The Office (U.S.)

[Kino]

Amy Ryan was in the episode last night!! I have a crush on her because of her talent especially her portrayal of Beadie Russell on The Wire, and my crush got bigger because of her Holly character on The Office. She was wonderful.

Anyway, last night was the Season Four finale and, in my opinion, is one of the best episodes since the show's peak Season Two.

I'm looking forward to Season Five. Never thought I was going to say that.

[Boz]

Last night's episode was good. Michael's moments of pure euphoria always make me really happy. I get the feeling the writers don't know what to do with Jim and Pam now, their storyline is constantly teetering on the edge of schmaltz. The Kevin jokes last night were the best part, but Creed's one joke per episode fell flat for me, and his parts are usually some of my favorites. Amy Ryan was good, and I too now have a crush on her like I do with almost every woman on this show. Overall, decent wrap up to an unfortunately short and just ok season, probably needed more Dwight though.

[Omar]

I was SHOCKED and happy to see Amy Ryan on here. Really cool.

I thought the episode was good, but not great. The Kevin jokes were my favorite, and I loved the final bit. Ryan's fate is priceless, as well. Yeah, Creed is usually reliable, but he sort of fell flat last night.

I will say that since the writer's strike ended, the episodes this season have been very good and a dramatic improvement on the beginning of this season, which was, well, pretty bad.

[Boz]

I don't know whether it was a blessing or a curse that they only did fourteen episodes. I love this show but it seemed they were struggling for material at times. My favorites were Survivor Man, Branch Wars, and Night Out. Hated The Deposition and Dinner Party.

[Kino]

Yeah, this is the first time that Creed never made me laugh. In fact, that bit of not remembering his job title/department is too ridiculous even for The Office.

Non-finale hour-long episodes are very weak in my opinion especially in this last season.

I had no idea other folks here watched the show. We coulda had weekly discussions.

[Kino]

So what did you guys think of the first episode of Season 5? You guys think Pam is gonna cheat on Jim?

[Omar]

I thought it was a great episode. Liked how they framed it around the entire summer. My only complaint is that they somehow found a way to bring Ryan back. Not that I don't like his character, but he had nowhere else to go (except jail) last season. The facial hair joke throughout was hilarious, though.

After being so disappointed last season, this one seems to have gotten off to a good start.

[Kino]

According to Variety, Idris Elba (Stringer Bell) has signed on to appear in six episodes this season.

[Omar]

Jan 15, 2009 17:23:54 GMT Kino said:

According to Variety, Idris Elba (Stringer Bell) has signed on to appear in six episodes this season.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

FUCK YES ;D ;D ;D

[jrod]

Ive really been disappointed with the major arcs throughout recent seasons.

The early episodes worked really well. Just a day at the office, here is what happens. This show has slowly but officially warped from being funny like Office Space to being sitcom formulaic like Friends to me.

Also, the so called "straight men" are just as important to a comedy as the "whack jobs". As much as I generally like Ed Helms, the Andy character has really thrown off what used to be a pretty solid blend.

i turned off last nights episode mid way through. Im just bored with it.

[Pherdy]

Oct 4, 2008 22:56:44 GMT Kino said:

So what did you guys think of the first episode of Season 5? You guys think Pam is gonna cheat on Jim?

last night, (so February 12), episode 5.1 finally aired here in The Netherlands. I watched the entire season 4 marathon on our local Comedy Central channel in anticipation of season 5.

too bad Toby is gone. I loved the fact that Michael, obsessed with trying to be liked by nearly anyone in the world, couldn't give a crap about the HR guy.

but I must say Holly Flax is an excellent replacement, as a sort of female Michael Scott as weirdness is concerned.

what I like about The Office, especially in season 4, is that it is implied on several occasions (somethings not too subtle), that being in Michael's position makes you somehow turn into a Michael Scott-like figure. Jim gets to act as boss in two episodes, and both times screws up. In early episodes, Ryan acts like a young Michael. for both of these guys it turns out bad, whereas Michael has found a way to deal with the difficult task of being a manager (or should we say, the employers have found a way to deal with Michael). Sure enough, because of his childhood and personality, Michael-as-manager will always be completely different than Jim-as-manager, Ryan-as-manager or Holly-as-Michael, but it gives Michael some credibility in an unexpected place.

