The television series The Office has been very successful in
the filming industry. Many people have seen the show or just even know about
it. Personally, it is one of my favorite television shows. The Office is a mockumentary comedy sitcom about a paper company.
Mockumentary is a type of filmography that includes fictional events presented
in a documentary style. Mockumentary filming is also used in the show Parks & Recreation. The Office was aired
from March 24, 2005 up until May 16, 2013 (a total of about 9 years). It
contains 9 seasons for a total of 201 episodes. It televises the life of
everyday employees in a small town company. The cast is the same throughout the
majority of the show, with a few characters added and a few removed. The
consistency in the set and the cast makes it a show that viewers can find
themselves able to relate to. The original show was British, but I will be
talking about the American take on The
Office. Both the American and the British versions consist of the same
style of filming and the same situations that normal everyday people encounter.
The Office has been a huge hit with
the audience, in my opinion, for this particular reason.
The
first theme presented in The Office
is unity through difference. The show consists of characters that have
differing personalities, races, sexualities, and opinions. Each character is
distinctly different form the other, but the show brings them together. They
interact on a daily basis and have parties together. In reality, people think
that others only hang out with those similar to them. The show allows for the
viewers to engage in the interaction of people who are complete opposites of
another. The second theme is happiness in the ordinary. Even in the show
description, the characters are described as everyday people. How is it that
people can watch everyday people for 9 years? Everyday people are he most
relatable and the actions and the interactions are similar to that of the
viewers. That is why every joke, every kiss, every dilemma, and every
conversation is an enjoyable thing to watch. The happiness is not found only in
weddings and parties, but through a normal day of a person. The show presents a
positive image for everyone to show that no matter what the situation is, it
can be a good one. Aside from the comedy, the characters in The Office are genuinely happy with
their ordinary lives.
I
find beauty in The Office because I
like that it covers situations that can be related to. Work problems, racism,
confrontations, unnecessary fighting, and gossip. Even with the comedy, I think
it was very surprising how many serious issues were addressed. I think that it
is important for even shows that are made for entertainment show how these
issues are bad and how they need to be fixed. The show offered both the
problem, people standing up against the problem, and a solution for it. It
offers advice on how to handle these situations in “real life”. I also find beauty
in this because it becomes very sentimental. As said earlier, the environment
and the people are the same for the 9 seasons. As soon as it ended I cried
forever. I think that if a person is able to have an emotional attachment to a
show that it was very well made and it has to be beautiful. I felt as if I knew
the characters and I was in the office with them everyday. I want to know what
happens next. I feel like I was a character in the office, but now the show is
done.
I had never thought about the unity through differences concept. Once you stated that their differences brought them together it seems really obvious. I think that Jim and Dwight are a clear example of this theme. They are as different as two people can be, but by the end of the show their close friends. I totally agree with your statement of this theme and I thing really summarizes the show as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI just recently finished watching "The Office" and I never paid to much to the themes that you did mention. However, that is totally true. They are normal people and this makes it very easy to relate to. The characters each have their own quirks that they bring to the table and that is what makes this show great.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the most underrated characters by far is Creed. He comes off as a slightly weird and creepy old guy (and is really just that), but despite his being much older than the rest of the workers, he is able to get along with them just fine, majority of the time. I think this really does exemplify your theme of unity through differences.
I think that the Office is really a great show as well. For me, not only does television offer solutions to everyday problems, but it offers an escape for many as well. Television is always a great way for me to relax and not think about my problems in life. The Office, Parks and Rec, and 30 Rock in particular have helped me through many hard times. It is nice to be able to laugh and not thinking about something that has been troubling you. It can also send great messages that can really bring you out of the dumps.
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