As great as the Michael Scott Paper Company episodes were, I feel like "Broke" is the moment the show started it's steep decline. Once Wallace rehires Michael it's all over. Erin is worthless and unfunny. Pam in sales doesn't work. Instead of introducing new characters, they should have leaned on underused characters like Kelly, Oscar, Kevin, Stanley and Phyllis. In my opinion there's very little reason to watch anything past episode 25 of season 5.
shareI've always thought that the series should have ended at the end of season 3. The same place the UK series ended, in terms of plot that is. Of course on Network TV that would never happen, where apparently the advertisers call the shots. In the UK most comedy series are made by the BBC, so that would never be a problem.
i'd never thought about that before - the only difference really would be that Jim lays it all on the line to Pam BEFORE the merger happens (although you could argue that Tim does initially "ask Dawn out" in the first series of the UK one, but I always consider his approach to her at the end of 2 to be the equivalent of Jim's approach at Casino night).
In fact, that aside, you could say that all of the UK office is covered in season 3 of the US version - the tension and uncertainty before the downsizing, the confusion as one branch looks to be downsized but then isn't, then the merger itself and the settling in of the new staff, and finally the salesman and receptionist getting together.
It's good to see so many people on here though saying what I've put in another more recent thread, that the show should have ended sometime during season 5.
I like all seasons and Erin is my favorite character, actually.
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Ehr, okaaay... why not?
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Outstanding. Now all we need is a deck of cards.
I loved Erin. But the whole thing with her and Andy and Gabe and then Pete was really annoying. And very poorly done. And that took a lot from the seasons.
shareI agree that more focus on the underused characters would have helped. They were some of the best parts of the later episodes after Michael was gone.
shareLike all sitcoms the beginning of the end was Jim and Pam having a baby. Jim and Pam were always the cute but slightly annoying couple but by the time their kid arrived Jim and Pam become these incredibly self-centered we are better than you couple who I would never want to be around ever. The end comes when Michael Scott leaves after that the show is completely worthless.
shareHearing Pam say Cee Cee every two seconds was like nails on a chalk board.
Get on the scale son! Get off the scale.
Instead of introducing new characters, they should have leaned on underused characters like Kelly, Oscar, Kevin, Stanley and Phyllis."
This is the reason why the show went on another 5 seasons was to give the underused characters a chance
Once Wallace rehires Michael it's all over. Erin is worthless and unfunny. Pam in sales doesn't work.