Comments on: Why I Watch The Office http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/ Musings about The Office and other tales from the watercooler. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:27:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.2 Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: MJ http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-4048 Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:42:42 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-4048 I loved reading why you love the office. I couldn't of said it better. I hate to admit it, but I just found it. My husband had watched it and talked about how funny it was, so I asked for season one & two on DVD for Christmas. It is my favorite show. It's rare that the entire cast is so likable, but it's true, I love all of them. Of course the story lines of Jim and Pam are my favorite. I can't wait each week to see what the interaction is between them. I recently lost both of my parents suddenly, and the show is the bright spot of my week. I too only know of this website because of the DVD commentary, and I thank you for it! I loved reading why you love the office. I couldn't of said it better. I hate to admit it, but I just found it. My husband had watched it and talked about how funny it was, so I asked for season one & two on DVD for Christmas. It is my favorite show. It's rare that the entire cast is so likable, but it's true, I love all of them. Of course the story lines of Jim and Pam are my favorite. I can't wait each week to see what the interaction is between them. I recently lost both of my parents suddenly, and the show is the bright spot of my week. I too only know of this website because of the DVD commentary, and I thank you for it!

]]> Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: Dave W. in ME http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-2340 Thu, 21 Sep 2006 01:14:32 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-2340 Thanks for writing about why "The Office" is so great. I would have never known about this site if not for hearing Jenna mention it on the DVD commentary. I love the "attack you with the North". Michael is so clueless, but has no clue that he's clueless -- or does he?. Hate to drag politics in, but I think people find Michael Scott so true is because George W. Bush is our leader. He's our boss (sort of) but we're not sure how he got there and we know people smarter than him. The show is brilliant and well-written and well cast. As Michael would say, it's "incalculable". Thanks for writing about why "The Office" is so great.
I would have never known about this site if not for hearing Jenna mention it on the DVD commentary.
I love the "attack you with the North". Michael is so clueless, but has no clue that he's clueless -- or does he?.
Hate to drag politics in, but I think people find Michael Scott so true is because George W. Bush is our leader. He's our boss (sort of) but we're not sure how he got there and we know people smarter than him.
The show is brilliant and well-written and well cast.
As Michael would say, it's "incalculable".

]]> Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: Elena http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-2164 Tue, 05 Sep 2006 18:21:22 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-2164 You're insane. Basically, you've just summed up every Office fan's reasons. How'd you do it? HOW!?!?! Anyways, I am SO greatful that you have created this wondeful site, and have devotes so much time/energy to putting it up, and really EXPLAINING episodes, and quoting...and... if I keep going, this'll be one HECK of a comment. But, thanks. :) You're insane. Basically, you've just summed up every Office fan's reasons.
How'd you do it? HOW!?!?!
Anyways, I am SO greatful that you have created this wondeful site, and have devotes so much time/energy to putting it up, and really EXPLAINING episodes, and quoting...and...
if I keep going, this'll be one HECK of a comment.
But, thanks. :)

]]> Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: Joe http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-1696 Fri, 28 Jul 2006 07:31:14 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-1696 While reading this I found myself saying over and over, "that's so true!". I recently started watching The Office after a friend introduced me to it. Over the past two weeks, I've watched every episode and I have liked it more and more with each episode. I want to go through them again because, as you said, there are jokes in there that don't come out until two or three views. If anything, I think that really defines excellent comedy - the fact that it's <i>not</i> in-your-face all the time. I myself do not watch a lot of television (my two other favorite shows are Seinfeld and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, which I was stunned when you mentioned Conan in this write up), and I am weary of new shows - there is just so much crap TV out there now. The Office is really an amazing show, like you say, one minute I find myself laughing hysterically, and the next I find myself really feeling for the characters. The Jim/Pam development is beautifully and tastefully done. The end of the Boys and Girls episode in season 2 is so well done - no words are spoken, and it's so quick, but the point is driven home. While reading this I found myself saying over and over, "that's so true!". I recently started watching The Office after a friend introduced me to it. Over the past two weeks, I've watched every episode and I have liked it more and more with each episode. I want to go through them again because, as you said, there are jokes in there that don't come out until two or three views. If anything, I think that really defines excellent comedy - the fact that it's not in-your-face all the time.
I myself do not watch a lot of television (my two other favorite shows are Seinfeld and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, which I was stunned when you mentioned Conan in this write up), and I am weary of new shows - there is just so much crap TV out there now.
The Office is really an amazing show, like you say, one minute I find myself laughing hysterically, and the next I find myself really feeling for the characters. The Jim/Pam development is beautifully and tastefully done. The end of the Boys and Girls episode in season 2 is so well done - no words are spoken, and it's so quick, but the point is driven home.

