When “The Office” premiered its final episode on May 16, 2013, fans of the show were instantly hungry for more. However, a planned spinoff focusing on the character of Dwight was rejected by NBC, and the creators moved on to projects such as “Parks and Recreation” and “The Good Place.”
After several years and a sudden surge in popularity, NBC finally realized the potential of an “Office” spinoff. Now, after more than a decade of waiting, we have “The Paper,” focusing on a fictional Ohio newspaper, the Toledo Truth-Teller, and the people who work there.
The show was created by the same minds who created the original, so it’s no surprise that this series is an absolute delight.
The story begins as the same fictional documentary crew that filmed “The Office” discovers a fading Toledo newspaper, which becomes the subject of their new project. We follow Ned Sampson, played by Domhnall Gleeson, the new editor who recruits volunteer reporters from the staff in an attempt to resurrect the dying paper and restore it to its former glory.
Gleeson, mostly known for dramatic roles in films like “Ex Machina” and “Star Wars,” shows his range as the bumbling and awkward editor-in-chief.
Other notable performances include Oscar Nunez, reprising his role as Oscar Martinez from the original series, as well as British character actor Tim Key, who plays Ken Davies. Davies serves as one of the main antagonists, constantly working to undermine Ned in often hilarious ways.
However, the character of Esmeralda Grand, the managing editor of the paper, drags down the ensemble. She usually works with Davies in resisting Ned’s plans. But unlike Davies, Esmeralda has no charm or sympathy. She is simply a terrible person.
This is not the fault of Sabrina Impacciatore, the actress who plays her and is known for starring in the second season of “The White Lotus.” Impacciatore plays her well. It’s just that the writers need to find a sympathetic side to her in upcoming seasons, or else the show risks feeling cartoony and unrealistic.
The writing, on the other hand, is fantastic, with dialogue flowing smoothly from scene to scene. The show is very funny, and most of that comes from the writers.
Another strength is its accurate and realistic portrayal of newspaper production. Like the staff of The Prowl, the staff of the Toledo Truth-Teller have several story meetings to discuss what to write about. The reporting process also feels true to real journalism.
In summary, although there are some setbacks, “The Paper” succeeds — not by copying what made “The Office” so special, but by doing its own thing with a great cast and exceptional writing.
