who seems to be completely oblivious to poor Maureen’s situation.

When recording this section with (the real) Maureen, the hardest part was trying not to laugh on microphone. One of the joys of working on Night Vale is the immensely creative** people who are involved, and Maureen’s sense of humor is so totally infectious that we couldn’t help but have a great time together. Her dry, razor-sharp delivery shines through as the belabored intern faced with loveable (but generally clueless) Cecil Palmer.

During the recording, while my character was oooh’ing and ahhh’ing over (fictional)*** Maureen’s seemingly irresistible puppy, I happened to glance over at (real)**** Maureen, who had taken to covering her mouth with her hands to suppress her laughter. And the sight of her trying so hard to keep it together made it hard for me to keep it together. I almost lost it.

Almost. Haven’t broken me yet, Maureen.*****

So why “3327”? One of my favorite aspects of Joseph and Jeffrey’s writing is how they weave satire and humor into the script to illuminate real-life situations. This episode features the character Nick Teller, who had to abandon his old life as a revolutionary inventor, and now finds himself an auto shop teacher in Night Vale. Who was Nick in his former life? I’ll leave that for you to decide, but a quick search for 3327 and the Hotel New Yorker may shed some light on the subject. After all, we can’t give you all the answers… where’s the fun in that?

I hope you love this episode as much as I loved making it, listeners, and keep an ear out for one of the best Buffy the Vampire Slayer impressions ever recorded (if I do say so myself)******

- Cecil Baldwin
February 1, 2016

Editor’s notes (by Jeffrey Cranor):

* Like me, Maureen Johnson gets nervous acting in front of real life professional actors. Unlike me, she’s damned terrific at acting. We love having her on the show.

** also immensely delightful

*** Poor Cecil, Maureen, Kevin, Lauren… all actors who play characters with the same first name on that show. Sorry about the confusion.

**** again, sorry.

***** Actor Kate Jones (Michelle Nguyen) kept trying to break Cecil into laughter during our fall UK/Ireland tour and it never worked. Cecil is a damned pro.

****** Oh god yes.