“Innovate sales products made out of paper. So that might be office supplies, and that might be janitorial paper, which is toilet tissue, toilet seat protectors, and local newspapers, and that is in order of quality,” says Ken Davies (the strategy head of Softies tissue, portrayed by British actor Tim Key) with a smirk. What once used to be a bustling building full of enthusiastic journalists determined to break important news for the ‘Toledo Truth-Teller’ was taken over by the money-making toilet tissue company. At present, only a small team on the ninth floor works for the once iconic local newspaper. In the first few minutes of the pilot episode, The Paper aptly captures the state of journalism in today’s world. Newspapers have been mostly reduced to a collection of ads with a side of under-researched stories, and the online segment is dominated by clickbait-y headlines and sensationalized stories. The Office spin-off mockumentary series The Paper addresses these very real problems in a humorous way.
Greg Daniels, the creator of The Office, who has also co-created The Paper, was clear about not reviving the popular sitcom. Clearly, there was a demand for an Office-styled show, and that’s exactly what he has delivered. The style remains the same; the same fictitious documentary group that once followed the employees at ‘Dunder Mifflin Paper Company’ is back, but this time the focus is on a different subject. A group of amateur volunteer journalists has caught the attention of the crew. They, at first, couldn’t care less about the sorry state of journalism, but gradually they realize the joy of reporting meaningful news. Footage of a 1971 documentary of the fictitious Ohio-based local newspaper, the ‘Toledo Truth-Teller’ captured how those involved in print journalism once truly believed they were the fourth pillar of democracy and didn’t shy away from questioning those in power. The contrast that the sitcom repeatedly draws—between the good old well-funded days of print journalism and the now spineless reporting that involves simply copy-pasting news to fill the pages and leave enough room for advertisements—is a bold reminder of how we’ve all come to accept the defeat. Nostalgia is crucial to the show—here’s a group trying to revive print journalism, and you feel inclined to root for them. Quite similar to the idea behind ‘The Office,’ where a paper company faced challenges with the advancement of technology. This time the stakes are higher; it’s not just about a tactile sensation or the emotion associated with paper but journalism altogether.
I guess the most obvious question that one might have before watching the spin-off is whether The Paper is as funny as The Office. The fact that it’s a spin-off is both a boon and a curse—on the one hand, you immediately have the audience’s attention, and on the other, you have a massive expectation to live up to. Considering it’s just the first season, The Paper has a lot of potential. Dry humor continues to thrive even in the spin-off, just don’t expect the Michael Scott madness. I think it’s time that we accept that no other character can fill in his shoes. So, if you want a dose of Michael Scott, then just rewatch The Office, because you’ll be disappointed if you try to find a similar character in the spin-off. I also believe that the jokes that worked twenty years ago would face immense backlash today, so it’s best to be rewatched and not recreated. I loved The Paper’s intro, with just a few pictures and video footage the crux of the show is beautifully captured. The first seasons of sitcoms tend to be tricky, and often they’re the weakest. The Paper season 1 successfully builds intrigue, but it didn’t make me crack up. There were a few scattered hilarious moments, but I just wish there were more of them. Given a choice, I would definitely want to watch these characters for another season, because I have a feeling that things will pick up and it has the potential to become an enjoyable sitcom.
Esmeralda Grand, the managing editor of the Toledo Truth-Teller, portrayed by Sabrina Impacciatore, best known for her performance in The White Lotus season 2, is quirky and chaotic. She’s everything that’s wrong with journalism these days, and the fact that she took pride in her clickbait-y reporting adds a layer to the humor. One of the funniest moments in the pilot episode is when she proudly tells the documentary crew about her love for ‘classic long-form journalism’ and ends up showing an article she’d written that was titled “You won’t believe how much Ben Affleck tipped his limo driver.” It surely was long, with a good dose of unnecessary history on tipping, random facts about cars (for some reason), more advertisements, and finally the big revelation—a $300 tip! Esmeralda is the Michael Scott-adjacent character on the show, and Sabrina Impacciatore is a smart casting choice. Unlike The Office, the boss in the spin-off is actually a decent guy who has immense faith in his motley reporting crew. Ned Sampson, the newly hired editor-in-chief, wanted to shake things up and bring back the glorious days of print journalism. He didn’t have the budget, but his infectious enthusiasm got the job done. Domhnall Gleeson (Anna Karenina, Star Wars, Harry Potter) masterfully depicts Ned’s innocence, excitement, self-doubt, and his slightly people-pleasing nature. Basically, he’s the kind of boss you would want to work with. Ned and Esmeralda capture the two sides of new-age journalism, and the contrast builds tension and adds to the entertainment quotient. Tim Key’s Ken Davies will remind you of Dwight Schrute (portrayed by Rainn Wilson in The Office), think British but way less potent. Ken has the potential to turn into this very irritable yet absolutely necessary character in the show. Chelsea Frei’s Mare Pritti is surely someone you would want to root for. She is driven, passionate, and sensible (maybe somewhat like Jim Halpert?). The Never Have I Ever fans will be delighted to see Ramona Abish Young as the slightly cold and indifferent Nicole Lee. The only character from The Office who has returned in the spin-off is Oscar Martinez, as usual brilliantly portrayed by Oscar Nunez. The minute Oscar notices the documentary crew, he refuses to be a part of their film, but we all know how that goes. Oscar, the accountant, has changed his job, but the trauma from his previous boss often resurfaces! The familiarity with the character definitely does good to the show.
Overall, The Paper is a fun watch. The witty dialogue, the rooted-in-reality plot, the documentary style, and the wacky characters make it compelling. The first season in sitcoms is meant to gauge the potential, and I think with time and more seasons The Paper will eventually become a show that you would want to tune in to after a long day.
