There’s One Underrated Thing That The Office And Parks And Recreation Both Did, And I Hope We See Something Similar In The Paper

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As someone who can’t hide my love for The Office, it’s obvious that I’ll be tuning in to Greg Daniels’ new spinoff show, The Paper, when it airs on the 2025 TV lineup. However, the real struggle right now is not about deciding to watch it, but rather keeping my excitement in check. This is because, just like with The Office and Parks and Recreation, another series produced by Greg Daniels, it took me a while to fully appreciate these shows initially.

Lately, I’ve been enjoying my Peacock subscription by revisiting “Parks and Recreation,” and this Michael Schur-cocreated comedy has sparked an idea in me about a standout aspect the show masterfully executed with two characters, which was similarly accomplished in “The Office.” Perhaps “The Paper” will capture that same enchantment.

It Would Be Great To See Another Satisfying Love Story

In my reference to a “love story” following The Office, you may think I’m referring to Jim and Pam, but actually, I’m not. While their relationship was indeed an essential element contributing to the show’s success on NBC, what I’m implying is that if The Paper features a lovable couple like them right from the start, it would be fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed Jim and Pam’s storyline, so having a similar romantic pair in another series would certainly make it more appealing.

In a similar vein, both “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” introduced characters who turned out to be ideal matches for the leads later in their series. Specifically, this refers to Holly in “The Office” and Ben in “Parks and Recreation.” I find these romantic relationships captivating, particularly their development and evolution throughout each show’s run.

A Couple Like Michael Scott And Holly Flax

Throughout The Office, Michael’s romantic endeavors were filled with both high points and low points, frequently creating humorous and awkward situations. Let’s reminisce about some of these moments, such as his public proposal to Carol during Diwali, or the dramatic altercation with Jan in one of the series’ finest episodes, Dinner Party. By the time Holly (Amy Ryan) arrived on the scene, it became challenging to envision him in a stable relationship.

Despite initially finding it hard to like Holly due to her connection with a department he had once referred to as “a nesting place for monsters,” the chemistry between Michael and the HR rep was palpable from the get-go. What’s remarkable about this connection is that it isn’t based solely on superficial aspects. Yes, they are attracted to each other, and that attraction is mutual. Yet, what truly binds them together goes beyond mere physical appeal. They share an understanding of each other’s (occasionally peculiar) humor, and find charm in traits that others might only tolerate. For instance, Holly didn’t always agree with Michael’s words or actions, but her reactions were never dismissive or disrespectful like Jan used to be when reprimanding him.

Among the episodes I adore from the series, one that stands out is “The Search” in Season 7, where Michael finds himself lost exploring Scranton. In an effort to find him, Erin and Dwight join forces with Holly. This entire episode serves as a clever wink at their suitability, as Dwight and Erin soon discover that Holly’s understanding of Michael’s mindset is crucial in locating him. When she eventually finds Michael, it becomes evident that neither character was destined for anyone else besides each other, which I found incredibly heartwarming.

Parkā€™s And Recreationā€™s Leslie And Ben

Let’s discuss the pairing of Ben and Leslie, as they remind me of Michael and Holly in many ways, though I don’t intend to equate Leslie Knope with Michael Scott or Ben Wyatt with Holly. Instead, I’m referring to their relationship dynamics. Similar to Holly, Ben wasn’t a central character at the start of the show. He and Chris Traeger, played by Rob Lowe, didn’t appear until towards the end of Season 2. However, their relationship evolves in a way that begins strained as he becomes more involved in Leslie’s department. By Season 3, their romantic storyline starts to blossom.

In a similar vein, Ben and Leslie, much like Michael and Holly, share a unique connection. What I admire about them is how Ben appreciates Leslie for who she truly is – full of energy, optimism, and an unwavering drive to improve her community. Yes, Leslie can sometimes set her goals too high, and often gets overly invested in a single objective, which may lead to complications. However, as Ben becomes more familiar with her, he views these traits as assets instead of weaknesses. He acts as a balance to her optimism, making them not only a charming couple but also effective partners. It’s truly captivating to witness their teamwork and the success they achieve together.

A Common Factor For Both Couples’ Stories

I don’t think a good love story is essential for a TV comedy to be great. Shows like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” have many aspects that I enjoy, and these don’t necessarily revolve around the romantic plotlines. Therefore, if “The Paper” is an outstanding comedy without a central romantic couple, that’s perfectly fine by me. If it does introduce one later on, that’s okay too, since the relationships between Leslie/Ben and Michael/Holly are significant elements that were developed later in the series, after we’ve already grown to know these characters well.

I appreciate comedies like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” for many reasons beyond their romantic plots, so it’s fine if “The Paper” doesn’t have a central romance or if it develops one later on, as that was the case with Leslie/Ben and Michael/Holly.

It’s likely that both Holly and Ben were introduced as characters with the possibility of becoming long-term romantic partners for the main characters in their respective shows. However, they also contributed extra dimensions to the plot, and they served to highlight the unique qualities of the somewhat eccentric leading characters.

Will There Be Romance In The Paper?

Alright, let’s revisit “The Paper” since it seems to be central to our discussion. As previously mentioned, while a heartfelt romantic tale isn’t essential for a successful TV comedy, many iconic sitcoms do feature one or more. Given the delightful chemistry between characters in the shows we mentioned, I am eagerly anticipating Greg Daniels might develop a similar connection in the upcoming series. I’d much prefer a story about two people meeting at the right moment and forming an ideal relationship, rather than the will-they-won’t-they drama any day.

I understand what you’re saying, and it seems that I’m expressing my willingness to wait for quite some time in The Paper for the connection between characters to develop. However, the show could make things move faster by giving Oscar, who is also part of this new series (you might have noticed him in the trailer for The Paper), a romantic storyline. In The Office, Oscar had several love interests over the course of the series, with his last one being Angela’s senator husband.

I get your point – it seems I’m expressing my patience for character development in The Paper. But to speed things up a bit, they could focus more on giving Oscar romance, as he was involved in several relationships during The Office, with his last partner being Angela’s senator husband.

It seems that Oscar is longing for a suitable partner, and this show might just be the one to provide it. Since we’re quite familiar with Oscar, the intelligent accountant, I don’t feel the need for several seasons to understand his character before watching him find true love.

Instead of Oscar, someone equally worthy could take on the role. After all, given Daniels’ impressive track record in his past series, I am confident that The Paper will be a success.

The Paper debuts on Peacock on September 4, 2025.

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2025-08-23 18:11