The Author Events Series presents Kate Flannery | Overserved: The Lucky Life of the Office Drunk
In this offbeat comedy memoir, actress and late bloomer Kate Flannery—best known as Meredith Palmer on NBC’s hit series, The Office—shares her journey from waiting on Hollywood’s rich and famous to getting her big break at age forty.
As an Irish American bar owner’s daughter, Kate was born to play a TV drunk. Before landing her breakout role as Meredith Palmer on The Office, Kate worked tirelessly as a waitress, back-up singer, movie extra, off-Broadway actor, host and comedian, grinding day and night to make her Hollywood dreams a reality. In Overserved, Kate shares what it was like to go from serving celebrities in LA to becoming one herself.
While on The Office, she embraced the unapologetically inappropriate character of Meredith. Sticking to the mockumentary style of the show, she boldly wore little to no makeup on screen, performed a lot of her own stunts, and worked with the writers to create some of the most memorable moments in TV history. With behind-the-scenes stories from The Office and finding true love on set, fans will get answers to their burning questions: Did Kate really shave her head? How did they film the scene of Meredith getting hit by Michael Scott’s car? You’ll have to read to find out!
Kate’s story is a testament that it’s never too late in life to achieve your dreams. Little did she know that observing the cast of characters who frequented her father’s bar throughout her childhood would provide inspiration for getting the part that changed her life. At the heart of it all, every day was a good day at The Office.
Kate Flannery is a comedian, actor, host, and singer, best known for her iconic role as Meredith Palmer on the NBC hit series, The Office. After attending Shenandoah University and U of Arts in Philadelphia, Kate honed her craft at Chicago’s renowned Second City and the Improv Olympic, quickly becoming a regular performer with the Annoyance Theater troupe, Kate toured in the show, The Real Live Brady Bunch. During her time touring with the Second City National Touring Company, Kate got to know fellow comedy greats like Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and Jane Lynch to mention a few. While pursuing her big break, Kate showcased her versatility by singing back-up in a band called Mono Puff, starring in hit off-Broadway production Valley of the Dolls, and performing her comedy lounge act, The Lampshades, in clubs across the country for years. All the while, she supported herself by waiting tables and catering in NYC and Los Angeles, serving the rich and famous. It wasn’t until age forty that Kate landed her big break as Meredith the drunk in The Office. Today, she has continued to captivate audiences as a fan-favorite on Season 28 of Dancing with the Stars, Fox’s The Masked Singer, guest starring on shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, New Girl, Night Court, Magnum P.I., and Young Sheldon. Kate continues to tour live with Jane Lynch every year doing concerts singing songs from their hit album, A Swingin’ Little Xmas that made it on the Billboard top 10. Kate resides in Los Angeles near her boyfriend Chris Haston (after twenty years they still don’t live together).
Because you love Author Events, please make a donation when you register for this event to ensure that this series continues to inspire Philadelphians.
Books will be available for purchase at the library on event night!
All tickets are non-refundable.
Accessibility
ADA-accessible seating is available at our events. If you require wheelchair seating or any other accessibility accommodations, please contact us in advance at authorevents@freelibrary.org.
The views expressed by the authors and moderators are strictly their own and do not represent the opinions of the Free Library of Philadelphia or its employees.