I don't agree with whoever said there should be more Dwight. His character is too absurd. too over the top, as much as I like Rainn Wilson as a comedy actor. the English office never diverted from its subtle humour. The Office US often does.

there were a couple of times in the first four seasons where I thought the show went too far with the physical comedy, stupidity of characters or absurdity: all involved Dwight, and most involved Michael. the dumbest character is Mose. the show should stick with its premise as a satire on real life office ethics, as opposed to escapist fantasy comedy where the setting just happens to resemble an office. here I agree with jrod, although I'm no way near the point of turning episodes off. with a little less 'whack jobs' the show is just fine, and if the story arcs don't get too crazy, I'm good.

as for kino's question (although I realize I'm a number of episodes behind - so place don't spoil it for me), I don't think Pam is gonna cheat on Jim, although I agree with the person who said that the Jim-Pam story is drawing to an end. what is the use of her going away for a few months? yet still be followed by a documentary crew? the mockumentary format has vanished almost completely, and like jrod said, made place for a conventional sitcom style. never mind that, I think that Pam's self-search would lead either to her quitting Dunder Miflin to pursue a graphic design career, or get back disillusioned. both options are not too positive for the show, but there is an Ace up the writer's sleeves: Jim's eventual proposal. so we'll see.

but there was a reason the British The Office ended with Tim and Dawns romance. I think there is more room for Michael's relations to develop. allthough, how much office romances can we as the viewer take within one tv-show?

think of it:
Pam-Roy
Pam-Jim
Karen-Jim
(purse girl-Jim)
(Michael-Carol)
Michael-Jan
Michael-Holly?
Angela-Dwight
Angela-Andy
Kelly-Ryan
Kelly-Daryl

who am I missing out? that's quite a lot for such a small company.


but I'm really enthusiastic about the new season. the Dutch Comedy Central now airs it back-to-back with 30 Rock and Arrested Development, both which only started in Netherlands a few weeks ago, making up for a great 90 minutes of American sitcom on Thursday nights.

[Kino]

Feb 13, 2009 11:56:09 GMT Pherdy said:

but I'm really enthusiastic about the new season. the Dutch Comedy Central now airs it back-to-back with 30 Rock and Arrested Development, both which only started in Netherlands a few weeks ago, making up for a great 90 minutes of American sitcom on Thursday nights.

30 Rock and Arrested Development along with Curb Your Enthusiasm are the best live action U.S. comedy series since Seinfeld's prime. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do/did.

[Kino]

While I still have my problems with the last two recent episodes, The Michael Scott Paper Company and Dream Team, they are episodes that have made me laugh the hardest since I don't know when. (Just speaking about The Office, 30 Rock and Eastbound & Down has been killing me on the regular.)

I love how Jim can't slack off anymore (Stanley, too, haha), and how he now has a boss that rides him. Dwight's response and enjoyment of it is hilarious. I haven't liked Dwight's character in a long time.

Never found Andy to be all that funny except for when he sings and that awesome: Just listen, I forgot to tell you the plan for this Saturday You, me, bars, beers, buzzed. Wings. Shots. Drunk. Waitresses, hot. Football - Cornell/Hofstra. Slaughter. Then a quick nap at my place and we'll hit the tiz-own..

The soccer shit, haha. John Denver, haha. The series looks to be on the upswing.

Charles: I am aware of the effect I have on women.

[Kino]

jrod, were you watching the latest season? I thought it was a major improvement, major, from Seasons 3 and 4.