The Office - Season Two (DVD, 2006, 4-Disc Set)

I don't like loud comedies. No "King of Queens" for me. And save for the early Woody Allen movies, I'm not a fan of slapstick comedy made after the Marx brother era.

When they were first on network tv, I loved "The Bob Newhart Show," "It's the Gary Shandling Show," "Seinfeld," "Sports Night" (Aaron Sorkin's first venture into television) and "Newsradio." And because of its crisp, witty dialogue, (although strictly speaking, it wasn't a comedy), I lost my heart to "Veronica Mars." (Damn you, WB network!!).

Now the only network shows I watch are "The Office" and "30 Rock." What makes "The Office" unique is the size of its regular ensemble. Most comedy shows offer no more than six regularly appearing cast members bolstered by a number of recurring characters. But the ensemble for "The Office" consists of at least ten well-developed characters who appear in ninety percent of the episodes.

The writers do an amazing job of integrating this large cast into a show with comedy ranging from witty to hilarious. And while it doesn't exactly adhere to Seinfeld's "No hugging, no lessons learned" rule, it almost never relies on cheesy romantic moments (think "Friends to manipulate the audience.

This show was adapted from the British comedy of the same name. I loved the British version. But because that show was scripted to be on for two seasons of six episodes each (plus an extended Special that tied up all the loose ends), the manager, played brilliantly by Ricky Gervais, could be much more boorish, than his counterpart, the Michael Scott character played by Steve Carrell, in the American version. Michael Scott is also boorish, and Steve Carrell brings just the right among of smarm to inhabit that role.

But a comedy that depends on wit (as opposed to "Raymond") that has any hopes of running for several seasons cannot have a nasty main character. And so it is with "The Office." While Michael and his assistant, Dwight (played by Rainn Wilson) as well as Angela in accounting, can be characters that you may enjoy seeing get their comeuppance from time to time, they each have redeeming qualities, such that you can't really not like them.

In short, this is a well-constructed, well-written show that, like real life, involves a large number of regular players. Funny and smart, it hasn't quite reached the pantheon of classic sitcoms. But there is a good chance it will wind up there. This dvd set of the "second" season (actually the first complete season) makes it clear why.

For new potential fans of "The Office," the DVD set of the break-out second season is a must-see. Start recording the third season now (premieres Sept. 21) and save those episodes, but don't watch them until you've watched the complete second season.

For devotees like myself, the DVD set is a just reward for loyal viewing. The show came into its own this year. I had watched fitfully until the stretch of episodes starting with "The Injury," "The Secret," and "The Carpet" hooked me for good. I am now going back to watch the whole season again and the shows hold up very well upon repeated viewing.

Strengths of the season: Steve Carell gets the award for Most Improved Characterization. It took about a dozen episodes (starting with 6 in the first season) for the show to settle on a tone for Carell's incompetent boss. For a while I wasn't sure what to make of him, which kept me from getting attached to the show. But this season he evolved from a mean jerk to a clueless, lonely man who really just wants everybody to be his friend. While the Michael Scott character still has plenty of totally inappropriate behavior and tons of cringe-worthy moments, his core of pathos and vulnerability humanizes him. I am even rooting for him to find love with Carol or Jan. As we saw this season, the fumbling results will surely be funny.

Now that Carell provides a solid anchor for the cast, the rest of the supporting actors can truly come into their own. From Rainn Wilson's complete dedication to the serious idiocy of office suck-up Dwight Schrute, to the smaller roles of wild-card Creed and eternally suffering temp Ryan, the ensemble has truly gelled.

And of course the slow-motion unfolding of Jim & Pam's romance provided the heart of the show throughout the season. Just about anyone over the age of 30 has been either Jim, Pam, or Roy at sometime in their life, and the bittersweet agony of the whole journey provided the summer's biggest cliffhanger. In my online poll to find the "Top Mom Crushes," both John Krasinski and Steve Carell have been nominated.

Finally, the DVD extras are truly great. The deleted scenes for each episode range from about 4 to 11 minutes and they are really funny. The discipline of 22 minutes works in the show's favor keep the stories tight, but the extra scenes are a worthy bonus for true fans.

This is a fantastic show, and a great DVD set. Even if you didn't watch the British version of the show (which I could never quite get into) give the American version of "The Office" a chance. What separates "The Office" from any other current "sitcom" is that much of the humor comes from what is left unsaid, rather than having a barrage of lame one-liners hitting viewers over the head. "The Office" is absurd, laugh-out-loud comedy with a heart--and if you are part of a couple, it's appointment TV that you can both love.

