"The Office" off to a good start
Justin Pacheo
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
10/02/07 - Recently, there was an article on MSN.com lamenting the inability of sitcoms to actually make people laugh. Basically, the author pointed out that sitcoms, while they may have some cute or amusing moments, rarely make anyone laugh out loud.
"Futurama," a sitcom that consistently made me laugh, was the first exception I though of. "The Office" is another exception, and a better example since this article is about its season premiere, though I anxiously await "Futurama's" return this fall.
Last season, I probably watched all the episodes of "The Office" and my friends and I probably laughed out loud countless times per episode.
The season premiere last Thursday night did not disappoint in any way as far as delivering laughs goes.
The irreverent quotes like, "I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious," provide some of the lighter laughs, but a lot of the humor comes from Michael and Dwight's inappropriate reactions to dark or serious situations.
For starters, the entire episode is based around the fact that Michael hit Meredith with his car. That devolves into a series of subplots that include Dwight killing Angela's sick cat, Meredith discovering she may have rabies, and Michael's subsequent decision to have a 5K Run for rabies awareness.
These situations provide fodder for the series' more offbeat. And it's this offbeat humor that creates the most laughs in my opinion. Michael, pondering deep thoughts after Angela's cat dies, says, "Is there a god? If not, then what are all these churches for?" Moments and quotes like this make the series.
This episode of "The Office" was a particularly good one, packing in plenty of laughs while moving along the necessary plot points such as Ryan's promotion and Karen leaving.
The big plot announcement of course involves Pam and Jim. I'll refrain from ruining it here, but I hope that this move will prevent the Pam and Jim relationship from becoming an insufferable, "Friends"-like, Ross and Rachael mess.
But that's really the only complaint I have about the season premiere- although it's not really a complaint, more of a concern for the series as a whole.
Fans of "The Office" appear to be in for a treat this season. For anyone who has yet to watch the show, "The Office" is on NBC, Thursday nights at 9 p.m., and it's never too late to start watching.
"Futurama," a sitcom that consistently made me laugh, was the first exception I though of. "The Office" is another exception, and a better example since this article is about its season premiere, though I anxiously await "Futurama's" return this fall.
Last season, I probably watched all the episodes of "The Office" and my friends and I probably laughed out loud countless times per episode.
The season premiere last Thursday night did not disappoint in any way as far as delivering laughs goes.
The irreverent quotes like, "I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious," provide some of the lighter laughs, but a lot of the humor comes from Michael and Dwight's inappropriate reactions to dark or serious situations.
For starters, the entire episode is based around the fact that Michael hit Meredith with his car. That devolves into a series of subplots that include Dwight killing Angela's sick cat, Meredith discovering she may have rabies, and Michael's subsequent decision to have a 5K Run for rabies awareness.
These situations provide fodder for the series' more offbeat. And it's this offbeat humor that creates the most laughs in my opinion. Michael, pondering deep thoughts after Angela's cat dies, says, "Is there a god? If not, then what are all these churches for?" Moments and quotes like this make the series.
This episode of "The Office" was a particularly good one, packing in plenty of laughs while moving along the necessary plot points such as Ryan's promotion and Karen leaving.
The big plot announcement of course involves Pam and Jim. I'll refrain from ruining it here, but I hope that this move will prevent the Pam and Jim relationship from becoming an insufferable, "Friends"-like, Ross and Rachael mess.
But that's really the only complaint I have about the season premiere- although it's not really a complaint, more of a concern for the series as a whole.
Fans of "The Office" appear to be in for a treat this season. For anyone who has yet to watch the show, "The Office" is on NBC, Thursday nights at 9 p.m., and it's never too late to start watching.
