You hear it before you see it—Domhnall Gleeson's voice cutting through the hum of dusty printers and awkward silences: “Let's show ‘em how it's done.” And just like that, NBC's Peacock has cracked open the time capsule. Only this time, we're not in Scranton—we're in Toledo, Ohio, at a dying newspaper clinging to life. Welcome to The Truth Teller. Welcome to The Paper.
Let's just get this out of the way: yes, this is a spin-off of The Office. And yes, it's shot in that same awkward-zoom, deadpan-moment, mockumentary style that half of TV either copied or spoofed into oblivion between 2005 and 2013. But weirdly… this one feels different.
From Dunder Mifflin to the Midwest
‘The Paper' isn't trying to be ‘The Office 2.0'—and that might be its smartest move. Instead of selling us on another quirky workplace full of lovable idiots, creators Greg Daniels (you know the name—‘Parks & Rec', ‘Upload', ‘King of the Hill') and Michael Koman (SNL, Late Night with Conan) have pulled a tonal pivot. This one smells less like prank wars and more like quiet desperation.
Set in a fading newspaper office—yes, an actual print newspaper—the series centers on volunteer reporters trying to revive a local rag. It's funny. But it's also kind of sad. In a good way.
Gleeson plays the would-be savior of the paper, a kind of anti-Michael Scott. There's charisma, sure, but also… resignation? This man knows he's holding up a collapsing building with a stapler. And Oscar Nuñez is back as Oscar Martinez, sliding into the new cast like he never left Scranton.
The Cast Is a Wild, Weird Mix (And It Works?)
Look, I didn't expect to see British comic Tim Key here, or Ramona Young, or Gbemisola Ikumelo—but somehow, it all clicks. This isn't just “let's throw in diversity and hope it sticks.” It feels like Daniels and Koman are deliberately skewering legacy media… by giving it fresh voices.
Directors include Jennifer Celotta, Greg Daniels, Ken Kwapis, and Paul Lieberstein—which means we're getting hands that helped shape ‘The Office' in its prime. The show also brings in new blood like Tazbah Chavez and Yana Gorskaya, adding texture to the tone.
The writing staff? Eclectic. You've got Mo Welch, Alex Edelman, Eric Rahill—all filtered through Daniels' signature dry-soul-with-a-heartbeat lens. There's warmth. But there's rot, too. You can feel both.
Same Lens, Different Truth
The mockumentary format can feel tired in lesser hands. But here, there's purpose behind the camera: the idea that someone—maybe no one—cares enough to document the decline of local journalism. It's meta. Maybe too meta? But it's kind of brilliant.
And there's a strange beauty in seeing characters fight for something the world already left behind. A printed newspaper? In 2025? That's not just nostalgia. That's a ghost story.
The trailer, now streaming on YouTube, gives us just enough dysfunction and dry wit to whet the appetite. And the official poster? A messy desk, faded headlines, coffee rings. On the nose? Absolutely. But still charming.
Release Date & Final Word
Peacock will premiere ‘The Paper' on September 4, 2025. That gives you just enough time to rewatch the Scranton years—or, better yet, maybe don't. Let this one stand on its own.
There's room here for a new story, a quieter one. One where absurdity and sincerity coexist in a crumbling newsroom.
So… are we doing this again? Yeah. We are. And this time, maybe we'll read the fine print.
📝 What You Should Know Before Watching ‘The Paper'
It's Not Just ‘The Office 2'
While it borrows the format and tone, ‘The Paper' introduces a fresh emotional layer rooted in decay and revival—not hijinks.
Domhnall Gleeson Is No Michael Scott
Gleeson brings a drier, wearier charisma. Less cringe, more subtle collapse.
Oscar Nuñez Returns—and Still Nails It
Familiar faces pop up, but not just for fan service. Oscar blends in with ease.
The Setting Is the Punchline (and the Heart)
A dying newspaper office in 2025 is both a satirical goldmine and an emotional graveyard.
Behind the Camera, It's a Powerhouse Team
Daniels, Koman, Celotta, Lieberstein, Kwapis—all key figures from ‘The Office' return, with new creators bringing modern edge.
Your Turn
Are you excited for a return to the mock-doc universe? Or does this feel like reboot fatigue disguised as satire? Drop your thoughts below. Just don't say “That's what she said.”
