As soon as “From the crew that brought you ‘The Office’” appeared on my screen, I knew I had to watch “The Paper.” All episodes are streaming on Peacock, and from start to finish, the series aims to capture the quirky, deadpan humor that made “The Office” so beloved, but this time applies it to a new scene. The style, with its awkward silences and knowing glances into the camera, feels very familiar, but this time the story unfolds in a newsroom rather than a paper supply company. This new setting changes the tone of the series, with the chaos coming from missed deadlines and bad article pitches rather than sales calls and corporate meetings.
The show follows Ned Sampson, played by Domhnall Gleeson, the naive and overwhelmed new editor-in-chief of a failing local newspaper called the Toledo Truth Teller. Tasked with reviving the paper before it gets shut down, Ned has to rely on an inexperienced staff of volunteer journalists, each of whom makes the newsroom more chaotic in a different way. Esmeralda Grand, played by Sabrina Impacciatore, is the drama-obsessed managing editor, pushing for sensational headlines at every turn. In contrast, Mare Pritti, played by Chelsea Frei, is the complete opposite, as the sharp, seasoned reporter who keeps the newsroom grounded. The staff’s mix of incompetence and determination is as funny as it is frustrating.
As expected, the highlight of the show is its clever humor. Jokes are quick, witty and layered, often paired with physical comedy. The uncomfortable awkwardness they create makes the show fun to watch. In almost every scene, ridiculous situations are paired with awkward silence and knowing glances into the camera. Another memorable part of the show is how the comedy isn’t forced in and comes from the story itself. The absurd situations, like sloppy writing and chaotic meetings, grow out of the plot rather than feeling artificial. By leaning into the natural dysfunction of a crumbling newsroom, the show is cleverly crafted to create humor that feels grounded even when most of the situations are ridiculous.
My personal favorite part of the show was when a group of high school journalists visited the Truth Teller for a field trip. The staff is supposed to show the kids what professional reporting looks like, but due to the inexperience of the staff, within minutes, some of the adults are actually asking the students for advice. The kids came prepared and professional, with their notebooks ready, and looking to ask questions, but the adults could not explain anything. Watching the supposed professionals lean across desks to peek at the teenagers’ laptops is both ridiculous and fitting for the story.
Another strength is the casting. Throughout the season, the actors are able to lean into the story and comedy of their characters without overdoing it. Domhnall Gleeson manages to make Ned feel human despite the constant comedy of his character, which keeps the show realistic. Sabrina Impacciatore, as Esmeralda Grand, is able to represent the drama-loving managing editor, exaggerating just enough to make her hilarious and absurd but never unbelievable. Chelsea Frei, as Mare Pritti, plays the perfect counterbalance. Her dry humor and exasperation keeps the other characters’ chaos rational, and her sharp delivery makes every line feel more real. Along with a solid supporting cast, these actors’ performances sell the comedy and create situations that feel authentic. Without the actors’ ability to fully commit to accept the absurdity of their situations, the humor wouldn’t land nearly as well.
While being funny and sarcastic, the show also cleverly touches on more serious topics of modern-day journalism. Episodes highlight how social media, clickbait, and intrusive online ads influence the way news is produced and consumed. This is an example of how “The Paper” adds depth to its humor, using laughter to point out very real flaws in today’s media landscape.
However, it is not without weaknesses. With only 10 episodes, the pacing is inconsistent, and some side characters are undeveloped. Some plots wrap up too quickly to make an impact, and others drag on longer than they should. The series also did not have enough time to let chemistry and storylines deepen. The show has recently been renewed for a second season, so I would love to see some of the minor characters fleshed out.
Still, throughout the show, I found myself smiling a lot. It is not trying to replace “The Office,” and that is what makes it worth watching. Instead, it embraces its own identity. The blend of newsroom chaos and quirky characters come together into something familiar, but also new.