THE GENIUS OF: The OfficeBy Quinn OxleyJune 21, 2017With all the media that’s pure awfulness nowadays, it’s nice to revisit some classics that have their own iconic brand of genius. Sometimes I watch a movie and I notice a lot of things that could have been done better, and I think, “Perhaps I’m just hypercritical.” But then I revisit a masterpiece like The Office and I’m assured that the entertainment industry really does have the capacity to create something near-perfect.

So, without further ado, I present: The Genius of The Office.

The Office is anything but some obscure production. Over the course of its run, the show was nominated for nine Golden Globes, and it is currently the Internet Movie Database’s 61st highest-rated television show of all time at 8.8/10 stars. The show catapulted many yet-unknowns into not household names, but iconic Office names - Michael Scott, Jim Halpert and Pam Beesely (they have to be listed together), Dwight Schrute, Andy Bernard. Its success is not without recognition.

But why is it so beloved? Well, for starters, the show’s success is owed almost entirely to the dynamics between the show’s characters. In particular, Michael Scott shines as the most entertaining player; Steve Carrell offers a flawless performance as the outrageously childish branch manager, while his writers constantly place him in situations that clash his duties as a manager (bringing the office bad news, settling disputes, etc.) with his complex-level desire to be liked by his “work family.” The rest of the characters are also ingeniously written. Jim and Pam - my forever OTP, might I add - serve as the series’ anchors in reality while being well-rounded, charming characters in and of themselves, while nearly every other member of the office are just realistic enough to be relatable, and outlandish enough to make for near-divine hilarity and spot-on social commentary. Larger-than-life characters like Dwight and Creed provide a complete contrast to the humdrum backdrop of a standard office environment.

Even the show’s premise and format lend themselves to a really intimate look at the characters, which is an incredible tool for developing an emotional connection with them without the cheesy soliloquy. In the show’s interview segments, the characters (most often) separate themselves from the rest of the cast, allowing one-on-one facetime with the audience wherein we learn their individual responses to the events on the show, allowing us to get to know them better. The audience learns about the characters through what they say and through what they omit because they know they’re being filmed. These characters, by the end of the series, aren’t characters; you know them so well, they’re your friends.

While the documentary format is perfect for character development, it’s also an effective tool for comedy. Again, dropping characters in a feedback-vacuum allows the viewer to feel like they’re having a personal conversation with the character. Especially in the case of characters as hysterical (in both senses) as Michael, discrepancies between the characters’ observations and our own contribute to the show’s comedy. (It sounds so boring and formulaic between I describe it like that… but it is what it is.)

The performances also add to the show’s brilliance. One could argue that not much acting was involved, as the performers are simply playing everyday people in an everyday office, but each actor serves their purpose perfectly, whether they’re going for completely (but low-key) ridiculous (Creed), all-out sociopath (Dwight), sane and nice-guy suave (Jim), or judgemental and hypocritical (Angela). Each performance caps off a perfectly written character.

It all comes together into one perfect burrito that is one of the most charming and hilarious shows that media has to offer. Not only is it an incredible experience the first time through, but The Office has infinite rewatch value as well. Sure, there was a definite drop-off in quality after Steve Carrell left the show, but the rest of the cast is worth sticking around for - especially for the emotional payoff of the series finale.

The Office is a paragon of its genre. Between the writing, the format, and the performances, the Dunder-Mifflin chronicles prove time and again to be the show for anyone who loves a laugh with good friends.

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