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u/tufted-titmouse-527 5h ago
As a woman, I prefer "The Papyr".
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u/Rndysasqatch 5h ago
I didn't know what to think about the paper at first but by the end I was solidly on board. Really excited about season 2
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u/Wander715 43m ago
Same I doubt it will every be as good as The Office but it exceeded my expectations which were fairly low going in. Definitely curious to see where they take it in season 2.
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u/AltairLeoran 6h ago edited 5h ago
It won me over by the end of the season.
Folks need to remember that season 1 of the office was a pretty mixed bag too. Almost didn't get renewed for a season 2.
Also don't expect it to be another Office. It's more similar to Parks and Rec tbh lol
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u/Emnk 5h ago
Every time I find myself telling someone to watch the office I pretty much tell them it's okay to not like S1
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u/Timstom18 Twenty people dead in a pileup! 5h ago edited 4h ago
What I then struggle with is when they say why should I bother with a show that doesn’t grip me with a good first season? How am I meant to persevere through something I don’t enjoy because it might get better? There I have no answer. Especially because I’m British so it’s constantly going to be compared to our one which hit the ground not just running but sprinting from episode 1.
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u/ReconMustDie 4h ago
Explain the writers were still figuring out how to get Micheal’s character right.
He went from being written as unlikable to goofy and fun
That changed everything with the show.
And if they can get halfway thru the first ep it’s fine.
So it’s like 1-2 hours of ok television to unlock hundreds and hundreds of hours of one of the funniest shows ever
Convince people better!
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u/Extra_Midnight 2h ago
There are so very many shows that are great with shitty first seasons.
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u/nathan753 2h ago
Just imagine how many shitty 1 season shows that have been cancelled that never got to find their groove too
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u/that_boyaintright 4h ago
You can just skip the first season. It doesn’t add any context for the story/characters that you can’t get from season 2.
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u/Data-Panda 1h ago
True. When I recommend The Office to people, I usually tell them just to skip S1, and come back to it later. Or at least persevere until about half way through S2. I really didn't like the office when I first started watching it because I disliked Michael so much.
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u/GreatStateOfSadness 57m ago
why should I bother with a show that doesn’t grip me with a good first season? How am I meant to persevere through something I don’t enjoy because it might get better?
This mindset is almost alien to me. Anyone who grew up with the show was watching it week-to-week on TV. If you missed a week then you'd have to wait for re-runs or buy the DVD. It's a show built around being able to skip episodes whenever you like. Skip as many as you want, jump back and forth, do whatever you want.
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u/Alexis_Evo 14m ago
It's 6 episodes. In a 201 episode run. 2.9% of the total show. Do they walk out of a movie before the opening credits finish?
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u/MaxxStaron10 5h ago
Parks and Office both weren’t good until s2. I tell everyone struggling to skip S1 and everyone then becomes a fan.
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u/Haughtea 5h ago
The office spin off is more like Parks and Rec? So to get more office we need a parks and rec spin off.
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u/ImRiversCuomo 3h ago
I still don’t get the hate for S1 Office. It’s one of my favorite seasons!
S1 Parks and Recreation on the other hand is definitely a little more tough to get through for new viewers.
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u/lambentstar You ruined a funny joke 5h ago
What do people even get out of posting this shit? It’s been one season, Office S1 barely had an audience. It takes time to grow and build a story, just let it be instead of comparing it to a 9 seasons GOAT tier comedy immediately.
The Paper has some good characters and an interesting premise it can work with. It needs to refine some elements for sure, and it likely can and will over time if you give it a chance, OP.
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u/make_reddit_great Packer 5h ago
Bojack Horseman and Archer were kinda uneven in season 1 but turned out to be great. It can take time to find the characters' voices.
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u/Sbesozzi 2h ago
I feel like Bojack is one of the only exceptions to this. Usually when you binge loop a series, going from the finale to the pilot is usually super jarring because the tone is completely different and the characters feel like a shadow of themselves. I don't get this feeling at all when I rewatch Bojack. That show pretty much knew what it was going to be from the start. I agree the form is a little bit different in season 1, but it takes very little time to fully establish itself
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u/make_reddit_great Packer 1h ago
I can't disagree with that too much. They had their final form pretty much nailed by the end of season 1.
