Like most people, I was extremely skeptical when I saw that Peacock was making a follow-up series to The Office, one that (so far) only carries over one character. It’s called The Paper, and follows a struggling local paper in “The Office Universe,” filmed by the same documentary crew as The Office.
I think most people don’t realize that this is actually co-created by Greg Daniels, who masterminded the US adaptation of The Office back when that too, seemed like it was going to be a bad idea. So this is not some imitator coming in and attempting to replicate The Office, this is the OG.
As of right now, The Paper boasts and certified fresh 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is higher than the 81% The Office got over its lifespan. As we know, that show went way up and down over the years, but season 1 there was a 71%, as the lower-energy, flat remake of the UK version didn’t quite land all the way. Seasons 2 and 3, which most would argue were its best, both had 100% scores By the end, were hitting some low water marks like season 8’s 44% in the post-Steve Carell era.
The Paper is certainly being released in an entirely new era, so it seems unlikely that despite its quality, it will be anywhere as big as The Office. It’s airing on Peacock, one of the least-watched major streaming services, and it’s dropping ten, thirty-minute episodes as a binge today, meaning conversation about the series, if there is any, will likely peter out by next week.
But the show is good! Part of this is Daniels being here, but it’s got some great cast members, which include the enigmatic Domhnall Gleeson of Star Wars, Harry Potter and Ex Machina fame. Also present is Sabrina Impacciatore, a standout of The White Lotus season 2 as the repressed hotel concierge. The carryover Office cast member is Oscar Nunez as Oscar Martinez, making sure you know this is linked, at least a little bit. I would not be shocked if there was another cameo or two, albeit this is an entirely different part of the country, Toledo, Ohio, not Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Peacock sure believes in the show, as it has already been renewed for season 2 before today’s airing of season 1. A well-reviewed show with Greg Daniels at the helm, that must cost next to nothing to make? Sure, that’s an easy win, no matter if it’s not going to get the attention The Office did.
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