Worse than "The Office": Critics slam "The Paper" series, calling it derivative

Contents:
The new spin-off of "The Office" launched on September 4th on Peacock, but failed to generate much excitement.

"The Paper" scored 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 points on Metacritic, but critics agree on one thing: the show feels too similar to the original and doesn't offer anything fresh. They're calling it out for being derivative, having a slow start, and lacking its own voice. That said, by the season finale, the show does grow on you and feels much warmer.

What Critics Are Saying Against It

The biggest complaint? The series can't escape "The Office's" shadow. Rolling Stone thinks it'll never reach the original's level.
"The Paper" Series Trailer
Meanwhile, The Daily Beast argues the creators are playing it way too safe, turning the show into a "recipe for mediocrity." Many point out that the early episodes feel sluggish, and the humor comes off as predictable.

What They're Praising

Still, there are more positive reviews than negative ones. Variety writes that by the season finale, "The Paper" hits its stride and has real potential to become a cult hit. Collider notes that by mid-season, the show finds its groove, while RogerEbert.com calls it a "smart, breezy, and good-natured sitcom."

Viewers are loving the cast performances and character dynamics. Many critics believe that if the show gets more episodes and time to develop, it could stand alongside Greg Daniels' other hits like "Parks and Recreation."

What the Show's About

Like "The Office," "The Paper" is shot mockumentary-style. This time, the cameras follow a small publishing house in small-town America that's teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

The editor-in-chief decides to shake things up by hiring rookie journalists, leading to a series of absurd and sometimes touching situations.
Group of people in office attire sitting in an office setting and smiling
"The Paper" Series Poster
Source:
The leads are Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore. Gleeson plays new editor Ned Sampson, while Impacciatore plays an energetic but sometimes insufferable colleague.

"The Office" fans will get a nice surprise with Oscar Nuñez returning as his beloved character.

Should You Watch It?

"The Paper" isn't the new "The Office" and probably never will be. But if you're craving cozy sitcoms about weird office life, this show might hit the spot. It's worth checking out just for Gleeson, who's surprisingly natural in a comedy role, and Nuñez's return. Maybe in season two, the series will finally find its own voice. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we covered the first trailer for "The Office" spin-off, where enthusiastic journalists try to revive a newspaper.