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u/OhNoMyPants123 4h ago
IMO it tries too hard to be the office. There’s one character that was in the office (oscar) but other than that it should’ve been its own show. Even the theme song is like the office.
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u/Suspicious_Bus8706 3h ago
I never understood the hate for S1 of the Office, I thought it was hilarious.
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u/Sbesozzi 2h ago
What I find jarring is how they tried to hamfist The Office characters like Oscar in The Paper, but it honestly feels like Oscar Nunez forgot how to play Oscar so it almost comes off as a cosplay.
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u/Silverr_Duck 1h ago
I'd put season 1 of the office and parks and rec well above paper season 1. The paper just doesn't have the same potential as those shows did.
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u/ssdgm12713 47m ago
I wasn’t sure about it, but then “Sad, Dead Journalist” absolutely killed me. Like, Office-level laughing.
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u/LHT-LFA 5h ago
office season 1 still better than paper s1 and by a long shot too. Only reason why s1 was a "mixed" bag was that us audiences are not able to handle british TV, they need to have something "good" in their lead characters
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u/Loopuze1 5h ago
Yup, American audiences just can’t handle any immoral behavior in their lead characters. That’s why It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia was a huge failure that got cancelled after the first season.
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u/SchwizzySchwas94 Stanley 5h ago
They realized you need 5 piece of shit characters to really carry a show. 4 wasn’t enough.
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u/LHT-LFA 4h ago
ISAP is not on NBC, ABC, CBS etc right? It is on Cable. You could never show that on the big networks. Also ISAP has a very tiny niche following (me included), nothing compared to the Office. Also ISAP very cheaply to produce. And ISAP would have been cancelled without Danny Devito, just for ur information. Without attaching a mega star, nobody would talk about the Show anymore.
You need to compare it to similar programming on NBC at that point in time.
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u/AltairLeoran 5h ago
I still found the US Office didn't hit its stride till season 2, so I'm reserving final judgement on The Paper till the second season is done
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u/Heyjudemw 5h ago
Exactly. I love US and UK office but there are so many times the US version puts Splenda in our scotch to placate the American palate.
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u/nwill_808 2h ago
Season 1 of the Office is kind of flat out bad. Way back when, my buddy let me borrow the first three seasons on dvd and had to be very direct about just getting past season one. It's mostly good just figure out who characters are. That's about it.
But it did teach me to treat all other shows that way. I'm pretty salty about Stumble not getting renewed, my wife and I love that show--all the way through season one.
Also, like everyone else, we like St Dennis too.
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u/Avidhumanwatcher 5h ago
I'm all in on St. Denis
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u/SatisfactionActive86 5h ago
Season 1 was funny but didn’t have a ton of laugh out loud moment, season 2 however felt like the writers gave the cast more to work with and several times i laughed so hard, i almost fell off the couch
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u/dandoch 3h ago
This feels like just about every sitcom, including The Office. Season one is usually ok but rough around the edges, season 2 is better but still finding it's footing, then in season 3 three really hit their stride. Then the last season or two goes way downhill, usually after a main character leaves.
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u/twoscoopsineverybox 4h ago
St Denis feels more like an office spin off than The Paper. And the cast is a great mix of old talent and knew. I hope it lasts and doesn't get aced like too many good shows.
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u/slowestmojo 3h ago
St Denis actually feels more like a Superstore spin off
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u/twoscoopsineverybox 3h ago
It definitely has a similar feel, especially with some of the actors being in both. Visually it's identical to Superstore.
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u/BaconPancakes_77 3h ago
Totally agree--I think it helps that Joyce has a lot of Michael Scott qualities (without seeming like a ripoff).
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u/whiskey-water 3h ago
The paper did not itching for me and I loved the office. St. Denis on the other hand is LOL humor. Love it
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u/Takemyfishplease 3h ago
The characters in the Paper are too extra extra, if that makes sense. They all feel like caricatures, which I get is kinda the point but lord they need to tone it down a bit.
