I think the American Office has run it's course

[BCWWF]

I don't think the article is implying that the characters have changed for no reason, but rather that the characters have changed to the point where they aren't as effective as they used to be.

I think the analysis is spot on in many regards. Michael used to be so outrageous and annoying that the humor was based around how awkward he was and how uncomfortable he made other people feel. Toward the middle of this season, the characters seemed to embrace his weirdness, especially Pam for some reason, and it was like "Oh, haha, Michael being Michael," instead of "Oh my God, I can't believe he just did that!"

For me, and probably most, the Office was undoubtably the best in season two, but season three was still very good and season four wasn't bad at all. The beginning of this season was really great as well. In season three, Jim was in the other office and then they merged, disrupting the status quo and introducing new characters like Andy. That's what made season three good.

The current season started out on the right track. Bringing Holly in as somebody who embraced Michael and encouraged him and legitimized the stupid things he did gave a whole new dimension to the character. Then she left and Pam came back, and it's been pretty shitty ever since. The only two episodes that I thought were good since Holly left were the Super Bowl and last week's.

Here's to hoping the Michael quitting cliffhanger from last week sticks around, because that was great. Michael showing his pride for himself to the point where he quits the company is something we haven't seen from his character before. The way to keep a show running is to switch things up just enough that it's new and fresh, but that you can still sense the old.

I think some drastic storyline needs to change. Some ideas? That black guy takes over for Michael and the office is miserable, but then they do things to mess with the new guy. Some of the office is outsourced to a different office? A fire destroys the office and they have to move somewhere uncomfortable while it gets fixed. These sound pretty terrible, but something needs to happen more than "Jim and Pam are happy and play along with Michael's games."

[ron the dial]

Originally Posted by BCWWF For me, and probably most, the Office was undoubtably the best in season two

bold claim. i'd love to see what the real "favorite season of office fans" would be.

[thedamndest]

Originally Posted by BCWWF I don't think the article is implying that the characters have changed for no reason, but rather that the characters have changed to the point where they aren't as effective as they used to be.

There is only a small portion of the article that discusses Jim and Dwight's changes in demeanor. He doesn't really bother to discuss why they have changed. Both characters have gone through so much that it does affect how they look at the camera and address other characters, but I guess the critic doesn't feel they are as good as they used to be. I find those complaints to be arbitrary, but whatever.

[BCWWF]

Originally Posted by thedamndest There is only a small portion of the article that discusses Jim and Dwight's changes in demeanor. He doesn't really bother to discuss why they have changed. Both characters have gone through so much that it does affect how they look at the camera and address other characters, but I guess the critic doesn't feel they are as good as they used to be. I find those complaints to be arbitrary, but whatever.

Do you really think Jim and Pam's engagement has been funny so far? To be honest, I think that storyline and the emphasis put on it is the main reason people like me and the LA Times are saying these things.