Self-Proclaimed Best Boss
Meet the employees of Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Their boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell) works to make their job fun…at the cost of his employees. With rumors of downsizing, the employees are nervous and jobs could be at risk. Plus, Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) finds with a bit of a crush on the secretary Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) even though she is engaged.
NBC adapted the hit 2001 BBC series for network television under the direction of original series creator Ricky Gervais. The series was met with a lot of criticism at first and was a spring replacement series with a six episode run from March 24, 2005 to April 26, 2005.
The Romance Begins!
As someone who is a fan of the British Office, I met the new show a lot of skepticism. It was validated by the first few episodes. The Office when it originally aired had a lot of sexual innuendoes and things that could never be on American television. The series was going to have to be watered down. The first few episodes stole jokes and looks from the British Office and it doesn’t work. The series does get better and show potential during the short run.
Michael Scott tries to be the cruel, callus boss that David Brent was. It really doesn’t work. As his character developed through the series, he became a lovable fool…it just feels odd and uncomfortable here to try to see him be mean. It also is weird to see his balding slicked back hair that was quickly changed for future episodes.
Dwight goes blonde
The other odd aspect of this short season is that you don’t know the supporting characters that become so important with the continuing series. None of the characters have directions or quirks flushed out so it is weird. Angela (Angela Kinsey), Stanley (Leslie David Baker), Phyllis (Phyllis Smith), Oscar (Oscar Nunez), Meredith (Kate Flannery), Kevin (Brian Baumgartner), and the temp Ryan (B.J. Novak) barely have any personality. Characters like Jan Levinson-Gould (Melora Hardin), Creed (Creed Bratton), Daryll (Craig Robinson), Toby (Paul Lieberstein), and Kelly (Mindy Kaling) barely make appearances. The show also has an appearance by multi-Oscar nominee Amy Adams as Katy in “Hot Girl”. I do however like the more toned down Dwight who has gotten a little out of control in recent seasons.
The Office—Season 1 is fun to watch in a flashback type of way. It isn’t very good, but it is fun to see characters trying to find direction. The Office—Season 1 is like a necessary evil to see the set-up for a good series.
The Office—Season 1 Complete Episode Guide:
“Pilot”
1.1 Pilot Airdate: 03/24/05
Welcome to Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Michael Scott (Steve Carell) is the World’s Best Boss…as he says so himself and leads the company to success. When Jan Vinsonon-Gould (Melora Hardin) comes to Michael with news that the branches are going to be consolidated, Scranton is threatened with downsizing. Ryan Howard (B. J. Novak) is sent to Dunder Mifflin to be a new temp. Michael announces the possibility of downsizing but promises that Scranton won’t have any firings. Pam (Jenna Fischer) plans her wedding with Roy (David Denman) and Jim (John Krasinski) finds he can’t talk to Roy.
“Diversity Day”
1.2 Diversity Day Airdate: 03/29/05
Corporate forces diversity training for the Scranton branch after Michael offends the office with a Chris Rock routine, and Michael objects to not getting the chance to lead the session. When Michael is forced to sign the paper, he decides to do his own diversity training. Jim works to try to get his big yearly sale but finds Dwight trying to steal it.
“Health Care”
1.3 Health Care Airdate: 04/05/05
Michael is assigned to pick a new health care plan for the office and learns from Jan that he has orders to pick the most affordable plan. When Michael realizes he can’t be the bad guy, he passes off the plan to Dwight. When Dwight picks a plan that the office disagrees with, a battle for the new plan begins with everyone having to turn in what they need covered. Michael’s promise of a “surprise” leads to problems.
“The Alliance”
1.4 The Alliance Airdate: 04/12/05
Rumors of downsizing are going around the office, and Michael tries to hide it. Michael decides to have a surprise party for Meredith (Kate Flannery) and the Party Planner Angela (Angela Kinsey), Phyllis (Phyllis Smith), and Pam are forced to work together. Dwight goes to Jim with an alliance, and Jim decides to play Dwight. Michael tries to find the perfect funny line for Meredith’s card.
“Basketball”
1.5 Basketball Airdate: 04/19/05
Michael challenges the warehouse to a game of basketball, and Darryl Philbin (Craig Robinson) and his crew prepare for the game while Michael fights to build a team. When Michael bets that the office has to work the weekend if they lose, the stakes get higher. Jim finds himself facing off against Roy on the court.
“Hot Girl”
1.6 Hot Girl Airdate: 04/26/05
The office sets up an incentive program, Michael is in charge of selecting the winner. When a new “hot” girl Katy (Amy Adams) stops by the office to sell purses, Pam finds that Katy is getting a lot of attention including from Jim.
Related Links:
The Office—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
