I’m A Huge The Office Fan, Here’s Why Others Should Watch The Controversial Spinoff

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When news of The Paper came out, many The Office fans were skeptical. A spinoff so long after the original series ended seemed like a move purely to make money. But surprisingly, Greg Daniels has done it again! The Paper is a critical and creative success, earning an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes and receiving praise for its cast, writing, and overall meaningful direction.

Even though the show has found some success, many fans of The Office haven’t given The Paper a chance. A lot of viewers saw it as an attempt to recreate the magic of the original, leading to the question: “Why watch The Paper when I can just rewatch The Office?” This doubt was enough to discourage some fans from watching altogether.

As a longtime fan of The Office, I was skeptical about the spinoff at first. But after watching the first season of The Paper, I’m a total convert. It’s not just a tribute to The Office; it builds on what made the original great. Even if you believe The Office didn’t need a spinoff, The Paper might just change your mind.

The Paper Isn’t Trying To Be The New Office

The Spinoff Stands On Its Own While Still Carrying The Office’s Spirit

What’s great about The Paper is that it doesn’t try to copy The Office. Both shows are comedies, presented like documentaries, and focus on workplaces facing tough times – a local newspaper in Toledo dealing with the rise of the internet, and a paper company in Scranton trying to stay relevant with email. But The Paper successfully creates its own unique style and characters.

Unlike the characters in The Office, the team at the Toledo Truth Teller isn’t trying to recreate that show’s style. They’re creating their own unique work environment. While Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) has a similar upbeat and unpredictable energy to Michael Scott, he’s not simply a comical boss who oversteps boundaries. He’s a man struggling with the difficult challenges of being a journalist today.

He and Mare (Chelsea Frei) share a sweet and slightly clumsy connection as their romance develops, reminding viewers of Jim and Pam’s relationship without feeling like a copy. Like many couples, you’ll find yourself wondering if they’ll end up together, but their chemistry is unique – and you’ll only realize just how charming their moments are as you watch.

This show doesn’t try to be like The Office; it creates its own charm by exploring the tensions between honesty, drive, and longing within a struggling business. The location also subtly mirrors, rather than copies, the feel of that earlier show.

Similar to how Scranton gave The Office its cozy, small-town feel, Toledo is central to the identity of The Paper. As a working-class city where people are closely connected, every news story from the Truth Teller feels like it affects someone you know. In The Paper, Greg Daniels uses this setting to recreate the realistic mix of hope and disappointment that made The Office so relatable.

While The Office poked fun at the craziness of working in a typical office, The Paper finds humor in a more delicate and uncertain kind of optimism—the dreams of people working at a newspaper in a time when most people get their news online. It’s not trying to recreate The Office; instead, it shows how similar themes play out in today’s changed world.

The Callbacks To The Office Are Used Sparingly

Nostalgia Is A Garnish, Not The Main Course

Aaron Epstein/PEACOCK

Greg Daniels understands the importance of not overloading his new show, The Paper, with too many references to his previous hit, The Office. Instead, he uses subtle and infrequent nods, which actually make them more impactful. The pilot episode briefly shows the old Dunder Mifflin office in Scranton, now a laser eye surgery clinic – a smart way to connect the two shows without being distracting.

The show offers its first playful nod to itself when Bob Vance (Robert R. Shafer) makes a quick appearance. He tells the documentary filmmakers what happened to Dunder Mifflin, revealing that Phyllis was asked to move to Toledo but turned it down. He jokes, “I mean, leave Scranton, for Toledo?”—a clever moment because that’s precisely what the documentary The Paper is asking viewers of The Office to consider: leaving the familiar for something else.

Besides Bob Vance, Oscar is the only character who reappears from The Office, and he serves as a nice connection to the original series. His short appearances, like when he tells Ned that trying to make work fun is reminding him of a former boss, are small touches that enhance the show without being central to the plot.

