by Elodia Strain
Last year, as far as I remember, September 25th passed without much fanfare.
Not so of this year. Because if the buzz at my local grocery store, doctor’s office, and library—not to mention hundreds of thousands of Facebook pages—are any indication, September 25th was nothing short of a holiday this year.
Why, you ask. Well, the Season Premiere of The Office, of course.
Yes, I watched it. And then as I read a book just before bed, I thought about the show. And I came to a very strange conclusion: I really should hate The Office.
I mean, in its four seasons (and one episode), the show has managed to make jokes about the elderly, the mentally handicapped, and those who don’t wear size four jeans. Plus, it’s included a number of degrading comments and storylines about women and minorities, and even poked fun at depression and suicide.
When I put it all down like that, I can’t help but wonder: Why the heck do I like this show? Why do millions of people like this show?
Is it because we live in a society where everything we say can get us into trouble? An age of political correctness that causes us to breath a sigh of relief that the ole’ First Amendment is alive and well.
Or is it simpler than all that? Is it the fact that, mixed in with all the non-pc humor, is sheer ingenuity? I mean, Jim sending faxes to Dwight from “Future Dwight”—I’m laughing just thinking about it. Do those moments sort of make viewers excuse the rest?
What do you think? Am I concerning myself over nothing? Or should I be worried that I’m willing to put up with so much that makes me cringe for those genius moments?
I don’t know if I want to know.
Because I really want to watch next week.
Not so of this year. Because if the buzz at my local grocery store, doctor’s office, and library—not to mention hundreds of thousands of Facebook pages—are any indication, September 25th was nothing short of a holiday this year.
Why, you ask. Well, the Season Premiere of The Office, of course.
Yes, I watched it. And then as I read a book just before bed, I thought about the show. And I came to a very strange conclusion: I really should hate The Office.
I mean, in its four seasons (and one episode), the show has managed to make jokes about the elderly, the mentally handicapped, and those who don’t wear size four jeans. Plus, it’s included a number of degrading comments and storylines about women and minorities, and even poked fun at depression and suicide.
When I put it all down like that, I can’t help but wonder: Why the heck do I like this show? Why do millions of people like this show?
Is it because we live in a society where everything we say can get us into trouble? An age of political correctness that causes us to breath a sigh of relief that the ole’ First Amendment is alive and well.
Or is it simpler than all that? Is it the fact that, mixed in with all the non-pc humor, is sheer ingenuity? I mean, Jim sending faxes to Dwight from “Future Dwight”—I’m laughing just thinking about it. Do those moments sort of make viewers excuse the rest?
What do you think? Am I concerning myself over nothing? Or should I be worried that I’m willing to put up with so much that makes me cringe for those genius moments?
I don’t know if I want to know.
Because I really want to watch next week.
1 comment:
I feel the same way. One minute I'm laughing and the next I'm thinking something they said was rude.
I think, though, when it comes down to it, we like it because there's friendship and caring between the people involved, and that makes it worth overlooking some of the comments.
Michael is a mess, but he does have his good points, and despite being an idiot most times, he really does care about his employees. That is, when his own whacked needs don't get in the way. :)
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