Tag Archives: The Office

Season wrap-up part 1: Still going strong

Posted on by
3

Most, if not all my TV shows have finished now for the season (some for good) so I wanted to reflect on the TV year that has passed.  Up first: the shows that survived.

24-Season-7-Jack-Bauer

Jack is about to peg it at the end of season 8 but we all know (seeing as the series has already been renewed for two more seasons) that Kim is going to save the day and he will be back at CTU next year.  I also heard that Freddie Prinze Jnr will be joining the cast as the head of CTU next year which has apparently had 24 forum dwellers’ collective knickers in a twist.  I personally am looking forward to seeing him on TV.  His show Freddie may have been appalling but I like the guy: a) He was in She’s All That, b) he was Sandy the Manny on Friends and c) he’s Buffy’s husband.

lost-season-5-3-jpg2.jpeg

My oh my.  Where on earth to start with this.  I think this may have been my favourite season since season 1.  This show did lose its way a bit during season2 but I think it is as gripping and exciting as any TV show at the moment.  Sure, it’s completely confusing and there are more questions than answers but this is the home stretch now.  And ending the penultimate season with an a-bomb explosion was pure genius.  My mother-in-law thought that this was the final season and so when that happened she lost it for a bit thinking that is how they ended the entire show!!! HEE!  This is probably going to be one of the shows I am most excited about seeing come back.

chuck

I love this show.  It makes me so happy.  I can even forgive the relentless back-and-forth between Chuck and Sarah.  The season finale was just superb and Chuck’s kung-fu prowess at the end was brilliant and hilarious.  I was a little concerned when it wasn’t renewed straight away but it has now been confirmed and I am chuffed to bits.  Zachary Levi is a cute potato too.

FNL

I have already mentioned (several times I think!) how much I love this show.  It’s not on in the UK (at least not the latest seasons) and so I have had to acquire it through other means (although I do own season 1 and 2 on DVD and will be buying season 3 when it is out).  Everything from how it is shot, where it is set, the acting, the writing, the direction… it’s all quality.  It’s the little show that could – I fully expected it to be cancelled after NBC made some arrangement for it to be shown first time around on DirectTV.  But they have renewed it for another two seasons so I guess I know nothing.  I am unsure how season 4 will turn out – seaosn 3 saw the departure of a couple of major characters after their graduation and season 4 will no doubt have the same, including the loveable and incredibly lush Tim Riggins (played by Taylor Kitsch).  I will reserve judgement and since the parental figures are still around, there is no reason why fresh characters couldn’t make this show rock some more.

bones1

This show has really grown on me.  I obviously started watching it because of David Boreanaz a.k.a. Angel but I have managed to finally see him as Seeley Booth, the FBI agent who works with forensic anthropologist Temperence Brennan, played by Emily Deschanel, sister of Zooey (Elf, The Happening).  Their chemistry is electric and  I even forgive the fake-boinking in the season finale – the coupling of Booth and Brennan being either the coma-induced dream of Seeley or a figment of writer Brennan’s imagination as she writes to cope with her feelings following Booth’s operation.

theoffice

The UK version lasted for two short seasons and a couple of Christmas specials and I could not see how the US version would have such long legs but five seasons on and this is right up there as one of my favourite shows.  The writing is superb.  The actors all bring it every episode.  I am in love with Jim, Andy and Dwight and I want to be Pam.  I even teared up at the end of the season finale when Jim and Pam got their unexpected but happy news.  Jambino here we come!  Let’s hope there is more Holly Flax in season 6 – I love that woman.  Michael and Holly, sitting in a tree…

kris_winner

American Idol

I’ll keep it short.  I enjoyed this season.  I had a soft spot for Danny Gokey but when it came down to the final two, the most important thing for me was that Adam didn’t win.  I think the guy is very talented but he has no soul.  When he sings, he is performing – there is no emotion or connection for me.  I wasn’t expecting to be rooting for Kris that much but I really do like him – his voice and his phrasing.

