‘The Office’ Creators Deliver ‘The Paper’: A Sharp Mockumentary Skewering Journalism’s Decline
In the wake of Dunder Mifflin’s paper empire, the mockumentary crew turns its awkward lens on another fading industry: local journalism. “The Paper,” a new Peacock series from “The Office” co-creator Greg Daniels and Michael Koman (“Nathan for You”), premiered on September 4, 2025, with all 10 episodes dropping at once. Starring Domhnall Gleeson as a hapless editor, the show hilariously dissects the chaos of a struggling Midwestern newspaper, blending deadpan humor with timely jabs at clickbait, corporate meddling, and the death of print.
This spiritual successor to “The Office” captures the same quirky workplace absurdity, but swaps staplers for bylines, proving the mockumentary format still packs a punch in an era of streaming satires.
The Premise: Reviving the Toledo Truth-Teller Amid Cutbacks and Chaos
Set in the same universe as “The Office,” “The Paper” follows the fictional documentary team—once chronicling Scranton’s paper sales woes—now filming the Toledo Truth-Teller, a historic but dying Ohio newspaper. New editor-in-chief Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson) arrives with a salesman’s charm but zero newsroom experience, tasked by the publisher to slash costs while boosting subscriptions. His desperate fix? Turn the ragtag office staff—accountants, compositors, and janitors—into “volunteer reporters” armed with nothing but enthusiasm and smartphones.
The result is comedic gold: untrained hacks chase scoops, botch ethics, and navigate corporate interference from a billionaire owner more interested in ad revenue than truth. Flashbacks to the paper’s 1970s glory days, styled like old-school investigative docs, contrast the current farce, highlighting journalism’s fall from Woodward-and-Bernstein heroism to viral cat videos.
Daniels and Koman, executive producers alongside Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (the U.K. “Office” originators), emphasize the mockumentary’s intimacy: talking-head confessions reveal personal ambitions clashing with professional doom.
The Cast: Gleeson Leads a Quirky Ensemble with Office Easter Eggs
Gleeson shines as Ned, an earnest disaster who moonlights creating puzzles to juice circulation—mirroring real papers’ pivot to entertainment. Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”) plays the steely publisher, clashing with Ned’s idealism. The ensemble steals scenes: Chelsea Frei as the compositor-turned-reporter, Melvin Gregg as a skeptical sports writer, Ramona Young as a viral content whiz, and Gbemisola Ikumelo as the ethics-obsessed intern.
Easter eggs abound for fans: Oscar Nunez reprises his “Office” role as accountant Oscar Martinez, now crunching numbers at the Truth-Teller. Recurring guests like Tracy Letts and Molly Ephraim add gravitas to the absurdity.
Critical Reception: Promising Start with Room to Polish
Early reviews praise “The Paper” for nailing the mockumentary vibe while tackling journalism’s woes head-on. Rotten Tomatoes gives it an 82% fresh rating, with critics noting it “establishes amusing dynamics and a genuine conviction for journalism that make for a potentially worthy successor to ‘The Office.'” Metacritic scores it 66/100, “generally favorable,” lauding the sharp satire on clickbait and layoffs.
The New York Times calls it a “comedy of decline” that starts “fast, funny and competent,” though it needs to refine its story arc. NPR highlights its timely edge: “The issues facing journalism these days… run throughout ‘The Paper,’ but it’s primarily a comedy, with characters and actors that will win you over.” BBC notes the deadpan humor and relatable stakes, distinguishing it from its predecessor.
Daniels told CBR the “spirit is the same”: strict mockumentary rules, but evolved for 2025—more diverse ensemble, sharper social commentary.
Public Buzz: Fans and Critics Weigh In on Social Media
X lit up post-premiere, with #ThePaper trending alongside #OfficeRevival. Fans raved: “If you loved the awkwardness of Dunder Mifflin, Ned’s newsroom is your next binge—hilarious take on fake news!” Journalists shared mixed feels: “As a reporter, it’s spot-on painful… but damn funny.” Skeptics griped about “another Office clone,” but most agree it’s a fresh spin.
Creators responded in interviews: Koman quipped, “We’re not reinventing the wheel—just the printing press.”
Impacts on U.S. Viewers: Satire Meets Reality in a Streaming Era
For American binge-watchers, “The Paper” arrives amid journalism’s real crises—over 2,500 newspapers shuttered since 2005, per Northwestern’s Medill School. It spotlights the shift to digital fluff, resonating with 70% of adults who get news from social media, per Pew Research. Economically, Peacock’s drop could boost subscriptions, tying into the $100 billion streaming market.
Politically, it subtly nods to media polarization, fueling debates on “fake news” ahead of 2026 elections. Lifestyle-wise, it inspires side-hustle laughs—think TikTok reporters—while sports fans chuckle at botched game coverage. Tech-savvy viewers appreciate the mockumentary’s timeless appeal, perfect for quarantine binges.
Conclusion: A Worthy Heir to the Mockumentary Throne
“The Paper” proves Greg Daniels and Michael Koman’s mockumentary magic endures, transforming journalism’s grim decline into laugh-out-loud gold. With Gleeson’s charm and a killer ensemble, it honors “The Office” while carving its niche in a crowded field.
Stream it on Peacock now—before your local rag folds. If it sticks the landing like its predecessor, expect seasons of scoops and slip-ups ahead.
