| One of the best new comedies on television, | | | | employees who convey themselves as logical, |
| The Office chronicles the inner-workings of | | | | well-reasoned, and normal individuals; normal |
| the fictional Pennsylvania paper company | | | | people trapped in a bizarro world where |
| Dunder-Mifflin. The name itself sort of | | | | bumbling idiots like Michael and Dwight |
| alludes to a bureaucratic labyrinth | | | | preside over their work week. Similar in |
| administered by dunderheads, and in reality, | | | | theme to the hilarious feature film Office |
| it is. Unfortunately, what makes The Office | | | | Space, the show provides viewers with a much |
| so outrageously funny is the frightening | | | | more excitable Bill Lumbergh lording over an |
| ability of its millions of viewers to relate | | | | army of Peter Gibbons-like worker bees. For |
| to the onscreen happenings. Dunder-Mifflin is | | | | creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, |
| mis-managed by the politically-incorrect, | | | | who first experienced success with the |
| borderline lunatic Michael Scott (Steve | | | | concept in the United Kingdom, it's a |
| Carell). Deploying his twisted logic as the | | | | surefire recipe for pure, unadulterated |
| basis of company policy, substituting worn | | | | laughter. |
| out clichés for real leadership, and | | | | |
| offering an endless array of ever ridiculous | | | | The Office (Season 2) DVD features a number |
| group activities to "increase morale," he | | | | of hilarious episodes including the season |
| fosters a white collar environment that makes | | | | premiere "The Dundies" in which the annual |
| the comic strip world of Dilbert seem | | | | staff awards, "The Dundies," are handed out |
| desirable in contrast. | | | | by Michael. Michael struggles with the event |
| | | | due to some corporate complaints about his |
| Carell, one of Hollywood's hottest stars, | | | | past handling of the event, while still |
| shines in the role of the crazed and | | | | managing to offend each and every one of his |
| eccentric office manager, and his talents are | | | | fellow employees. Following a fight with Roy, |
| well complimented by Rainn Wilson in the role | | | | Pam gets hammered and the spends the evening |
| of Michael's butt-kissing, rule-Nazi | | | | joking around with Jim. The two end up |
| sycophant, Dwight Schrute. Dwight's | | | | kissing before Pam catches a ride home with |
| over-the-top antics regularly conflict with | | | | another coworker... Other episodes include |
| the rest of the office, particularly | | | | "Christmas Party" in which Michael screws up |
| co-worker and desk neighbor Jim Halpert (John | | | | the office Christmas party with another one |
| Krasinski). An unspoken office crush between | | | | of his erratic decisions, and "Conflict |
| Jim and Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer) makes for | | | | Resolution" in which Michael's efforts to |
| an interesting and recurring subplot. The two | | | | improve relations within the office result in |
| epitomize the rest of the Dunder-Mifflin | | | | a worse situation. |