I finally had a chance to catch up on the numerous Office-related happenings over this past week, and this particular bit from John’s recent online chat (thanks for transcribing, tanster) caught my eye.
GMMR : John, I read that you heard about our petition to Supersize the Office. Can you talk about the fan impact on the show?
John : GMMR. the fan impact on the show has been MONUMENTAL. It’s the whole reason why we are where we are, so first of all, thank you guys SO much. That was INCREDIBLE, and we all cheered on set the day we found out about it. As far as the impact, they say things are cliche because they are true, and it is true that everybody can make a difference. NBC definitely did it because of YOU guys.
The thought of everyone cheering on set because of something we did is really something. Wow, do I feel proud. So very proud. I’ll remember this one for a while.
Yeeesss! Nice job, gang! ;)
I came to late to these online Office communities (support groups? lol), so as a fellow fan I just want to say thanks to all those who lobbied for the supersized finale and all the other support you gave our favorite show. It would be a tragedy if this show never took off because people didn't realize its genius. It seems like it took active fan support to show the network bigs what was what.
I hope all this success doesn't go to anyone's head. You know what they say, mo' money, mo' problems.
Woo Hoo!!!!
You're SO VERY proud of signing an internet petition? I enjoyed the supersize, and signed it but come on. Do something worth being really proud of, this is a TV show. Yes, it is the best on the television right now but getting applause from a bunch of people pretending to be others is a very shallow goal. Petition for something worthwhile and contact your representatives in Congress.
That's definitely cool. You're kind of part of TV history.
Was it "worthwhile" to post that, The Svan?
We know it's a TV show, but why should we be any less pleased that our petition was influential?
I love how they treat us fans so well. I can't imagine that finale being any shorter!
"Petition for something worthwhile and contact your representatives in Congress."
The difference here, i think, is that we actually had a chance of our petition working. ;-)
Well said Trent.
I didn't say anything about being pleased. I said I was pleased with the result of the petition, so why would you think that I was critical of that? Please take the time to read something and understand it's content before attacking a post. Being proud of something so trivial points to a life that needs more meaning.
Pat D., I understand your joke but avoiding your civic duties makes you a bad citizen. The government is on us and if it's failing, as you assert, then it's our fault.
If my post made someone think, then it was most definitely worth the time.
That's so awesome, The Svan. You really did make me think, so it was surely time well spent.
Like: why would someone come to a fansite for a television show and then be offended that the creator of the site was happy to be mentioned by someone on the show?
Also: why would it bother someone that came to a website that someone had spent (I'm guessing) 100+ hours working on the creator had the gall to fell entitled to a little pride?
Yowza. Glad you took the time to drop a deuce in someone's cereal.
Thank you, Jake.
The problem with the Internet, The Svan, is that I can't tell if you're being sincere or if you're just trying to get a rise out of everyone. Either way, I'm just going to lay out a few facts here before I nip this thing in the bud.
I spent an entire weekend putting together that online petition with OfficeTally's help, and GMMR put a lot of effort into delivering a physical representation of it to the NBC/Universal offices. I don't really appreciate having my work trivialized, but what I appreciate even less is when it comes from someone who clearly has no idea what they're talking about.
That said, I'd like you to think about what you just wrote:
"Please take the time to read something and understand it's content before attacking a post."
I hope you realize how ridiculous that advice sounds coming from you.
The Svan, are you telling me that my life is lacking meaning just because I am proud of an internet television petition?
That is absolutely ridiculous.
Anyone watch World Cup?
I certainly appreciate the time you and Kath took to get that petition going, James.
The Svan, I don't get why our interest in The Office and being a responsible citizen have to be mutually exclusive. In my life, it isn't. This is an Office website so people are likely to be happy an Office-related petition worked. I don't think anyone claimed it is the be-all and end-all of existence. You might think you are showing us the way to enlightment but raining on people's parade by being condescending rarely makes people listen.
I don't really like watching soccer, but I think Jane should get the iPod just for changing the subject.
Of course, then I couldn't compete for it, and my life would lack meaning. What would I do then? Vote?
"I spent an entire weekend putting together that online petition with OfficeTally's help ..."
I remember that weekend well. I think we were up until 3am one night, getting more delirious with each passing minute.
Every minute of it worthwhile. :)
its always nice to know that the fans are recognized especially when it comes to affecting the outcome of the season finale :) its stuff like this that makes me LOVE the office and its actors.
Actually, yes, I have been watching the World Cup. I don't follow the sport regularly, but I do enjoy watching the tournament every four years. I've had the chance to watch both of the US games (great effort from our guys against Italy) as well as bits and pieces of the other matches.
