While everything else about The Paper feels like a naturalistic workplace comedy, Impacciatore’s Esmerelda is big and broad and loud. .... There are, quite honestly, not enough awards in the world to give her. The Paper is also becoming a masterclass in the sort of will they/won’t they romantic storylines that tend to propel US sitcoms to the big leagues.

The latest season proves this show can stand on its own two feet and deliver an exceptional new situational comedy that rivals anything else currently on TV.

There are a few things I wanted more of, sure, but The Paper Season 2 is still one of the funniest comedies on Peacock right now and one you’ll definitely hope we get more of.

Even though it needs more tightening, The Paper—anchored by a terrific Gleeson and Frei—is an effectively fun mockumentary; one that plays to our nostalgia for Dunder Mifflin while trying to keep things fresh and contemporary.

Season 2 of The Paper goes broad with humor and breaks past a number of overplayed sitcom formulas, providing a fresh take on office politics, office romances, and oddball characters. While some of these swings don’t connect, The Paper Season 2 continues to be a worthwhile successor to The Office and a refreshing comedy in its own right.

Tonal issues persist, with too many big, absurdist swings coming up empty (funerals, parties, tornados, oh no) and too few relatable or perceptive gags to balance them out.

The second season continues on in much the same form as the first, still tonally wobbly, still lacking a grounding intention and purpose. When you might hope for a more carefully plated meal, The Paper is still throwing spaghetti at the wall.