‘The Paper’ is a spot-on commentary about the sad state of American journalism. But you’ll laugh.

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In a nod to its original network, “The Paper,” airing on Peacock starting Thursday, can be seen as a late spin-off of the popular show “The Office.” Much like Peacock derives from NBC, where the original series aired for eight seasons on Thursdays between 2005 and 2013. In this new installment, Dunder Mifflin, the office from “The Office,” is now part of Enervate, a company dealing in office supplies, janitorial paper, and local newspapers, prioritized in terms of quality. The featured newspaper is the Toledo Truth Teller, coexisting with the toilet paper division within the company.

The Paper” was developed by Greg Daniels, along with Michael Koman, and shares the documentary-style format. It’s presented as if filmed by the same fictional crew, bringing back actor Oscar Núñez from ‘The Office’, portraying head accountant Oscar Martinez, who isn’t particularly thrilled about being back in front of the cameras.

As I step into the Truth Teller newsroom for the first time, I find myself in a unique situation: a journalism school graduate turned cardboard salesman turned toilet paper salesman, now unexpectedly appointed as the new editor-in-chief. My team is an eclectic mix of individuals, each bringing their own set of experiences to the table.

Esmeralda Grand, our interim managing editor, has a flair for drama that rivals any reality TV star. You might recognize her from her stint on “Married at First Sight,” a dating reality show. Detrick Moore, our ad salesman, is full of charm and charisma, while Nicole Lee handles our subscriptions with a friendly efficiency.

Mare Pritti, our compositor, has a background in writing for “Stars and Stripes.” The accounting department consists of Adam Cooper and Adelola Olofin, who keep the financial side of things running smoothly. Duane Shepard Sr., or Barry Stokes as he’s known here, covers high school sports and dreams.

The show’s comedy unfolds as we all find ourselves drafted as volunteer journalists, with Travis Bienlien from the toilet paper division joining us. It promises to be an interesting journey!

In a joint discussion, Robert Lloyd, formerly a television critic at various newspapers, and Lorraine Ali, with experience in both news, culture, and television criticism, reflect on the similarities and differences between “The Paper” and “The Office.” They explore the show’s journalistic authenticity and its comedic value.

In a simpler, more conversational style:

Ali: Let me share with you a quote from “The Paper” that I particularly like regarding journalism: “It’s falling apart like an old smoker’s lung.” With a bit of a hacking cough, I feel like I’m speaking from within the heart of the beast. This humorous 30-minute show had numerous insightful comments about traditional journalism that were both accurate and amusing. At times, it felt like I should be crying, but I mostly laughed. The first couple episodes are smart, funny, and a little awkward – though perhaps not too personal for people such as us. Later on, I’ll dive into the rest of the series, but what were your thoughts on the satire about a shrinking newsroom, Robert?

Lloyd: In the pilot episode, there are instances where it shows brief glimpses of an old black-and-white documentary depicting the Truth Teller during a time when 1,000 individuals were employed by the paper, before the internet disrupted print journalism and caused newspapers to decline. This transition reduced the once massive newspaper to a corner of a floor shared with the toilet paper division. This sudden revelation made me feel like I was witnessing the final days of the traditional era, particularly at L.A. Weekly and the Herald Examiner. Here, typewriters that seemed ancient, possibly from the 1930s, were still in use, creating a passionate, “Front Page”-esque atmosphere and an abundance of talent. (Many of these professionals eventually moved to The Times when the Herald ceased operations.)

Ali: I experienced a hint of sadness and nostalgia viewing the flashback sequences. Later, the scene shifted to the current day, revealing the once-grand Truth Teller newspaper’s empty marbled halls. What resonated with me was how reminiscent the paper’s lobby was of the old Globe Lobby in the L.A. Times’ downtown building. A sense of nostalgia washed over me as they descended into the basement, where the colossal presses were still, just like the relics we had in the old Times building. For those who aren’t aware, the L.A. Times vacated that iconic building in 2018 and now resides in El Segundo. It seems ripe for a sitcom joke, doesn’t it?

Television

In a Midwest newspaper, an idealistic Irish actor takes on the role as its editor-in-chief, aiming to rejuvenate the publication with his unconventional team.

Lloyd: Nearly all newspapers struggle with reduced workforce and resources, striving to accomplish more with fewer means. However, The Truth Teller starts in an almost non-existent state – its existence, let alone its daily publication, seems like a punchline itself; even though Ted Baxter was the only bumbling employee at WJM on “Mary Tyler Moore,” there are several here who fit that description. “The Office” wasn’t about the work, but about surviving the workplace environment. The tasks weren’t crucial; it didn’t matter much what got done or not. But this series revolves around a business – an institution that should be respected, even when its representation is less than ideal – with strict deadlines, many of which seem impossible to meet, especially when you’ve encountered hundreds, if not thousands, in your career – even without a clueless team. Yet it appears to shrug them off. Nonetheless, it is a sitcom.

The humor in this show arrives at just the right moments and consistently leaves you laughing, much like “The Office”. However, what truly shines is the exceptional ensemble of characters, each one charming in their own right.

Oscar, a fan favorite, is present as usual. But it’s Gregg’s portrayal of Detrick that really caught my attention. He’s got an endearing, unrequited affection for Nicole that adds depth to his character.

Ned, played by Irish Gleeson, is somewhat competitive but falls short of being a Michael Scott-like character. Instead, he shares some similarities with Jim from “The Office”, but in a unique way. He doesn’t quite match Pam’s counterpart either, although they do occupy roles that are relatively normal and attractive.

Impacciatore’s Esmeralda, however, carries a hint of Michael Scott’s flair, amplified to the max and delivered with an Italian accent. It’s a hilarious portrayal. A scene where she excitedly scrolls through a clickbait article filled with ads following Brad Pitt’s tip is a comedic highlight. This performance reminds me of Janelle James’ charming appearances as Ava on “Abbott Elementary”.

User: It’s hard not to draw parallels between “The Paper” and “The Office.” It might be unfair, but it seems inevitable. While I favor the British version of “The Office,” starring Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, I appreciate Gleeson’s performance in “The Paper” as Ned Sampson, a passionate editor-in-chief born decades too late to witness the Woodward and Bernstein era of print journalism. The look on his face when he advises his struggling reporters to stick with the Five Ws of reporting, only to have one ask if that’s a gang, is genuinely amusing. Gleeson showcases an impressive acting range. He was chilling as the tormented foodie/serial killer in “The Patient,” where coincidentally he worked alongside Steve Carell. I also enjoy Young as Nicole in “Never Have I Ever,” a character that resonated with me since I used to be a drama club enthusiast myself.

In “The Paper,” I appreciate the cast, but I find the rhythm inconsistent. Initially, it’s engaging with its well-crafted dialogue and sets a promising tone for a group of novice journalists turning a small-town newspaper into a credible news outlet. However, as the series unfolds, I noticed that the storyline loses some of its charm. The subsequent tasks, conflicts, and character arcs don’t quite capture my attention as effectively as the initial episodes did.

Indeed, I admire how “The Paper” and “Abbott Elementary” both draw humor from the grim reality of decaying American institutions, yet subtly remind us of the urgent need for action. By transforming this dire situation into a sitcom, they offer a unique approach to addressing the issue.

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2025-09-03 19:01