Sept. 4 saw the premiere of “The Paper,” the sequel series to the highly acclaimed mockumentary “The Office.”
Created by Greg Daniels, the showrunner of the American version of “The Office,” and comedy writer Michael Koman, the spiritual successor follows the story of the same documentary crew.
In this series, their subject is the Toledo Truth-Teller, a once-historic Midwestern newspaper located in Toledo, Ohio, during a pivotal moment for the publication, as its management undergoes changes.
“The Paper” features an all-new ensemble, save for one exception.
The series stars Domhnall Gleeson as Ned Sampson, the Truth-Teller’s new editor-in-chief. The narrative’s focus revolves around Ned’s goal of reviving the defunct publication by ushering in a new staff made up of volunteer reporters.
I believe Gleeson feels right at home with this style of comedy and brings an impressive range to the table. He navigates the role of Ned with a balance of wit, awkward charm and mounting desperation that feels both grounded and absurd in his own way.
Sabrina Impacciatore plays Esmeralda Grand, the previous editor of the Toledo Truth-Teller and manager of TTT Online. Impacciatore’s performance leads to some uniquely hilarious moments, as Esmeralda initially tries to ruin Ned’s reputation out of spite after being replaced.
Chelsea Frei, who plays Mare Pritti, the Truth-Teller’s compositor, acts as the show’s everyman while having some standout moments of her own throughout the season.
Oscar Nuñez reprises his role as Oscar Martinez, the head accountant at the Enervate office, where the Toledo Truth-Teller resides. It is revealed that there was no end date on the release Martinez signed before the events of “The Office,” meaning he could still be featured in any related documentaries.
The other cast members, notably Ramona Young, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman and Tim Key, are wonderful additions. Each of them has a unique style of comedy that blends well with the others.
Visually, “The Paper” hits the same beats as its predecessor.
Most of the show is shot with handheld cameras that the in-world documentary crew is using. Each episode has interview segments spliced in that feel down-to-earth and realistic, while still managing to be pretty funny.
Every episode has multiple subplots, allowing for some interesting character pair-ups as the Truth-Tellers search for stories and hunt down sources.
The one thing that I think is on everyone’s mind is: Does it live up to “The Office”?
The short answer? No. Not yet, anyway.
Character-driven ensemble comedies like “The Paper” take some time to establish themselves. The series so far seems to be going through some growing pains as it takes its time to let various aspects, such as the character dynamics and episode formula, settle in.
You can observe this during the show’s first few episodes. I believe “The Paper” finds its stride around the midpoint of the season after its main cast is ironed out and we have our character dynamics established.
If you’re a fan of workplace mockumentaries such as “Parks and Rec” or “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” chances are you’ll find enjoyment in watching “The Paper.”
The show has its own sense of humor and charm, highlighting several elements of the specifics of small-time publications and people trying to better their community through local journalism.
I personally have faith in the series. If its writing keeps up the momentum and builds off the better aspects of these initial episodes, I think it has the potential to really live up to its predecessor while maintaining a distinct feel of its own.
The first ten episodes of “The Paper” are available now for streaming on Peacock. As of writing, the show has already been approved for a second season.
You can watch the trailer for the series by clicking here.