Joye's TV Reviews

Thursday nights on NBC have their prima donna in The Office. Low-key, deadpan humor at its best. Using the mockumentary style enables the camera to be part of the show, so actors don’t have to ignore the lights and lenses. This style is used in Christopher Guest films like ‘A Mighty Wind’ and ‘Best in Show’, and I believe it’s a tremendous help to the actors.

Every line, every character, and every actor on The Office is spot-on. No matter how much of a jerk Carell’s character is, you just gotta love him. Right when you wish he’d get a kick in the head, we’re reminded how lonely he is. But no emotions are overplayed – looks and reactions are priceless (B.J. Novak as Ryan is GREAT at this), and all characters are 3-dimensional. The minds behind this show – ‘cross the pond and Stateside – have restored my faith in TV.