‘The Paper': Can NBCUniversal Recapture the Magic of 'The Office' with This Spinoff?

While the premise—a dying local paper fighting against the digital age—holds promise, many wonder if this is a genuine creative endeavor or a desperate attempt by NBCUniversal to milk its most lucrative IP. The inclusion of Oscar Nuñez reprising his role as Oscar Martinez has drawn mixed reactions, with some calling it a nostalgic callback and others dismissing it as a forced connection to the original series.

A familiar format with a new setting

Created by The Office’s Greg Daniels and Nathan for You’s Michael Koman, The Paper retains the mockumentary style of its predecessor. Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina, Star Wars) stars as the idealistic publisher trying to revive The Truth Teller with a ragtag team of untrained volunteers. Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus) plays the managing editor, adding a sharp comedic presence. The rest of the ensemble includes rising talents like Melvin Gregg (American Vandal), Gbemisola Ikumelo (A League of Their Own), and Alex Edelman (Just for Us).

Daniels has described the show’s central conflict as “the internet and the ability to look at everybody’s news for free, and all the ad revenue going to Google”. This modern struggle could resonate, but whether it can match The Office’s workplace humor remains to be seen.

Nostalgia vs. originality: A double-edged sword

The decision to link The Paper to The Office has pros and cons. On one hand, it guarantees initial interest from die-hard fans. On the other, it invites inevitable comparisons—and The Office’s legacy is a high bar to clear.

Nuñez’s return as Oscar Martinez feels like a calculated move to reassure fans that this is indeed part of the same world. His character, who ended The Office pursuing a political career, now works as an accountant at the newspaper—a transition that, while plausible, risks feeling contrived. Meanwhile, the absence of other Office alumni raises questions. Leslie David Baker (Stanley Hudson) had previously pitched Uncle Stan, a spinoff about his character moving to Los Angeles, but the project was shelved due to COVID-19 and industry strikes. His exclusion from The Paper is notable, especially since he was actively seeking a continuation of his character’s story.

Will it succeed—or fade like other spinoffs?

Spinoffs are a tricky business. Some, like Frasier (from Cheers) and Better Call Saul (from Breaking Bad), thrive by carving their own identity. Others, like Joey (from Friends) and The Farm (a failed Office spinoff centered on Dwight), flop by leaning too heavily on nostalgia without fresh storytelling.

The Paper’s success may hinge on whether it can stand alone. The cast is strong, and Daniels’ track record inspires confidence. But if the show relies too much on The Office’s shadow rather than forging its own path, it could end up as another short-lived experiment.

Final verdict: Cautious optimism

There’s potential here—Gleeson and Impacciatore are compelling leads, and the newspaper setting offers rich comedic material. But The Paper must prove it’s more than a corporate attempt to replicate past success. If it finds its own voice, it could become a worthy successor. If not, it may join the graveyard of forgotten spinoffs.

For now, fans will have to wait until September to see if The Paper is a hit—or just another stack of recycled jokes.

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