Next post:  New this year including Fringe, Dollhouse and Parks and Recreation

In future posts: the shows that are no more including ER, Prison Break, My Name is Earl, Samantha Who, Pushing Daisies, The Sarah Connor Chronicles;  shows that I still barely watch but wonder why including Smallville, The Hills, The City, One Tree Hill and NCIS; and shows that I need to catch up on urgently including Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill.

Are parks as funny as offices?

Posted on by
1

pandr2

We caught the first two episodes of NBC’s Parks and Recreation from the co-creators of The Office (US).  As big fans of The Office, this long-awaited new comedy has big shoes to fill.  At first it was meant to be a spin-off, but since Rashida Jones plays two different characters on each show, it is clear that these are two completely separate universes.  The mockumentary style which we love about The Office is still there and the cast seems to be pretty strong – Amy Poehler in particularly is hilarious and the likeable, tough yet vulnerable Leslie Knope, a Parks and Recreation council worker for the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.  She really loves parks!

The show started a little weak for me but then I hear that people felt the same about the first season of the US version of The Office, which I loved, so maybe it will grow on me.  It certainly had some solid laughs and the characters are varied and interesting.

amyrashida1

I am certainly planning on watching more – the storyline has my interest peaked: A local resident’s (Rashida Jones’s character Ann) slacker musician boyfriend falls down a pit in a lot next to their house which was excavated by a now-bankrupt building firm.  Ann raises the issue at a local meeting and challenges Leslie to do something about it. Leslie accepts, vowing to make the empty, dangerous lot into a park for the ommunity to enjoy. However, she must first overcome local government obstacles and pressures, the criticism of her politician mother, an apparent crush on a fellow employee, Mark Brendanawicz (played by Paul Schneider) and the inexplicable outpouring of resentment towards parks from the residents of Pawnee.  I am not sure it will have the same legs as The Office but if anyone can make another mockumentary-style comedy work, it’s Greg Daniels and Michael Schur.  I am also looking forward to seeing more of Paul Schneider as he is just brilliant.

New season fever: Slap Face

Posted on by
1

I am so psyched (does anyone say that anymore?) about the new TV season which is *almost* here (well, it’s a month away and most of it won’t be over here but you know what I mean).  One of the shows I can’t wait to return is The Office.  Love the new promo – I have missed you guys!

 

21 reasons why going out is overrated

Posted on by
2

So I think now most of the networks in America have announced their new fall line-up. You can see the full list over here. I have shown below the shows I actually watch/care about:

ABC

RENEWED

Pushing Daisies – superb! I love Anna Friel in this and her chemistry with Lee Pace is just lovely.
Desperate Housewives – cool!
Dirty Sexy Money – ACES!

Lost – of course.
Ugly Betty – still not seen the new season. Where has it gone, E4?
Scrubs (ooh moved from NBC) – Season 7 starts on Thursday! EEK!

CANCELED

Men in trees – was to be expected and frankly, I am not too disappointed. I am looking forward to watching the last of the last season when it finally shows over here but I think it had run its course.

October Road – again, not surprised but I am very disappointed. This show had loads more potential. Plus, I loved seeing Bryan Greenberg regularly.  According to IMDB and his blog, he is not going to be stuck for things to do though, which is cool.

CBS

RENEWED

NCIS – I am going to start watching the new series although, cute as Michael Weatherly is, his character, Tony, really got on my nerves. So did his girlfriend.

CANCELED

Moonlight – oh man. I liked this show. I am actually quite surprised – I thought the fans’ blood donation drive might have had an impact!

NBC

RENEWED

Chuck – Love this so, yay!
Heroes – still have to watch this from mid-season 1 onwards but glad it’s renewing. I just know I will love it when I finally get round to watching it.

The Office – do I need to say it? Oh ok. YAY!
ER – hanging on for the farewell season. I will be glad when it’s over because I have to watch it and sometimes it gets too much on a Thursday night!  

