‘The Office’ was not a show I initially appreciated, with its tendency for physical comedy and absurd scenarios. But, after watching all the seasons from start to end (for the first time) I was impressed by the simplicity and writing in the show.
With even Billie Eilish sampling one of the weirder moments from the show in her song ‘My Strange Addiction’ and the cult following it now seems to have, The Office's impact is universal.
How did ‘The Office’ become so popular? In this post, I’d like to dissect the reason for its popularity and bring out the ‘ordinary’ aspects of it that struck a chord, especially with the working class.?
- A simple 9 to 5 to our generation isn’t held in high regard. Let’s face it. Somehow the security and the work-life balance it offers are looked down upon. Hustling at your job, over ambition at your peril, having side hustles that give you purpose, and becoming famous, and rich are what people have started to associate with a fulfilling life. When did this happen? Did social media convince us of this? We have lost respect for a simple 9 to 5 that lets us figure ourselves out, bond with colleagues who turn into thick friends and the emotionally charged moments that help mould us. Through the documentary-type setup of this show, we come to cherish these characters for showing us ordinary can be beautiful. One of the last lines by Pam Beesly’s character stayed with me. She says, “There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kind of the point?”. To me, there was no better way to summarise this show.
- We get to see through the juxtaposition of the characters of Michael Scott and Andy Bernard and the enormity of the impact your perspective brings to your life and job. We see Michael Scott thrive (for the most part) at 'Dunder Mifflin'. He respects his work and his colleagues, shows loyalty to the organization and leaves when it’s time for him to move on to the next stage of his life. Andy Bernard on the other hand disrespects the position constantly by going on a boat trip for several weeks, quitting suddenly to pursue his dream in the performing arts despite lacking the talent, and often being a bad manager to his subordinates. While these characters are not that black and white, it’s obvious that Andy believed he was too good for the job and Michael had a healthy respect for it. Towards the end, Andy is treated with the same regard as what he showed his colleagues and the job. We also hear Andy say in the final episode, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve left them”.
- For Jim and Dwight who share a love-hate relationship, their motivations though different, are also similar in terms of their ambition and relationships formed at Dunder Mifflin. Though Jim doesn’t see a future here and is often seen slacking off, he values the relationships he’s built during his course here. Dwight, in contrast, only sees a future in Dunder Mifflin, his loyalty is unquestionable and he passionately strives for the Regional Manager position. In the final season, Dwight is finally appointed as such and in a heartwarming monologue says, "Angela Shrute, my former accountant, is now my wife. My top salesman, Jim Halpert, was best man at my wedding, and office administrator, Pamela Beesly-Halpert, is my?best friend, so yes, I'd say I have gotten along with my subordinates." In the end, Jim helps Dwight accomplish this amazing feat even though they were seen competing for it earlier, thus cementing their friendship.
Not many shows have managed to get the ending just right. But this show through its documentary-type setup comes a full circle by giving the audience the chance to question these character's motivations, like in the panel discussion scene towards the end of the show. We get to understand why these characters do what they do through the many interviews where they break the fourth wall, and over time the viewers understand and empathise with them.
And slowly but surely, living vicariously through the lives of The Office's characters, we come to value the ordinary lives most of us live.
