The Office Reboot: 10 Surprising Reasons Fans Will Love It

Summary

Rebooting The Office so soon after it ended risks being repetitive and disappointing for audiences who haven't even had a chance to miss the show yet.

The tremendous buzz surrounding The Office leaves little room for any reboot to meet expectations. The original series' comedic style, characterized by its use of insensitive jokes and satirical commentary on the American workplace, may not resonate effectively in a contemporary sitcom and runs the risk of presenting challenges within today's television industry.

The Office, one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, is receiving a reboot from original showrunner Greg Daniels. However, revisiting the familiar setting of Dunder Mifflin is a monumental mistake. Originally a British comedy, The Office was remade for American audiences in 2005, running for nine seasons until it concluded in 2013. While it achieved immense popularity during its initial run, the American rendition has only grown in popularity since its streaming release.

Rumors of a reboot have been circulating for years, but with the official end of the WGA strike, Daniels is now poised to return to the world of paper sales. With an exceptional track record, having worked on acclaimed shows like The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation, and King of the Hill, Daniels is a comedy writing genius. The Office boasts some of the most memorable episodes and gags in TV history. However, the decision to reboot the show not only risks disappointing fans, but also tarnishing the legacy of a once extraordinary series. Due to various factors, including timing, sensibilities, and real-world limitations, a reboot of The Office is an ill-advised notion.

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10 The Office Only Ended 10 Years Ago

The Office's final episode aired on May 16, 2023, just over a decade ago. Despite the passage of time, it remains a mere blip in the vast TV landscape, as viewers still have the original episodes fresh in their minds. They haven't even had a chance to long for the show's absence, thanks to constant streaming, cable reruns, and ubiquitous internet memes. While the upcoming Frasier reboot promises a new experience for audiences, its timing so soon after the original show poses the risk of feeling repetitive.

9 The Office Reboot Will Be Hampered By Massive Hype

Love for The Office has only grown in the years since it ended. The show has attracted a whole new generation of fans through platforms like Netflix and now Peacock, who continuously rewatch it. Not only is it a widely loved comedy, but it is also one of the most talked-about shows in history. Consequently, any attempt to revive the series would inevitably face an overwhelming amount of hype that could never be matched. Notably, it would be impossible for new episodes of The Office to satisfy every fan, considering that even the original run itself couldn't achieve that feat. Therefore, there is a strong likelihood that many fans would end up feeling disappointed.

8 Not All The Office's Humor Has Aged Well

While Michael Scott was a captivating character, serving as a satirical representation of American immaturity, his brand of insensitive humor and general naivety would not be well-received in a modern sitcom. Episodes like "Race Day" and "Gay Witch Hunt" cleverly critiqued the often racist, sexist, and homophobic dynamics of the American workplace, but their approach may have been questionable at the time and is certainly unsuitable for television today. This particular brand of humor defined The Office and should not be undermined simply because it reflects the era in which it was created. However, attempting to revive the show without its signature comedic style would be a significant mistake.

7 Sitcom TV Has Drastically Changed Since The Office Was On

During its time on NBC, The Office thrived with approximately 20 episodes per season, allowing ample opportunity to establish its footing and deliver exceptional TV episodes. The show's abundance of episodes greatly contributed to its success when it transitioned to streaming platforms. Even if one episode fell short in terms of humor, viewers could count on the remaining 15 episodes to provide laughter. However, the upcoming reboot of The Office will most likely adopt a streaming format, which typically consists of 8-13 episodes per season.

While the streaming model can be effective for shows like The Bear or Barry, The Office is better suited for the traditional network format. In a season with 10 episodes, having three of them not live up to expectations results in a significant portion of the season being underwhelming. Although the show did incorporate overarching storylines, its charm lied within the individual episodes and episodic nature of the storylines. One of the reasons why there are few shows like The Office still airing today is that production studios have shifted away from this style, making it difficult for a show like The Office to thrive in the current television landscape.

6 The Office's Cast Was A Huge Part Of Its Success

5 Shows Like Parks & Rec Filled The Space Left By The Office

In terms of sitcom premises, The Office ranks quite low. It revolves around employees at a paper company, yet what truly sets it apart are its remarkable characters and exceptional cast. Currently, it remains uncertain whether any members of the original cast, such as Steve Carell, BJ Novak, and John Krasinski, will make a return, as they have become occupied with other projects, rendering their return highly unlikely. Although there is a wealth of young talent that could potentially lead a contemporary workplace comedy, the absence of the core cast leaves the show devoid of any substantial connection to its original roots beyond surface-level aspects.

Following the immense success of The Office, numerous shows, notably those produced by NBC, embraced and innovated the mockumentary format. Parks and Recreation, sharing some of the creative team, along with Modern Family and What We Do in the Shadows, elevated the genre to new levels. While The Office holds a significant place in TV history, audiences have surpassed it in terms of the possibilities a mockumentary sitcom can explore. Given the remarkable progress since its initial airing, a reboot would seem regressive rather than progressive.

4 Space Force Tried (And Failed) To Do A Modern Version Of The Office

3 The Show Already Overstayed Its Welcome

In 2020, Greg Daniels and Steve Carell collaborated once again to create a workplace comedy series on Netflix. This time, they took aim at Trump's Space Force program and the individuals associated with it. Unfortunately, Space Force was met with disappointment both critically and commercially, resulting in its cancellation after only two seasons. Despite being advertised as a creation from the minds behind The Office, the show served as an example of how this style of comedy struggles to resonate in a modern context. While The Office thrived as a network comedy that portrayed everyday Americans, its creators encountered difficulties in adapting to the demands and higher expectations of a streaming show, along with the incorporation of more political humor.

The Office was undeniably fantastic during its prime. Season four, in particular, stood out as an extraordinary stretch of television. However, once Michael Scott departed, the show began to display signs of declining quality, and the subsequent two seasons only worsened the situation. While the show remained watchable and showcased some remarkable moments, particularly with the introduction of the character Robert California, it continued well past its expiration date. The problem with The Office was not a lack of content; in fact, reviving it for additional episodes would only risk tarnishing the beautiful conclusion with more lackluster installments.

2 Having The Characters Still Work At Dunder Mifflin Is More Sad Than Funny

Despite the unlikelihood of many key cast members returning, smaller characters such as Oscar, Toby, Phyllis, and Kevin are expected to make a comeback in the reboot. Although it would be delightful to see these actors and characters again, it is more disheartening than heartwarming to witness them remain in the realm of Scranton and Dunder Mifflin. The fact that Oscar is still in accounting after 20 years since we first met him serves as a gloomy conclusion for a beloved character. This elucidates why sitcoms like Cheers cannot be rebooted - it becomes saddening when characters fail to evolve or undergo any change, enduring the same unpleasant circumstances for years merely for the sake of entertaining the audience.

1 The Office Was Already A Remake

Greg Daniels brought his own touch and sensibilities to the original show created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, adapting the characters and humor to cater to American audiences and formats. The result was a brilliant interpretation that did not overshadow the original, but rather enriched it. However, there are limitations to how much can be accomplished with the existing premise, and Daniels has already expressed his thoughts on the original material. Therefore, if a new reboot of The Office is to succeed, it must venture into completely unexplored territory.