One of the best new comedies on television, The Office chronicles the inner-workings of the fictional Pennsylvania paper company Dunder-Mifflin. The name itself sort of alludes to a bureaucratic labyrinth administered by dunderheads, and in reality, it is. Unfortunately, what makes The Office so outrageously funny is the frightening ability of its millions of viewers to relate to the onscreen happenings. Dunder-Mifflin is mis-managed by the politically-incorrect, borderline lunatic Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Deploying his twisted logic as the basis of company policy, substituting worn out clichs for real leadership, and offering an endless array of ever ridiculous group activities to increase morale, he fosters a white collar environment that makes the comic strip world of Dilbert seem desirable in contrast.
Carell, one of Hollywoods hottest stars, shines in the role of the crazed and eccentric office manager, and his talents are well complimented by Rainn Wilson in the role of Michaels butt-kissing, rule-Nazi sycophant, Dwight Schrute. Dwights over-the-top antics regularly conflict with the rest of the office, particularly co-worker and desk neighbor Jim Halpert...