Category: The Office (Page 8 of 17)

SteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeRIKE!

November 7, 2007 / Will Harris

Whether you’re a casual TV viewer or a full-fledged couch potato, you probably know about the WGA writer’s strike that’s currently gripping the entertainment industry. Even at the risk of having both my livelihood and my viewing habits upset, as a writer myself (albeit not of scripts, although I do have a few projects I’ve been working on), I’m unequivocally on the side of the Writer’s Guild members in this battle; I’d prefer that it come to a conclusion sooner than later, of course, but when it comes right down to it, I want it to last until the writers get a decent share of the profits from the material they’ve worked so hard on. Besides, like I don’t have enough TV-DVD sets to hold me over ’til it reaches an agreeable conclusion…?

If you don’t really know what’s going on, there are plenty of places to get the scoop from a journalistic perspective, but I think you’ll get much more insight if you take info straight from the horse’s mouth, i.e. from some of the individuals who are actually doing the striking, and the best place to start is at at Mark Evanier’s blog. I don’t think I’ve seen a more succinct explanation anywhere as to why the striking writers are, well, in the right.

Other perspectives:

* Ken Levine
* Brian K. Vaughan
* Joss Whedon

Alas, however, “The Office” has gone dark.

For the latest and greatest (or most depressing) updates on how things are going, check out DeadlineHollywoodDaily.com, where Nikki Finke provides about the best coverage that the ‘net has to offer. For alternate blog coverage, there’s also “Scribe Vibe” (Variety) and The Huffington Post.

Oh, and I wasn’t going to offer up this info first-hand, but since someone at Variety has broken the news, I’ll go ahead and link to it: I might not have much of a TCA Press Tour to attend in January.

Damn. But if that’s the way it’s gotta be, then that’s the way it’s gotta be.

Go, WGA!

Actors, Actresses, External Entertainment, External TV, News, TCA Press Tour, The Office, TV, TV Action, TV Comedies, TV Dramas, TV Sci-Fi

The Office: “Branch Wars”

November 2, 2007 / John Paulsen

“U-TI-CA! U-TI-CA! U-TI-CA!”

Jim just knew things weren’t going to end well when he realized that Michael and Dwight had hoodwinked him and were taking him to see Karen in Utica. But once there was talk of blowing the branch up, he felt like he had to go to keep things under control.

The road trip was classic – fake moustaches, throwing cell phones out the window, and Dwight peeing in a soda can (and subsequently cutting his penis on the lip). When they finally got to Utica, Michael asked Jim, “Do you want the afro wig?”

It was smart to shoot he scene where Dwight and Michael are infiltrating the branch from Jim’s point of view. I loved Micheal’s line to the security guard – “We are warehouse workers. Do you need more proof?” – as well as Dwight’s obsession with attacking someone in the eyes because “the eyes are the groin of the head.”

Jim’s interaction with Karen was hilarious, from her finding him hiding in the PT Cruiser “in a ladies warehouse uniform” to her speech to him once he said that things were going well with Pam:

“Oh, things are going really well? Are they? They are? That’s great. That’s SO great. I want to hear more about how happy you are with Pam. Can you tell me more about that? Thank you so much for coming to Utica and breaking my copier and telling me how well things are going in your relationship. Really. Thank you.”

Jim’s response? “All right. You…are…welcome.”

The episode’s other storyline was the “Finer Things Club,” which was mainly meant to keep some of the other characters busy while Michael, Dwight and Jim went to Utica. While I did like the scene where Kevin comes in to buy some candy and Phyllis microwaves popcorn, I thought the best line was Oscar’s introduction: “Besides having sex with men, the Finer Things Club is the gayest thing about me.”

Did I miss any great moments?

External Entertainment, External TV, The Office, TV, TV Comedies

The Office: “Local Ad”

October 26, 2007 / John Paulsen

The series is back to its regular 30-minute format, which I think works a little better because it leaves the viewer wanting more, but as soon as Michael said that the branch was shooting a commercial, it was all about the payoff of seeing the final cut at the end. The group started with a little brainstorming, and when Pam, who is probably the most creative person in the office, suggested an idea, Michael quipped, “Even the receptionist is getting in on the creativity.” You just knew that her graphics were going to be the best part of the commercial. At some point, I’d love to see Pam’s artistic career take off, but not until the series winds down.

Michael’s interaction with the ad guys was terrific, from his introduction of the workers in the office – “These are our accountants, and you can see that they are very different sizes” – to his thoughts on the Nashville branch’s ad – “That sucks.” I especially liked it when he told them to leave and the one ad guy said, “I’m not arguing with this guy.”

The Dwight/Angela/Andy romantic triangle (if you can call it that) took an interesting turn when Andy told Dwight that Angela kept calling him “D” (for “AnDY,” he thought), which really put some wind into Dwight’s sails. Not that he needs it. He seems to have plenty of wind in his face flying around in his Second Life. That brought us to the payoff of that bit – Pam teasing Jim about his avatar. Pam wanted to learn more about Philly Jim, the well-built, guitar-playing sportswriter, and who can blame her? But Jim wanted to move on. (And who can blame him?)

