Nesbit

I do training classes once a month or so (5 sessions per class) and like to start with an ice breaker. One ice breaker I use on every class is "What is your favorite tv show?" I have done this 5 or 6 times and everytime I say the Office all I get is blank stares. It is not an established hit.

Dash

The office may not be an established hit ratings wise but winning an Emmy sure helps. As for this season, I think its supposed to feel off from last season. With out Jim there, the office is not the same. There is no one there to really ground the show so whatever Dwight or Michael does just seems more goofy than usual.

cungar

Dumbest scene on the show yet. If this was in the first episode, I never would have watched again.

Ph8te

Well Ill have to disagree with the posters that have said this show has gone "commercial" and now focuses on Michael and Dwight too much. Michael IS the mainstay of this show and will ALWAYS have a part to play in it. Dwight while still going "over te top" I think we are seeing his character "unleashed" since when Jim was there he was stiffled so to speak.



As far as the secondary characters they had ALL of the webisodes geared towards them, and really in the end they are "supporting" characters to th main story line, you will see them when they are needed but not much more.

Also, we are (as it has been said) only 5 episods into the season and the storylines are just getting started so I think (IMO) that it is a little early to start complaining about the show until we see where they are taking the show. I personally havent had a problem with any of the episodes so far and have enjoyed every single one of them, as always though there are high and low points but that is to be expected.

clckworang

Tell that to the people behind Arrested Development ...

Nesbit

Which a lot of us feel is different that last season and very "commercial".

I'm a wrestling fan and the excuses I hear in here are a lot like the excuses people make to themselves when wrestling is in a boring period. "So and so is gone. The show is different on purpose until so and so returns. When they return the show will go back to how good it use to be."

As I said before a lot of us that loved last season are going to bitch most of this season because while the show is still great we are use to the quality of season 2 and don't believe that season 3 comes close.

Jay G.

Except it's not different. The supporting characters were supporting characters the past seasons as well, and got near the same amount of air time.

The major criticisms against this season so far - Michael and Dwight are more "over-the-top," the secondary characters are getting much less screen time, the show is more "commercial" or "traditional sitcom-like" this season - don't really hold up for me. I don't even think there's a noticible drop in the quality of writing or in the show overall. Yes, having Jim in another office is different, and changes aspects of the show. However, "different" doesn't equal "bad," and I like that the show isn't afraid to venture into new territories instead of sticking to the old formula until it's been bled dry. I do think Jim will be reunited with the rest of the office soon, but even then I don't think the show will return to what "it used to be." The show's moving forward, but it really hasn't drastically changed the characters or focus the way that some people seem to think it has.

obscurelabel

Different tastes and all. I laughed out loud.

WallyOPD

Except we're not saying "the show will go back to how good it used to be" we're saying "the show is just as good as it has always been." Some of the dynamics have changed with Jim being out of the office, but the show is still at the same high level it was at last year.

monkyskunk

and so did I. That scene reminded me of the Seinfield episode where they are celebrating Festivus and one of the rituals was the feats of strength. Over the top? Yeah, but still funny to me nonetheless, just like the Office

Draven

"Wrestle fear to the ground!"

I laughed out loud too.

Nesbit

I actually don't believe that the show is more "Commercial" myself though I do think that only 2 episodes this year have been on par with season 2.

Jay G.

On par with the best of Season 2 or the worst of Season 2?

UncleGramps

I'm assuming there was no new episode last night? Tivo didn't seem to think there was, and there's no new thread here. Did they give a reason for skipping a week?

Dr. Henry Jones, Jr.

most shows were on repeat last night for some reason, they re-airing the season premier

Jimmy James

It's the last Thursday before sweeps. The shows are scheduling in a repeat while they can. If they didn't, that would be one less show they could air in March/April between the February/May sweeps periods.

UncleGramps

My wife and I were very confused when we sat down to watch last night and there was no recording. Thanks for the explanation.

TruGator

I figured it was a repeat because of the World Series.

Jimmy James

I don't think the networks fear the World Series all that much. I didn't see too many shows in repeats this week. It's not the spectacle that the Super Bowl is for sure.