Thursdays NBC
This is the show that I am trying so hard to convert people to watch. It is one of the few comedies out there that makes me laugh out loud. The writing is superb. I love all the actors and often the minor characters outshine the major ones. The scenarios involving the boss, Michael, are just too awkward and a lot of humour is mined from these awkward situations.
Perhaps the tone of the show is not for everyone? Perhaps it is too silly for people? Maybe the lack of a laugh track and the silence that ensues makes people feel uncomfortable?
I don't know what it is, but people I know don't enjoy this show. Maybe I need new people?
My only worry coming into this season was seeing how the writers would make their way through Sam-Diane Syndrome. A show works best when there is tension between two characters-do they like each other? Will they get together? And TV history has dictated that not many shows survive for much longer once the writers have painted themselves into a corner and are left with only one choice... the characters get together. Let's see some examples:
Cheers: Sam and Diane had great chemistry. The show revolved around these two opposites and their zany relationship. Cheers survived because Shelley Long left.
Moonlighting: Once Maddie and Dave got together, the show wasn't the same. Or maybe it was because Bruce Willis' career took off with Die Hard.
X-Files: This show was an example of great tension between Scully and Mulder, yet the writers let things drag out too long, as not enough of their relationship was advanced season after season, until all that tension was drained away.
Friends: This show was able to survive the Ross and Rachel drama, but man did they milk things. How many times did they almost get together? How many times did they break up? This show survived, but I don't really know how.
Frasier: Niles and Daphne finally get together. I think the show ended a season or two after that.
That brings us to Jim and Pam. These two add heart to the show and elevate this show from simply being a silly comedic look at office life. I really hope that this show can survive now that Jim and Pam are together. I am very interested how the writers will produce tension now that the relationship drama between Jim and Pam is gone.
Ok, finally, the season premiere? A bit uneven, but an hour of Office still produces great amounts of laughter.
How could you not laugh at the race that Michael organizes? Check out the name:
Michael Scott Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run For The Cure
which ensured the best race t-shirt logo ever. I would love to get my hands on one of those shirts.
Other highlights?
-Darrel feeding the squirrel while Michael is giving a speech on rabies
-Andy's disturbing nipple troubles during his run
-Michael mounting Meredith to give her a hug forgetting she had a broken pelvis
-Michael handing over one of those big cheques to a stripper dressed as a nurse and the cheque was written out to "Science"
I wish that some of you could give The Office another chance. It is one of my favourites.
Postings later tonight for Bionic Woman, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and Gossip Girl. I will say that I enjoyed Bionic Woman and am definitely looking forward to the second episode.
Rob
Myth: 3 Americans every year die from rabies.
Fact: 4 Americans every year die from rabies.
-Michael Scott, from The Office
Sunday, September 30, 2007
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