Okay, I’m going to make everybody feel old, but 20 years ago was 2005.
I didn’t watch a lot of TV at the time, but two of the shows on in 2005 that I did watch regularly were 24 and ER. My memory was that both of those shows started strong in their first seasons, but neither of them premiered in 2005.
…It looks like shows that I recognize which premiered in 2005 were Prison Break, Rome, Criminal Minds, The Office, The Closer…
The Office is famous for suffering through the first season. I think I watched some episodes of the first season of The Closer and Prison Break, and both were pretty good.
Hot take: The first season of The Office isn’t that bad and the show would be considerably worse if it wasn’t there (and similarly, a viewer’s experience would be worse if they skipped it). Not a lot ‘happens’ from a long-term story perspective, but it sets the stage for the tone of the show and more importantly it gets the viewer familiar with each of the individual characters and how they interact with each other. It’s necessary to contextualize their office dynamic in order for the viewer to care about any of the stuff that happens in season 2 and beyond.
That’s actually so good to know. Seeing so many The Office references online, I saw a whole DVD set at an op shop for cheap, bought it and initially thought it was a little boring and didn’t touch it again.
I might pick it back up after reading your comment
The cringe is kind of the point. For folks who enjoy it, that uncomfortable feeling - the second-hand embarrassment you feel for many of the characters - is the core of that enjoyment. It’s like horror movies, in a way - it’s fun to feel scared when there’s no real danger. It’s fun to feel the cringe when there’s nothing to really be embarrassed or uncomfortable about.
Okay, I’m going to make everybody feel old, but 20 years ago was 2005.
I didn’t watch a lot of TV at the time, but two of the shows on in 2005 that I did watch regularly were 24 and ER. My memory was that both of those shows started strong in their first seasons, but neither of them premiered in 2005.
…It looks like shows that I recognize which premiered in 2005 were Prison Break, Rome, Criminal Minds, The Office, The Closer…
The Office is famous for suffering through the first season. I think I watched some episodes of the first season of The Closer and Prison Break, and both were pretty good.
I think when people say “20 years ago” they really mean 30/40…
100%
20 years ago is early 90s in my mind.
Yeah, Firefly suffered from this 23 years ago
Hot take: The first season of The Office isn’t that bad and the show would be considerably worse if it wasn’t there (and similarly, a viewer’s experience would be worse if they skipped it). Not a lot ‘happens’ from a long-term story perspective, but it sets the stage for the tone of the show and more importantly it gets the viewer familiar with each of the individual characters and how they interact with each other. It’s necessary to contextualize their office dynamic in order for the viewer to care about any of the stuff that happens in season 2 and beyond.
That’s actually so good to know. Seeing so many The Office references online, I saw a whole DVD set at an op shop for cheap, bought it and initially thought it was a little boring and didn’t touch it again.
I might pick it back up after reading your comment
Can you handle cringe comedy? If you can’t then The Office isn’t for you.
Exactly why I’ve never ever liked The Office. I’m cringe enough on my own. I don’t need to inject any more into my day.
Some of the memes are pretty funny, though. Not knocking the show. It’s just definitely not my jam.
Partner and I tried to get through S1 it, but it was uncomfortably cringe and unenjoyable. Never picked it up again.
The cringe is kind of the point. For folks who enjoy it, that uncomfortable feeling - the second-hand embarrassment you feel for many of the characters - is the core of that enjoyment. It’s like horror movies, in a way - it’s fun to feel scared when there’s no real danger. It’s fun to feel the cringe when there’s nothing to really be embarrassed or uncomfortable about.
You shut your goddamn mouth.
The office is bad all throughout though