Why The Paper Is Not a Reboot of The Office

The Paper has sparked discussion as co-creator Greg Daniels explained why the new mockumentary should not be labeled a reboot of The Office. The series revisits the familiar documentary style but shifts focus to a struggling Toledo newspaper. It introduces new characters and fresh challenges. Daniels also outlined his creative approach and why he avoided retelling the Scranton story.

Greg Daniels on why The Paper shouldn’t be called a reboot

Greg Daniels emphasized that The Paper is not a reboot of The Office. “I knew that this shouldn’t be recasting the show ‘The Office,’ or keeping the same characters but with a new cast that would be compared to the original and come up short,” he said. Instead, he framed it as “the same documentary crew finding a different story to talk about.” (via Variety)

He acknowledged the risks of returning to the Office universe. “The notion of doing some follow-up to ‘The Office’ is, I think, very fraught with danger. The fans are so protective, and I’m super conscious of that,” Daniels said.

Michael Koman, who joined as executive producer, added that he didn’t even know about the connection at first. He stated, “When Greg brought the idea of a documentary covering this newspaper, I just thought it was a good idea. I didn’t know until later that it was going to be connected to ‘The Office’!”

The creative team stressed that the new series builds its own world. Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of TV studios, NBC Entertainment, and Peacock scripted, said that Daniels wanted to create a show that “stands on its own, that is as strong with different characters, but certainly providing a little bit of that connective tissue for the fans.” She added, “We wanted to send that clear message that ‘We hope you come and enjoy all the things you love — the mockumentary style, the DNA of it — but it’s a different show.’”

Daniels linked the concept to journalism’s decline. “I remember hearing about what a ‘ghost newspaper’ is,” he said, noting how that inspired the setting of a failing Toledo paper owned by Enervate.

Oscar Nuñez reprises his role as Oscar Martinez, while Domhnall Gleeson stars as Ned Sampson, tasked with reviving the newsroom.

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