NEW

The Office [spinoff] – oooh, can’t wait to hear more news on this.
Kath & Kim – do not see how this will translate to the US. I know I said that for The Office, but it is even more specific, this time to Australian humour and context. I am prepared to see how it goes though…

FOX

RENEWED

Simpsons – of course
Family Guy – how superb that this show was cancelled, revived thanks to awesome DVD sales and now is being renewed again!
American Idol – of course
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Bones – superb!!!

CW

RENEWED

Gossip Girl – Love it. Glad it’s coming back.

One Tree Hill – am eager to see the current season (yet to be shown here) – this is the ultimate in guilty pleasure TV – so stupid but fantastic at the same time.
Smallville – how is this show still going? It has gone so weird. I love me some Tom Welling and all, but come on… Maybe I ought to give it another try. I am not even sure it E4 are still airing it. All I see are ITV2 repeats from ages ago.

I am assuming the 24 is coming back since they have started making the new season that got ditched due to writers’ strike/Keifer’s ‘holiday’.  In any case, there is a buttload of TV to watch. 

You got to take a chance on something sometime

Posted on by
Reply

The Office is still my favourite current obsession (if you have read this at all you will know how I latch on to a show for a while, devour everything I can about it then move on). I am keeping everything crossed that I am getting the season 2 and or 3 DVDs for my anniversary present so I can watch them all in one go and have JAM OVERLOAD! I love all the show, though, not just the deliciously awkward and realistic office relationship that is between Jim and Pam. However, since we are on the subject, let me give you a list of my favourite moments (so far – I have not seen all of Season 2 and any of Season 3 and I am not going to include clips I *may* have seen on NBC.com, youtube or fan sites).  John Krasinkski’s Jim and Jenna Fischer’s Pam are defintiely TV’s best couple:

  • Pam falls asleep on Jims shoulder during a Michael Scott special in the boardroom confirming what we had already suspected that a) Pam digs Jim and b) Jim digs Pam.  When he has to wake her (most reluctantly) – so cute!  Despite losing out on an important sale thanks to Dwight, Jim ends his talking head (TH) “Not a bad day”.  AW. (Diversity Day)

  • Jim and Pam make up hilarious diseases for the Health Care survey conducted by Dwight (Health Care): 
    Pam I’m inventing new diseases.
    Jim: Oh, great.
    Pam: So, like, let’s say that my teeth turn to liquid and then they drip down the back of my throat. What would you call that?
    Jim: I thought you said you were inventing new diseases? That’s spontaneous dentohydroplosion.
    Pam: Nice.

  • Jim gets touchy-feely and nearly cops the business-end of Roy’s fist. This episode is just awesome with all the Jim and Dwight stuff too (The Alliance):
    Pam: An alliance?
    Jim: Oh yeah.
    Pam: What does that even mean?
    Jim: I think it has something to do with Survivor, but I’m not sure.
    Jim: Um, I know that it involves spying on people and we may build a fort

  • After some super-cute smack talk between P and J, Jim totally kicks Roy’s ass at Basketball but ultimately is the loser as he has to hear about Pam and Roy’s bathing habits.  The end of this episode is an excellent example of why Krasinski is perfect for this role.  He is able to convey endearing smugness as he basks in Pam’s compliments only to be completely deflated pissed-on-chips stylee as he hears her say something about getting Roy into a tub.  Euw.  He really has the whole kicked-in-the-gut facial expression down.  Poor Jim (Basketball).
    Jim: You coming down?
    Pam: Yeah, I’m just forwarding the phones.
    Jim: You gonna wish me luck?
    Pam: Yeah, you’re gonna need it.
    Jim: Whoa.
    Jim: Is that trash talk from Pam?
    Pam: [laughing] I’m just saying, Roy is very competitive.
    Jim: Oh.
    Pam: And he wants to take the WaveRunners to the lake this Saturday so…
    Jim: Well, I’m going to the outlet mall on Saturday, so if you wanna save big on brand names and Roy has to work, which he will, because I’m also competitive, you should feel free to come along.
    Pam: Um, I think I’m gonna be up at the lake.
    Jim: I think I’ll see you at the mall. Yeah.