Any ideas for how we can use our collective influence (previously demonstrated by the success of the online petition) to somehow let JK and Kwapis know how much we want them to record a second commentary track for Booze Cruise and Casino Night . . .
James - You have every right to be proud; this site is awesome. Extra awesome, even. This is the first tv show that has inspired me to do anything beyond watch it once a week, and from the looks of things lots of others feel the same.
Just have to say that I am proud of you guys for helping to make 10 extra seconds of finale bliss possible. :)
James, I said I appreciated your work and was only pointing out that there are much more worthwhile things to be proud of. Volunteer work, political work, etc. I do enjoyable things in my free time as well but being proud of such trivial things is a bit much.
I mean, seriously, The Office is just a TV show. It's entertainment, not the Nobel Peace prize. I just wonder if you need something more in your life. Try volunteering, it will make you feel much better than kissing the ass of people that are good at "pretending". This celebrity worship so common in North American culture is harmful and those worshiping these idols should consider how they can make their life more meaningful.
You know, The Svan, there are other accomplishments in my life that I am proud of. This conversation has no place in this thread; if you really want to continue this discussion, send me an e-mail. And use your real e-mail address this time, please.
Wrong, James. My posts have been entirely on target to the original post. Just because I commented on your narcissistic post doesn't mean doesn't belong on this thread. Of course, you have not said the World Cup talk was out of place. (England are screwed by losing Owen, why did Sven take Walcott if he isn’t going to use him? If you want World Cup talk I’ll be happy to chat with whomever since that’s obviously endorsed by James.) Hmmm, why is a soccer tournament in Germany okay but responding to the original post is not? I’m curious as to why that is.
Perhaps my posts have not as polite as you would like but the fact remains that you are proud of getting “pretenders” to say you’re awesome. I guess I should have written, “You guys are the best in the world and deserve the Nobel Peace Prize for such an amazing achievement. People may be out there working on the P53 gene or fighting poverty but you got a TV show an extra 15 minutes of air-time (including commercials). Well done, James. You are a hero in my eyes” I suppose that is what I should shoot for in the future.
As for giving you my real e-mail address that is not going to happen. I’m certainly aware that bloggers such as yourself sell the addresses you collect and I get enough spam as it is. Sorry.
Continue the spankfest that you enjoy getting from your “fans” and calling out people that give you honest criticism. Isn’t that the point of public writing?
Folks, I apologize in advance for perpetuating this conversation. Normally, I'd let something like this slide, but this latest response is not something I'll allow to go unchecked.
The Svan, you've provided no other way for me to respond to you, so I have no choice but to respond to you here.
"Just because I commented on your narcissistic post..."
Read my post again. I'm proud of what "we" did. "We" as in everyone who participated in the petition. I don't see how that's narcissistic.
"Hmmm, why is a soccer tournament in Germany okay but responding to the original post is not? I'm curious as to why that is."
I have no problem with digressing from the discussion topic occasionally. You clearly have some sort of personal issue with me, however, and that is something that I would prefer to keep out of this discussion. I'm sorry if you don't think that's a fair request, but I've publicized my e-mail address for a reason.
"I'm certainly aware that bloggers such as yourself sell the addresses you collect and I get enough spam as it is."
That is a very inconsiderate thing to say. If you really are worried about spam, then create a temporary e-mail account. If you can't at least put in the time to do that, then you have no business continuing this debate.
"Perhaps my posts have not as polite as you would like but the fact remains that you are proud of getting "pretenders" to say you’re awesome."
Enough with all of the assumptions and so-called facts. I never asked for the attention or for the compliments. I was investing time and effort into this blog far before I had any sort of audience. That being the case, I'm not going to lie to you: I enjoy the praises. It really brightens my day when someone leaves a kind note for me. What can I say, it makes me feel good to know that people are enjoying Northern Attack. I'm sorry if that makes me seem selfish.
You speak of this blog and of this petition as if they are the crowning achievements of my life without knowing anything about me. While I am very proud of what Northern Attack has become (in no small part due to the contributions of its patrons), to say that it serves as my high-water mark for personal achievements is flat-out wrong not to mention extremely disrespectful. Contrary to what you may think, I am aware that there is such a thing as perspective, so let's stop with these ridiculous claims.
I've addressed all of your points. If you have something further to say, then you will send it to james@northernattack.com. I will not have your personal criticisms cluttering my posts any longer.
I'm proud of all of us. And especially YOU GUYS who put it together.