]]> Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: Sruti http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-1642 Fri, 21 Jul 2006 22:18:31 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-1642 "Writer A : This is a pleasant scene. Writer B : We’ll add Brent. Reshoots scene with Brent. Writer A : I have never been more offended in my life. Writer B : Smashing. Let’s have some tea." I'm not sure if this was meant as a joke, your bit about the two writers of the original office putting together scenes with Brent. I think there was a lot more heart in the british show than you are giving credit, even in addition to the Tim/Dawn thing. Sure Brent had a huge ego and wasn't good with people, but he did need them, in the end of series 2 he just breaks down. Brent is not just in there to be offensive. He's just awkard and extremely insecure. very much like Michael Scott. Except, I think Michael Scott is even more childish than Brent. When i'm viewing the two programs, it seems that Brent is appealing to the audience through the camera and Scott is trying so hard to appeal to his staff in the bullpen. Different styles. "Writer A : This is a pleasant scene.
Writer B : We’ll add Brent. Reshoots scene with Brent.
Writer A : I have never been more offended in my life.
Writer B : Smashing. Let’s have some tea."

I'm not sure if this was meant as a joke, your bit about the two writers of the original office putting together scenes with Brent. I think there was a lot more heart in the british show than you are giving credit, even in addition to the Tim/Dawn thing. Sure Brent had a huge ego and wasn't good with people, but he did need them, in the end of series 2 he just breaks down. Brent is not just in there to be offensive. He's just awkard and extremely insecure. very much like Michael Scott. Except, I think Michael Scott is even more childish than Brent. When i'm viewing the two programs, it seems that Brent is appealing to the audience through the camera and Scott is trying so hard to appeal to his staff in the bullpen. Different styles.

]]> Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: Salt in the Wound http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-941 Fri, 28 Apr 2006 20:30:05 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-941 [...] UPDATE: Holy crap.  I just read the reasons why the person who writes Northern Attack watches The Office.  Wow.  Wow.  A million times more indepth and spot on than mine.  So forget my crappy post and go read the real deal.  It even included a part I thought of, but forgot to mention: the accesibility of the characters.  3 or 4 of the actors have Myspace pages where they blog, respond to comments and/or emails, post pictures, and all kinds of other things.  Not too many shows have actors that give that much back to their fan bas and I applaud them for it. The Colbert Report I look forward to seeing this show more than The Daily Show these days. Colbert’s ability to ad-lib in-character is very impressive. I love the running gags: [...] [...] UPDATE: Holy crap.  I just read the reasons why the person who writes Northern Attack watches The Office.  Wow.  Wow.  A million times more indepth and spot on than mine.  So forget my crappy post and go read the real deal.  It even included a part I thought of, but forgot to mention: the accesibility of the characters.  3 or 4 of the actors have Myspace pages where they blog, respond to comments and/or emails, post pictures, and all kinds of other things.  Not too many shows have actors that give that much back to their fan bas and I applaud them for it. The Colbert Report I look forward to seeing this show more than The Daily Show these days. Colbert’s ability to ad-lib in-character is very impressive. I love the running gags: [...]

]]> Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: Robert Penner http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-77 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 05:39:17 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-77 Great essay. I told a friend today, "The Office is so much better than everything else out there, it's not even fair." Great essay. I told a friend today, "The Office is so much better than everything else out there, it's not even fair."

