The Office: The Funniest Show on TV

Dry humor in a 'mockumentary' style and based on the original British series, The Office provides plenty of laughs for those who pay attention. Starring Steve Carell as Michael Scott, Regional Manager of the Scranton Branch of Dunder-Mifflin paper supply company, the show has gradually gained popularity since moving to its current time slot on NBC's "Must See TV" lineup Thursday nights at 7:30pm central time. Any series which attempts to recreate a successful show faces some challenges, but The Office (US version) has managed to establish its own unique feel which differentiates it from the 2-time Golden Globe winning UK version. The original UK version was created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant and served as the basis for the pilot of the US version on March 24, 2005, a full two years after the UK version had ended.

Since the first six episodes of the US version, the second and third season have taken the characters in quite different directions than their counterparts from the original, which only aired 14 episodes. Joining Carell as the main characters are Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, and Jenna Fischer. Other regulars include B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling, and Paul Lieberstein, who are also writers for the show. Supporting cast members are Angela Kinsey, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nunez, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Melora Hardin, and David Denman, all known for their improv work. Phyllis Smith was actually casting for the show when she was given a part. Season three as seen the addition of Ed Helms, and Rashida Jones to the ensemble cast. The Office has managed to win an Emmy, a Peabody, and a SAG with Carell winning a Golden Globe for his role in the series.

The show centers around the evolving relationship between sales rep. Jim Halpert (Krasinski) and receptionist Pam Beesly (Fischer). This office romance started out as a friendship, with Pam's wedding to dock worker Roy Anderson (Denman) finally set after a long engagement At the end of season two, Jim made his feelings known to Pam hoping to stop the marriage. After being rejected by Pam, Jim transferred to the Dunder-Mifflin Stamford branch to get a fresh start. As season three opens, we find out Pam canceled the wedding and Jim would soon became involved with sales rep. Karen Filipelli (Jones) while at the Stamford branch. Corporate decides that a merger is necessary between the two branches and Michael Scott is put in charge of it by his girlfriend and Corporate Manager Jan Levinson-Gould (Hardin), after it was originally believed the Scranton branch was to be closed.

So Jim is transferred back to Scranton along with a few new faces from the Stamford branch, including Karen and Regional Director in Charge of Sales Andy Bernard (Helms). The season concludes with former temp Ryan Howard (Novak) breaking up with girlfriend Kelly Kapoor (Kaling) after finding out he has won the promotion to Corporate Manager in place of Jan, who was let go due to recent erratic behavior (breast implants, break-up with Michael), over hopefuls Michael, Jim, and Karen. In fact, Michael had been so convinced he would get the job he prematurely promoted Assistant to the Regional Manager Dwight Schrute (Wilson) to take over the branch, and also put up his own condo for sale on eBay. Meanwhile, Karen proposed to Jim that if one of them won the corporate position in New York, they would move in together away from Scranton, but Jim seemed non-committal. It appeared Jim had the job in hand, but apparently turned it down, and upon arriving back in Scranton asked Pam out on a "date." What will the future hold for the Karen-Jim-Pam love-triangle? Only season four will tell.

Secondary character stories not already mentioned follow human resources rep. Toby Flenderson (Lieberstein) and his secret interest in Pam. The power hungry and geeky Dwight, perhaps the shows funniest and eccentric character, maintains a "secret" relationship with head accountant Angela Martin (Kinsey), who herself is very conservative and has a tough demeanor. The boss himself, Michael is very quirky, sometimes badly misjudging social situations and often providing incompetent leadership, but occasionally will surprise you with acts of thoughtfulness. His relationship with his boss Jan has been surprising in that she has turned out to be the unstable one. The ever-talkative Kelly has been obsessed with Ryan, who has looked for any opportunity to get away from her and end the relationship. Accountant Oscar Martinez (Nunez) was shoved out of the closet when his homosexuality was revealed under rather embarrassing, yet hilarious circumstances.

Quality Assurance Creed Bratton, playing a parodied version of himself, has hinted at perversion and self-centerness that is disturbing yet somehow darkly amusing. Meredith Palmer (Flannery), Customer Relations/Purchasing, is a devoted alcoholic and an occasional flasher. Sales rep. Phyllis Lapin (Smith) with her marriage to Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration, supplanting Pam's wedding, provides for the only stable and normal relationship on the show, although Bob Vance has yet to actually appear. Unfortunately, she went to high school with Michael. Finally, Kevin Malone (Baumgartner) is the third Accountant who is overweight, balding, a musician, and has a very immature sense of humor, kind of like Michael. This ensemble of characters makes for a very entertaining half hour of television and will have you laughing sooner or later.