The Office - Season 3.

[rluzinski]

Why the hell is NBC trying to turn "The Office" into another Friends? I didn't mind Jim and Pam having their little inter-office flirts but when did their romance become the show completely? What made "The Office" so interesting was that it didn't fit into any of the pre-existing cookie cutter American comedy genres (well, because they copied the British version). Now some stupid NBC exec says, "I know it's doing well but I know how to make it even better!"

 

It wouldn't suprise me if Steve Carroll leaves the show after this season and The Office continues on in mediocrity for a couple more years. My Name is Earl and The Office are the first new comedies tv series I've liked in years and it looks like they are trying to destroy one of them.

[trwi7]

Isn't NBC last in ratings compared to FOX, CBS and ABC? That could explain it, Friends was such a popular show that they may think they can get better ratings if they can steer the show in that direction.

[Fatter than Joey]

Well -- here's hoping that it doesn't happen. Perhaps instead of a big romance Jim will screw up the wedding, and then the office will be uncomfortable and Dwight will do funny stuff

[mothershipconnection]

My friend and I actually had a movie discussion recently about how few good movies don't have some sort or romantic element. Seriously, when you really think about it, they almost all have some romantic sub-plot and it's really annoying. Not everything in life has to do with love, and major accomplishments have been made by people who were totally single and not doing it to win over the girl/guy or their dreams. Even horror movies and thrillers are always about the jilted lover of the couple that was madly in love before the killer took one of them and now the other is out for revenge. It's stupid.

[Jopal78]

Keep in mind that the original series of "The Office" on the BBC was only 12 episodes long, and it ended. The NBC version is already pushing 30 episodes. The real question is how much material will the format provide. If the BBC version is any indicator the writers are probably already feeling the squeeze. Hence, the romance angle becomes necessary to provide further plot material. Otherwise, they will merely start reworking existing episodes and jokes.

 

There are two alternatives to the romantic angle which are generally employed. First they could simply introduce new characters and dump some of the other ones (ie. ER, Happy Days, etc.), but NBC already has witnessed how that can run a dominant show (ratings wise) into mediocrity.

 

The second option is to take the episodes out of what is plausible in the office setting and merely become a fantasy show. (ie. later episodes of Roseanne, Happy Days, The Simpsons, etc.).

[SeriesFinale]

You do know the romance (or lack therof) between Tim (Jim) and Dawn (Pam) was central to the BBC version, too, right?

 

I have absolutely no problem with NBC playing up this angle in their commercials for whatever demographic.

[Gone]

I'm pretty excited about season 3, so I went out and bought the first 2 seasons and rewatched all the episodes over the past week or so just so it would be fresh in my mind.

 

Pam and Jim "romance" or at least flirtiness has been going on from the 1st show. So this doesn't really seem to be anything new. At some point that sub plot of the show had to be explored.

 

All shows good shows (and some bad) seem to end a season with something that with something that will bring people back again the next year. The Pam and Jim thing seemed to be the obvious choice and I really doubt that it'll be the focus of the upcoming season. Just seems to be what NBC has chosen to bring people back for another season.

[IslandsAC]

I think NBC is the best (or is it worst) at using overly dramatic promos that don't portray the true nature of the program. I'm guessing/hoping that this season will bring more of the same humor. If its Pam and Jim together instead of ridiculously drawn out sexual tension, so be it. I don't anticipate that to be the focal point of the show. Hopefully.

[rluzinski]

It's not that I mind them exploring Jim and Pam's romance. It's how they are going it. I didn't picture "The Office" ever presenting that angle with all the sappiness it's presented with in every other crappy tv sitcom. Sappy music and a stolen kiss. I can't wait to see if Ross and Rachel get back together!

[SeriesFinale]

Well, actually, I am excited to see how the romance between Jim and Pam proceeds. It's been handled very well thus far (and free of sappy music) and I have no reason to think that would change on the show just because of the commercials.

[jloos19]

You never got into Arrested Development, Russ? It's simply brilliant.

