Critics Prefer ‘The Paper’ Over the American Version of ‘The Office’
Buoyed by positive reviews for The Paper, Peacock has ordered a second season of the The Office spin-off just one day before the first season debuts.
Critics Prefer ‘The Paper’ Over the American Version of ‘The Office’
Buoyed by positive reviews for The Paper, Peacock has ordered a second season of the The Office spin-off just one day before the first season debuts.
Initial Reception and Ratings
TV critics have shared their thoughts on Season 1, and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. The new show boasts an impressive 87 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes—significantly higher than the 71 percent that the first season of NBC’s The Office received in 2005, when it was still establishing itself. Interestingly, the cumulative score for all nine seasons of the beloved original was only 81 percent, still falling short of The Paper‘s debut score. (The last two seasons of The Office suffered a decline in ratings after Steve Carell departed, impacting its overall score.)
The Origins of ‘The Office’ Franchise
The Office franchise originated in the U.K. in 2002, running for two seasons, both of which received perfect 100 percent scores. It’s hard to surpass perfection. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant created the original concept of a documentary crew chronicling awkward workplace interactions, earning executive producer credits when NBC adapted their idea into an American version.
Plot and Characters
From creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, The Paper follows the characters of a historic Midwestern newspaper and the determined publisher striving to revive it. This publisher, portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson, leads an ensemble cast that includes Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, Tim Key, and Oscar Nuñez, who reprises his role as Oscar Martinez from The Office.
Critical Reviews
One of the most favorable reviews comes from Kelly Lawler of USA Today, who states, “The tone is a near-perfect match, and the series is generally quite funny and enjoyable. Watching The Paper feels reminiscent of an episode of The Office, albeit with slightly less originality and affection.”
Caryn James from BBC.com concurs: “Like its predecessor, this instantly charming spin-off deserves a long life ahead.”
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On the other hand, Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone offers a more mixed perspective, noting, “The Paper doesn’t quite serve as a direct replacement for The Office, as it never reaches the comedic heights of its parent show. However, it may act as a suitable substitute for fans.”
Aramide Tinubu from Variety suggests a wait-and-see approach: “The series takes time to find its rhythm, but by the season finale, it shows potential to be as witty and iconic as its predecessor.”
Regarding the talented cast, Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter remarks, “The cast holds the show together and offers hope that The Paper might evolve from good to great, similar to The Office, which features several overlaps with the writing staff, aiding in effectively showcasing performance strengths.”
Kristen Baldwin from Entertainment Weekly comments, “The writers struggle to define Ned’s character, oscillating between a Michael Scott and a Jim Halpert. At times, he is the rational voice of reason; at others, he is a bumbling fool whose impulsive actions create more chaos than resolution.”
Conclusion
While The Paper introduces a new setting, characters, and workplace dynamics, it retains the signature mockumentary style that made The Office a binge-worthy classic. Set in Toledo, Ohio, the fictional newsroom—The Truth Teller—serves as a battleground for preserving local journalism.
The Paper will stream all 10 episodes on September 4 on Peacock and is eligible for consideration at the 2026 Emmys.
