Office Memo

Jan and Michael share a tender moment -- Picture courtesy of NBC

by blogSpotter
One of my favorite television shows this season is The Office on NBC. The show is in its 4th season, and didn't win me over right away when it started in 2004. At the outset, I thought it moved at a slow pace and the humor was subdued. I stuck with it though, and what I've seen over the past couple of seasons is a terrifically honed cast reaching its stride. As I recall, Seinfeld was slow and quirky in its first couple of seasons. Sometimes it takes a little while for the ingredients to mix.

What we have now is a delicious comedy pastiche -- a viciously, hilariously accurate lampooning of the American office. Steve Carell plays Michael Scott, the pathetically insecure boob who manages the Dundermifflin sales office. One of his employees is Stanley Hudson, a sardonic aging black man who has little patience for Michael's nonsense. We also have Angela, the uptight priss who serves as office accountant. There is smirky Kevin, good-hearted Phyllis, loutish Andy, gay Oscar and by-the-book Toby to round things out. Pam, played by Jenna Fischer is perfect as the sweet and slightly mischievous secretary. John Krasinki plays Jim Halpert, the handsome salesman who rises above the level (and sometimes to the same level) of Michael's outrageous tom-foolery; he also is Pam's on-again off-again love interest. Ryan is the young MBA suck-up who has usurped Michael by going from temp underling to regional manager. Last but definitely not least is Dwight Schrute, a lead salesman who is Michael's lieutenant of sorts. Dwight is a nerd who lets any whiff of power go straight to his head. In episodes where Dwight is given even a momentary responsibility (selecting a health insurance plan for the office, subbing for Michael) he goes on a power-mad kick -- seeking to fire people or form some kind of secret cabal. A real-life Dwight would probably be committed to a padded cell at some point.

Many of the characters you see are but a shade away from someone you know. Michael the boss is so over-the-top, I can’t help but think someone that self-centered and incompetent would be fired in short order. As it happens on the series, his workaholic fembot of a boss, Jan, becomes romantically involved with Michael. Her emotions and behavior become erratic -- she goes on work day shopping sprees and gets her breasts enlarged. She's the one who actually gets canned (at end of last season). The show has so many romances, conspiracies, betrayals and what-not it's hard to keep pace. You might liken it to a soap opera, but these characters seem very real and multi-dimensional, unlike a soap opera.

The Office has some excellent comedy veterans writing and producing for it. Greg Daniels, producer is also known for The Simpsons and King of the Hill. B.J. Novak who plays Ryan is also a writer/co-producer of the show. He's well-known from his previous work in stand-up comedy. Steve Carell of course has been in several movies of late, and is at the top of his game. If you find yourself channel surfing on Thursday evenings, stop and watch The Office. You might not glean all the rich irony and humor from a first viewing, but as you learn the characters' quirks it will become must-see TV.

© 2007 blogSpotter