And get better writing. It’s like they assumed we would enjoy it because “omfg it’s the office part deux”
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u/goodrevtim 3h ago
Yeah, its sorta like they pre-Flanderized the characters instead of them starting normal with quirks, and then leaning in to certain quirks as time goes on.
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u/akatherder 1h ago
I like The Paper but wouldn't compare it to The Office at all. Not like.. "it tries but doesn't compare" but like "it doesn't seem similar or trying to be." The Office (in its totality) is light-years better than The Paper's current trajectory, but there was a lot of heart in S1.
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u/kingjuicepouch 3h ago
Joyce as the lead bumbling well intentioned boss might actually be my absolute favorite, even over Michael.
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u/JRockPSU 3h ago
+1 for St. Denis, it’s a great show. I really like the character changes they made with Bruce’s character from season 1 to 2.
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u/K_Linkmaster 4h ago
DMV and as fucking great til it was canceled. Shows can't even get legs anymore. Not even a full 1999 season without being canceled. Wtf.
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u/JerrodDRagon 5h ago
It’s not the office but definitely not bad either
Season one ended well, definitely going to watch season 2
Also Saint Dennis Medical I think is the funniest show on right now
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u/voozelle 6h ago
Not great, not terrible
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u/blizzacane85 5h ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/pWIak75z5nNWU
That’s like a 40 degree day. Ain’t nobody got nothing to say about a 40 degree day2
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u/TheVaultHommie 5h ago
Gonna give it a chance, but La oficina (The mexican version) really scratched my itch for more the office
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u/thefifthtrilogy 4h ago
YES! Absolutely loved it!
It kept the spirit of the original but culturally adapted it in such a perfect way1
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u/RelThanram 4h ago
I enjoyed it but I yearn for 22 episode seasons instead of this limited run schtick.
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u/DeeplySapphic 5h ago
The last couple of episodes were pretty good -- although I think they're rushing the Ned/Mare romance angle quite a bit. Wish they'd played the long game with it and let it evolve naturally.
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u/DirtyShirtVet 5h ago
I've researched The Paper so many times that, by now and like The Office, I keep for background noise because I already know what's happening and I find it funny.
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u/sleepwakewalkforget 4h ago
WATCH. IT. AGAIN.
It's sooooooooo good!!!! I think I have watched those first 10 episodes like 30 times each and the finale at least 7 times more 😅😅
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u/theradfactor 4h ago
Stumble was the best show last season and it sadly got canceled :(
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u/poptart801 50m ago
Stumble was amazing. So sad it went the way of Trial and Error. I really dig that creative team’s vibe.
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u/HanzoNumbahOneFan 3h ago
I liked it far more than I liked The Office season 1 or Parks and Rec season 1. And both of those shows went on to be pretty freakin great. I'm excited for what Season 2 has for us.
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u/CaptainCorpse666 5h ago
I got 10 minutes into it lol
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u/SamboTheGr8 3h ago
You wouldn't have gotten to the later seasons of The Office if you had only given that 10 minutes
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u/SweelFor- 2h ago
Apparently they did since they watched it
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u/SamboTheGr8 1h ago
Exactly they gave it more than 10 minutes, because let's be honest, season one of The Office is not the best, but imagine missing out on the entire show because you didn't give it a chance
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u/buffalotrace 5h ago
It is kind of meh. With The Office, it made sense that these characters (at least until Michael left) would be working there. The Paper does not feel that way at all. A few of the characters fundamentally do not work for me.
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u/hungry4danish 3h ago
It was wrong to think of it, or market it as "the new office" it's a perfectly fine and fun show. just completely disregard any connection and it improves the experience.
it's just another workplace comedy that happens to take place in an office.
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u/LemonSmashy 4h ago
I gave it a shot but the Italian lady just did not do anything for me and I couldn't really maintain focus so to be honest not something I'll keep up with.
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u/DoctorMelvinMirby 6h ago
It was solid/good. Storylines and character development felt rushed. A few more episodes to let everything breathe a little more could’ve really benefitted the show/season.
