The Office Spinoff The Paper Is Coming But There’s A Catch

by

Among the enticing lineup of TV shows in Peacock’s 2025 schedule, I eagerly look forward to Greg Daniels’ new series, titled “The Paper,” which is set to air this fall. This fresh comedy, buzzing with anticipation, is a spinoff from the cultural phenomenon, “The Office.” Though I eagerly await its September 4 premiere, I must admit that the release schedule, as planned by the streamer, leaves me slightly apprehensive.

For years now, supporters of the original charming yet awkward show have been eagerly waiting for any new installments of the mockumentary. Now, we’re nearly there, and there’s a lot of excitement building up, even among cast members from the show who have been pushing for it and its lead actor, Domhnall Gleeson. As everyone prepares for its release, Peacock has unveiled a plan for when the episodes will drop. In a statement from NBC, it was announced that “The Paper” will begin in early September, with new episodes coming out each week, and wrapping up by the end of the month.

On September 4, the series debuts on Peacock, with a total of four initial episodes. Then, two fresh episodes will be added each Thursday, continuing until September 25.

Discover popular NBC shows including “The Office,” along with many more current hits. A Peacock TV subscription offers plans as low as $7.99 monthly, or opt for the ad-free Premium plan at an additional cost. Check out our deal now!

The timeframe for Daniels’ return to the Dunder Mifflin world is so swift that you might blink and miss it, which I find unexpected. Granted, in the era of streaming and binge-watching, it’s not inherently negative, but I’m taken aback by how quickly they’re compressing the show’s release schedule. However, considering the contrast between traditional network standards and the continually evolving streaming landscape, it’s challenging to draw firm conclusions from this.

Looking at the release pattern of Peacock Original series “Poker Face” Season 2, it provides a useful comparison. It premiered with three episodes on May 8, and has been airing one episode weekly until July 10. This leads me to ponder why they aren’t following a similar schedule for another potentially popular show like “The Paper”.

Despite the complexities surrounding streamer schedule release templates, the monthly release of “The Paper” offers limited chances for water-cooler conversations. Conversely, this year has shown a surge in popularity for weekly series such as “Severance” and “The White Lotus”. These shows have allowed audiences to delve deeply into discussions for two months or more, which is crucial for audience growth. The lack of such an opportunity for “The Paper” is concerning.

The tiny sliver of optimism I’m hanging onto is that this situation seems similar to how the U.S. version of a UK comedy began in 2005. Just as Domhnall Gleeson’s character in The Paper is being compared to Michael Scott, much like Steve Carell was to Ricky Gervais’ David Brent, the original show, The Office, had to prove itself with six episodes from March 29 to April 26. Similarly, The Paper will have eight episodes and the entire month of September to win over audiences in a similar fashion.

It’s obvious that I’ll closely monitor “The Paper” during its monthly rollout, and I’ll catch each episode using my Peacock subscription on a weekly basis, all while trying to manage any scheduling conflicts effectively.

Read More

2025-07-10 23:10