Print’s Not Dead (Yet) -‘The Paper’ Takes ‘The Office’ Format To The Midwest This September

The new Peacock original The Paper premieres September 4th, and though it reeks of spinoff-y, Daniels and company seem intent on making The Paper its own thing.

The Paper comes from The Office creator Greg Daniels and Nathan for You comedy writer, Michael Koman, who also worked with Daniels on Saturday Night Live. It’s set in Toledo, Ohio, and follows the scrappy local paper, The Truth Teller, in its last, few remaining gasps of life in a world where print journalism is an all-but-extinct species. Enter Ned Sampson, a big-hearted (and perhaps a little delusional) new publisher who has the passion and the stubborn belief that he can help the paper rise like a Phoenix. He’s so sincere about it, too. An idealistic, loveable, and utterly out-of-touch with the state of modern media, Ned is determined to make an impact on the newsroom, one catastrophic editorial meeting at a time.

Why will we care? Beyond being office-y and having a deadpan streak a mile wide, The Paper will earn our attention by taking a look at the near-collapse of local journalism with an earnestness that’s genuinely heartwarming even as it satirizes it. Daniels has already said that the show is at least partially satirizing the role the tech industry has played in its collapse, a familiar refrain to fans of his other project Upload. The Daniels also says the show definitely stays comedic, just with more weight.

This Cast Might Just Save Journalism (Or Not)

The cast also boasts Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, and Tim Key. Yet, best of all for die-hard fans: will perennial Office fave Oscar Nuñez (aka Oscar Martinez) be back for more? Why yes, it would appear as though Oscar is reprising his role as everyone’s favorite accountant, and as Daniels himself has said: “Oscar will be in the show and he’s an actual connection between the two characters.” Daniels quickly clarified that The Paper does not represent the story of said character settling in the States despite their character connection.

Could other old favorites from The Office pop up? Most likely not, at least not just yet. Steve Carell himself has already confirmed that Michael Scott will not be showing up to Toledo, and the circumstances just don’t align for a reason to suddenly have a cameo at this death rattle paper. However, Carell has also said that he’s rooting for the show to succeed (good job, Daniels), largely in part because he and Gleeson have worked together before and the actor “seems like a super nice guy and an excellent actor.” After all, if David Brent could make a special special guest appearance in the US Office to roast Michael Scott’s hide in the best Brexit-y British way, there’s a chance Dwight Schrute can waltz into a newsroom in the middle of the Midwest, too.

Bingeworthy? Not Happening. We’re back to the classics.

Peacock has big plans for The Paper, and the release schedule seems to be key in them making people stay. The first four episodes will be released on September 4, followed by two new episodes every Thursday leading up to the season finale on September 29, making up this eight-episode season 1. It’s a pretty condensed release schedule, but it’s also a good one. With Daniels and Koman behind the wheel, and a cast this good, Peacock just might have their next big show on their hands.