To Dunder Mifflin Infinity… and Beyond

Published February 26, 2008

By Bridget Treco

I know that in these past few weeks we’ve all been rejoicing over the end of the writers’ strike. As of February 12, 2008, it’s official the writers will be moving from picketing in the street to sitting at their desks…um, writing. But for myself and many like me the only real important thing about the end of the strike is…

THE OFFICE IS BACK!

Yes, The Office. For some people, it’s just a quirky show with inaccessible, dry humor. For others, like me, it is an essential element to life. Now, I know we were all distraught about the corporate vs. writers’ struggle, because they deserved their money but honestly, the thing that bummed me out the most was that for over three straight months, I was unable to gaze into the eyes of Dwight K. Shrute. Well, re-runs helped, and so did my collection of DVDs. But that just makes me sound like a huge nerd. I’m not a nerd. Dwight is, and he is awesome.
So now, on April 10th, 2008, we’re going to visit Scranton, Pennsylvania once again, and hop right back into the lives of our favorite coworkers. A few things I already know about the episode are that it’s called “Dinner Party,” it’ll be awkward, and it will bring Michael Scott back in our lives.

Will Ryan continue being an asshole? Will Pam and Jim keep going strong? What’s the deal with Dwight and Angela? Only April 10th knows.

It doesn’t really matter, though. This show is back. Finally, I will get to hear more “that’s what she said” jokes, and enjoy the way Stanley looks like a fish, and listen to Kelly’s lectures on the importance of Netflix. I will be able to bask in the radiance of Phyllis, the inappropriate escapades of Creed, and Michael’s unwittingly racist remarks towards Oscar. Nothing is more important than this.

The Office, an Americanized version of the British original of the same name, is a cultural icon, our best source of the coveted dry humor of the millennium.

The show is unique in not only its setting but also in that it is partly improvised with terrific repartee. The consistency of the show has provided it with a loyal following that includes a huge demographic. And while it focuses on seeminglyincongruous officemates, it shows the humor that can come with both this set up and working a boring 9 to 5. We really need those writers to experience the essence of Dunder Mifflin; thank god they’ve finally come back. In my opinion, if the show continues in this same fashion, it has enough momentum to keep going for several more seasons.

Supposedly, producers have it in the works to shoot 6 more hour-length episodes, finishing the season off with just 14 episodes. Now, considering everything, that’s not bad. But why can’t they just take the time now to film a few more? To all Office devotees’ dismay, Celebrity Apprentice took over The Office’s slot during the strike and needs to finish out. Seriously, Celebrity Apprentice? Does anyone on earth watch that show? Does anyone even know it exists? I don’t know, and I don’t care, because the only show that should exist is The Office.

And it’s back.

Thank you, Writers Guild of America.

Print This Article

Comments