NBC’s The Office: Why It’s More than Just an Offbeat Comedy

I am a late comer to NBC’s The Office. In fact, until two months ago, I had never watched an episode of the hit comedy series. However, after hearing a friend recommend it, I decided to rent Seasons 1-2 from Netflix. I was hooked immediately. I soon found myself staying up late at night making up for lost time in order to catch up with third season of the series.

In my newfound enthusiasm, I began visiting fan-based web sites to get the latest “scuttlebutt” on the show. Yet, as I checked out sites like OfficeTally, I was struck by the enthusiasm, commitment, and passion of the show’s fan base.

The Office is funny and off-beat, but comedy alone doesn’t generate this kind of loyal following. Instead, I am convinced that the show’s pseudo-documentary motif is at the heart of this response. Unlike most shows or films in which there is always a separation between the characters on screen and yourself, the frequent “talking head” interviews of the characters give you direct insight into who the character is and what he or she is thinking and feeling. The end result is that, over time, you actually begin to believe you know these characters as real people. They no longer are two-dimensional characters in a sitcom; they really seem to be friends that you’d like to get to know personally and hang around with.

In our “temp culture”, we are more isolated now than ever before. We go from city to city in search of the perfect job. We stay in jobs for a couple of years and then move on to a better offer. We go church hopping, looking for the next great pastor. As a result, we know our neighbors and coworkers less and less. We form “alliances of the moment” rather than committing to meaningful, lasting friendships. Not surprisingly then, when a show like The Office sweeps in and offers us something we crave (the desire to really “know” someone), we jump on board. The head knows its just a television show, but the heart…

If the church is going to be effective in the “temp culture” that we live in, believers need to be more like Jim, Pam, and Dwight (OK, not Dwight). In other words, we need to be genuine, vulnerable, and endearing as we let the grace and joy of Christ shine through us. That’s what people are really craving.

Originally posted on Digitalwalk.net