Take-offs and Face-offs
Usually NBC's "super-sized" sitcoms are loose and filled with extra air. But last night's fat "The Office" was one of the season's best.
The "Lazy Scranton" segment was perfect. Of course Michael would do a take-off of "Lazy Sunday" from "Saturday Night Live" (more NBC in-plugging). "Lazy Sunday" has become the most over-exposed and over-spoofed viral video out there. "The Office" continues to be one of TV's most web-aware series.
And the Dwight-Andy face-off was pure gold, and showed that the series has a lot more life left in it. Their friction was very "Yo Momma," and the handshake -- each knew the stronger one would let go last -- was priceless. I loved the way the show's editor just cut away from that handshake. That kind of askew timing is one of the things that makes "The Office" feel so different from conventional comedies.
Ed Helms is a great addition; his imitations of fellow "Daily Show" alum Steve Carell were hysterical -- and scary, too. So that's how the crazies wind up ruling the roost? "The Office" as political metaphor; there's a piece to be written.
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