The Paper

I was really looking forward to this series as a big Office fan! I know they said not to expect The Office but when there's a lot of the same ppl how can you not? The show isn't terrible and has the makings to be great! There are no stand out characters. Only time I laughed out loud was when Oscar curses to keep the documentary crew from recording him. The other moments that really stood out also all included Oscar. If they want this show to succeed we need much more Oscar and absolutely zero Esmeralda. She's not funny. She tries too hard. It's uncomfortable to watch. I'm sure the actress is a lovely person but this is not her best role. I'm half way through the season and I give it a 5!

Get rid of the annoying italian girl terrible ok sorry I had to turnoff episode 2 and give the other characters funny scenes and their own scenes. I think the other characters need to have more development and their needs to be a wild person and their needs to be a person who pranks and makes fun of everyone else.

I struggled to get through the first few episodes- it was like a chore. The Office gave us layered characters which took time to build and appreciate. The Paper is trying to start at a level that took The Office a few years to achieve. The characters have potential, but the shining stars are the two leads playing Ned and Mare. The show tries pushing Esmeralda as a female Michael Scott and it's cringy. If they are dead set on keeping Esmeralda as a character, then they need to give her redeeming qualities like they did Michael. She is worse than Season 1 Michael Scott.

Outside of Esmeralda's irritating character, the rest of the show has potential. The other characters are likable and the storylines are alright.

I was a little worried this show was going to be nothing but rehashing The Office and luckily it's not. The one reference to Michael I noticed was well placed and a nice callback. Domhall Gleason is a great actor in my opinion and I have enjoyed most of his work. His role as a rather naive new editor of a local paper is a pleasure to watch. Other standouts would be Chelsea Frei and Ramona Young (who was also outstanding in Santa Clarita Diet). The only carry over character from The Office is Oscar and he also fits in well within the group.

Admittedly this show needs some work. The humor was rather hit or miss at times and there were some long lags where it did get a little boring. I would recommend this show for a relaxing afternoon. It's fun most of the time and quite enjoyable.

However one thing I could not get past was the character Esmeralda. I found her so grating and insufferable. If I watch this show again I will mute or fast forward her scenes. She's such an annoying person who I find impossible to root for. If there's a season two they need to lose that character.

I have a LOT to say about this show, some things I didn't like, some things I loved, and some things I don't know how to feel about, but overall, considering I expected this to be pretty bad looking at the reviews and the trailer, it was actually pretty great.

Give it a shot and look at it as it's own thing, don't compare it to the office too much, it's a different show just with a simular setting.

I think if they remove or at least tone down Esmeralda and flesh out the characters this could be a great show.