Commercial Interruption: An "Office" rebound?

Sometimes there's just too much television for one Channel Surfing blogger to handle.

That's when we need a break to sit back, relax and indulge in some friendly back-and-forth (via email of course, we don't actually like to speak to one another in person). Today, bloggers Thomas Rozwadowski and Sara Boyd follow-up on last week's disappointing "Office" return while giving the show every opportunity to convince us that all mistakes can be remedied with a parking lot victory dance from lovable rage-aholic Andy Bernard.

Thomas: Of the three who participated in last week's breakdown, it seemed like you were the most upset about "The Office's" flat return. That's kind of a shock, because, well, it's hard to get more bitter about TV than Malavika or myself, but hey, kudos to you for taking your return to Dunder Mifflin so seriously.

Anyway, I applaud this episode on multiple fronts. One, it had three funny, clever storylines all working in unison within the confines of the DM office. Two, it utilized most of the cast, particularly Andy and Kevin with added significance. Three, Jan appears to be out of the picture. At least for the time being. Maybe she'll come back as a born-again Christian or something. I don't know. But desperate Michael is a nice, playful twist, as long as they keep the stupidity to a believable level -- which they did during the unfortunate "coffee date." We'll get to Jim-Pam and where the be-on-your-toes engagement could potentially lead. But I was just pleased that the half-hour went quickly, the laughs kept coming, and nothing felt forced.

Sara: The return of "The Office" was as serious as a heart attack -- wait, no, I'm going to go with a stroke that left you in a coma. And I eat bitter for breakfast. Or something. But yes, moving on and thankfully looking forward, it seems the good 'ol Dunder Mifflin-ites are back. I was a little hesitant that the funny wouldn't be back when it started, but thank the lord, Allah, Jeebus or whoever, it hath returned. And it is good. The interoffice dialogue -- in my opinion -- is what makes the show, and with the combination of Michael's questioning of Phyllis' fat friend (the possibilities of her solo-capsizing a rowboat) to Andy discussing the recapture of parking spaces like it was "Saving Private Ryan," I think we can be rest assured that the show is back in biz-nass. And um, hello?! Pam and Jim?? Jim toting diamond ring?? Thoughts please?

Thomas: Malavika already predicted a Pam shootdown in the season finale, but I don't know. "The Office" certainly boasted some dark moments last week -- and I don't expect that to change even though you and I might prefer simple interoffice banter -- but they really aren't going to create major tension between Jim and Pam again, are they? I mean, they already drove Jim away the first time, and that worked because they were able to bring in new characters like Andy. Then the Pam-Roy engagement fell apart. Jim swallowed his pride. So on and so forth. And while there has been an underlying tease that Jim might not be good enough for Pam, the "I'm tying my shoe trick" and Pam's cutesy reaction to it means they "get" each other on a humor level. Pam, having been with buffoon Roy, knows Jim is a pretty good catch. I can't imagine anything short of Jim getting wasted and giving Angela a spin on the office copier is going to break off this relationship. The wedding episode will be huge for ratings, and they'll just be a normal office couple from that point forward. Nothing wrong with that, right? Right?

Sara: First of all, if this scenario turns into a McDreamy/Meredith situation I will lose it. I know they need to keep things exciting and people love the so-called "will they or won't they" game, but I do not. They're finally together after nearly three seasons of "OMG, Jam needs to be together!!!" so I say, let them and don't throw in a Ross-Rachel break-up until their relationship is more than three-episodes in. Also a sidenote, if you will: I want more Andy Bernard! Ed Helms is clearly genius and every episode I yearn for more hilarity to come from his character. "Hey, I lost my penny in my loafer, OK?" Pure genius. Also was it just me, or did the chair model's face look a lot like a certain crazy candle-maker's?