  • Drunk Pam in The Dundies episode was a joy to behold… a kiss on the lips for Jim and an almost confession of something in the car park: what a start to Season 2! 

  • Pam’s mum gives away something more than she should by whispering ‘Which one’s Jim” when she visits the office.  We see Jim’s reaction as he hears this – the smallest side-smile.  Just brillant.

  • Much tomfoolery and fun during the Dunder Mifflin Olympics, more flirty comradarie between Jim and Pam and they even manage to cheer up Michael even though he has no idea.  My favourite non-Jam part of this episode is right at the end when they award Michael a gold medal (made by Pam from paperclips and yoghurt tops) and he wear’s it proudly over his arm as he puts his hand on his heart during the national anthem (Office Olympics). 

  • Pam suggest to a clearly hurt Jim that he apply for a better job out-of-state and has to do some damage limitation (Halloween):
    Pam: Um I’m sorry… for pushing you towards Cumberland.  Seriously, if you left here, I would blow my brains out.
    Jim (TH): That’s just a figure of speech, you know? Blow your brains out? Come on. All it really means is that we’re friends. Who else is she gonna talk to if I’m gone, right? I mean, if she left, I wouldn’t blow my brains out. Of course, I would take that job in Maryland. Because it’s double the pay, and soft shell crab just happens to be my favorite food.

  • The flirting moves into classic palm-reading and play fighting terrirory and its all good stuff - Jim literally picks her up from behind and his hands are ON SKIN on her torso and its totally hot.  And Pam is loving it until Meredith sees and then she freaks the hell out.  It looks like Jim might even cry a little when she yells at him to put her down.  Oh my. (The Fight)

  • After sharing bad first dates with the group (during which we are given further proof that Roy is a total douche), Jim and Pam share a romantic dinner of grilled cheese sandwich on the roof watching Dwight’s fireworks only for her to piss on his chips again (The Client):

    Jim: Some might even say that we had our first date last night.
    Pam: Oh, really?
    Jim: Really.
    Pam: Why might some say that?
    Jim: Cause there
    was dinner, by candlelight.
    Pam: Uh hmm.
    Jim: Dinner and a show, if you include Michael’s movie. [Pam nods reluctantly] And there was dancing and fireworks. Pretty good date.
    Pam: We didn’t dance.
    Jim: You’re right, we didn’t dance. It was more like, swaying. But still romantic.
    Pam: Swaying isn’t dancing.
    Jim: Least I didn’t leave you at a high school hockey game. [me: Ooh BURN!]
    Pam: I have some faxes to get out.
    Jim: Oh, come on, Pam. I-
    Jim (in TH): Ok, we didn’t dance. I was totally joking anyway. I mean, it’s not really a date if the girl goes home to her fiance. Right? [me: oh, Jim]

  • One of many superb pranks played on Dwight, I love the one when Jim and Pam convince him it is Friday instead of Thursday, thus making him incredibly late the next day. (Performance Review)

  • Pam has a nose round Jim’s room during his BBQ and they have a bit of alone time.  Plus they are on to Dwight and Angela, although Pam totally freaks out again when Phyllis thinks she is talking about Jim and Pam when Pam asks about secret office romances.  Pam, denial aint just a river in Egypt.  (Email Surveillance)

  • Jim’s gift for Pam – very cute indeed.  And even cuter once she decided not to keep the iPod and get his gift back from Dwight after some ill-advised Yankee Swap stuff at Michael’s behest (Christmas Party).

