The Paper (Peacock)

By: Dave Hughes

Few shows embedded themselves in American pop culture as quickly and completely as The Office (2005).  20 years later the iconic sitcom is still a factory for memes, GIFs and instantly recognizable quotes. It was inevitable that NBC Universal would return to that well, eager to draw new stories from one of their greatest successes. The Paper is the result. Created by Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks & Rec) and Michael Koman(How To With John Wilson, Nathan For You), the series shares The Office’s DNA but also carves out its own space. Though not revolutionary, it works with likeable  characters, a warm tone and enough charm to stand on its own. The Paper is a respectable spinoff that gives longtime fans something new at which they can smile. 

Set in Toledo, Ohio, The Paper stars Domhnall Gleeson (Black Mirror, About Time) as Ned Sampson, an editor reluctantly taking charge of the Toledo Truth Teller, a once viable publication now on life support.  Sampson is joined by a cast of misfits whose greatest writing achievement is being in a group text message. Oscar Nunez also returns as Oscar Martinez, giving longtime Office fans the pleasure of seeing a familiar face back on screen. Much like its predecessor, The Paper wants the audience to feel like these are real people who are reacting in real time. Long stares into the camera follow every bizarre moment, and the characters often mirror the reactions that viewers are likely having at home. There’s comfort in that familiar format, like catching up with an old friend.

At the same time, The Paper sets itself apart by grounding the absurdity in something meaningful. The characters know their jobs are often ridiculous, but most understand that local journalism still matters. The show walks the line between comedy and fine respect for the world of journalism. 

It would be easy to dismiss The Paper as a cash grab by NBC. But Daniels and Koman have put together a cast that’s genuinely likeable and by the end of the first season, most have earned their place. Some characters echo Office archetypes but the show gives them enough depth to stand apart. One stand out is Mare Pritto, played by Chelsea Frei (Animal Control, The Cleaning Lady). Mare is one of the few staffers with real world journalism experience. However, Mare finds herself torn between sticking around a dying industry and going into a safe bet. It’s a struggle many can relate to and reflects the show's main theme of survival in an evolving world. Another stand out is Sabrina Impacciatore(The Passion of the Christ) who plays Esmeralda Grand, the current editor who isn’t thrilled with Sampson’s arrival. Grand may remind the audience of a less lovable Michael Scott (Steve Carell) with her desperation to be liked on camera but with a more cutthroat attitude underneath. The ensemble works well and each character adds something new to the embattled newsroom. 

Target Score: 7/10. The Paper does not reinvent the mockumentary sitcom format, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a confident and thoughtful spinoff with heart, humor and a clear point of view. The characters stick, the tone holds, and the show offers more than nostalgia but it absolutely knows its roots.