Twenty years after the debut of the American version of The Office, series creator Greg Daniels returns to the world that spearheaded the workplace comedy mockumentary with The Paper. Co-created with Michael Koman, The Paper trades a paper company in Scranton for a local newspaper in Toledo as new editor-in-chief Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson) tries to restore the Toledo Truth Teller to its former glory.
On top of the comedy you expect from a show with so much Office DNA, The Paper makes a clear statement regarding the importance of local news and civic participation. It doesn’t shy away from the serious issues impacting journalism, but it balances the painfully real with an overall optimistic worldview. The Paper is a show about good people doing important work, often with hilarious results, so if you’re looking for more comedies that reject cynicism, these shows will help restore your faith in humanity. Look to Peacock, Apple TV+, and more to kick off your next binge watch.
The Paper (2025-Present)
The new Peacock series quickly distinguishes itself from The Office, focusing on an idealistic new boss with big ideas and a staff that really needs his guidance. Ned doesn’t just help the Toledo Truth Teller (TTT) staff develop their journalism skills; he also gives viewers important lessons on media literacy and journalistic ethics.
The Paper does for the humble local newspaper what Anchorman (particularly, its sequel, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues) did for broadcast journalism, pointing out the sensationalization of trivial stories and the crucial importance of good reporting in exposing corruption and holding the powerful accountable. The first season’s arc shows the TTT transform from a glorified gossip rag to a source for important local stories, and I for one can’t wait to see where The Paper goes next. Without spoiling anything, I’ll say fans of The Office need to at least start the Pilot, and if you love heartfelt comedies about decent people doing good work with the odds stacked against them, you might just find yourself binging the entire first season.
The Office (2005-2013)
If you’re interested in The Paper, odds are you’ve already seen The Office, probably more than once, too. There’s not much that hasn’t already been said about the American Office. The series revolutionized TV comedy in a variety of ways, from its single camera format to focusing on subtle jokes, visual gags, and reactions over the bombastic laughlines of most multi-camera sitcoms.
The Paper has some obvious connections to The Office, including a surprise appearance from a familiar face that kicks off the series and the return of Oscar (Oscar Nunez) as a series regular. (Keep an eye on his desk for a subtle but touching callback to “Goodbye, Michael.”) And while The Paper is clearly charting its own course, it has the potential to match its predecessor in heart. The Office, ultimately, is a show about finding beauty in unexpected places and rooting for the underdog. If that, plus plenty of pranks, reaction shots, and “that’s what she said” jokes, appeal to you, then there’s a place for you at Dunder Mifflin Scranton.
Ted Lasso (2020-Present)
Few shows have as much heart as Ted Lasso, which follows an American football coach (Jason Sudeikis) who is hired to coach a British soccer team. While Ted is initially hired to bring the team down with his inexperience and complete lack of soccer knowledge, his Midwestern-style folksy optimism and compassion leads A.F.C. Richmond to victory.
In an age where so much comedy is cynical, Ted Lasso plants itself firmly on the side of kindness, though it may veer too far into sentimentality for some viewers. If you appreciated The Paper’s optimistic and uplifting tone, Ted Lasso is another comedy you can believe in.
Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)
Also created by Greg Daniels, this time with The Office and Saturday Night Live writer Michael Schur, Parks and Recreation is a workplace mockumentary focused on local government employees. It centers on Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), a passionate mid-level bureaucrat dedicated to making her hometown of Pawnee, Indiana a better place, no matter how many obstacles she faces.
Just like The Paper’s Ned Sampson, Leslie can be idealistic to a fault, but she always backs her words up with action, showing the naysayers what good leadership and hard work can accomplish. With its focus on community, charming Midwestern setting, and a protagonist who makes you believe anything is possible, Parks and Recreation is the perfect show for fans of The Paper.
The Good Place (2016-2020)
No one mixes feel-good comedy with philosophical depth like Michael Schur, and no show exemplifies this more than The Good Place. Over the course of four seasons, what starts out as a show about a woman (Kristen Bell) arriving in the afterlife in a case of mistaken identity becomes a profound study in what it means to be a good person and what we owe one another as human beings.
Just as Ned teaches the TTT staff Journalism 101, Chidi (William Jackson Harper) teaches Bell’s Eleanor introductory ethics, referring to moral philosophers ranging from Plato to Derek Parfit and making their complex ideas digestible for wider audiences. It’s hard to say much else about The Good Place without spoiling the first season’s big twist, which you absolutely do not want spoiled if you don’t know it already, so I will just say that it’s a must-watch for anyone who likes comedy that gives them plenty to think about after the credits roll.
Abbott Elementary (2021-Present)
Few network TV shows in recent years have made much of a mark, but Abbott Elementary is a major exception. The mockumentary focuses on teachers at a predominantly Black public school in Philadelphia who are trying their best to help their students despite working in a massively underfunded and mismanaged district. The show doesn’t shy away from the serious issues with the American education system and their impact on teachers and students, but it still absolutely delivers on the comedy front with stellar writing and performances.
Series creator and star Quinta Brunson plays a Ned Sampson or Leslie Knope-like upbeat protagonist, but if you love brash and glamorous characters like The Paper’s Esmeralda Grand (Sabrina Impacciatore), then you need to meet Abbott principal Ava Coleman (Janelle James). Particularly in early seasons, Ava shares Esmeralda’s penchant for speaking her mind, no matter how tone-deaf and standing in the way of her more idealistic colleagues. However, she also grows into her position as the series goes on, proving wrong anyone who still thinks sitcom characters need to remain static to stay funny. While some viewers may find it a bit preachy at times, Abbott Elementary is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys the mockumentary format and wants a show that manages to feel both familiar and fresh.
A Man on the Inside (2024-Present)
Reuniting The Good Place creator Michael Schur with star Ted Danson, Netflix’s A Man on the Inside follows retiree and widower Charles Nieuwendyk (Danson) as he goes undercover in a retirement home to help a private investigator investigate a theft. It’s a fun premise for a mystery, one that leads to plenty of hilarious hijinks, but like other Schur shows, it tackles some serious and underdiscussed topics.
At the start of the show, Charles is stuck in a lonely routine after losing his wife to Alzheimer's, disconnecting from the world and his daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), a story that is all too common among older adults. However, working the case and living at Pacific View Retirement Community gives Charles a new lease on life, reminding viewers of the importance of human connection. A Man on the Inside may hit too close to home for those who have cared for or watched older relatives decline with age, but the sitcom is an entertaining and powerful option for those who care about the kinds of underrepresented stories that outlets like the Toledo Truth Teller seek to shed light on.