I am a huge 'The Office' Fan....as a BBC America watcher, I initially got hooked on the Original British version of this series, starring the very funny Ricky Gervias who also directed this along with Stephan Merchant!
I was a little sceptical of the US series prior to its release as the previous attempt to recreate a UK smash in the US - Coupling - flopped; however the difference this time was Gervais and Merchant were on hand as producers....and boy, did this work...it might even be, dare I say it...better!!
This is unique as it a fictional documentary...narration being a key element. It takes a look at the daily life in a fictional office - part of a company that supplies paper! Only in this office, things do not exactly run smoothly...it is as politically correct as it could ever be! Everyone is right - never wrong and tension is high! We have office romances, inappropriate words and actions, the closet alcoholic who drinks on the job, the prankster...anything that could possibly cause workplace tension, is present in 'The Office'!
The manager - in this case played by the very talented and funny - Steve Carell - helps make this series. As much as he tries to keep the office run smoothly...it seems everything he lends his hand to just turns out....well, worse!! Carell is nothing short of brilliant at creating a character that is awkward at best, to the point you will sit squirming in your seat!
Other standouts include Dwight - played by Rainn Wilson...who sees himself as Carell's right hand man...only he is the only one who sees himself in this light....easy to pull the wool over his eyes, and over the top in everything that he does...his absurdness is hysterical!!
The we have the tension of the will they / won't they relationship between Pam and Tim which makes for a very edge of your seat ending to this series!! Or kelly's pathetic hopes for a relationship with the deadpan Ryan!! Oh and lets not forget the very strange relationship between Angela and Dwight which viewers are never fully allowed to understand in an effort to keep us guessing! Or maybe we could consider the very awkward relationship between Carells character Michael and his boss Jan!! All make for very funny, albeit very awkward office dynamics!
This DVD comprises of 4 discs that cover all 22 episodes of the second series, which exceeds the first in scriptwriting and acting! The cast is a talented ensemble and their unique characters all offer us something different! This DVD also offers some extra's that the TV viewer did not get including side splitting bloopers, commentary by cast and producers / directors, deleted scenes...and if anyone remembers the 'faces of Scranton' reel, which Michael created for a high level meeting on sales statistics....well, we are treated to that too!! This is a treat for an Office fan with plenty to keep you amused while this series is off air!! (Though at my time of writing, series three has just started and so far promises to be the best of the three!!)

The Office is clearly one of the funniest, best-written shows on television in an era where comedy is trying to find its old place in the heart of viewers. As most of you know, this sitcom is based on an UK show. This season of "The Office" was clearly the break through season for the American sitcom after a low-rating 6 episode first season in 2005. NBC made an excellent decision keeping the show on air, and now you can buy this DVD to see how great a decision it was.

"The Office" thrives on individual and creative characters. For example, Regional Manager Michael Scott (Steve Carrell, 40-Year Old Virgin) thinks he's the funniest, coolest boss ever - which makes him the least-cool and most annoying boss of all-time in the minds of his staff. Anyone who has worked in an office can identify themselves or others in one of the many colurful characters. Office "dweeb" Dwight (Rainn Wilson, Six Feet Under) is the know-it-all assistant to the regional manager. When he doesn't have to worry about finding his desk in the bathroom thanks to office pranks for cube-mate Jim (John Krasinski, Kinsey), Dwight is partaking in karate and other colorful activities that will most likely make you laugh out loud.

A great part of "The Office" is the single-viewer laugh. This is a rare show that when watching it alone, you still end up laughing out loud. Lines like "Last week I would've given a kidney to anyone in this office. I would've reached right into my stomach and pulled it out for them. But now, no. I don't have the relationship with these people that I thought I did. I hope they ask, so they can hear me say, 'Uh, no, I only give my organs to my real friends. Go get yourself a monkey kidney.'"

This show is just sheer genius. Episodes include The Office Awards, an office fire, Halloween and Christmas parties, and even a booze cruise. There are clear developements and setbacks in the love between Pam and Jim, especially cleared up in the last episode when the Office holds a casino night.

All in all, this was a great season of the Office and a must-buy.

It's that time of year--awards season!-- and everyone is placing their bets that this year's "dundies" will be the worst yet with Michael as the bumbling emcee. Corporate headquarters orders Toby to conduct a review at the Scranton branch of the company's sexual harassment policies. The company also sends a lawyer to Scranton. Michael fears that this will stop his ability to keep an "easy-going office", but later realizes that the lawyer that was sent was to protect him. Michael and Dwight leave to close a deal on Michael's new condominium. Michael meets with his Realtor Carol, but becomes stressed when he realizes how long he will be paying for his condo. Boredom leads Pam and Jim to invent the office olympics, in which their co-workers compete in various games using office supplies. Michael and Dwight's return stops the event, but Jim gives the gold medal to Michael, for closing the purchase of his condominium. A fire in the office leads the employees to evacuate the building. To pass the time, the employees play games and learn more about each other. Michael tries to make himself a mentor to Ryan, but discovers that Ryan is more educated than he is. Dwight becomes jealous of the attention that Michael is giving Ryan. At the end of the day, it is determined that Ryan accidentally caused the fire. Downsizing leads corporate headquarters to order Michael to fire somebody by the end of October. Michael procrastinates until Halloween, when he still has not decided who to fire. When he decides to fire Creed, Creed manages to coerce Michael to fire Devon. Michael and Dwight get in an argument about which of them could beat the other in a fight. They decide to settle this by having a showdown at a local dojo. Michael finally emerges victorious. The two are cold to each other throughout the day until, as a show of good faith, Michael promotes Dwight to Assistant Regional Manager. Jan and Michael meet an important client. Michael angers Jan with his antics and refusal to talk business, but later, Michael and the client create a bond, and Michael closes the deal. Jan is impressed, she and Michael end up spending the night together. Back at the office, the employees find a screenplay written by Michael. Michael conferences with the employees during their annual performance reviews, while he worries about his own upcoming performance review with Jan. He takes tips from the suggestion box on ways to better himself, but the attempt ends in disaster when Jan discovers that Michael has told his employees about their romantic encounter. Jim is hosting a party, but has not invited Michael. Michael learns of this when he begins spying on his employees' e-mail. Pam begins to notice Dwight and Angela engaging in odd interactions, and suspects that they are in a relationship, but dismisses the idea. Michael, unable to distract himself with an improv class, crashes Jim's party. The office Christmas party turns into a disaster when Michael decides to give all of the employees the ability to steal each other's gifts. While Michael attempts to procure a better gift, the rest of the members of the office all attempt to win the iPod that Michael originally bought for Ryan. Seeing that his idea has ruined the party, Michael buys alcohol for everyone. Michael rents a boat for the annual motivational cruise, where he angers the captain with his antics. A drunken Roy publicly sets a wedding date without consulting Pam.................
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