I feel like I owe it to my readers to talk about The Office. It was, after all, a platform of my popularity and a staple for my strip in the earlier episodes.
The Office (US) was originally a character-driven dramedy (I use the word “dramedy” less as a drama and more as a comedy with some meaningful relationships) that actually inspired me to write about my life (that and a few other things). I noticed some similarities between their “world” and my own and I thought it would be interesting to see how our “worlds” paralleled.
They ended up not, of course, but it was still an experience. I watched The Office religiously for the first 3 or 4 seasons (I think 3).
I still watch The Office, but it is no longer the show I fell in love with. It’s actually something completely different.
I’ve heard a similar opinion about my strip when people compare my earlier stuff to what I do now. Some people prefer the earlier strips while others enjoy the lighthearted feelgoodedness that I draw about now. I will lay out the reason the strip has changed in content very plainly now:
1. I’m older and a bit different.
2. I am no longer in a highly-social environment (I kinda expect this to change once I start attending college in the Fall).
I’m not saying my new strips are better, nor am I saying they are worse. I am not defending anything and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Which brings me back to The Office. What it once was it is no longer. It is no longer a character-driven dramedy, but rather a comedy with characters. What do I mean?
The Office, to me, was something where I cared about everyone. Namely Jim and Pam and their relationship. Obviously they were the kickers, but really the comedy was just an added bonus to their relationship. Was it because I related to them, myself? Absolutely.
Now The Office is about jokes. And gags. And laughs. Which is good. It’s great, even. It’s still one of my favorite shows on television. Should it end with Michael leaving? I don’t think so.
I’m the kind of person who will cling onto something even while it’s dying and gasping for air. I did the same thing with Scrubs, and a little bit with Lost. The writers on The Office are excellent. They always have been. I don’t expect them to ever go back to the character interaction they had in season 2, but I will always expect their awkward brand of stuttering humor.
I will say this, however: the Andy and Erin relationship is intriguing. Not so much as Jim and Pam, but they’re trying. Additionally, Dwight is probably my favorite character on the show right now. He’s conflicted, and I dig characters in conflict. Do I relate to that? Probably.
I don’t have a point about this rant, but I thought I should share some of my opinions about how the show is going. I thought I owed it to any of my dedicated readers.
As for Will Ferrell replacing Steve Carrell? Well their characters seem different enough so that I won’t be drawing similarities all over the place. However, the actor’s surnames? Too close for comfort.
Thanks for reading, everyone. And check out Blue Circus if you haven’t!
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