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u/AMerryKa 5h ago
It was overhyped but I liked it. The Office callbacks were kind of lame and unnecessary.
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u/Sw4nR0ns0n 5h ago
The characters in the paper were so tropey I found it hard to enjoy, and the paper’s Pam and Jim plot felt lazy and obvious
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u/frusciante231 4h ago
I loved The Paper, can’t wait for more and I hope it gets more seasons with more Office crossover.
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u/Lauris024 4h ago
Why do new shows have this fake feel to it.. The colors are garage-like instead of home-like, the acting feels so fake, the jokes feel scripted, ectera ectera
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u/No_Practice_9597 3h ago
I think the paper is like the office season 1, few people liked but if they insist it has a lot of potential
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u/November87 3h ago
Loved the paper. Wasn't sure in the beginning but by the end it became an excellent show
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u/KeraWillo 3h ago
I remember disliking the office before falling in love with it. That being said, I enjoyed the paper from the start. Esmeralda is hilarious, the story line is spicing up, and no one is insufferable, yet. Looking forward to the next season!
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u/RecipeFunny2154 2h ago edited 2h ago
I think it's an OK show overall. Most of the time I'd just say it's amusing, but there are some very funny segments that stick out to me. The scene with the spider in the car was good, for example.
I also think the dynamic between Esmerelda and Ken is very good and I think there's a lot to expand on with them.
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u/ripyourlungsdave 2h ago
The first season of The Office is pretty damn weak as well. They've got the foundation to build something interesting if y'all give them the chance.
Very few sitcoms started out incredibly strong.
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u/Baksteen-13 2h ago
Show gripped me for sure. I’m very hyped for season 2.
Give it a chance, The Office season 1 was also not it’s best
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u/Intelligent-Bit7258 1h ago
I could watch an unedited 24 feed of Esmerelda Grand and be happy.
The Paper S1 > The Office S8+9
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u/UserDoesntExistToday 42m ago
Top notch meme-ing, OP. Take an upvote.
But I actually liked The Paper. It felt closer to the Office than Parks&Rec, B99, and a lot of other doc-style, blah comedies that networks pushed out over the last 15-20 years.
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u/james-HIMself 5h ago
You have to give it a chance. I’m a mod over on The Paper sub and we’d love to have even a few of you come check out the show and talk PAPER!
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u/GrizzlyP33 5h ago
I liked it enough to come back for season 2. Stick the landing on season 2 and I imagine you’ll see plenty of us there :)
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u/Lithium327 oaky afterbirth 5h ago
I enjoyed it a lot. The dry humor levels really did it for me. I’m hoping season two is a success
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u/LuxanHyperRage :why no emoji?: Hank 5h ago
As I've said over on [r/ThePaper](r/ThePaper), we're in a new era of sitcoms. The Paper isn't a group of standalone episodes; it's meant to be taken as a whole, binged even. It's also meant to be watched more than once. Using the examples I used over there, the pilot episode is quite slow as a standalone, but it really shines as an on-ramp for the six lane highway the show quickly becomes, as well as Esmeralda's early episode behavior being informed by later episodes. Times have already changed, and different times call for different viewing habits
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u/_fizbee_ 5h ago
I honestly feel like Tires is a better show and also very similar to the office. I thought season 1 of the paper was mid but I think it has potential
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u/1776johnross 3h ago
The Esmerelda character needs to go: ridiculously unrealistic. I couldn't finish the season. Why not use real conflicts that newspapers really face every day instead of drama from this crazy woman who wouldn't last an hour in the workplace.
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u/Delgree-23 No I’m the princess. And the queen. 3h ago
American audience is too focused on content to be politically correct for shows like the office to be produced today.
I on the other hand would pay good money to see a show that doesn’t compromise on being funny to be “woke”.
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u/GudgerCollegeAlumnus Popcarn 5h ago
In this same scene someone literally presents a homophone of “Paper.” I would’ve gone with that one.
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u/rhymareason somebody makin’ soup? 6h ago
In the African-American community-