Whipper-snappers, I’m old enough to remember when NBC’s summer strategy consisted of re-runs aired under the saggy rubric "If you haven’t seen it, it’s new to you!" How far we’ve come. Now, while ABC’s Lost occupies its fans all summer long with a massive online alternate reality game, NBC’s The Office – the best comedy on television, hands down — will be providing its fans with 10 all-new web shorts.
That’s smart. The plot arc is even smarter: It’s nominally a mystery — $3,000 is missing from the Scranton division’s coffers — investigated by the fractious Accounts Dept. troika of Angela (Angela Kinsey), Kevin (Brian Baumgartner), and Oscar (Oscar Nunez). Brilliant: The showdown between fundie prig Angela and quietly gay Oscar has been brewing for a while, and watching it develop against the backdrop of a "serious investigation" is a fantastic way to up the ante. It also neatly avoids dealing with the thorny Jim-Pam romance. Not to mention the business savvy: The Office’s core audience consumes web shorts like so many corn chips.
I’m ridiculously giddy about this. Speaking of which: Who’d like to see a TV Watch on this show next season? Because I have a Dwight-like loyalty to it, and that could work out for all of us.
Comments (1-30) of 61 Add your comment
I would love to see an Office TV Watch. We DVR’ed the season finale and just got to watch it last night. Great TV! The sitcom is on its way back with The Office and My Name is Earl!
I would love to see a TV Watch next season! I just started watching this show and I LOVE IT!!
the more mentions of this show, the better.
I was nervous about an Americanized version of the British show, which everyone knows is one of the greatest things ever to be on TV. But this show has really come into its own–the second season was hilarious. Of course Carrell is great, but I’m particularly impressed with the (relatively) less famous supporting cast, so I’m happy they’re doing these shorts over the summer…
I am SOOOO excited for the office shorts.
This is now my favorite comedy on TV and I’m drooling at the thought of being able to read a TV Watch on it next season. PLEASE DO THIS!
I would love to see an Office TV Watch. I would love to see JAM and Dwangela on the cover of EW too. This is the best comedy on TV and deserves all the attention.
because i am technologically-challenged, how and where do you see these webisodes? when do they start? sorry…I just figured out how MySpace worked in the last couple of months!
The Office is hands down the best comedy on TV, and most definitely deserves a TV Watch. I love love LOVE this show! And that Season Finale was one of the best pieces of television I have ever seen. Can’t wait for the webisodes!
The Office TV watch would be awesome! So much to analyze in each episode. One little look or gesture moves the story forward!
Um, where have you guys been? This was announced months ago.
Looking forward to the shorts nonetheless.
Yes! Yes! TV Watch! This is one of the only shows on TV that is actually worth talking about the next day. If you write one, I will think of you as a truly great philanderer!
Yes please! TV Watch would be fantastic!
I vote for a TV Watch.
More Kevin is always a good thing. He’s hilarious, and he deserves more screen time! That weird smile he does kills me.
Definitely the funniest show on network television in AGES. With My Name is Earl coming in second.
The Office TV Watch? Yes, please!
Bring on the TV watch, yeah!
My question is: Why don’t you already have a TV Watch on this show yet?
Office TV Watch — yes please! Isn’t that a no-brainer?
Scott,
A TV Watch on The Office (and while you’re at it, maybe Scrubs, too) would be sooo cool, and probably something that would help forgive EW for not paying Madonna some respect and putting her on the cover of the mag.
http://www.moviemartin.blogspot.com
m.
The Office TV Watch? I’ve never wanted something so badly! If only you could have made this suggestion before the finale!
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE give us a TV Watch! This is the best comedy & quite often the best show, PERIOD, on tv.
TV Watch for the most brilliant half hour on TV?
Ya think?
YAY for a TVWatch for The Office!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!
Yes to TV Watch!
Definitely a yes to TV Watch!
A TV Watch…yes, please!
TV WAAAAAAATCH!!
I want the web shorts to start NOW. I’m too impatient to wait until July 13th.
A “The Office” TV Watch sounds great! Can’t wait for the webisodes. I just love this show.
Please do an Office TV Watch — it is the best on television, and even though it’s a half-hour comedy, it is one of the most nuanced, heartfelt shows ever produced.
Bring on the Office TV Watch!
Most definately TV Watch. I love this show, but noone else watches it regularly enough to get past the humor and into the plots. So when they aired the best season finale ever, their was noone to talk to about, and nowhere to read about it. Dinka’ flicka’man!