Right before the Christmas holiday, it broke that NBC was working on a revival of their beloved series, The Office. So a few of us gathered around the water cooler to discuss if this revival was something television needs, and if it’s something, we the fans, want.
The Office revival may not be what I want (and I don’t want it), but I feel like this is something a lot of people do want. In talking with friends and Office fans, I was stunned to see how many people’s faces lit up when I mentioned the show might be revived by NBC. People adored this show, and given the current TV landscape being devoid of really great sitcoms, it’s something people are chomping at the bit for.
If NBC does go through with this, I really think you’ll see ratings that akin to Will & Grace’s return — but that’s only if they do it right. They’d have to have at least one, if not multiple, cornerstone cast members return to the series. I’m not talking about just Creed or Stanley, I’m talk the core members that drew us in every single week.
That’s going to be tough.
John Krasinski has a slew of films on the horizon, plus he’s starring in Amazon’s Jack Ryan series. Steve Carrell, well we know his story. Mindy Kaling is super busy with films. Craig Robinson is currently with FOX on Ghosted. James Spader, Ellie Kemper, Ed Helms, and Zach Woods are also tied up with television and film projects too. So, the only really available cast members would be Rainn Wilson, and Jenna Fischer. Can the show thrive with just those two big names?
This revival isn’t needed, but I have a feeling if it’s done in the right way, The Office is going to have a fruitful new run on NBC.
-Bill Bodkin
Word on the street is that The Office is coming back to NBC. After a 9 season run, which ended solidly (but could’ve been better), the program gave us memorable characters, plenty of emotional scenes, and one of the most quotable lines ever in “That’s What She Said.” Even if it didn’t originate from the show, it made it extremely popular.
In any case, The Office returning is a mixed bag for me.
While my curiosity is peaked, is it really necessary? Does NBC have no new pilots or shows to plug on their network, so much so that they have to tap back into an old one that, realistically, has had its time?
Not to mention the fact that only a few cast members have expressed interest, and not major ones at that. Everyone is off doing bigger and better things. In addition, Seasons 8 and 9 of the series had its moments, no doubt, but the absence of Michael Scott was severely felt. Steve Carell staying out of the proceedings already makes it seem like it shouldn’t happen. So maybe overall it shouldn’t. That’s just my two cents.
-Logan J. Fowler
The Office is one of the best comedies in the history of television. Great characters, non-stop laughs, incredible writing, storylines filled with jokes and heart and arguably the best depiction of the modern workplace on television. The show ended after a great run and even though the post-Michael Scott era was not universally loved, the show left the air as one of the best shows of the 2000’s. The show is now being revamped for a new generation barely five years after we checked in with the Dunder-Mifflin crew for the last time.
Even though The Office was undeniably great television, this remake/reboot/spinoff/sequel/whatever seems like it’s coming a little too soon.
In general, remakes work best when the original is far enough in the rearview mirror that it’s remembered as a classic but not so fresh in people’s minds that they are constantly comparing the two versions (for example Christian Bale’s Batman was far enough removed from the Adam West version that nobody had an issue).
The problem with The Office being remade is that characters like Michael Scott, Jim Halpert and Dwight Schrute are still so entrenched in our minds that it will almost be impossible for the new cast to win over hardcore fans. This issue is magnified by the internet making the original series available 24/7 and making the characters, storylines and quotes always visible via social media.
Eventually a remake of The Office might be a good idea, but it would probably be closer to 2028 than 2018.
-Angelo Gingerelli
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl8lgQb4v4A
I consider myself to be a very big fan of The Office.
I once went to a convention in Scranton, PA specifically for The Office, so there’s that. Naturally, one would think I would be jumping with joy at the prospect of a new season. As much as I would love to have new episodes of The Office to watch, will I love it as much if all my favorite characters aren’t on it? I’ve gone through this before with The Veronica Mars Movie and recently the Psych Movie. While it was great seeing characters that I have missed come back to life, the stories were lacking depth and the resolutions were often rushed to fit into two hours rather than in a series like their original format. That also being said, is it possible to write a show that will captivate new audiences as well as hold true to the expectations of previous fans?
I’m open to seeing what can be developed. I have seen some shows successfully continue even when formerly major characters are removed from the storyline. After what seems like a million seasons of Greys Anatomy, I am intrigued by the cast and the storylines even though only about four of the main actors are still on the show. There is an entirely new cast constantly rotating through and I still end up caring about them.
If the writers are able to find a relatable secondary character from the original series of The Office and tie them into this series to help bridge the gap, they’ll probably be successful in expanding the story appreciated by the original fans. As a fan, I’m willing to give this new show a try. While I can’t in fact tell you this reboot will work out; one fact I am sure of is that “bears eat beets.”
See you in Scranton!
-Megan LaBruna
