The Office

Ok, so I’m stuck on a “blog about TV shows kick.” Sue me.

I love The Office. Like I said earlier, I love shows that deal with human nature and “playground” politics. The Office shines a spotlight on the personalities that are displayed in the work place, much like a deer being caught in headlights. It’s sudden and captivating, even if it could end horribly wrong and messy.

Husband finds very little humor and even less entertainment in the show. He sees absolutely no reason to watch it. But then again, he doesn’t revel in obscenely abnormal personality conflicts like I do. Maybe it’s because I dealt with “playground” politics in a different way than other kids while growing up. While dealing with my own numerous siblings thru a sort of terrorist-state, I watched the political process of the “school kids” from afar and often wondered why things had to be so complicated. There was a definite higherarchy in place both places, but my terrorism-ruled realm seemed so much simpler than the pandering and lobbying universe of those who attended public school.

And thus began my fascination and love of observing other people in everyday situations. Let’s start with Recess, the Saturday morning cartoon that was aired on ABC and Disney. Everyone knew their place and while there were conflicts, the different tribes of kids lived rather harmoniously on the playground of Third Street Elementary. Everyone knew the Kindergarteners were unsophisticated pygmies, the Diggers dug, Swinger Girl swang, the Ashleys prissed about, TJ Detweiler and his friends saved the school and many “new kids” from sudden death, and King Bob ruled the playground with his 6th grade bouncers.

Now that elementary school is far gone, NBC has matched the genius of Recess with the grown-up version in The Office, the daily activities of the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc. But this time, there is no fantasy. Things are amazingly true to life (even if a little over the top at times) in this show, and I think that’s why it appeals to me so much. Everyone knows someone like the characters on the show, whether you work with them or not. And you’re allowed to live vicariously through them. The first episode I watched was when Jim, the somewhat cool/normal guy, was annoyed by Dwight, the complete dorkwad who is constantly kissing up to the boss. He literally burst Dwight’s bubble in a not-so-subtle or kind way, and I wanted to cheer. Let’s face it, we’ve all wanted to do something like that, but never really had the guts to do it. And convincing Dwight that it was Friday when it was really Thursday was sheer genius. Everyone loves a dork-free-Friday.

I will continue to watch and thoroughly enjoy The Office as long as it remains true to life. I have even considered purchasing the series on DVD when it becomes available. The writers have hit the nail on the head when it comes to office politics. They must have spent a little time on the playground.