"I feel God in this Chili's tonight...."

[dada]

The Office



So with a 1 hour season premiere roughly a month away, I wanted to establish a feel for which members actually watch The Office on NBC. I must say it is a great show and I have no reservation in saying I have enjoyed 10 times as much as I did the British original. I'm very excited about the new season, no I have not grown a vagina, and I'd just like to chat it up a bit about my favorite show on television.

[Indy]

I love this show.

[el badman]

Cool show, there's so many things in there that apply to the real workplace when you had that kind of office experience, like the HR guy being despised by everyone...Can't wait for that new season.

[benji]

It's over now. Jan's crazy and Jam will be the launch over the shark. I think their efforts at fleshing out the characters last season weren't enough. Hopefully they know to drop the forced drama and get back to mining the workplace for this one last season.

[Oznogrd]

bumpage for this thread because through netflix i've been watching seasons 1-3 (on "a benihana christmas") currently. The beauty in this show is the subtlety. There are very rare occasions where i've fallen off my chair laughing: but i tend to be smiling throughout. The characters are also deep enough for me to empathize with, which is rare in sitcoms. big big props on this show. Fucking love it and wish more shows were like this on TV.

[benji]

Arrested Development is even better at all of that. You can watch it for free on Hulu. Same with all of this season of The Office. (Americans only plz.)

[cyanide]

I love the show, but I'm a bit disappointed with how the new season's going. There's not enough in the office, and too much outside the office so far (Jan's house, partying in a NY club). Hopefully the next episode won't disappoint.

[benji]

Considering how epic those two were, I don't know if I'd cite them as examples.

[Lamrock]

One of my favorite shows on television. The first two (and most of the third) seasons were brilliant. (even if they followed the template of the British version almost exactly early on)

The new season has sucked though. The last episode was actually pretty good, but most have failed. Episodes outside of the office are never as good as the ones in the office, and Michael went from being an obnoxious (but real) character to an absolute retard; not unlike the regression of Homer Simpson in the last decade.

That being said, its still better than 99% of network TV.

[benji]

I guess I would disagree and argue they are turning Michael into a more complex character, even if unintentionally.

And no episode has captured the "awkwardness" in recent seasons like the Dinner Party did.

[Lamrock]

Well his PER slipped from 23.4 to 16.7... But in all seriousness; while the last couple episodes have been good for the most part; its things like gum thing at the beginning of the last one, the Survivorman episode and mistaking a real address for an internet address were just dumb.

Michael Scott:

-Mentally Retarded
-Shallow
-Desperately wants to have a family (despite being shallow) and be well-liked by his coworkers

He just hasn't been a good character this season. He has been steadily declining, but now hes at an all-time low. Hes basically a parody of himself.

[Oznogrd]

/bump for the new season that started tonight: It was funnyt but i dont like what they're hinting at in some instances. They also made michael back to the line of real relatable just a little unintelligent rather than the absolute retard. I'll be watching every week till this season's over. Can't wait till 30 rock and South Park start so i can enjoy TV again more than 1 time a week.

[Lamrock]

They also made michael back to the line of real relatable just a little unintelligent rather than the absolute retard.

Exactly why this season has gotten off to a better start that the last.

[el badman]

I liked that episode, thought it was funny as hell. That new chick definitely seems like the feminine equivalent for Michael, a good ol' dork...

[Joe']

:lol: "If you gain weight, you will die...". Pretty good episode overall. Andy spitting on the warehouse guy before getting on the scale was hilarious.

[benji]

I hope Beadie Russell stays around for good.

Lame that they ended the "Kevin = retarded" stuff. Another episode or two wouldn't have dragged it out too much.

[cyanide]

Lame that they ended the "Kevin = retarded" stuff. Another episode or two wouldn't have dragged it out too much.

Agreed. That was my favourite part from last season. I really like having Amy Ryan on the show, though [spoiler]she's not guaranteed to make it till the end of the season as she's signed on for a limited number of episodes [/spoiler]

Interesting to see that love triangle going on with Dwight, Angela and Andy. I'm really hoping that nothing happens between Pam and that new "friend" at college.

If don't know if anyone noticed, but what the hell was wrong with Meredith's face in the earlier part of the show vs. the later part of the show? She had some red marks on her face...[/spoiler]

[Oznogrd]

Yeah i noticed too: she looked sunburnt or something.

[spoiler]Also I agree with the "friend" at college: it would ruin the purity of pam's character (which they may plan to do) if they have her not decide on Jim.[/spoiler]

[el badman]

Noticed that too, I thought that would be part of the various gross things that she does or endures in the show, but I guess this was not actually planned for...

[benji]

At this point, if they don't draw attention to something I assume it's not part of the show.

And yes, I know assuming is illegal. I'll do it anyway.

[cyanide]

Turns out the red blotches/scarring on her face was part of a deleted scene.

[Lamrock]

Didn't Dwight put a raccoon or something in her car end of last season?

[cyanide]

Yeah, that was mentioned too. Kinda weird to see her face like that, then perfectly fine the week after.

[benji]

OMFG. Incredible. Greatest and most hilarious episode in a while.

[Lamrock]

Damn you and your timezones.