Thomas: First, I don't get your McDreamy-Meredith comparison. I only watch good shows. Second, I refuse to call them "Jam." I think "The Office" has a real opportunity to just make Jim and Pam a normal couple who don't have to be the center of the Dunder Mifflin universe. I refused to watch "Friends" for that simple reason -- Ross, Rachel, Rachel, Ross. Yawn. I would applaud the writers if they go through with a wedding and then they're just together -- no drama required. Can't these kids just be happy? And normal?

I agree with you about Andy. His parking lot dance was priceless. He's become much more than Dwight's foil, which was a great role, too. I always knew Ed Helms had it in him. Creed's line about the third chair was brilliant and creepy -- as usual -- but Kevin kinda owned last night's episode for me. His sense of desperation at trying to get a win, the way he talked about the Five Families and "cool" Paul. Just random and funny. Old "Office," for sure. The less we talk about Jan, the better.

So here's my question for you: clearly this was a light and fluffy episode compared to the last two. Is that good enough? Do you appreciate the mix of dark and light humor, or is this experiment in "Office" evolution outside the walls only going make for heavy criticism one week, glowing reviews the next depending on what the viewer wants to see more of?

Sara: I know you used to watch "Grey's Anatomy" and cry yourself to sleep at night while screaming, "Why can't Meredith and Derek just make it work already?!" Don't lie. You're not good at it. And you refused to watch "Friends?" Who are you? I will shun you just for that comment.

I agree though that JAM (yes, eat it) should just be happy. "The Office" is not a soap opera and are supposedly portraying normal people -- with the exception of Dwight -- so the writers shouldn't get all drama-rama with them. And I don't know why, but Kevin bugs me. Maybe it's because when he takes his shoes off at the office or speaks with his chin-dwaddle, it just grosses me out. Kudos to Stacy for wising up in that relationship. Sick. Oscar, or "Oscar Meyer Wiener Lover," is another character I would like to see more from. Remember when he said he was getting annoyed with Gill and might try women again? What happened with that?! For me, this is what "The Office"should be. I hated the "dark" humor and awkwardness that goes above and beyond to the point of making you physically squirm. This is, as you put it,"Old Office" and that's the formula that made them a hit. Unless the writers are trying to be on top one week, on the bottom the next (yes, that's what she said) they should stick to what works, a.k.a: "American Pie" grave karaoke.

(Editor's note: Thomas' DVR cut off before a final scene where Michael and Dwight sing to the chair model's grave Don McLean-style, which is why the above reference made little sense to our long-winded writer. This makes him angry. He will now try to find it online.)

Thomas: Did you just use the phrase "drama-rama?" No, I did not watch "Grey's." I used to watch "Days of Our Lives" reruns on SoapNET, though. Not sure why I would admit that here. And our "Friends" debate can be saved for another day, because once the Ross-Rachel dynamic started to dominate, that was it for me.

Wow, no love for "Scrantonicity" Kevin and his jiggly neck (or chin-dwaddle, as you put it)? Tsk, tsk. You've revealed your true colors, Boyd. Let me toss out this game changer before we wrap up -- and since we agree that this was a nice comeback and what "The Office" should be about. Don't know why it came to me, but what if Pam gets some kind of art-related opportunity and that creates relationship tension before the engagement? Do you think they'd pull the ol' career-versus-boyfriend routine with our seemingly-happy couple? For the record, I'd stop watching if that were the case.

Sara: Again, hate for "Friends?" Shun.

If they dare pull a "Pam, the artist," instead of "Jam together in bliss" storyline, I'd be out for shizz. I don't think that would happen though, because largely Jim has always told Pam she should pursue her artistic talents and desires, and if a situation would arise for her to paint mugs and office buildings full time, I think Jim would be more than thrilled to leave with her. Gosh, what a guy. Now, one plotline I think could work beautifully and create a Jim-Pam split, if the writers' so chose, would be the addition of an intelligent, witty Asian journalist character that interviews Jim on being a paper salesman for a mid-range, failing paper company and the two fall madly in love and live happily ever after. Cue the sunset and doves.

-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com and Sara Boyd, sboyd2@greenbaypressgazette.com