  • The infamous 27 seconds.  A master-class in how to say so much without saying anything at all (isn’t that a Ronan Keating song?).  Much like in The Simpsons when Bart shows Lisa the exact moment that she breaks poor Ralph’s heart, we see Jim’s heart get a pummeling as Roy finally (and drunkedly) sees the light and sets a date for the wedding after their 3 year engagement.  Bonus: seeing Jim dump Katy in unceremonious fashion.  Shouldn’t be funny but it is: (Booze Cruise)
    Katy: Do you think that’ll ever be us?
    Jim: No.
    Katy: What is wrong with you? Why did you even bring me here tonight?
    Jim: I don’t know. Let’s break up.

    Can’t help sharing this cheesy but cute fanvid:

  • Michael accidentally burns (cooks) his foot on his Foreman grill and, well, the episode just soars from there.  I mean, how can this be a bad episode with that premise?  There is just one nice Jim/Pam exchange on the phone but I love this episode for Michael’s buffoonery and Dwight’s concussive kindness.  (The Injury)

  • After Jim’s confession to Michael about his crush on Pam gets out (as it inevitably would with Michael as the confidante), he has some embarrassing explaining to do.  Pam is being almost willfully oblivious from this moment on.  (The Secret)

  • After an entire episode where they are separated, during which Jim tries to move on by asking out a girl’s voicemail, it ends with Jim listening to his many voice messages from Pam which she left for him during the day.  Yeah, Pam.. just friends.  I get it. (The Secret):
    Jim’s voicemail: You have seven unheard messages.
    Pam: [voicemail message for Jim] Hey, Jim. It’s Pam. I keep looking up to say something to you and then Michael’s there and it’s horrible. Anyway, I’m bored. Come back!
    Pam: [voicemail message for Jim] Hey, guess what? I moved my computer so I can’t see Michael’s head. It’s working. I think I can have a career as a very specific type of decorator.
    Pam: [voicemail message for Jim] Sudoku. Level moderate. 18 minutes. Suck on that, Halpert.
    Pam: [voicemail message for Jim] I’ll transfer you. Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam. Hold, please. Dunder Mifflin, this is … okay, sorry. Michael was standing at my desk, and I needed to be busy or who knows what would’ve happened, so thank you.
    Pam: [voicemail message for Jim] Hey, what’s that word we made up when you have a thing stuck in your shoe? Anyway, I have a thing stuck in my shoe.
    Pam: [voicemail message for Jim] Hey, I have a chance to sneak out of here early, and I’m not messing this up, so I’ll see you tomorrow.
    Pam: [voicemail message for Jim] Calling from my cell phone. I don’t know if you guys figured out who did that to Michael’s carpet yet, but I have a theory that involves an inter-departmental conspiracy. Everybody in the office. We need to talk.

  • In case we weren’t sure, this is where we are shown that Jim is perfect boyfriend material (encouraging Pam to follow her dreams) and Roy is, you guessed it, a total douche.  Jim cannot hide his disappointment and frustration with her when she decided not to go for the design internship (and of course that other unmentioned thing, namely dump Roy for Jim)
    Jim: So you’re not doing it.
    Pam: How did you know?
    Jim: Why not?
    Pam: Just like no big reason. Just a bunch of little reasons.
    Jim: Come on.
    Pam: Roy’s right. There’s no guarantee it’s going to lead to anything anyway.
    Jim: Roy said that.
    Pam: What? You have something you want to say?
    Jim: You got to take a chance on something sometime, Pam. I mean, do you want to be a receptionist here, always?
    Pam: Oh, excuse me! I’m fine with my choices!
    Jim: You are?
    Pam (unsure): Yeah.

I have seen more than this but this seems a good place to stop since this is precisely what this relationship (or lack thereof) is about.  It’s about needing to be brave enough to take a chance and about making positive changes which can be terrifying.  Without getting too personal, I had a tough time breaking away from a totally unhealthy and uninspiring relationship to be with the right person and that was simply down to external influences.  It had nothing to do with how I felt.  I think what I love about this show is how real it all is.  how easy it is to recognise all the behaviours, the interactions that take place.  It is also incredibly witty and it makes me want to put a stapler in some jelly.