]]> Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: bp http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-37 Wed, 09 Nov 2005 21:21:54 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-37 James, I love this "Why I Watch the Office" essay. If I didn't know better, I'd swear I wrote it. I'm not used to getting so invested in TV shows (spending time on message boards, etc.), but since I first heard they were doing a US version with Greg Daniels and Steve Carell at the beginning of this year, I've felt so perversely dedicated to it. Glad to see someone like yourself who's so dedicated and understands what makes this show great is able to put together such a wonderful site for it. The show recaps are outstanding. Excellent work! James, I love this "Why I Watch the Office" essay. If I didn't know better, I'd swear I wrote it. I'm not used to getting so invested in TV shows (spending time on message boards, etc.), but since I first heard they were doing a US version with Greg Daniels and Steve Carell at the beginning of this year, I've felt so perversely dedicated to it. Glad to see someone like yourself who's so dedicated and understands what makes this show great is able to put together such a wonderful site for it. The show recaps are outstanding. Excellent work!

]]> Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: Joe http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-26 Mon, 07 Nov 2005 08:38:41 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-26 The relationship between Michael/Ryan is something like (envious middle adged manager with man-crush on exciting young new guy/temp whos just looking for $10 and hour and doesn't care about his work at all), and between Ryan/Dwight it's (again, new guy who doesn't care about job/insanely jealous guy who desperately wants all of Michael's attention). But neither of those relationships are as well defined or as rich as the previous 4 you mentioned. It seems like they've tried to pull in some topics for Ryan but haven't finished them. His reaction and acceptance speech at the Dundies was uncomfortable. He was (and continues to be) clearly uncomfortable with Michael's advances, although I believe they are purely non-sexual from Michaels side - just a "man-crush", a la George Costanza. But Ryans commentary after the got the award - "I.... i really don't know what i'm going to do with this.... I have other things to think about", or something like that - that was kind of weird. I'm thinking Ryan is thinking he might be gay, and the way Michael is acting makes him uncomfortable. I dunno, probably overanalysis. The relationship between Michael/Ryan is something like (envious middle adged manager with man-crush on exciting young new guy/temp whos just looking for $10 and hour and doesn't care about his work at all), and between Ryan/Dwight it's (again, new guy who doesn't care about job/insanely jealous guy who desperately wants all of Michael's attention). But neither of those relationships are as well defined or as rich as the previous 4 you mentioned.

It seems like they've tried to pull in some topics for Ryan but haven't finished them. His reaction and acceptance speech at the Dundies was uncomfortable. He was (and continues to be) clearly uncomfortable with Michael's advances, although I believe they are purely non-sexual from Michaels side - just a "man-crush", a la George Costanza. But Ryans commentary after the got the award - "I.... i really don't know what i'm going to do with this.... I have other things to think about", or something like that - that was kind of weird. I'm thinking Ryan is thinking he might be gay, and the way Michael is acting makes him uncomfortable. I dunno, probably overanalysis.

]]> Comment on Why I Watch The Office by: James http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-23 Sun, 06 Nov 2005 20:54:40 +0000 http://www.northernattack.com/archives/why-i-watch-the-office/#comment-23 Joe, That's a good question. Despite his presence on the opening credits, he does receive a disproportionately small amount of screen time. The other four main cast members all have pretty well defined relationships with one another: * Michael/Dwight (boss/minion) * Michael/Pam (boss/indignant receptionist) * Jim and Pam/Dwight (pranksters/butt) * Jim/Pam (sensitive admirer/reluctantly engaged) They have been developing something between Michael and Ryan -- what that _something_ is exactly remains to be seen -- but there hasn't been much of a dynamic between him and the other three characters. Actually, that's not entirely true: there were some great exchanges between him and Dwight in _The Fire_. But yeah, I do think that the potential is there for more Ryan-centric storylines -- they've certainly laid the groundwork for it. I suppose something has to give when you're constrained to a 20-minute show. Joe,

That's a good question. Despite his presence on the opening credits, he does receive a disproportionately small amount of screen time. The other four main cast members all have pretty well defined relationships with one another:

  • Michael/Dwight (boss/minion)
  • Michael/Pam (boss/indignant receptionist)
  • Jim and Pam/Dwight (pranksters/butt)
  • Jim/Pam (sensitive admirer/reluctantly engaged)

They have been developing something between Michael and Ryan -- what that something is exactly remains to be seen -- but there hasn't been much of a dynamic between him and the other three characters. Actually, that's not entirely true: there were some great exchanges between him and Dwight in The Fire.

But yeah, I do think that the potential is there for more Ryan-centric storylines -- they've certainly laid the groundwork for it. I suppose something has to give when you're constrained to a 20-minute show.

]]>