The Paper 2025 Review – More Than Just an Office Spin-Off

Taking over from a legend is never easy. Spin-offs and sequels carry the weight of fan expectations while also needing to prove they’re more than just recycled ideas. Most shows stumble under that pressure. So where does The Paper land as a worthy successor to The Office (US), or just another attempt to cash in on nostalgia?

A Personality of Its Own

If I had to summarize The Paper Season 1 in one line, it would be this: the show has its own identity. It isn’t just “The Office in a new coat of paint.” Instead of mimicking what came before, it leans into the familiar mockumentary style but adds a fresh twist.

Yes, you’ll still find awkward silences, quick zooms, and the classic “Jim face” straight into the camera. Greg Daniels’ influence is clear. But The Paper doesn’t stop there, it uses those elements as a springboard to carve out something that feels both familiar and new.

Humor That Feels Natural

The characters are likeable from the get-go, and the jokes actually land. Nothing feels forced. The cast has great chemistry, and the comedy flows in a way that reminds you why workplace mockumentaries became so beloved in the first place.

The best comparison? It feels like The Office and Parks and Recreation had a younger cousin born in 2025. It carries the DNA of both but has its own modern spin.

Unlike Dunder Mifflin, which revolved around the relatively dull business of selling paper, The Paper shifts to the world of journalism. That one creative decision unlocks so many more possibilities. Journalism is unpredictable, messy, and often absurd. A perfect fuel for the kind of humor this format thrives on.

The Toledo Truth-Teller

At the heart of the story is the Toledo Truth-Teller, a decades-old newspaper past its prime. As readers abandon print for digital media, the staff faces the uphill battle of keeping the Truth-Teller alive. That struggle gives the show a sense of urgency that feels relevant today, while still making room for ridiculous scenarios and character-driven comedy.

Ned Samson – The New Boss

Domhnall Gleeson plays Ned Samson, the editor-in-chief. He’s not a Michael Scott copy. He’s awkward, yes, but in a grounded way. His fumbling attempts at leadership feel both funny and strangely endearing. You want him to succeed, even when he’s clearly out of his depth.

Esmaralda Grand – A Scene-Stealer

Sabrina Impacciatore’s Esmaralda Grand is brash, loud, and impossible to ignore. She’s deliberately written to dominate the screen, and her frequent attempts to sabotage Ned provide some of the season’s best moments. Her schemes to undermine him often backfire, creating chaotic yet hilarious situations.

Mare Frett – More Than “The Jim”

Chelsea Frei’s Mare Frett looks like she’s meant to be the “Jim Halpert” equivalent, but she isn’t just pulling smirks at the camera. Mare has a sharper edge, often taking surprising digs and showing her own comedic range.

A Familiar Face Returns

Fans of The Office get a nostalgic bonus with Oscar Nunez reprising his role as Oscar Martinez. In The Paper, we learn that after Dunder Mifflin Scranton shut down, Oscar became head accountant at the Truth-Teller. In fact the whole company was shut down and taken over in 2019.

His dry sarcasm is intact, but his relationship with the documentary crew is even funnier this time. Oscar repeatedly insists he never agreed to appear in another project, often claiming they don’t have permission to use his voice or likeness. The screen cheekily tells us that the contract he signed years ago, well, it never had an end date. It’s a clever meta-arc that works both as fan service and as a running joke.

Smarter Mockumentary Choices

One of the smartest updates here is how the show handles the documentary crew. Unlike early Office seasons, where the cameras were more invisible, The Paper makes their presence felt. Not only do the staff acknowledge them, but so do outsiders, which opens up new comedic opportunities. Even the cameramen speak occasionally, a subtle but welcome twist.

And for longtime fans, there’s a neat behind-the-scenes improvement. In The Office, one-on-one interviews were often shot in the meeting room with glass windows angled carefully to avoid camera reflections. This time, the interviews are staged in a cramped storage room and they look spectacular. It’s a subtle change, but it gives the show a fresher, more polished visual style without losing the mockumentary feel.

Where It Stumbles

That said, the show isn’t perfect. At times, the pacing drags. Some supporting characters barely get fleshed out beyond their newsroom personas. Ned, despite being the lead, doesn’t get much development outside of work. The same goes for others, you want to know more about them as people, not just colleagues.

But here’s the thing: it’s only 10 episodes. The writers are still experimenting, and to their credit, most of what they try works. If given more room in Season 2, these characters could grow into something special.

Why It Works

Despite the flaws, the Toledo Truth-Teller staff is easy to root for. Ned, Mare, Nicole, Detrik, Adelola, Adam and Ken, you start to care about all of them. That emotional connection is rare in modern comedies. Honestly, it’s been a while since a sitcom made me binge an entire season in one sitting, genuinely laughing and wanting more.

Final Thoughts

The Paper nails much of what makes a strong debut season. The natural instinct is to compare it to The Office or Parks and Recreation. But remember those shows didn’t find their stride until later seasons. For a pilot season, The Paper is remarkably polished.

Is it as good as The Office at its peak? Not yet. But is it better than The Office Season 1? Without question. The flow is tighter, the cast gels faster, and the setup is more engaging.

Stream It or Skip It?

Stream it. If you’re a fan of workplace comedies or mockumentaries, this one belongs on your watchlist. With Season 2 already confirmed, the potential is there for it to become a modern classic. Let’s just hope Peacock doesn’t keep us waiting years for another 10 episodes.

And hey, did anyone else learn from this show that “flammable” and “inflammable” mean the same thing? I actually had to Google it. Thanks for the unexpected vocabulary lesson, The Paper.

Rating:

So, what did you think of The Paper? Did it live up to the hype, or are you still loyal to The Office crew? Personally, I was surprised by how quickly it hooked me. Workplace comedies aren’t easy to pull off anymore, but this one shows there’s still life in the genre. Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let’s debate whether journalism might just be the perfect setting for mockumentary storytelling in 2025.

The Paper is streaming now on Peacock. For more reviews click here.