You have probably heard about The Office, which premiered back in 2005. Everything started in the UK when Ricky Gervais created the same series. However, NBC assembled a perfect ensemble including Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, Ellie Kamper, Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling, and others to create an entirely different approach in the world of sitcoms.
Although the first season had a rocky start and cancellation threat, it found its footing and became one of the best TV comedies of all time. After nine seasons, the program ended in 2013, and it is still a high-demand TV show. You should check here to learn more about cast, writers, directors and customer ratings.
During the pandemic, when social distancing became the new normal, numerous viewers started watching old shows, meaning The Office became hit once again. Of course, the technology and times significantly changed, but the program focused on the cast of unique characters, odd situations, and heartfelt drama.
This combination makes The Office relatable and relevant to this day. The main question we wish to ask is how this show changed the TV and comedy landscapes. Let us start from the beginning.
It Popularized the Mockumentary Format
Of course, it was not the first show that avoided live theater aesthetics and studio audiences. The multi-camera format was the essential perspective in the world of situation comedies or sitcoms. However, an office created a completely different approach.
For instance, tv shows like Reno 911, Arrested Development, and Scrubs already had the same approach. However, the stripped-down format and mundane nature of the set shed the expensive Hollywood-like production. They created a relatable on-the-job storyline that had not happened on television since the M.A.S.H.
You should know that The Office, in its plot, was the result of the crew filming a documentary inside the US workplace. They used the same rule, while each character had a carte blanche to break the fourth wall and be wacky whenever they wanted.
It Survived the Reality Shows
When it started airing, a new genre was on the significant rise. We are talking about reality TV. Numerous low-cost productions such as The Bachelor, Survivor, and American Idol reached millions, and people started asking themselves whether TV shows would survive in such a landscape.
Instead of fighting this trend with new approaches, Greg Daniels took advantage of the documentary style and created a similar perspective that included personal interviews, guerilla filmmaking aesthetics, and camera crews struggling to keep up with the action.
Throughout the process, other mockumentary-style programs such as Parks and Recreation and Modern Family entered the scene by using similar mechanisms as reality shows to tell their plots, creating a new narrative perspective.
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It Brought Cringe Comedy Back to Mainstream
You should know that NBC risked a lot when they invested and created The Office. They relied at first on the groundwork of Ricky Gervais UK series. However, after the first season, the network did not have a hit. The main reason is that Carell’s performance mirrored the same thing Ricky Gervais did in the original version.
As a result, the character was not likable, and the chemistry felt flat. Besides, the comedic perspective was not at its best. However, after NBC gave a show another chance, while Carell starred in the 40-Year-Old Virgin, the new celebrity status offered him a boost.
Finally, The Office had a celebrity actor in the lead role. At the same time, Carell gave his character a sense of heart and empathy, which was in opposition to his inappropriate and awkward personality.
Therefore, the story changed, and it became an incredible act that combined cringe comedy and slapstick pranks on one side and dramatic and heartfelt story elements on the other. It allowed us to enjoy the escapism since the show usually explored the office-style politics and realism of job stability.
It Was Ahead of Digital Streaming Services and Online Viewing
When the show entered the scene, Twitter did not exist, while Myspace was the most popular social media. The existence of other mediums did not stop the show from embracing the social media revolution. They recognized the changing ways of consuming content, which is why The Office was one of the first online series.
As soon as Apply created the iTunes Store lineup, people could purchase individual episodes, which increased the number of viewers for the second season. At the same time, in 2008, The Office created webisodes for online viewing between seasons. These stories dug deeper into employees’ lives, completing a new form of enjoyment.
It Was a Comedy Bootcamp
We can quickly state that The Office became a comedy classic due to the epic crew and cast that brought it to life. Apart from Steve Carell’s celebrity status that increased the overall visibility and interest of the program, other Hollywood talents became fresh newcomers to this TV show.
Since the series took advantage of improvisation, experiments, and other interesting aspects, both writers and actors on the show surprised fans with the fantastic moments. We can differentiate numerous examples when actors went off script and created a memorable moment across the globe.
For instance, before The Office TV Show, Krasinski was unknown. Since then, he has starred in numerous shows, including A Quiet Place and Jack Ryan.
Final Word
As you can see from everything we mentioned above, The Office is one of the most recognized and memorable TV comedies that shaped and changed the world for the better. You can find a wide array of memorable quotes, and most enduring names, while some people decide to dress up as Dwight for Halloween.
Although the numerous rumors are going that we will see the Office reboot in the future, this groundbreaking comedy paved a road for new series and shows that became popular.
It is still generally viewed and wanted, which leads to numerous reruns and digital streaming. As a result, we can still binge-watch it and enjoy its brisk and silly humor while introducing people who have not seen it with a mockumentary approach.