[Crazyk1294]

I'm on vacation and picked up the season 2 DVD this week. It's the only network show that I watch and it's outstanding. Drugs: Let's not, and say we did.

[IslandsAC]

Quote:

---

It's simply brilliant.

---

 

Truer words were never spoken.

[molitor fan]

My wife, on vacation this week, had seen one episode before Monday. On Monday, she popped in the Season 2 DVD I bought last week and watched 18 episodes (with all the deleted scenes) in one sitting. That's how good it is.

[DougJones43]

Truer words were never spoken.

 

I second that notion. It's an absolute travesty that Arrested Development lasted less than 3 full seasons. It was one of the most original, witty, well-written and well-acted sitcoms on TV in a long time. I think its demise is comparable to if Seinfeld had gotten cancelled during the middle of its 3rd season.

 

Reality shows are ruining television. They're much cheaper to produce, and the fact that they somehow get higher ratings than brilliant sitcoms makes me nauseous. People would rather watch America's Got Talent, Big Brother and Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy than see anything with an ounce of creativity or intelligence. As long as reality shows rule television, the chances of a good sitcom sticking around long on network TV is slim to none. I'm pretty shocked The Office and My Name is Earl have lasted as long as they have.

 

 

...Okay, that was my vent for the day. I just finished watching the final season of Arrested Development on DVD and I'm angry they didn't make more.

[Crazyk1294]

As I am watching the last DVD of the second season, I just realized that I saw one of the actors from the show at the Comedy Cafe a few years ago! I saw Craig Robinson, the black guy from the warehouse, and he was really funny. He did a song called 'Take your panties off' and it's even funnier 1/2 drunk...

[BrewCrewForever]

Yeah Arrested Development was and is brilliant. But The Office is my favorite show by far. I to hope that the Jim and Pam thing doesn't drag on to long and that it has some kind of ending where she just marries Roy and it kind of ends the storyline. I just want to see all the great thing each character brings to the table each week in their own comedic way. Raiin Wilson as Dwight is genius! And of course Steve Carell as Michael Scott. But I love the side characters like Creed, Kevin, and Kelly. Its just a great show, looking forward to the season 3 premiere tonight.

[SeriesFinale]

I to hope that the Jim and Pam thing doesn't drag on to long and that it has some kind of ending where she just marries Roy and it kind of ends the storyline.

 

Don't count on it. Even in the post-series epilogue special for the BBC series, the plotline was still in use even after Dawn stayed with Lee (Roy) and moved to Florida. Whether a baseball messageboard full of dudes likes it or not, the romance angle is central to the show and is a reason a lot of the audience enjoys the show and isn't going away any time soon.

[BrewCrewForever]

More Todd Packer this season to I hope. "Where is Michael Snot? Probably sniffing some dudes thong."

[molitor fan]

www.mapquest.com/directio...panelbtn=2

 

Cause after tonight, if you watch the show, you are going to want to know.

[SenatorShriv]

My friends are really into The Office, and have been frantically trying to catch me up on the last two seasons over the last 2 days. It?s really solid and I'm looking forward to the new season. The Pam and Jim thing has probably been the most dominant reoccurring story line since the very first episode.

 

As good as the office is it is still a distant second to Arrested Development in terms of best shows of the last few years.

[SeriesFinale]

I liked AD, but I prefer The Office just because of the realistic character-based humor...a lot of AD seemed like a real-life Simpsons to me.

[rluzinski]

Whether a baseball messageboard full of dudes likes it or not, the romance angle is central to the show and is a reason a lot of the audience enjoys the show and isn't going away any time soon.

 

My wife loves it!

 

As long as it doesn't become the pam and jim show I guess I can suck it up.

 

EDIT: OK, so you guys were right. Of course, if I had been convinced to watch The Office from only the promo I would have been completely disappointed.

[SeriesFinale]

Yeah, it started slow but those last 10 minutes were fantastic

[IslandsAC]

That was hilarious. My favorite part was definitely Dwight fake crying in the beginning. Man I'm pumped for this and Studio 60. I haven't watched real tv (not on dvd) in a long time...