The Paper (2025)

This show brings the feel of the office to the modern era, grounded believable characters working a dead end job in the year 2025. I have laughed out loud several times in each episode. Ned's neuroticism brings a new flavor the the leaders chair and Esmeralda is a villain within the office, something we never really saw in Greg Daniel's other works. The characters all fit archetypes of people we have worked with, without being direct copies of anyone from the office. I also think this show serves to contradict much of what has been expressed about the office style of humor not working today. There are still inappropriate figures and jokes made in work places today, and even if many are more sensitive to these matters, there are those who can manipulate that sensitivity into getting what they want. This creates a rich, believable, diverse, and ultimately hilarious combination. I am an absolute office fanatic, and the Paper is not the office. But it is a show that captures much of what made the office work, lovable and grounded characters in an environment we all recognize. I am very glad this show has been renewed for a second season, because although it isn't the office it carries the torch of the workplace mockumentary into the modern era in a brilliant way. Also, to address the reviews I have seen about Esmeralda being insufferable, I think that is exactly the point of her character and the speed at which that annoyance develops serves as a testament to her acting ability. She is much like the Todd Packers of old, except now she is on the inside.

I get it. The Office was a smash hit no one saw coming and they want to emulate that vibe. It's a reboot of a successful, mockumentary format. The problem is that it's so much like the Office, I immediately started to try and figure out who was who (the Brit guy is kinda Ryan, the old guy is Stanley, Oscar is Oscar, the two leads are a weird combo of Jim, Pam, and Michael. Marv is David Wallace). I'm just not feeling it. One, I hate reporters, but "journalism" is about as dead as paper companies so I get it. There is no real Michael, at least not in the insanely great way Steve Carrell was. Esmerelda is insane, and that may be kinda funny (the actress is great), but what she did is 100% fireable. Accusing someone of a Metoo moment, especially your new boss is not funny. And his reaction was not as inspiring as the show thinks it is. We all know what's going to happen and in the context of the Office, that's a good thing. The Paper? Too soon to tell, but I've already forgotten most of the cast. I don't remember that happening when the Office came out. It was clear from the get go that, despite being based on an English show, this version absolutely had something from day one.

Meh. Made it through 1.5. Most jokes do not land and the mugging for the camera happens far too often. And the cast is nowhere near the caliber of The Office. And misses having a heavyweight comedian (Carrell) as its lead.

Incredibly unoriginal, inoffensive, one-note, bland. Some of the jokes are amusing and Tim Key is good. They could have taken the format from the US Office et al. and at least refined it (i.e. not have characters look at the camera so often, which becomes grating).

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]