It’s official, The Office co-creator Greg Daniels has confirmed that the classic series will make its return to television. However, this is a full reboot (which is wise), so the new adaptation won’t be a recast of Michael, Jim, Dwight, Pam, or the old office crew. It also won’t revisit the stories of these iconic characters that warmed the hearts of audiences for nine seasons.
Though this is a loose reboot of the original series, can a new version of The Office work in modern culture? It’s smart that Greg Daniels isn’t going anywhere near the original series because the finale was perfect. The character arcs wrapped up nicely, so it would be a mistake to try and touch those characters again. However, the world has vastly changed since the show’s series finale ten years ago.
Today’s Culture Could Make For Some Fun Commentary Under The Office Banner
There are still great stories to tell using The Office setting. Documenting a show focusing on Generation Z can be downright hilarious if done correctly. We live in a more hyper and political world where the culture is a lot more sensitive than it was in 2013. Mindy Kaling herself stated that the show would be canceled in today’s modern age. That goes to show how much the values and morals have changed in society.
The original Office poked fun at all sides of the spectrum: whether it was race, culture, or sexuality. The show wasn’t afraid to make fun of everything and everyone as it never took sides when it came to comedy. The show doesn’t need the return of Pam, Dwight, Jim, or anyone from the original series. It can easily stand on its own merits if the writing can boldly capture what it’s like to the world in modern times. Of course, stories or moments will be over-the-top, but there’s unlimited potential to focus on the current generation of blue-collar workers.
The Show Would Be Wise To Focus On A Young Generation
The show would be wise to highlight their narrative through the eyes of young adults. Granted, it doesn’t mean that the age of the original series can’t be replicated here. Greg Daniels is a talented voice behind shows like Parks & Recreation and Upload, so the co-creator understands the importance of crafting unique characters in the remake. No one should be this generation’s Jim. Or Pam. Or Dwight, or any of the original characters from the incredibly diverse cast.
But the culture shock would be such a refreshing change to the series. The Office was a silly series that generally followed a bunch of Average Joes who were mostly mature (except Michael Scott). Following a bunch of young adults who are still trying to find their places in the world would allow Daniels to tell different types of storylines that can resonate with today’s culture. Plus, it would force him to string up new characters that have their own set of personalities separate from the cast of the original series.
The Comedy May Fall Flat However
Sadly, comedy just isn’t what it used to be. Episodes like Diversity Day, Gay Witch Hunt, or The Convict are seen as inappropriate by some. Though to be fair, The Office remains a popular series even though it ended ten years ago. There’s no denying the massive culture shift that has affected comedies in general. There aren’t many films or shows with strong or edgy humor these days. What makes The Office so special is that it wasn’t afraid to tell a joke, no matter how offensive it was. Some of it worked. Some of it didn’t. A good majority of those jokes stand the test of time though. If Greg Daniels is too nervous to tell a certain joke because of a select demographic then the series will ultimately fail.
In comedy, some of the most humorous moments are layered in some form of truth. In reality, a guy like Michael Scott would’ve been fired a long time ago. However, most people have dealt with a boss who wasn’t the brightest bulb in the room. A lot of the cast in The Office are reflective of the environment that so many adults worked in at the time. Daniels shouldn’t be afraid to poke some fun at society’s norms.
He also shouldn’t be afraid to focus on some uncomfortable truths like the Michael Scott/Jan Levinson situation. This doesn’t mean that The Office automatically needs to go for the most offensive humor possible. The show can still be great without being crass or culturally inappropriate. The spirit of the series needs to be intact. The Office represented a certain generation throughout its time. A reboot is a really good idea that can stand out differently from the original series. As long as Daniels isn’t forced to hold back on the series then it has a chance of being as good as the original.
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