The scene with Darryl and the gang writing a jingle was pretty funny as well. His deadpan “what’s rap?” line was classic. Michael’s criticism was terrific:

“I hate it. I don’t hate it, I just don’t like it. At all. And it’s terrible.”

I actually thought the commercial turned out pretty well, though I didn’t catch the subtle humor of the “I’m your son” bit between Dwight and Phyllis – how does a woman not know that she has a child? – until I watched it a second time. The “Chariots of Fire” music was a nice touch, and I especially liked the shot of Kelly in India and the scene with Stanley picking up trash. (I believe he was wearing a shirt and tie underneath his state-issued jumpsuit.)

What were your favorite moments?

External Entertainment, External TV, The Office, TV, TV Comedies

The Office: “Money”

October 21, 2007 / John Paulsen

I don’t know that I’d have the courage to stay at Schrute Farms, so I have to hand it to Pam and Jim for battling the elements and spending the night, even if they did it for nefarious purposes. With all the sobbing and in-your-face antics of Andy, I actually felt sorry for Dwight this week, but he always bounces back.

Jim: “You okay?”
Dwight: “I am better than you have ever been or ever will be.”

I have to mention Dwight’s three themed rooms: America, Irrigation and Nighttime. WTF?

“Put the manure down, Moes.”

The nice thing about Pam and Jim is that they saw that Dwight was down and they weren’t willing to make his life any worse. It was great when Dwight reached out to touch Jim in the stairwell only Jim was long gone.

Meanwhile, Michael has got himself in quite the financial pickle. I’m not sure why he doesn’t have the balls to stand up to Jan; I guess he’s still too enamored with her boob job to say anything. His “Die Hard” vs. “Die Hard 4” comparison was hilarious…

“Dude, you should review movies.”

The money troubles led to Creed’s suggestion that Michael declare bankruptcy, which he did a few moments later (to the people in the office) with very little thought. That brought Oscar in for a hilarious assessment of Michael’s finances.

“This scary black bar represents expenses that no one should ever have for any reason.”

I thought Michael’s race for the train was pretty funny, especially when he was trying to time his jump, and finally jumped on just as the train stopped.

Jan found him and the two had a very sweet moment.

Jan: “So where is this train taking us?”
Michael: “I think the engineer left.”

Ryan made another funny appearance this week, but it would be nice to see him get down a notch or two. The PowerPoint presentation was pretty funny, especially the back and forth about the correct usage of “whomever” and “whoever.” Michael had a great line when Oscar put in his two cents. He looked at the camera and said, “Not a native speaker.”

What were your favorite moments?

External TV, The Office, TV, TV Comedies

The Office: “Launch Party”

October 12, 2007 / John Paulsen

I don’t know how the creators can turn a simple thing like a screen saver icon hitting the corner perfectly into a hilarious two-minute bit, but I confess I’ve stared at the same screen saver wondering if it could ever hit the corner. (And it was during a staff meeting at my old job, too.)

Anyway, the first half of the hour-long episode focused mainly on Dwight’s mission to outsell the computer, and damn if he didn’t accomplish that feat, utilizing the rally call, “In your face, machines!” Jim and Pam’s prank of playing the role of a computer that just became self-aware was a thing of beauty. Reason #592 why I love Pam: her compassion. She could see that Dwight was struggling with his breakup, so she sent him the message, “You beat me. You are the superior being.” The expression on Dwight’s face as he read that was absolutely priceless.

For his role in that contest, this week’s MVC (Most Valuable Character) is Dwight. Congratulations, Mr. Schrute.

I was less enthused about the kidnapping storyline. I thought it was far too bizarre, even for Michael. When the kid refused to take his coupon, he had the perfect way out of buying the pizzas his employees didn’t want, but he didn’t take it. I was waiting for the cops to show up at the end, and I think the writers missed a good laugh there.

There were a couple relationship developments in this episode. It looks like Kelly and Darryl area headed for something, which is promising because Darryl is hilarious and needs more screen time. And the Angela/Dwight split seems like it’s final, especially after Andy’s terrific rendition (with the help of a couple of buddies) of ABBA’s “Take a Chance On Me.” Angela kills me with those little smiles as she walks off.

Finally, a few random, funny lines:

– Oscar, realizing that he was in the conference room to help with Michael’s new shirt, saying “This is why I’m here?” and walking out.
– Andy, after bringing something made of ice to the party, saying, “I stole it.”
– Kelly, slamming a piece of pizza on Ryan’s smug mug on the TV. (By the way, how cool was it to see him get yelled at for using some other dude’s office?)
– Michael, putting the sushi tray on a nearby car when he and Dwight decide to leave.

What was your favorite (or least favorite) moment?