Rather than relying on constant references to the original series, The Paper creates a genuine emotional connection. It doesn’t feel the need to repeatedly mention The Office, trusting viewers to remember and enjoy its history. Any nods to the past feel natural and rewarding, like a subtle acknowledgment for dedicated fans, not just an attempt to trigger nostalgia.

By exercising restraint and focusing on its own identity, The Paper enhances its setting and proves a spinoff can be a respectful tribute without relying too heavily on the original. This approach allows it to create a world that feels equal to The Office, rather than simply existing in its shadow.

The Office Spinoff Resonates With Other Mockumentaries Too

Characters Feel Straight Out Of Abbott Elementary And Parks And Rec As Much As The Office

Though The Paper takes place in the same world as The Office, it really feels like a show that understands and loves the whole style of fake documentaries. If you enjoy shows like Abbott Elementary, Parks and Recreation, or even the original UK version of The Office, you’ll quickly recognize the similar vibe, energy, and funny moments in its characters.

Ken, played by Tim Key, reminds many of David Brent from the UK version of The Office – he’s a mix of someone who’s completely out of touch with reality and surprisingly sensitive. He’s so focused on staying important and climbing the career ladder that he’ll readily betray others, making his awkward and embarrassing moments particularly painful to watch.

Esmeralda, played by Sabrina Impacciatore, is a hilariously self-centered character. She reminds viewers more of Ava from Abbott Elementary than anyone from The Office. Her wild ambition, combined with a total lack of boundaries and a focus on self-promotion, feels very similar to Janelle James’ funniest moments as Ava.

Adam (played by Alex Adelman) is the charmingly clumsy character at The Paper, bringing a similar lovable goofiness to the role as Andy Dwyer did in Parks and Recreation. And like Leslie Knope from Parks & Rec, Ned consistently stays positive and doesn’t let setbacks get him down – he’s more like her than Michael Scott.

These similarities aren’t simple imitations; they build on what came before. The Paper clearly takes inspiration from all the best mockumentaries, feeling like a natural next step for a genre that’s grown up while staying genuine and heartfelt.

As a huge fan of shows done in a documentary style, I think The Paper isn’t just for those who adored The Office. It’s for anyone who’s ever been charmed by those comedies that feel real, even with all their flaws and hopeful spirit. Honestly, it feels like a love letter to the whole mockumentary format, proving there’s still so much potential in that style of storytelling.

The Paper Doesn’t Take The Office Fandom For Granted

The Spinoff Earns The Audience’s Trust Instead Of Assuming It

Troy Harvey/PEACOCK

Okay, let’s be honest, going into The Paper I was bracing myself. As a long-time The Office fan, I – and I suspect many others – were skeptical about revisiting these characters. But the show doesn’t shy away from that. Right from the start, it acknowledges our hesitation. Oscar, now in a leadership role at the parent company of the Toledo Truth-Teller, pretty much voices exactly what we’re all thinking in the very first episode: “Not again. I’m not agreeing to any of this. Don’t you have enough after nine years? Nobody wants this.” It’s surprisingly self-aware, and honestly, a little refreshing.

The announcement of The Paper perfectly reflected what fans were feeling at the time – a clever and insightful moment. But as the first season unfolds, Oscar gradually becomes more invested, initially with reluctance, then with genuine excitement. This mirrors how viewers experience the show: starting with hesitant nostalgia and ending with real fondness.

Greg Daniels and the writers of The Paper cleverly use the character Oscar as a way to represent the audience, demonstrating a real appreciation for the original The Office. They recognize that longtime fans can’t simply expect a new show to be good—it needs to earn their approval, and The Paper successfully does just that.

Instead of relying on the popularity of its source material, The Paper is determined to stand alongside shows like The Office based on its own merits. It’s genuinely funny, emotionally resonant, and doesn’t shy away from self-reflection. Unlike some spin-offs – Suits: L.A. being a prime example – that expect viewers to automatically tune in, The Paper wins over its audience through honest storytelling, skillful writing, and heartfelt moments.

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2025-11-10 03:01