"The Office" Why Are We Still Watching?

I'm in a group of diehard fans who are anticipating a turnaround of the show. I watch seasons one through three wondering where the magic has gone in season six. Why are we still watching The Office? Are we watching out of habit? Are we watching because we are loyal? Or, is it because we miss how the show used to be.

Is it just me or did "The Whistle blower" season finale not seem like one? Now it seems like we look forward to catching a funny line here and there. It is rare when you can enjoy a whole episode. It's just not like before.

There are five main areas of the show that have lost its spark

Jim and Dwight Pranks

Jim's pranks against Dwight used to be so funny in the earlier episodes. This duo has taken a turn where you no longer look forward seeing them together. It seemed as if Jim used to put a great deal of thought into giving Dwight quite a hassle. One of the funniest examples is when Jim found a $4 dollar pair of glasses at the drug store and dressed to imitate Dwight. Dwight no longer seems as eccentric as he used to be. I prefer a less normal Dwight.

Jim and Pam

It was great at the start of their dating relationship and the sparks flew between them getting together. Now that they are together it just seems bland. Don't get me wrong they are a cute couple with cutesy banter. Now with baby on board they have to write in baby antics and mishaps to try to add some attention on what is now a mostly dull relationship. Where else can you go after falling in love, getting married and having a baby?

Michael and Toby

We still really don't know why they hate each other and it would have been funny to have seen a bigger mêlée' between these two. Michael's forced counseling session with Toby gave us a piecemeal that Michael's hatred for Toby is due to his position in HR. I think the writers still have time to turn this around and fill in more of the blank spaces before Michael leaves.

Michael the Needy Boss

It was fun watching Michael trying to get everyone to like him in the first three seasons. Most enjoyable skits involved his using employees as a substitute family and being the bumbling center of attention. It no longer seems that way. It's no longer fun seeing him as a successful branch manager.

And All the Rest

It would be nice to see more activity between Erin and Andy. Ryan seems so out of place on the show. I wish they would find a good cubicle for him. Maybe Ryan and Kelly should hook up. Dwight and Angela are the on and off again couple that you know will eventually have no one else but each other. Oscar's best moment should not be a kiss from Michael. Meredith gets surprising from season to season we can only wonder who she will admit to sleeping with next.

We keep watching because the characters' have this consistent endearing quality. They may be slightly underwritten in this season. But, they are still reliable. We are waiting to see how things go down in the end when Michael Scott leaves the show. We can only hope that the show doesn't leave with him.