Review: The Paper
Released from the same crew that produced “The Office,” on Sept. 4, “The Paper” premiered on streaming platform Peacock. The show is a mockumentary that follows the story of a struggling newspaper called the “Toledo Truth Teller” (TTT) after a new editor-in-chief comes into the office.
The show starts out describing how the TTT was once a highly successful, professional publication, where the documentary company once filmed. They now return years later to the less-than-impressive paper office.
Much like “The Office” and earlier seasons of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” the show feels like a documentary – unscripted, awkward and unplanned. Characters are asked stir-the-pot style questions by the “crew” and are seen interacting with the cameras by running out of interviews or telling the cameras to stop filming. These interactions make the show feel more life-like and spontaneous.
Prior to the new editor-in-chief, Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson), the newspaper was made from clickbait or stolen articles on a website. None of the characters, besides the laid back Mare Pritti (Chelsea Frei) and the ancient Barry (Duane Shepard Sr.), had any experience when it came to journalism or writing whatsoever, a challenge the team has to overcome.
While attempting to get the once great newspaper going again, Ned has to deal with Esmeralda Grand (Sabrina Impacciatore), the eccentric and dramatic managing editor, who immediately feels threatened by Ned and does everything in her power to make things as complicated as possible for him. From sabotaging him
in meetings or giving him false information on Mare, who Ned is initially interested in, Esmerelda slyly adds a chaotic and condescending attitude to the show’s wide range of characters.
The characters are well-developed, with a wide variety of different personalities. Though diverse, each character feels like they could easily exist in any given workplace. The dynamics between them are realistic as well, with workplace crushing and contempt.
Though the show is an entertaining watch and boredom killer, it is a bit slow-paced. Rather than the 10-episode long season, the producers could have easily made it eight if they took out some unnecessary scenes.
