Stephanie J Moran
It’s the end! The Office closes its doors after eight years. The US mockumentary warmed our Wednesday nights and found colour in the grey abyss of the office environment but now it tunes out with a star studded finale.
Based on the British Office, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the American version had a shaky start with good reviews but low ratings. However, the US Office quickly reached its sibling’s height with a growth spurt during season two. It flew to the top of the iTunes chart and found its own followers. With nine seasons in total it consisted of a mighty 201 episodes but now it ends on UK TV.
If you aren’t familiar with the show: Dunder Mifflin is a paper company in a fictional town called Scranton. A documentary team covers the comic capering that takes place at the Dunder Mifflin branch. Adapted by Greg Daniels, the man behind The Simpsons, the show starred Steve Carell as Michael, the clueless but loveable regional manager. Carell left the show in the seventh season but not before he entertained in his characterisation of Michael; a man whose method in finding love is at best hilarious and at worst painfully awkward.
The Office (US) shared genes with the British version but the writing spoke its own language and thus created its own identity. An optimistic tone replaced the dark edge of the British original. With writers like Mindy Kaling, creator of The Mindy Project, Michael Schur, who plays Mose in the show, and Greg Daniels himself, The Office shot up in comic value. The list of the show’s writers is exhaustive including those who wrote for, Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld and Saturday Night Live.
And who can forget Dwight, portrayed by Rainn Wilson? A salesman and also a Beet farmer whose unabashed loyalty and pedantic ways infused the show with laughter. The Office introduced fresh faced actors, Wilson included, who flourished in their depiction of the Dunder Mifflin employees. Romance sparked between Jim and Pam, buddy friendship between Michael and Dwight and not forgetting the sweet naïveté of Kevin or the grumpiness of Stanley. It was an comedy enterprise which we fell in love with.
So now it’s time to say goodbye to The Office and watch the final episodes due to air on Comedy Central. Let’s hope it’s a funny ending which leaves us laughing.